365 DAYS TO REMEMBER

Chapter 1

Melissa checked her phone for the umpteenth time and sighed. God in heaven knows this irresponsible side of Jason is one thing she hates so much about him.

"It's birthday for Pete's sake, and the crowd is at the venue already, waiting for her, but the jerk she calls a boyfriend, is no where to be found. He isn't even picking her calls." She snorted, as she thought.

She picked up her phone again, and dialed his number for the last time, it went through but he didn't pick up. She gave up.

She walked to the cheval mirror briefly to check out herself before stepping out.

She smiled, satisfied and happy.

She looked dazzling. Her birthday gown was a beautiful, black, armless gown made with satin and Royal lace, it was specially designed by one of the best designers in town. Her hair was styled beautifully with silver pins and clips, her makeup was nicely done as well, made to match the gown she was putting on. All thanks to her father.

Her dad had spent an arm and a leg to ensure her birthday party was a very humongous and aesthetic one, even when all she wanted, was a mini family party.

He invited famous magazine editors, influential business moguls, famous celebrities, models, and stylists. No one knew why and how he did that, but he made sure the guests were not more than 100, and they were all big cheeses.

"Grrrrh!" The ringing tone of her phone jotted her out of her thoughts, and she scurried from the mirror, to the couch she was sitting on earlier, she picked the phone up and glanced at the screen, it's was him.

She picked up the call with a deep frown, and a hand akimbo.

"Where are you Jason?" She asked, in her sleek American accent, and he was quiet for a while.

"I am at home, hope nothing?" He finally responded.

She was astonished and speechless. She knew him to be very reckless and forgetful, but she never imagined it would be to that extent.

"Are you there?" He asked again, and every muscle in her tensed.

"YOU DISGUSTING ASSHOLE!!!" She cussed angrily, "How can you forget my birthday?? The most important day of my life!!"

"Your birthday?? Babe you didn't.... " She hung up angrily, without him completing his words.

"No, I've had enough of this rubbish. I am breaking up with this dude today!" she exhaled roughly, while thinking aloud, and grabbed her clutch before storming out of the room.

She strolled to the house garage, and her face shoot open, just as she saw her driver standing beside the family's 'Tesla'.

"We are going with this??" She asked, walking towards him and pointing at the car.

"Yes ma'am, your father instructed the car to be cleaned and decorated for you." He replied, opening the door for her.

The flying Tesla is the most expensive car in the Jones' mansion garage, and her dad bought the car not too long ago, he hadn't rode the car for once, nor does he allow her mom or anyone to move with it. Consequently, Melissa was surprised he'd order it to be cleaned for her.

Her dad loves her so much, understandable, because she was the only daughter, and child, but she still doesn't know what to think of these special treatments, and expensive birthday party.

"Anywho, she'll just sit back and enjoy."

"22 feels good!!" She thought and smiled.

°°°°°°°°°

The drive was quit short, and they got to the venue about 30 minutes after. she remained in the car, taking pictures of herself and posting on insta, the picture sharing platform, specifically made for people like her.

She suddenly, felt someone knock on the door, and she wind down the tinted side window as she turned to see Jason, "her stupid boyfriend" .

She opened the door and he came in immediately.

"What are you doing here?" She asked with a deep frown, as he closed the door.

"Come on babe, let's put that behind. The most important thing is that I am here now." He responded, with a worry knitted forehead.

"How can you forget my birthday Jason?? how can youuu.....?" She questioned, visibly annoyed, and he interrupted.

"Quit the drama Melissa! You were supposed to remind me!!" He yelled.

"I am supposed to remind you??!" She yelled, louder back at him, and he sobered.

"And now, you even called me MELISSA? What happened to baby... sweetheart.... honey..?" She added painfully, as she fought the urge to cry.

"I can remember vividly Jason, you were the first person I gave the invite to. I told you, way even before anyone was informed."

She locked eyes with him, and sniffed, "I need to know what is happening Jason, you don't care about me anymore.... You treat me like an option, and you make me feel I've been forcing myself on you...." She burst into tears.

He stretch his hand immediately, and pulled her close, pulling her into a hug subsequently.

"I'm sorry I made you feel that way" he wiped her tears with his palm, and rubbed her back slowly "I care so much about you, and I will never purposely hurt you." He muttered apologies, begging her to stop crying.

"Look at me" he pulled out and brought her face close to his. "Look into my eyes and tell me what you see"

She looked up, and obeyed, she couldn't help, but admire what she saw. From the well defined brows, to the beautiful dark-brown almond eyes, his pointed nose and the well toned skin, to the hot red lips. "This handsome chap here is mine" she ignored whatever he was saying, as smiled and thought to herself.

"........you can see guilt, remorse and compassion...."

"I could only see a handsome man" she interrupted and cackled.

He giggled lightly and pitched her nose playfully. "I'm deeply sorry dearling...."

"Just shut up and kiss me." She pouted.

He smiled and leaned forward, just as he was about to, they got interrupted by a brisk knock on the side window. She opened the door and it turned out to be the driver.

"Ma'am, you are needed in the hall now!!."

Whoop! She almost forgot it was her birthday.

She brought out a mirror and adjusted her makeup, grabbed her silver clutch and phone, and stepped out immediately, leaving Jason and the driver behind.

Camera lights started coming from different paparazzi and directions, as she struggled to reach the portico of the hall, she got there and heaved a deep breath, before opening the door, and she walked in.

The hall was so large and beautifully decorated, the entire place was gay with chandeliers hung all around.

There were about 20 round table there, they were rounded with decorated chairs, in a way five people gets to share a table. Foods of different varieties were show-cased, and a slow music was playing in the background.

All eyes were on her, as she cat walked perfectly and elegantly into the hall (exactly the way her mom taught her).

Everything seemed beautiful and normal apart from what she saw when she looked at the most distant corner of the hall.

She saw some people talking to her father, and they were gesturing at him authoritatively, while he stood there with his hands at his back, giving a slight bow, more like him receiving instructions from them.

She was surprised and genuinely confused. Her father is a successful and quite famous business mogul, he is well respected and he has NEVER bowed to anyone before.

What is going on? Who are these people and why is he talking to them? She wondered.