Note: One NSFW screenshot in this one

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“Hey… Gigi?” Phoenix’s voice was accompanied by the soft click of the television turning off. “Can I talk to you about something?”

Gigi barely heard his question.”Mmm?” She hadn’t even realized that she’d nearly drifted off to sleep against his shoulder.

Still worn out from earlier, I guess… Gigi’s lip curled slightly at the memory as she finally sat up.

Phoenix had been growing more and more comfortable taking on his new role in the bedroom lately. He was so strong and powerful and aggressive…

And Gigi loved it.

She never would have imagined she’d find herself so into being dominated like that… It just felt like it was time to try and spice up their sex life a bit. She’d suggested they start trying it on something of a whim… And it ended up being perfect.

Gigi loved seeing Phoenix take control. It was like there was this hidden part of him that she’d finally managed to coax out after all these years. It was such a thrill to let herself be completely at his mercy. To let him use her body however he pleased. To let him be the one calling all the shots for once.

She’d been so nervous when she’d first broached the subject with him… But of course, Phoenix was more than willing to give it a try. She knew he would be. Gigi was certain there was no other man on the planet who could ever treat her as well as he did. He always gave her anything she wanted, no matter what. All she had to do was say the word.

He was the sweetest, most giving man in the entire world. And he was all hers.

How had she ever gotten so lucky?

“What’s up, baby?” She asked through a small yawn.

Her boyfriend took a long, nervous breath. “Um, there was just something I wanted to talk to you about… It’s kind of important, and, uh…” He shook his head, almost laughing. “Sorry. Let me try that again.”

Gigi felt her heart leap as the pieces quickly came together in her mind. He was being so cute and awkward and nervous… and he said he had to talk to her about something important…

Oh my God! This is it!!!!!

It was all she could do not to squeal in excitement. She’d tried her best to put the thought out of her mind, but she’d known this was coming ever since that night at the restaurant last week.

Jasper’s cryptic comment about ‘big news’, the way Tam had not-so-subtly tried to cover for him… Gigi had done her best to pretend she didn’t notice. But she knew exactly what it all meant.

And it made sense — She and Phoenix had been together for four years now. She still technically lived at home with her parents, but she spent so many nights a week at his apartment, they may as well have lived together.

They’d both be graduating with their Bachelor’s Degrees in just a few short months. A new chapter of their lives would finally begin…

So why not begin it together?

It would be like a dream come true — spending the rest of her life with the man who gave her everything. The sweetest, sexiest, most incredible man in the universe.

Okay, act surprised. And don’t cry! She told herself firmly. Oh, who am I kidding… of course I’m gonna cry. I wonder what the ring looks like… I hope he knows I like white gold… Gah! Focus! Worry about the ring later.

For now, all she needed to worry about was the amazing man who was about to ask her the most important question of her entire life.

“Gigi… I got some news the other day that I really need to tell you about.” His nervous voice called her back to the present. “It’s good news, though!” Phoenix assured her. “Or, um… it might be. Maybe not… that’s kinda what we need to talk about…”

Her brow furrowed in confusion at his words. News? This certainly wasn’t the way she’d envisioned him asking her. Where was he going with this?

When she remained silent, he continued. “I got an acceptance letter from one of the Master’s Programs I applied to. It was one I really didn’t think I’d get into, but I really, really wanted to. So uh, it was kind of a surprise.”

“Oh, that’s great!” Gigi did her best to hide her disappointment. She was happy for him, of course. And really proud too… But what about the proposal?

Maybe he’s still building up to it… Or maybe he’s gonna wait til graduation or something. She told herself. Nothing to worry about.

Phoenix smiled nervously at her. “Yeah… It is pretty great.” He agreed. “Like, ‘dream-come-true’ level.” He let out a small laugh that sounded forced. “There’s just one problem, I guess… The program I got into? It’s… It’s at Brindleton Bay University.”

Gigi was silent for a few moments as she tried to comprehend what he’d just told her. “Brindleton Bay…” She repeated softly. “That’s in the United States, isn’t it?”

He nodded slowly.

“And… how long is this program? Like a semester or something?”

Phoenix shook his head. “Two years.” He replied softly. “Unless I do my internship there too… then it could be longer…”

It felt like someone had slapped her across the face. Gigi was silent for several long moments as a white-hot burst of rage began bubbling its way into her chest.

“You were planning on moving to the other side of the ocean and you didn’t tell me?!” She cried at last.

“I’m sorry.” Phoenix’s face fell. “I just didn’t want you to worry if you didn’t have to! I honest-to-God never thought I’d get in. You can even ask Tam and Jasper.”

Tam and Jasper… “They knew about this?”

“Yeah. I didn’t tell anybody else though… not even my parents. Like I said, I just… I really didn’t think it was gonna happen. But… I guess it did.”

“Wait… The other night at dinner… THAT was the ‘big news’ Jasper was talking about, wasn’t it?” A joyless laugh passed her lips. How was it all going so wrong?! “I’m such an idiot. You all had this ‘big secret’ you were trying to keep from me, and I thought…” Gigi shook her head slowly, already feeling her eyes beginning to well with tears.

“You thought what?” He asked softly.

She continued shaking her head. “It doesn’t matter, does it? Obviously you don’t care what I think if you’re planning on moving halfway across the world without telling me!”

“I am telling you though!” Phoenix cried. “What do you think I’m doing now?”

“You know what I meant! How could you keep this from me for so long, and then just drop this on me and expect me to be okay with it?!”

“You’re right. I fucked up. I should have told you sooner.” Phoenix’s voice was pained. “I’m sorry.”

Gigi tried to take a deep breath. She could already feel her temper slowly slipping out of her control. The last thing she wanted to do was make their fight even worse. But she was just so angry.

She’d been sitting there expecting to hear a promise to stay by her side forever.

Instead, he was trying to leave her.

“Well, you’re not going.” Gigi’s voice shook as she spoke. She felt so foolish saying the words aloud — like a selfish little girl. “You can’t. You can’t leave me.”

“I’m not leaving you.” He promised. “It’s only two years…”

“Or more!” Gigi replied harshly. “Isn’t that what you said?”

“Maybe three, tops…” Phoenix admitted. “But I mean, even if I do go, it won’t change anything. I still love you. More than anything. And we’re still gonna be together.”

“Yeah? For how long? You know what happened to Bryce and Meg…”

“Hey, we aren’t them, okay?” Phoenix looked at her almost desperately. “We’re gonna be okay. We’re gonna make it work.” He assured her.

She shook her head. “You can’t know that. I’m sure that’s exactly what Meg told Bryce too.”

Phoenix ignored her comment about his friends. “Gigi, I love you. And we’ll be fine. I’ll come back home for Christmas. And in the summer too… I promise you, we’ll make this work.”

“God, you sound like you’ve already made up your mind. Don’t I get some kind of say in this?!”

“You do! That’s why I’m telling you… I have two weeks til they need an answer.” He explained. “And I didn’t decide anything yet, okay? I’m just saying if I go… I think we’ll be okay.”

At last, Gigi’s tears had finally begun to fall. “You think? I thought you said you promised.”

“I do! Th-that’s what I meant.” He replied hurriedly. “I do promise… Fuck. I messed this up so fucking bad. I’m sorry, Gigi.”

Gigi finally rose from the couch, feeling as though she were in a daze. She’d planned on spending the night at his place, but she needed to get away. She needed time to clear her head and figure out what she was gonna do.

“Look, Phoenix, I’ve gotta go.” She said softly. It took all her strength hold back all the angry things she felt like saying to him. I’d just make it worse… As if that’s even possible. “I just… I need time, okay? Maybe we can talk more tomorrow or something.”

He looked as though he were about to cry too. “I get it.” He replied. “Take as much time as you want, okay? And I really am sorry.”

Gigi sighed and began heading for the door. But she found herself hesitating for just a moment. “I love you, Phoenix. I wouldn’t be so mad if I didn’t.” She told him softly.

“I know. And I love you too.”

She choked back a sob as she finally reached his front door. If you do, then why do you want to leave me?