I Won My Boyfriend's Fortune in a Bar Bet

The night before our engagement, my boyfriend, Fred, and his bestie, Jenny, impulsively got married at a nightclub.

Fred, though, just shrugged, completely unconcerned, as if it were the most natural thing in the world:

Come on, it was just a joke, were getting a divorce tomorrow. Everyone knows Jenny and I are just like siblings.

But Jenny, as if deliberately provoking, sweet-talked the people at our table:

One day as husband and wife, a hundred days of kindness, are you just going to watch the show? Arent you going to get us a wedding gift?

The table erupted in laughter.

Alright, Ive got that project on the west side, Ill give it to you as a wedding gift. But there are rules at the table. If you want it, youll have to win it by rolling the dice.

I said nothing, merely taking a seat at the card table. Meeting Freds furrowed brow, I gave a faint smile.

So, its a dice game for a wedding gift, is it? Ill play too.

As I settled into my seat, a momentary hush fell over the table.

Fred reached out to put his arm around my waist.

Alright, Aubrey, stop messing around. Were just having some drinks and a laugh, you should head home and get some sleep.

I subtly shifted back, evading his embrace. My expression was calm as I looked towards Jenny.

Keep your hands to yourself. Shes your wife tonight.

Freds face darkened, his tone growing impatient.

Ive told you countless times, Jenny and I are just friends. If there was ever anything between us, where would that leave you?

I didnt respond.

Id heard those words too many timesbecause Jenny forgot our date, because Jenny left me stranded on the roadside, because Jenny, drunk, called a cab in the middle of the night to pick someone up, and now, the impulsive marriage certificate at a nightclub. All of his explanations ultimately boiled down to one thing: We are just friends.

The atmosphere grew awkward. Seeing this, Jenny sidled closer.

She sat directly on Freds lap, her arms wrapped around his neck, speaking in a sweet, soft voice.

Alright, stop talking about it.

Then she looked at me, a playful smile on her face.

Aubrey, Fred and I really dont have anything going on. Tonight was just a wild impulse from drinking too much. Well go get a divorce tomorrow. If youre upset, I apologize.

With that, she lowered her head, picked up a bottle from the table, and started chugging it.

Freds face changed instantly. He reached out to snatch the bottle, scolding loudly,

What are you doing? Drinking so much!

When he looked at me again, his face was utterly furious.

Aubrey Smith, dont push it too far!

I couldnt help but give a self-deprecating smile.

Its fine, Im not someone who cant take a joke. Anyway, I dont have anything else to do tonight. Dont you always say Im antisocial?

Everyone at the table paused, then quickly tried to smooth things over.

Thats great, Aubrey! Weve always wanted you to join us, its just Fred always kept you hidden.

It was Marcus Finch, a long-time friend of Freds, who spoke. He gave Fred a meaningful look.

Fred, why arent you taking care of Aubrey?

But Fred merely sneered, leaning back into the sofa, pulling Jenny back onto his lap, his arm firmly around her waist.

Dont look at me; this is my wife tonight.

Seeing my continued calm smile and lack of reaction, the others finally started to egg them on.

Alright, alright, happy wedding! So, how were we playing this again?

Jenny navigated the crowd with ease.

She laughed loudly as she explained,

Old table rules, dice roll. But tonight, with good girl Aubrey here, she definitely wont know our usual game. Lets go easy on her, maybe just highest roll wins?

Losers not only drink, but today, to celebrate Fred and my wedding, were raising the stakes!

Everyone shouted in protest,

No way! Everyone in our circle knows you, Jenny, and Fred are dice masters. Now you two are a team, how are we supposed to win?

Freds hand remained on Jennys waist, not once looking at me.

He scoffed.

Then concede.

Marcus instantly grew anxious. He slipped off his Patek Philippe watch.

Ill put up a prize first. This watch just arrived last week, mate.

The bars music and dance beats grew louder, setting the mood.

Others quickly removed their jewelry and expensive watches.

Another girl, Daisy, tossed down a Van Cleef & Arpels bracelet.

Fred said nothing, unfastening his custom Herms cufflinks.

My gaze froze.

That was an anniversary gift Id given him.

Jenny was still lost in her own excitement. She playfully squeezed Freds hand.

I want that bracelet, darling! Win it for me!

I said nothing, taking off my diamond stud earrings and placing them on the table.

Congratulations on your wedding. Ill play too.

The atmosphere at the table froze for a moment.

Freds arm around Jennys waist seemed to tighten, his brow furrowed, his gaze at me filled with displeasure and warning.

Jenny first looked surprised, then chuckled, pushing Fred playfully. Alright, Aubrey wants to play too, so well have to treat her well!

Marcus quickly interjected, trying to smooth things over.

Exactly, exactly, just having some fun, creating a buzz! Aubrey, the rules are simple: highest roll wins. The person with the lowest roll drinks a shot, and has to choose one item from the prize pool to give to the person with the highest roll as a wedding gift.

He gestured to the pile of luxury watches and jewelry on the table.

Of course, if youre too sentimental, you can just drink and not give anything up, but that wouldnt be much fun, would it?

I nodded, indicating I understood.

Dice cups were distributed to everyone.

Jenny skillfully shook hers.

Fred casually rattled his a couple of times before clamping it on the table, his gaze, however, remained fixed on me.

I turned my face away, avoiding his intense stare.

My movements with the dice cup were indeed clumsy, even awkward.

During a lull in the music, I could even hear some whispers.

Aubrey Smith is known as the good girl. Whats she doing here? Shes just a buzzkill.

Shes here to stake her claim, but Fred isnt giving her any face, is he?

My face paled slightly.

Jenny let out a small laugh.

Tsk, Aubrey, do you want me to teach you the proper technique first?

I ignored her, merely mimicking the action a few times, then gently placed the cup down.

Open them.

The dice cups were revealed.

Jenny: five and six, eleven.

Fred: two fives, ten.

Others had various scores, some high, some low.

Finally, it was my turn. The cup was lifted.

One one, one two, a total of three.

Laughter instantly erupted at the table.

Three! Hahahaha, the lowest!

Aubrey, your luck

Marcus stifled a laugh, pushing a shot of whiskey towards me. You lose, you drink, and

He glanced at the earrings on the table.

Fred finally spoke, his voice cold and hard: Dont overdo it if you cant play. Just drink the shot.

Jenny leaned into his embrace, her face radiant with a smile: Oh dear, such a small roll on the first round. Looks like our Aubrey will have to pay up for tonights gifts. These earrings have such a lovely color, Ill be happy to take them, wont I?

I looked at the shot, then at my earring.

It was a pink diamond Fred had bought for me at an auction last year, spending a fortune.

Hed told me then that he would give me the best things in the world.

I gave a self-deprecating smile, gently pushing the earring to the center of the table, towards Jenny.

A bet is a bet.

I lifted my eyes, my voice flat and emotionless. The gift, delivered.

Freds face instantly darkened.

Jenny giggled, reaching out to pick up the earring, examining it carefully under the lights.

Thank you, Aubrey, its really beautiful!

Marcus hastily interjected, Alright, alright, second round, second round!

The game continued.

Jenny rolled a nine, not a huge number.

But Fred, whose turn it was next, rolled a twelve, a full house.

Wow! Darling, youre amazing! Jenny cheered.

Everyone else chimed in with cheers.

Marcus smiled, explaining,

According to table rules, with a full house like that, you can choose any prize on the table.

Fred didnt look at me again, only embraced Jenny, speaking intimately.

Then let my wife for tonight choose. What do you want?

Jennys gaze swept across my side of the table, finally settling on the understated platinum bracelet on my wrist.

I think Aubreys bracelet is quite unique, how about that one?

My hand, holding the wine glass, imperceptibly paused.

This bracelet was my grandmothers heirloom; I never took it off. Fred couldnt possibly not know that.

There was a moment of silence at the table, but Jenny then called out,

Whats wrong? Didnt we say anything could be a prize? Aubrey isnt going to back out, is she? Or is it that

I opened my mouth, but was coldly interrupted by Fred.

Table rules, a bet is a bet. Aubrey Smith, hand it over.

I suddenly looked up.