Page 49 of Being Julia

FOUR YEARS LATER

Istormed into the penthouse, sobbing as I threw my purse on the ground, and ran into the living room, where my parents were sitting on the couch.

“Jake and I broke up, and I don’t ever want to see him again!” I cried.

“What? No. You can’t break up!” my dad exclaimed.

My mom got up from the couch and hugged me. I was crying so hard that I could barely breathe.

“Calm down, sweetheart, and tell me what happened.”

“He ... he ... he ... cheated on me!”

“Princess, Jake would never do that to you,” my dad said.

“He did, Daddy. Would I be standing here like this if he didn’t?”

I continued to sob into my mom’s arms as she tried her hardest to console me. My dad walked over, took me from my mom, and led me to the couch as he pulled me into him and held me tight.

“You need to tell us exactly what happened, baby,” he said as he kissed my head.

“He was in the shower, and his phone rang. It was a strange number, so I answered, and it was a woman. She asked if Jake was there, and I said he was in the shower. She asked who I was, so I told her I was his sister. She said to tell him that she has everything he needs and that she can’t wait to see him again, and when she does, he’s going to be happy. So, I checked his recent calls, and they have been calling each other back and forth for about a month. Oh my God, Daddy. What am I going to do?!” I sobbed hysterically.

My dad didn’t say a word. He just sat there and let me cry until I couldn’t cry anymore. My phone was in my pocket, and it kept ringing. I pulled it out, and Jake’s picture kept flashing. I raised my hand, and as I went to throw my phone, my dad grabbed my hand and stopped me.

“No, Julia. Don’t break your phone,” he said as he took it from me, turned it off, and set it on the table.

I continued to cry as my mom sat down next to me and hugged me along with my dad. Neither one of them said a word. They just were there to console me and help me through it. About an hour later, the elevator doors opened, and Jake came walking into the living room.

“Julia. Baby, please.”

I lifted my head from my dad’s chest. “Get the fuck out of my house!” I screamed. “I don’t ever want to see you again.”

“Princess, please let Jake explain,” my dad said as he looked at me.

“Daddy, why are you taking his side? Oh my God, I can’t believe this!” I said as I quickly stood up.

I looked at Jake, who was standing there with tears in his eyes. “Julia, please. I have a good explanation.”

“Save it, Jake. We’re done. Finished. Over!” I yelled as I walked past him.

He grabbed my arm and pulled me back. He shoved a small box in my hand, then held my hand tight as he got down on one knee.

“This is the reason Clarisse called.”

I gulped as my already racing heart picked up its pace, and I slowly opened my hand, revealing the blue velvet box.

“This isn’t exactly how I planned to do it, but you’ve given me no choice.” He smiled as he took the box from my hand, opened it, and pulled out the most beautiful diamond ring I’d ever seen.

“Julia, from the moment Mozart found you on the beach, I was captivated by your beauty. Then, when you invited me to sit down and we started talking, I was already falling in love with you. You stole my heart faster than I could feel it beating. Now that I’ve graduated college and you’re almost finished, I felt this was the best time to do this. I’ve already asked your dad for your hand in marriage, and I’m hoping you’ll say yes. I love you so much. You’re my entire world, and I can’t see myself living in this world without you. Julia Rose Black, will you marry me?”

I looked at him as more tears started to fall. I got down on my knees and stared into his beautiful eyes. “Yes, Jake Michael Jensen. I will marry you!” I smiled.

He put the ring on my finger and kissed it as he wrapped his arms around me and held me tight.

“I couldn’t tell you earlier because I had it all planned, but you got so upset and broke up with me, and I didn’t know what to do. I called your dad and told him what happened, and he said to wait about an hour.”

“I’m so sorry I didn’t believe you. I’m a horrible person.”

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