THE PAIN YOU GIVE

CHAPTER 3 -Beneath the Surface

"Ahhhhh... I was praying for this day!" exclaimed Tameka upon hearing the news of Chrissy and Jason dating. "I'm so happy for you, Chrissy," she told her sister, who looked at her in disbelief. "Would you pipe down? We're in a restaurant; people are staring," Chrissy retorted, earning a frown from Tameka in response.

"So, have you guys discussed the wedding?" Tameka questioned. "Ummm... not yet," Chrissy responded, taking a sip of her hot latte. "We haven't even gone on our first date," she added, prompting a nod from Tameka. "But you don't seem happy, big sis," Tameka observed Chrissy's grumpy mood.

"I'm not!" Chrissy exclaimed. "This is Dad's decision, not mine," she lamented. Tameka sighed, realizing Chrissy was going through a hard time. "Don't be so hard on yourself, big sis," she advised. "Maybe as time goes on, you'll get used to Jason and eventually fall for him."

"Well," Chrissy responded, "I have no choice. I'm meeting him this evening, and I'm thinking of what to wear and..." "I can help you!" Tameka interrupted excitedly. "We can go back to my house; I have plenty of clothes in my closet that would be a perfect fit."

"No, thank you," Chrissy declined her offer. "I'll think of something. After all, I'm not dressing to impress him." Tameka looked at her in disbelief. "Gosh! You're so stubborn," she said humorously, causing Chrissy to burst into laughter and shaking her head in awkwardness.

At Jason's office, the celebration was already in full swing, with him and his friends Alex and Joe pouring scotch into their glasses and toasting their friend's impending departure from bachelorhood. "Cheers to our best friend Jason, who's leaving his sweet life of singleness to cling to a tigress till death do them part," Joe joked, eliciting laughter from everyone present. "Alright, alright," Jason responded, playing along with his friends' teasing. "After all, you all are married to her family and friends, so no big deal," he added. "Well, that's a fact," Alex agreed,

"But man, she is a tough cookie. I wonder how you're going to cope with her," Alex suddenly questioned Jason. Jason shrugged nonchalantly. "Time will tell," he replied casually. "But do you have feelings for her?" Joe asked bluntly. "Well... I don't," Jason responded honestly. "I'm just marrying her because her dad and my dad are friends... You know, keeping up family status... no strings attached," he explained. "Well, alright," Joe said in relief. "For a moment, I thought you were diving into the love pool...... I was going to call you lover boy," he concluded jokingly, prompting laughter from Jason and Alex.

As the evening descended, Chrissy found herself facing a daunting prospect: a date with Jason, her worst nightmare incarnate. "Arghhhhh .... I can't believe this is happening to me," she lamented, feeling a surge of frustration. "I can't go on a date with that jerk. Why would my dad agree to this?" Her outburst filled the room, echoing her inner turmoil.

Her friend Uma attempted to soothe her, urging her to just go and have fun. But Chrissy's resistance was palpable. "No!! How will that be fun?" she protested, addressing all three of her friends gathered in the room. "I can't stand his sorry ass of a man!" Her words were sharp, drawing a warning from Andrea to mind her language. Tameka joined in, encouraging Chrissy to try and calm down.

With a heavy sigh, Chrissy conceded, "Well, maybe I'm overthinking." Uma chimed in with reassurance, assuring Chrissy that there was nothing to worry about. "See?" she replied. "There is nothing to worry about." With a sense of resolve, Tameka stepped forward with a suggestion. "Now, let's help Chrissy get dressed, shall we?" she stated, her tone confident as she guided them towards the dressing room.

"Oh my god Chrissy u look gorgeous" Chrissy's friends showered her with compliments as she stood before the mirror, admiring her own reflection. She couldn't help but agree with them; she felt stunning in her sleek black dress that accentuated her hourglass figure, her hair elegantly tied back with a ribbon. Turning to get a closer look, she couldn't hide her satisfaction.