CHAPTER ONE

Title: “The not so Perfect Life.”

Jessica’s POV

“I have so much work to do, oh my dayss. I need a day off or two.”

I said, looking at the scattered documents on my table.

“Knock knock.”

“Madam Jessica, the clients are at the conference room waiting for you.”

My assistant came to inform me.

“Oh yes, I’ll be there in a minute.”

Before I could leave, my phone started ringing. It was my boyfriend, George.

“Hi baby, we haven’t spoken since our argument last night,” George said on the phone.

“You know I miss you a lot and I’m sorry for the way I acted. Can we see each other tonight?”

“George, I don’t have time for this. I have a meeting. Later.”

I dropped the phone angrily and walked to the meeting.

George and I were always arguing over little things, and somehow, they always turned into a fight. He had said something mean to me last night, and I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

I was done with my meeting a few hours later, and I decided to go to his place so we could clear the air.

Knock knock!

The door opened, and George came out. He immediately tried to hug me.

“Baby, I missed you. I’m sorry for how I acted yesterday. I was being a coward.”

“Sure you were.”

I replied, trying not to smile.

“Hmmm, my baby with the attitude.”

We both laughed it off.

“Do you want to eat?” he asked.

“Of course I do. Did you cook?”

“No, I ordered pizza for us.”

“Oh, okay.”

I sat down on the couch and dropped my bag beside me.

“Before the pizza gets here, I want to tell you about the multimillion dollar contract I just closed today.”

His mood suddenly changed.

It was almost like he wasn’t happy for me.

George never really asked me about my work or Page Groups, but I always tried to tell him about it because he was my boyfriend and I wanted him to be a part of my life.

“That’s nice,” he said.

I looked at him.

“Is that all?”

He looked at me and walked back to the kitchen.

“George!”

I shouted as I followed him.

“What do you want me to fucking say, huh, Jessica?”

He turned around, looking frustrated.

“It’s always your business this, your business that. I’m tired. I have been struggling with this stupid journalism company and I have been trying to take everything in.”

“But you didn’t tell me or even try to confide in me.”

“I don’t need your fucking sympathy. Because you have money, you think that’s everything.”

“Don’t say that, George. I never make you feel weird about money or anything. I’m always trying to communicate with you, but you get defensive every time.”

“How am I getting defensive? I can’t even come to your house because your parents think I’m worthless.”

“Your best friend hates me too”

“Stop. Don’t say that. I love you, and that’s all that matters.”

“Stop it, Jessica. Just stop.”

He looked away.

“I’ll deal with my issues myself. Just go.”

I stared at him.

“What do you mean by that?”

“I need space, Jessica. It’s always one fight after another. I love you, baby, but I just need time to think and process all this.”

I didn’t know what to say to him.

“But if that’s what you want, fine.”

I grabbed my bag.

“Have a wonderful day. Bye.”

I walked out without looking back.

The moment I got into the car, I started crying.

I hated fighting with George. Every time we argued, I always told myself it would be the last time.

But somehow, we always ended up here again.

My phone started ringing.

I hoped it wasn’t my mother.

I checked the screen and saw it was my best friend, Eva.

I picked up.

“Babygirl, how are you?”

I stayed silent.

“Why are you sniffling? Are you crying?”

I wiped my face quickly.

“Don’t tell me it’s that stupid boy again. George.”

“Eva, don’t say that.”

“Girl, he’s not the one for you. What else do you want to hear?”

“It wasn’t his fault. It was mine.”

“Stop making stupid excuses for him.”

I sighed.

“Okay, what happened now?”

“It was about my business. I shouldn’t have told him about my closing deal.”

“Whattt? Is that what this is about?”

“Yeah.”

“So he’s intimidated by your success?”

“No, Eva, it’s not that. You’re just making things worse. I don’t want to talk right now.”

“Jessica”

“I’ll call you later.”

I ended the call before she could say anything else.

Eva never understood my relationship with George. No one ever did.

They only saw the arguments.

They didn’t see the good moments we had together.

They didn’t know how much I loved him.

Maybe it really was my fault.

Maybe I should have chosen a better time to tell him about the deal.

I sighed and leaned back against the seat.

I decided to go back home because I was exhausted from work and this whole fight with George.

I got home around midnight.

As I walked in, I could hear the television was still on.

“Oh, she’s still awake.”

I walked into the living room and saw my mother sitting on the couch watching TV.

“Jessica.”

She called out.

“Yes, Mum?”

“Why are you coming back this late?”

“Oh, there was traffic. It’s nothing.”

She looked at me carefully.

“Were you crying? Why is your face swollen?”

I quickly looked away.

“Oh, oh, no. It’s nothing. Mum, work was just really tiring.”

She didn’t say anything for a few seconds.

Then she turned off the television.

“Was it George?”

I froze.

“How do you know?”

“Because I’m your mother.”

I rolled my eyes.

“It’s nothing, Mum. We’re fine.”

“Jessica, you don’t have to lie to me.”

“I’m not lying.”

She sighed and stood up.

“Whatever you say.”

She started walking away before stopping.

“Oh, and your father wants to see you tomorrow morning.”

I frowned.

“Why?”

“He said he wants to discuss something important with you.”

“What is it?”

“I don’t know.”

She looked at me for a moment.

“But whatever it is, be prepared.”

I stared at her as she walked upstairs.

Be prepared?

“Be prepared for what”

I’m not even in the mood for all these.

I got to the room pulled out my phone and George still hasn’t texted

So he does still want space, okay fine.

“But did I do anything wrong” I thought to myself.

I’ll give him his space.