San Diego – California

Nathan was in his penthouse with his friends.

Luke was laughing. – You're really crazy!

Nathan – Why are you saying that?

Luke – Do you even know what you're about to do, bro???

Nick, laughing – He definitely doesn't; he's still feeling the effects of last night's drinking.

Nathan – I've been dating Olivia for two years; I'm just making it official ahead of schedule. I was going to do it next year or the year after, but my grandfather came up with this whole Christmas gathering thing to choose his successor. And you know how important this is to him, or should I say, extremely important!

Oliver was eating cake and just laughing while listening to them talk.

Luke – Why don't you just take her as your girlfriend? What if your grandfather doesn't like her?

Nathan – Trust me, he'll love Olivia. She has the right last name, knows how to behave, she's gorgeous...

Nick – I like her. I wasn't going to say anything, but since you're being crazy… honestly, I don't trust her.

Nathan – Spit it out! What do you know that I don't?

Nick – Nothing. If I knew something, I would tell you. And you know I would.

Nathan – Then why did you say you don't trust her?

Nick – My mom has this thing about saying that her sixth sense is talking to her, and maybe it's my sixth sense too.

They all burst into laughter. – You can't even use your five senses; imagine having one more!

Nick – Seriously, Nathan. She doesn't inspire confidence in me. I don't know, bro... You've been with her for two years, and I still can't feel comfortable around Olivia. Sorry, man, I know she's your girl, that you love her…

Oliver roars with laughter. – Now you've gone too far! Nathan loving Olivia... Come on!

Nathan – Of course, I love her. I've been with her for two years, Oly. You think I'd be with her if I wasn't?

Oliver – Nathan, I've known you since high school, and you don't love Olivia, and you never will. Think about it. Why else would you be proposing to her next year or maybe the year after? Bro, how many times do we go to Vegas, and you end up hooking up with someone else?

Nathan – That was in the beginning; I'm not doing that anymore. At first, I didn't know if it was going to work out or not.

Oliver – Be serious, Nathan. You stopped because your grandfather is watching you, not because of her. And another thing, you're here with these rings, and you don't even have that lovestruck look on your face.

Nathan – Enough! Now I have to look lovestruck to get engaged?

Oliver – There's no love, bro! Not from your side or hers. And I'm going to tell you the truth, she uses you because you have a last name and money. You use her because she's hot, high society, and the rest… If I tell you, you'll probably hit me.

Nick, laughing – I agree with Oly.

Luke – See? And they say I'm the bad guy…

Nathan – Enough! That's it! It's my life, and I'm going to get engaged to her. You're my friends, but she's my girlfriend and will be my wife in the future.

Luke – Wow, that was deep.

Nick – How sad…

Oliver – I doubt it. If you loved her, you wouldn't have dated her for two years and still be unsure about marrying her or not. And you don't look at each other like your parents do, like my parents...

Nathan – That's got nothing to do with anything, Oly. Olivia has everything I need in a woman. She knows how to behave, she's beautiful, elegant, she doesn't talk much, she's caring, serious…

Oliver – Now you're telling the truth.

Nathan – What do you mean?

Oliver – You just listed what you need in a woman, not that you love her!

Nathan – That's it! I'm out of here… He grabs his car keys. …When you leave, lock the door.

They open their arms wide. – Where are you going???

Nathan – To put this ring on her finger once and for all.

Oliver – You're going to screw up big time!

Nathan:

I leave and hurry off before I change my mind. I keep thinking about what Oliver said to me. She really is what I consider perfect to present to my grandfather, and besides, we're traveling this week anyway. Not to mention, there are millions of people who get married and live happily ever after without this love thing. What a drag…

In Santee - California

Aphrodite:

Sandy – Shouldn't you leave earlier?

Aphrodite – Why?

Sandy – I don't trust Henry.

Aphrodite – This again, Sandy? Come on; you know I love Henry; he's the love of my life.

Emmy eats while listening to their conversation.

Mary – He's too cocky and strange! I don't know how you've been together for so long.

Sandy – You know I love you like a sister, but I can't stand Henry. It feels like he's lying.

Aphrodite – Seriously! We've been together for almost three years, and we even got engaged. If he was a liar, I would have figured it out by now.

Sandy – I don't know… You started dating in college, and you come home to your parents' every day…

Aphrodite – Just say what you know!

Sandy – Girl, I swear I wish I knew something, but I really don't. You can be sure I would be the first to tell you if I knew anything.

Mary – Why don't you go with your parents and let us keep an eye on him? If he's what we think he is, he's going to mess around, and we'll catch him.

Aphrodite – No! I think he's going to propose to me at Christmas.

Emma, laughing – No way! Wake up, Aphrodite. I've known you since kindergarten. He doesn't love you, and you don't love him. You might be infatuated with him, but love? No… He's using you. There! I said it!

Aphrodite – No way! If he was using me, why would he put a ring on my finger?

Emma – You're beautiful, smart, none of his friends have hit on you, his mother loves you, you live in another city, you're always studying, you give him a lot of space… And sorry, but no! You must be like a Christmas tree ornament to him!

Aphrodite – I thought you were my friend!

Emma – That's why I told you, Aphrodite. I love you, and if I could, I would pay for a detective just to prove that he's not who you think he is.

They argue and then calm down.

Emma – You know what, Aphrodite? Go. Surprise him.

Aphrodite – That's exactly what I'm going to do.

Emma hugs her – I sincerely hope I'm wrong about Henry, my friend. If you need me, you know you can count on me.

Aphrodite hugs her back. – Thank you, but I'll still prove to you that he loves me.

They stay there for a while until Aphrodite gets ready, and then they all leave.

Aphrodite:

I go to San Diego thinking about everything my friends, especially Emma, told me. I love Henry so much, and he loves me. He wouldn’t do this… My parents went to my grandparents’ house, and I’m going to surprise my love…

Aphrodite

My fiance Henry graduated from medical school last year, he's a catch. I love him so much!! Maybe next year, I'll marry him.....

I stop to fill up the car and before entering the highway, I pick up my cell phone to call my love, but I give up when I remember everything my friends said, I decide to really surprise him!

I end up calling my parents who are going to Tucson, Arizona, where my maternal grandparents live.

They went to spend Christmas with them.

Hera – Hi, my daughter!!! How beautiful you are?

Aphrodite – Hi, mom, I'm fine and you?

Hera – We're great, we're already dying to see you.... and still far from your grandmother's house, but I'm having so much fun with your father

Aphrodite laughs - I imagine, Dad is very funny.

Hera – Are you home?

Aphrodite – I'm going to San Diego to see Henry

Hera – Weren't you going tomorrow?

Aphrodite – Yes, but I decided to surprise him and I'm going

Hera – Alright then, take care and be good!

Aphrodite – Don't worry, I know how to take care of myself, mom

They chat a little longer and hang up

Aphrodite

Henry is the son of a big businessman from San Diego, I love his family, especially his mother.

I'm so happy and you know what I'm going to prove my friends wrong about him. Henry loves me!

In San Diego

Henry – Beautiful, I was dying to see you

Woman – I was too, this Christmas is going to be terrible, being away from you. I don't know what I'm going to do

Henry – I agree, but let's not talk about that now

They kiss and go to the room.......

Nathan

I arrive at Olivia's apartment, I stand in front of the building for a while, wondering if I was doing the right thing. I look at the ring box that I paid a fortune for and worse, I don't even know if I want to.....

I decide to go down and whatever God wants, I need to be Grandpa William's chosen one....

I enter, greet the doorman, I know him and even though Olivia is very discreet, whenever I can I talk to him.

When I was calling the elevator he calls me

Doorman – Mr. Nathan, Miss Olivia is not here, she left just now

Nathan

I thank him and go back to the car, but it bothered me more than it should.

I never cared, but she knew I wasn't coming to see her today, I told her I was going out drinking with the guys and she told me she wasn't going out....

After everything my friends told me, especially Oliver

I call Olivia and get voicemail, I don't usually pay attention to these things, but like my friend says, maybe the sixth sense is speaking louder.

I decide to call Eder, he's an acquaintance of mine and works at a government agency...

Eder – Hey bro

Nathan – All good, how about you?.... we talked for a bit and I decided to ask him if he could track a license plate for me

Eder – Send it over and I'll tell you where it is

Nathan – I say the plate, I know, I gave her that car earlier this year

Eder – Can you write it down?

Nathan – Yes, go ahead

I type directly into the car's GPS, thank my friend and go to where her car is.

Aphrodite

I arrive at Henry's building, N.Y. Prime building, I think that's a horrible name, we live in San Diego, not N.Y. By coincidence, there was a neighbor of his coming in and I take advantage of it and go into the garage with her, she knew me, we've talked a few times.

It's just that I talk to everyone, and that has helped me a few times.

Of course I take advantage of it and help her with the groceries she was carrying

Nathan

Bingo, her car is in front of a building called N.Y. Prime, weird name.....

I call her again and get voicemail

I decide to go down and ask the doorman, I'm well known in San Diego I think it won't be difficult....

Nathan – Good evening, sir

Doorman – Good evening, oh it's Mr. Nathan Kots, boy it's a pleasure to meet you

Nathan – The pleasure is all mine, I talk a little and ask if he saw Olivia, I show him a picture of her

Doorman – Ah yes, Henry's cousin. She just went up

Nathan – I wanted to surprise her, you know they are very good friends of mine

The doorman thinks for a moment and ends up letting him go up

Nathan

There's an advantage to not dating in the media, hardly anyone knows...

Now cousin??? She has no cousins here, I'll kill her if my friends are right

I call the elevator and go up, it's on the top floor

Aphrodite

I help his neighbor who stops on the 3rd floor and go up, I'm anxious to see his face....

Aphrodite

I arrive and right after, the other elevator arrives. In his building, there are two; it's very tall with many apartments.

As I'm opening the door…

Nathan

I arrive and there's a girl standing at the door of the apartment, seemingly looking for her key in her purse.

She's hot, but I don't even want to look. I'm angry just thinking about what I might find inside this apartment.

I approach her and...

Nathan – Good evening.

Aphrodite jumps, flinging everything – bag, keys, cellphone – "Are you crazy?! Trying to give me a heart attack?" She gathers her bag and was about to hit him with it, but…

Nathan helps her gather her things, laughing – "Sorry, it's just…"

Aphrodite – "You don't look like a mugger."

Nathan smiling – "No! Relax, I'm just here for my girlfriend."

Aphrodite – "Then you must be on the wrong floor or at the wrong door because my fiance lives here."

Nathan thinking – "Oh boy! At least I won't be the only one killing tonight, if…"

Aphrodite snaps her fingers in his face – "Hey, are you alright?"

Nathan – "Yes, I was just thinking about how to tell you…"

Aphrodite – "Tell me what?"

Nathan – "I think my girlfriend and your fiance…"

Aphrodite – "Are friends?"

Nathan thinking seriously? "No..."

Nathan – "Not exactly friends, maybe they're being a little more than that."

Aphrodite – "No! Wait, are you telling me they might be cheating on us?"

Nathan – "Yes."

Aphrodite running her hand over her head – "Was Emma right? Am I really that blind?"

Nathan forces a laugh – "Sorry, but that's funny."

Aphrodite – "Don't laugh! If I'm clueless, you're not any different."

Nathan's face hardens – "Please, just open the door."

Aphrodite – "Calm down! Let's team up."

Nathan – "Team up for what?"

Aphrodite – "We'll go in slowly and catch them completely by surprise."

Nathan – "I'm in. I'll go first."

Aphrodite – "No way, I'm going. He's my fiance, or ex, or soon-to-be a dead man."

Nathan – "Okay, I'm right behind you. But hurry up and open it."

Aphrodite – "Alright…" And she stops again.

Nathan – "What is it now?"

Aphrodite – "What if he really is cheating on me? I don't know if I want to see it."

Nathan – "You'd rather be played for a fool?"

Aphrodite – "No… Let's go then…" She stops again.

Nathan – "Girl, just open the door!"

Aphrodite – "Don't you raise your voice at me, Mr. Cuckold."

Nathan – "We don't even know if it's true yet."

Aphrodite – "Just promise you won't let me kill him."

Nathan smiling – "I'll kill her, he's all yours."

Aphrodite – "Selfish… I'm opening it."

She opens the door, and they walk in.

The apartment is all tidy, but there are voices, and they follow the sound, pushing each other without saying a word.

Nathan thinking: "Annoying girl."

Aphrodite thinking: "Insufferable guy. I hope he brought a spare pair of horns… Oh wait, no! If he's got them, then I do too…"

They reach the room where the door is ajar and are careful not to be seen. Nathan is about to barge in but Aphrodite stops him, signaling to listen to what they're saying.

Aphrodite

I saw that the guy was about to go in; he was furious. But no, I wanted to hear what the cheaters were saying.

Olivia – "Are you sure your little doll, or should I say puppet, isn't coming over tonight?"

Henry – "Don't worry! She's clueless, trusts me blindly. You know I need someone like that."

Olivia – "I know, but I get jealous."

Henry – "You are so much more woman, beautiful, hot… What about your little boyfriend?"

Olivia – "We're getting engaged and soon I'll marry the fool, Nathan. That way, I'll have a much more important last name. You know my father is bankrupt, and I can't risk losing the comforts I have. After a while with him, I'll divorce, get half of everything, and then we can be together. Of course, we'll always see each other. And are you really going to marry that little girl?"

Henry – "Yes, I am. She's hot, quiet, a good girl, and my mother loves her… and hates you! So I'll get married, my father will give me my share of the assets, and then I hope you'll be free, and we can be together."

Nathan whispers just to Aphrodite – "That's it! I don't need to hear anything else."

Aphrodite – "Me neither."

At that moment, Nathan and Aphrodite burst into the room, catching the two naked and embracing, making it impossible for them to deny anything.

Henry – "Honey!!!"

Olivia – "Baby!!!"

Nathan – "You gold digger, you cheap…"

They get up, covering themselves as best they can.

Aphrodite – "I can't believe it, Henry! Why would you do this to me? I trusted you!"

Henry – "I can explain, please forgive me. You are…"

Olivia – "Nathan, I love you, it was just…"

Nathan – "Don't you ever speak to me again, you… And to think I was going to marry you!"

Henry was in front of Aphrodite, trying to make her listen, but she refused. He grabs her arm and…

Nathan – "Get your hands off her, or I'll throw you out of here myself! Come on, let's leave these two…"

Aphrodite takes off her ring and throws it in his face – "It's over for me. You're dead to me, Henry."

Henry – "You love me, I love you, it was a mistake, my love!"

Aphrodite – "I did love you, but I'm burying you, Henry."

Aphrodite and Nathan leave, leaving the two shouting at each other.