DARKEST DESIRES

3

♡♡MONET ♡♡

Christian and I had a disagreement the day Darren brought me home. He was upset about my excessive drinking and ending up at a stranger's house. I apologized for getting too drunk, but I assured him that nothing happened between Darren and me. However, Christian struggled to believe me, which made me realize he doesn't entirely trust me. That hurts, because I do trust him, and I love him. Darren may have a charming and intimidating presence, but my feelings for Christian are genuine. He's the first guy I've ever dated, and that's significant because I've always had a phobia of guys. In high school, I would avoid them at all costs, but with Christian, something was different. I'm not sure what it was, but it wasn't just infatuation. I simply liked him, and that's a big deal for me.

I'm still reeling from Christian's accusation that I cheated on him. He claims my story doesn't add up, and it hurts that he thinks I would betray him like that. He's been avoiding my calls for two days, and today of all days, I need him to be there for me. It's my grandfather's 65th birthday, and I want to focus on celebrating Papa's special day. But Christian's absence is weighing on me.

Luckily, Sacha and Lauren are helping me with the preparations, despite my lingering anger towards them. I'm still upset that they left me at the club that night, and their excuses aren't cutting it. We were all drunk, so how did they manage to find their way home while I ended up in a stranger's house? Lauren tries to reassure me, "I think Christian is just being a dick, baby girl." Despite my anger, I confided in her about everything, as we always share our lives with each other. Sacha listens intently, though he rarely opens up about his own secrets. We usually figure things out on our own, but it's comforting to have them by my side today.

Lauren has never been a fan of Christian, and neither are Papa and Sacha. But I believe that if they saw him through my eyes, they would eventually understand and appreciate him. "Or maybe he's just being insecure because you mentioned the stranger was hot," Lauren says with a sly smile, sipping her cocktail discreetly. She snatched one when Papa wasn't looking, knowing he's still strict about the no-drinking policy, even though we're all old enough to drink. Personally, I've never been fond of alcohol's taste or how it makes me feel, so I prefer to abstain.

As we stand outside, I'm surprised by the sheer number of guests arriving. The parking area is already filled, and it seems like three-quarters of the guest list is here today. Soft, happy music drifts from inside the house, accompanied by the clinking of glasses. I would have joined the celebration indoors, but I'm not fond of being introduced to every guest by my grandfather, with everyone commenting on how much I've grown. It's a bit overwhelming, so I'm content to stay outside with Lauren for now.

As we stand outside, a black SUV pulls up beside the porch, catching our attention. "Is that a BMW X6?" Sacha asks, and Lauren and I exchange a curious glance. I've never been into cars, knowing only the brand names, but Sacha's tone suggests this one is special. "Fuck," Sacha mutters, and Lauren echoes the sentiment, her eyes wide with surprise. The stroll in her mouth remains frozen, and her stiff posture piques my curiosity. I follow her gaze back to the car, wondering what's causing their reaction. The SUV's sleek design and tinted windows seem ominous, and I can't help but feel a sense of unease as we wait to see who emerges from the vehicle.

Darren steps out of the SUV and leans against it, one arm folded across his chest and the other holding his phone to his ear. My gaze lingers on his simple yet stylish outfit - a crisp white shirt, blue jeans, and white and black tennis shoes. He exudes a effortless charm, making the casual attire look remarkably appealing. Lauren's voice breaks the spell, her words trailing off as she takes in the scene. "Okay, now that's... That's something you don't see every day," she says, her tone a mix of surprise and admiration.