The Kiss Challenge, My Fiancee Chose Strangers

I had a movie date with my girlfriend. When I got to the theater, I saw her giggling and flirting with two foreign guys.

Hey, beautiful. Were street photographers. Would you like to participate in our kiss challenge? one of them asked.

Hearing those words made my blood boil. I was about to rush over and stop this ridiculous game.

But then I saw my girlfriend blush and nod. She actually leaned in, her lips reaching for theirs.

Id love to! she whispered.

1.

Get your filthy hands off her!

Seeing my girlfriend, Tatum, actively leaning in to kiss this stranger shattered my mind. I didn't hesitate. I rushed forward and landed a solid punch right on the guy's head.

The blonde man, who had been grinning a second ago, collapsed onto the floor.

His partner, a red-haired guy holding a phone, didn't look panicked at all. Instead, he pointed the camera directly at me.

His voice was dripping with mockery. Sir, were just doing a simple street challenge.

This beautiful lady already agreed to our request, he continued. Please respect her wishes.

Respect? Ill give you respect!

I suppressed the urge to kill them. I grabbed Tatums arm and pulled her behind me. This is my girlfriend. Get the hell out of here!

The blonde guy I had knocked down slowly stood up. He wiped a smudge of blood from his lip and put on a pathetic, innocent act.

Sir, are you really that insecure? It was just a kiss. I wasn't doing anything inappropriate.

You can't even handle that? You seem like a very small-minded man. Have you even considered how your girlfriend feels about your behavior?

His partner burst out laughing, keeping the lens inches from my face. He wanted to capture every ounce of my rage for his followers.

My hands were shaking. I raised my fist again, but Tatum grabbed my arm, stopping me.

Gideon, have you had enough? she snapped.

These guys just wanted to film a video with me. Its a viral street challenge. Don't you know anything?

Youre such a provincial loser... She looked at me with pure disgust before turning to apologize to the two men.

It felt like a block of ice had settled in my chest. She was my fiance. We were supposed to walk down the aisle in a month.

And yet, she was telling me that kissing a stranger was no big deal?

Tatum, do you even realize what youre doing? I took a deep breath, looking at her with a heavy heart. Lets just go. I don't want you getting caught up in this.

The two guys laughed even louder. The blonde one stepped forward, draping a hairy arm over Tatums shoulder.

Miss, it seems your boyfriend has some real anger issues, he whispered.

2.

Were leaving, I said, ignoring the guys. I tried to pull Tatum toward the screening room.

She ripped her hand away, her face twisted in anger. Gideon, youre hurting me!

My eyes twitched. I tried to reach for her again, but she instinctively stepped back. My head was spinning, and those two guys were following us like ghosts.

Miss, if you need help, Id be happy to assist, the blonde one said.

I spun around and grabbed him by the collar. Go back to wherever you came from. Don't bring your trashy games here. You aren't welcome.

If you follow us one more time, Ill call my boys to come down here and break your legs. Believe that.

I was screaming now. Every eye in the theater was on us.

Tatums face flushed red, then white. She stepped away from me, putting distance between us as if I were a stranger.

Gideon, I didn't realize you were so possessive, she said loudly.

And so unreasonable. These gentlemen were just being polite and asking for a collaboration. You assaulted one and then threatened them...

Now everyone is staring. Are you happy now?

I almost laughed at the absurdity. I stared into her eyes. So, you aren't coming with me?

I didn't say that. I just hate the way you try to 'protect' me. Im your girlfriend, but I still need my freedom.

I looked up at the ceiling and chuckled. So the freedom you want is the right to kiss other men without consequences?

The moment I said it, I knew we were done. I had risked a battery charge for her, and this was the thanks I got.

Seeing the smug looks on those two guys behind her, I felt my dignity being ground into the dirt. The worst part was that my own fiance was the one doing the grinding.

Tatum, are you coming or not? Think about your parents. They wouldn't want to see you like this. I crumpled the movie tickets in my hand.

Gideon, are you actually threatening me right now? Were done. Its over!

The two men immediately closed in around her, acting like they were her protectors. Congratulations, Miss. You finally saw his true colors.

Perfect. They looked like such heroes.

Tatum, if you can toss me aside for two strangers today, theyll toss you aside tomorrow. Good luck with that.

I didn't look back as I walked toward the exit. But once I was out of their sight, I circled back to the managers office.

I pulled five hundred-dollar bills from my wallet and slapped them on the desk. Hey man, I need a copy of the security footage from the lobby.

3.

I smoked a whole pack of cigarettes that night, trying to figure out where I went wrong. Finally, I realized the truth. I had been a total door-mat.

For over a year, I had catered to her every whim. I was her personal delivery service, her chauffeur, and her pharmacy.

And yet, in all that time, we had barely even held hands. All my devotion meant nothing compared to a blonde guy she had just met.

It was pathetic. I had even paid a twenty-thousand-dollar engagement gift to her family, dreaming of our wedding.

I drank until I was numb, watching the theater footage over and over until I passed out. When I woke up, it was midnight.

Tatum hadn't sent a single text. Instead, I had a message from her mother.

Gideon, dear, Tatums father and I are coming to visit tomorrow. Can you take the day off and pick us up from the airport?

I stared at the screen and let out a cold laugh. Oh, your precious daughter is so special, isn't she?

You always ask me to take off work. Why not ask her? Are you afraid of bothering her career, but don't care about mine?

No problem, Mrs. Miller. Ill be there on time.

After I hung up, I made another call. The next day, when I picked them up, I didn't head to Tatums apartment. I drove straight to a high-end hotel downtown.

Gideon, why are we here? We can just stay at Tatums place, her mother said.

I shrugged with a smile. No need to go through the trouble. Tatum is already here.

4.

Tatums mothers expression soured. Gideon, Ive told you before, our Tatum is a good girl.

If you two are staying together before the wedding, thats going to hurt her reputation. Youll need to increase the engagement gift to make up for it.

I nodded seriously. I led them to the elevator and went up to the tenth floor.

Mr. and Mrs. Miller, we definitely need to sit down and talk about the money.

When the doors opened, two burly friends of mine were waiting. A third guy was holding a high-end video camera. Gid, shes in 1004.

I nodded and let them lead the way. Tatums mother was beaming at the sight of the guys in suits.

She leaned into her husband. Look at that, honey. Gideon must be planning a formal proposal here. Hes so thoughtful.

She was smiling like I was the best son-in-law in the world. Tatums father, however, remained silent, his brow furrowed.

I stopped in front of the door. With a cold grunt, I kicked the door to room 1004 wide open.

The moment it swung open, the room was filled with sounds that made my skin crawl. Tatums mother froze as the reality hit her.

Johnny, slower...

Tommy, my jaw hurts.

The cameraman lunged into the room, capturing everything with professional precision.

Holy crap! Gideon, check this out. Theyre really going at it!

I leaned against the doorframe and lit a cigarette. I didn't go in. Instead, I stepped aside to let the parents see.

Mr. and Mrs. Miller, your precious Tatum is right inside. Sounds like shes having a very active morning. Go ahead, take a look.