[Previously titled 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁𝘆 𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲]
❝No, Ace. I can't do it," I sob.
"I know you can take more than that, sunshine, come on," he encourages, pummeling into me in fervent motions. "One more for daddy, yeah?" He coaxes in a gruffly voice...
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A C E
The day of the gender reveal finally arrived, but I don't feel as excited as everyone else. The party is low-key and casual, with Marisa's family and a few friends. Mike and another friend of mine are here too. We're seated in the kitchen, chatting and drinking.
I feel so disconnected. The laughter and gossip from Marisa and the girls in the living room, where gifts are stacked by the fireplace, seem distant. The party has been going for an hour, but I secretly wish it would end.
"You know, Ace, I get that things are complicated, but seriously, you look like you're at a funeral. Put on a smile and pretend to be happy for a few hours," Mike says, leaning closer.
I sigh, down my drink, and try to enjoy the party. When someone announces it's time for the gender reveal, everyone cheers and gathers around the dining table where a bunch of cupcakes is laid out.
The doorbell rings at the same time, and before I can move, Marisa goes to answer it. When I glance at Mike, he gestures for me to smile, and I just roll my eyes. However, I try to put on a smile and turn to Mike.
"Is this good, like this?" I ask and he takes one look at my forced smile and cringes.
"Yikes. Honestly, that smile is just creepy, man. You're better off without it," he says while shaking his head and I sigh.
When Marisa returns, my heart skips a beat and my frown deepens at the sight of Olivia. She looks equally surprised and nervous. Everyone gets quiet, confusingly looking at her.
"Who's she?" One of the girls asks and Marisa grins mischievously.
"Oh, that's Olivia, an acquaintance of mine. She happened to be passing by, so I invited her to join the party," she replies and Mike kicks my arm repeatedly.
"Is that the girl I think she is?" He leans in to whisper and I nod. "Oh, fuck man. Of all the times for this to happen...,"
I tightly clench my jaw and fists. Marisa joins me, standing next to me. I grab her wrist and, without a word, drag her toward my room, piquing the curiosity of our guests. As I close the door, I turn to Marisa.
"What the fucking hell do you think you're doing? Why is Olivia here?" I ask sternly and she just shrugs, looking unapologetic.
"She said she wanted to talk to you and I told her she could find you here. I thought it wouldn't hurt to have her join the party and maybe talk to you later," she says and I exhale loudly and run my hands through my hair, my frustration and anger growing.
"And you didn't think to ask me first? You know how I feel about Olivia and how delicate things are between us right now," I snap and she folds her arms defensively.
