The following week saw Jessy, Daniel's new girlfriend, trooping in and out of the mansion. She was an Instagram influencer. She took videos and filmed vlogs anytime she was at their home. With her pink tripod, she would set up her camera and start recording. Natasha hated her guts so much. She always hissed and rolled her eyes anytime she came into contact with Jessy.
On this particular day, Jessy came home with a mini suitcase packed.
"I'm here, baby!" Jessy screamed.
Natasha, who was at the dining table, asked Daniel, "What's going on here? Are you going on a trip or something?"
"None of your business, dummy." He walked away, leaving Natasha dumbfounded as she struggled to find her voice.
What the hell!!! Did he just speak to me like that? She fumed under her breath and cursed him.
She continued eating until Jessy walked in to ruin her already bad day.
"Hi, sissy," Jessy said.
"I'm not your sister, for God's sake," Natasha angrily replied.
"Well, get used to it. I'm here for the weekend since your parents are out of the country for a business trip," Jessy said.
Natasha, who instantly felt sick in her stomach, got up and stormed away. Jessy looked perplexed. She shook her head and called for the maid to take her order to the chef.
Natasha climbed the staircase in a split second and made her way to her bedroom. She banged the door so hard it echoed through the hallway. She locked it and jumped onto the bed with tears in her eyes.
He has been ignoring me. He barely talks or looks at me. I'm so pained. I thought I felt a spark between us the other time. What happened? Am I being delusional? Did everything just feel so unreal? she asked herself as she cried and buried her face in her pillow.
I can't take this anymore. I have to forget everything I feel for him.
She picked up her phone and called Pat.
"Hey babe, care to party tonight? Let's hit the club. We're eighteen now. Let's get drunk, bitchhhhh," Natasha said.
"Yayyy, let me get my makeup done then. I'll be waiting for you," Pat replied.
They ended the call, and Natasha took out her pink vibrator from her wardrobe. She turned it on and laid on her back on the bed. She shivered and rolled her eyes as she kept playing with her clit.
Daniel, who felt bad about how he had spoken to Natasha, gathered the courage and walked to her room to apologize. Upon reaching the door, he realized it was locked. He banged on it, but she didn't open. He could hear a buzzing sound coming from inside.
"Tasha!!! I know you're in there. Open the door!" he shouted.
"Go away, I'm busy!" Natasha responded.
He kept on banging until she finally got up—completely naked—and opened the door.
"What do you want?" she asked.
Daniel was too stunned to speak. His eyes were glued to her body. Like a scanner, he looked at everything — the butterfly tattoo around her navel, the belly piercing — exactly his type.
"Hey, have you lost your voice?" she said as she pushed him out of the room and headed to the washroom to take her bath, do her makeup, and set off to pick up Pat for the club.
She walked past Daniel and Jessy in the hallway.
"You look so hot," Jessy praised her. "I guess you're heading to the club. Have fun, sissy!"
Natasha rolled her eyes and passed without saying a word.
She wore a black shiny backless mini dress — very short, hugging her skin, showing her curves, and revealing her back. She picked up Pat and they headed to the club.
Back home, Daniel fumed and paced around, thinking about what Natasha was doing out there.
I didn't mean to push her away. I was just trying to create a distraction and distance myself from her. I can't think straight, he muttered to himself.
Jessy, who was engrossed with her phone, didn't realize anything was wrong. Daniel turned to her and said, "We're going clubbing. Get dressed."
Jessy was so happy that she jumped and hugged him.
An hour later, they were at the club. Daniel was like an eagle searching for prey. He scanned the entire room for Natasha.
She was twerking on her ex-boyfriend — the same guy who had ended things with her. Daniel was furious. Without thinking, he walked straight to them.
Jessy, still glued to her phone, didn't even notice.
"What is happening here?" Daniel demanded as he pulled Natasha away.
"Leave me alone! Why are you spoiling my fun? What do you want from me?" Natasha screamed. She grabbed her ex and kissed him vigorously.
Daniel couldn't stand it anymore. He dragged Natasha out of the club with Pat and Jessy following behind, confusion written all over their faces.
"What's happening?" they both asked in unison.
"Go home, Pat," Daniel blurted out. "And Jessy, I'll take you home."
"What?" Jessy exclaimed. "What's going on? How do you expect me to go home when my things are at your place? I thought we made plans for the weekend!"
"Well, it has changed!" Daniel screamed as he pushed Natasha into the car. "My parents are in, so we have to leave," he lied. That was the only excuse he had.
Pat and Jessy immediately relaxed. As he drove off, he assured Jessy he would send her things the next morning.
The fight in the car was long and loud.
"Why the hell did you lie? What is wrong with you? Why are you interfering in my life? You act sweet one moment and the next you talk to me like an enemy!" Natasha cried out.
"I hate to see you cry. Stop it," Daniel said as he got closer and embraced her. She smelled of cinnamon and sugar — so refreshing. It was one of the longest hugs he had ever given.
He pulled Natasha by the chin and looked straight into her eyes.
"I'm so sorry. I can't control myself. I don't know why. I can't keep pretending," Daniel said as he leaned in closer to kiss her.
Natasha closed her eyes and waited for the kiss.
But in that moment of desire and desperation, Daniel stepped back.
"I'm sorry… I can't control myself," he whispered.
He walked away, and Natasha fell to the ground crying. Is he playing with my feelings? Should I confront him? Or he doesn't feel the same way I do? Why leave me hanging she cried and thought to herself. I was this close to kissing him.
I could feel his lips. They would feel very soft and warm because his breath was warm. She whispered to herself as she tried so hard to stop the tears from flowing. She sat there for a while trying to comfort herself and make meaning of what just happened.