Prove me wrong

"No way, Tessy! This is absurd and completely unacceptable. You've been married for three years. Three years is no joke," Freya exclaimed, her face filled with shock and disbelief at what she had just heard.

"I mean it," Tessy insisted, her green eyes clearly reflecting the pain in her heart. "Francis hasn't touched me since we got married," she revealed, lowering her gaze and picking at her food.

In the luxurious setting of the upscale restaurant, soft jazz music filled the air, creating an atmosphere of elegance and sophistication. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a warm glow over the well-dressed guests engaged in quiet conversations. The chairs were soft and velvety, offering comfort, while the linen-covered tables added to the refined ambiance.

Tessy Brown, twenty-six years old, blonde, beautiful, with large green doe eyes, had been invited out by her best friend and coworker, Freya Stanford, who had noticed Tessy seemed unusually down that day.

It was common for the two friends to treat each other to meals, whether brunch, lunch, or dinner. But today was special. It was the eve of Tessy's birthday, and Freya had decided to take her to one of the fanciest restaurants in town.

As Freya had suspected, Tessy was carrying a heavy burden—one she hadn't expected her friend to be dealing with.

"You've been married for three years, Tess. And you're saying…" Freya began, but Tessy shook her head, already knowing where the question was going.

"Not even once. It doesn't matter what I do, how I dress, how often I complain, or how hard I try to seduce him. Nothing works," Tessy confirmed, and Freya's shock was evident.

"I'd ask if he was impotent, but considering how he flirts and chases other women, I'm sure he's fine. Why didn't you say something? How have you endured this for three years?" Freya asked, her face showing clear annoyance.

"I know he's doing it to hurt me, and I kept hoping—desperately hoping—he'd change. But I've given up now. I don't know what else to do."

Freya sighed in defeat and leaned back in her chair, her fingers lightly tracing the rim of her wine glass. At twenty-seven, with dark wavy hair and a face that seemed made for a life of ease, Freya's obsidian black eyes showed her disapproval of how her friend was being treated.

"Let me get this straight, Tess," Freya said, her expression serious. "You made a mistake after college and had to marry Francis to save your family's reputation and business. He turned out to be a jerk, which none of us saw coming, and you've stayed loyal to him while he fools around with other women, leaving you, his wife, neglected for three years. And you can't divorce him because it would hurt your family's business. Is that right?" Freya asked, her tone devoid of humor.

"Lower your voice," Tessy scolded, glancing around to make sure no one was listening, as Freya's voice had risen slightly.

"Is that correct?" Freya repeated, this time in a quieter tone.

"You already know the story. Why are you asking like that?"

"Because I have a solution to your problem," Freya revealed.

"You do?" Tessy asked, a hint of relief crossing her face.

"I do," Freya nodded. "Since you've decided not to take my offer to leave the country, the only other option is this: you need someone on the side to meet your needs."

"What?!" Tessy exclaimed, her eyes widening in shock. "You're joking, right?"

"Joking? Absolutely not! I'm dead serious. I won't stand by and watch some immature man torture you like this when I can do something about it. Don't you miss being with a man?" Freya pressed, and Tessy glanced around nervously.

"Keep your voice down, Freya."

"Answer the question," Freya insisted, prompting Tessy to sigh.

"You know I do. I miss the security and comfort of being held by a man," Tessy admitted, but Freya rolled her eyes.

"Not just being held, Tess. The whole package."

Tessy chuckled. "I've got plenty of trouble, stress, and heartache at home—I've been drowning in it for three years. It's the good stuff I don't have and really miss. Stop suggesting a side guy. If I'm caught, Francis will have every reason to divorce me, and that's not what I want."

"You won't get caught. Trust me," Freya declared confidently.

"I'm not agreeing to this. Whatever you do is on you," Tessy said, and Freya nodded.

"I'll take full responsibility. I won't let you suffer like this. You brought me into your wild side, and now you expect me to watch you turn into a nun? Never!"

"Freya, stop. I can't let my mom suffer for my mistakes."

Freya sighed in defeat. "I don't want your mom to suffer either. She's the only reason I haven't arranged to have you whisked away from this country."

"Yeah, and you know she's also why I can't divorce him now. I can handle it. At least Francis doesn't bring his flings home, and I'm not turning into a nun," Tessy declared.

"Yes, you are," Freya countered, frowning as she looked around. "I bet you don't even remember what a dick looks like anymore."

"Freya!!!"

"What? Prove me wrong by describing it," Freya challenged, fixing her gaze on Tessy, who just shook her head in exasperation.

"Can you stop with the dirty talk?" Tessy asked.

At that, Freya gasped dramatically. "You're calling this dirty talk? Francis has really done a number on you," she said, throwing her hands up as if all hope was lost.

"Stop being so dramatic," Tessy scolded, pretending to be annoyed.

"Girl, there's a hot guy checking you out from over there," Freya announced, her eyes fixed in one direction, shifting topics so quickly it was as if the previous conversation hadn't happened.

"Oh god, can you stop?" Tessy asked, sounding tired, but Freya wasn't ready to let it go.

"I'm serious. He's not even trying to hide it. Maybe he's the one. I should go talk to him and discuss payment terms."

"Freya!!!" Tessy whisper-yelled, her face turning red.

"What?" Freya laughed. "Your face is so red. Fine, I'll let it go tonight because it's your birthday eve, and tomorrow because it's your birthday and nothing should ruin it. But after that, we're fixing this. Now eat up—your food's getting cold."

Having shared the weight on her heart, Tessy felt a little lighter and finished the rest of her meal. Her only wish was to be happy for the rest of the night and the entire next day, her birthday.

But if wishes were horses...