The summer I crave my best friend's Dad.

MAE.

"You better use that lingerie I helped you pick, wiggle that ass and get him begging for it!” Essie teased over the phone.

I couldn't help but giggle.

"You are something, Essie."

"I'm just happy for you, best friend. You're finally moving in with the love of your life." She spoke over the phone.

My smile widened.

I couldn't explain how excited I was to finally see Zack again.

Zack and I had spent months apart after he moved to New Dallas for a new job opportunity. The distance hadn't been easy, but we tried our best to keep up with each other.

This trip to Miami was supposed to be special.

It was supposed to be our two-year anniversary.

After that, I'd finally be moving in with him.

I had already sold my apartment and left my job. Zack had promised to help me get a position at the company where he worked, and for the first time in a long time, everything felt like it was falling into place.

I glanced around the airport, checking the time for what felt like the hundredth time.

Zack had called twenty minutes ago to tell me he was on his way.

"Well, let's hope everything goes according to plan." I sighed.

"It will," Essie said. "Now stop stressing and enjoy your vacation."

I laughed.

"Talk later."

"Later, Mae." The call ended.

I lowered my phone and smiled to myself.

It's almost like a dream come true.

My phone buzzed in my hand.

A smile instantly spread across my face. It was from Zack.

I quickly opened the message and suddenly, my breath stopped..

(I'm sorry, Mae. Let's cancel the trip and let's break up. Please go back to westvale.)

My heart stopped for a second,then I let out a small laugh.

No. That wasn't real. I bet Zack was joking.

I replied instantly.

(Baby, please… I'm literally waiting at the airport. I don't like this kind of joke.)

My fingers were already shaking. Another message came in almost immediately.

(I'm sorry, Mae. I know it's shocking. But I'm serious, I have no choice.)

My lips parted, but no sound came out.

For a second, I just stared at the screen, like if I looked long enough, the words would rearrange themselves into something better, Something that made sense at least.

But they didn't.

My chest tightened.

"No…" I whispered under my breath, shaking my head slightly even though no one was watching me.

This wasn't real, It couldn't be real.

My fingers fumbled as I tried to call him. I called him three times with no response then straight to voicemail.

By the fifth call, my hands were shaking so badly I almost dropped my phone.

A sharp breath tore out of me as I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to stand still even though everything inside me felt like it was collapsing at once.With my shaky hands, I headed over to Messenger and sent another message but it only had one tick.

My stomach dropped. What?

I tried again but still one tick.

I tried once more, just to be sure, still one tick.

Zack blocked me! Could it get any worse cause I'm losing my mind.

This had to be some sort of prank.

My hands started shaking harder as tears gathered in my eyes because it was becoming real even though it felt like a nightmare.

A photo popped up from Essie’s message and it had: (Look what I found on Zack’s page… he is engaged!)

My lips parted and I couldn’t breathe properly.

It’s a lie, I don't believe it.

I clenched my teeth, staring at the screen.

I tapped on the photo, tears streaming down my cheeks.

I knew her.

It was the same woman he swore was his cousin,the one who was supposed to help him settle in New Dallas.

My lips formed a straight line.

He had been two-timing me all these while.

A sharp pain shot through my heart like needles were being driven into it over and over again. I pressed my lips together as tears streamed down my cheeks.

Then Essie’s call came in.

I picked up, my voice shaking.

“Zack is such a bastard! Where are you, Mae? I hope you’re not shedding a single tear for that idiot.” She blasted.

I didn’t answer immediately.

I was zoned out… like my mind had left my body.

Where did it all go wrong?

“Mae!” Essie’s voice sharpened when she noticed the silence.

“I’m doomed, Essie,” I finally broke, my voice cracking as I sobbed. “I’m really doomed.”

I cried like a child at the airport, people passing by staring at me, giving me weird looks, but I couldn’t even care.

“Mae, listen to me,” Essie said quickly. “That bastard lost a gem. He’s stupid. Just wipe your tears right now. Find a nearby hotel and stay there. I’ll be coming to New Dallas soon and we can stay at Dad’s mansion.”

Now this was where it got worse. How was I supposed to tell Essie that I didn't have a single penny with me except the money I had used for my flight from Westvale to New Dallas? I trusted Zack so much that I sent him every cent I got from selling my apartment, my last salary from work, and all the savings I had left. He promised that since we were moving in together, he needed the money to renew his rent and invest in his company. He scammed me. He fucking scammed me.

Tears rolled silently down my cheeks as the realization settled in. I felt so stupid. So unbelievably stupid.

"Mae, please say something!" Essie's worried voice came through the phone.

"Essie..." My voice trembled. "Zack took all my money. I... I..." My chest tightened and I struggled to catch my breath. "I gave him everything."

The silence on the other end lasted for a second.

"Wait... what?"

I squeezed my eyes shut as fresh tears slipped down my cheeks. How could Zack do this to me?

"Oh my God, Mae..." Essie sighed over the phone.

Silence followed while I continued crying.

"Mae, you know what? Stop crying. I'll call Dad to come pick you up from the airport."

The moment those words left her mouth, I froze.

My breath caught. Definitely not the man I'm thinking about right? I'm fucked.