Deal With My Best Friend

I’m Still Mrs. Franco

Eliana's POV

Brooks didn't say another word.

He sat quietly in the car beside me, listening as I vented my anger.

When I was finally done, exhausted, and feeling utterly drained, he gripped the steering wheel tightly, clenched his jaw, and let out a sigh.

"What do you plan on doing? I mean, do you plan on divorcing him, as you said, or... are you going to forgive him for this again?" he asked, making me look up.

"Of course I am. I am done, Brooks. I've been trying my hardest to look the other way, to make things work, to catch his attention and do things right, be the stupid submissive wife, but I just... can't!"

"I understand. You know I'm here for you, right, doll? I won't leave you," he says, making my heart warm a little.

"Brooks... I'm sorry I kept you up. I know you have a plane to catch, and I shouldn't have kept you away for so long, I just-"

"Stop it. You're my best friend, Ellie. The plane can wait. Besides, Grandma would be mad if she found out I took off and left you like this. What matters now is that you are okay," he says, making the corner of my lip tug into a smile.

I looked toward the house, and the sun was beginning to rise from behind it. The lights downstairs by the kitchen were already on, which meant Jocie was already up and about making breakfast.

"Do you want me to go in there with you?" he asked, tilting his head in concern.

"No need. I can handle this. Besides," I said as I sighed, opening the door of Brooks' car.

"It's the weekend, and his mom is on her way to join us for breakfast. She never misses Saturday mornings with us, but I guess my husband forgot all about it. The show is about to start. As for me... don't worry, I'm a big girl. I won't let some filthy supermodel wannabe get under my skin. She's tried to get into my house and act as if she owns it—she's about to find out who I really am."

I got out of the car, closing the car's door with confidence, wiping away my tears, and took a long and heavy inhale.

"Say hi to your grandma for me. And don't worry, I can handle my scumbag husband and his little mistress. When you get back... I'll treat you to dinner." I said, as I smiled at Brooks.

"Alright, darling. But if you need anything, anything at all... don't hesitate to call me. I'll be back tonight to check up on you. Take care, sweetheart," he says as he winks at me.

"Bye, Brooks," I said as he started his car and pulled away.

I made my way into the house and stormed inside. The doors burst open, making the servants look up in shock.

Everyone looked at me, horrified, their eyes averting between me and the stairs, and... the figure sitting on my table, on my chair, wearing my silk night gown with my slippers.

The slim figure of that woman with bright hair sat carelessly with her legs crossed and sipping on her morning tea as she took a bite from a piece of toast.

"Hey, Kiley, we need to hurry out to get you home. My wife will be back soon, and I don't want her to-" my husband, Calvin, began as he came down the stairs, hair damped, wearing his long white joggers, no shirt, and freshly showered.

His eyes widened in shock as he saw me in the doorway, dropping the towel on the floor.

"E- Ellie!" he stuttered. Mouth agape as he looked at me nervously, then turned back toward the table.

Kiley was now on her feet, looking at me in shock as she clutched the night gown tightly.

"Ellie, sweetheart, you're home. You're finally home. I was so worried. Where were you all night? You said you had a headache, so I thought you were home, but when I got here... you were nowhere to be found. Where did you go? Are you alright?" he says, faking concern, running to my side and trying to hug me.

I stepped back and walked past him, making my way directly toward the dining table.

I went straight to Kiley, looking at her with anger in my face. She smirked, then masked her disdain and gulped, placing her hands on the table to steady herself as a wave of fake concern engulfed her.

"Good... good morning, Eliana. You know, your husband was so worried about you that he called me and asked me to help him find you, but we didn't know where to look, so-"

"So you decided to come to my house, put on my clothes, and sleep next to my husband for me so he wouldn't feel lonely?" I asked nonchalantly, then took a step back, looked at her from head to toe, and scuffed.

"N- no... Eliana, it's not-"

"MRS... Franco, Kiley.... Even if it's hard for you to say it. I am still- Mrs. Franco. Do not call me by my name as if we were acquaintances. You and I are not the same. Know your place and show some respect." I spat, making her fists, her cheeks turning red with anger.

"Baby... what.. What are you talking about? Kiley was trying to do me a favor and help me find you. Do you have any idea how worried you've made me? We were all worried. Even my mom tried to reach out to you, but you weren't answering. Do you have any idea how worried I was all night?"

"You were so worried that you brought this... home with you? How noble, Calvin." I said, gesturing to Kiley.

Calvin was speechless. He was trying to find the right words, to find an excuse for his actions and the reason for bringing his damn mistress home last night.

"Honey... It's not what you think. Kiley really was concerned. After the party last night, I couldn't reach you. I was scared something had happened to you, so she offered to help me look for you."

"That's right. I was concerned for you, Eliana." Kiley said, deliberately refusing to acknowledge me as Calvin's wife.

"Is that why you slept in my house?" I asked, making their nervousness flare.

"Well, I-" Calvin stuttered.

"That was my fault, Eliana. You see," she says as she takes a step forward, holding her stomach with a smirk.

"Calvin found out I was pregnant, and he was worried that I would get sick or something could happen to the baby, so... he asked me to spend the night so I could rest."

"Oh? I get it." I said, chuckling.

"Well, in that case..." I said, looking at Calvin with surprise.

"Then by all means... stay as long as you want?" I said, making Calvin's eyes widen in shock.

"What?"

"Well, I just mean, as far as I know, Kiley has no boyfriend, which means the father's baby is probably some fling she had. Which means that Kiley got knocked up by some deadbeat out there, right? Oh, poor thing. You know... this should serve you as a lesson, though, kid. You can't go around spreading your legs for any random guy. You never know what can happen!" I said, making her face turn sour.

"Luckily... my husband gives you a nice pay for your work, so the baby will be well off even if the dad isn't around," I said, making her fists her hands tighter.

"Oh no, the dad is-"

"Just be glad you got knocked up and didn't end with a nasty STD, Kiley. Because, imagine? Gross!" I said, making Calvin's eyes burn in discomfort.

"An STD would definitely put an end to your career," I said as I glanced at the table and leaned forward, taking a bite from a fresh strawberry on the plate.

"Ellie, enough. You don't know." I brought my hand up, making him pause as I took a step forward, took a seat at the table, and gestured to Josey to serve me.

"Good morning, Josey. How was your night?" I said calmly.

"It was quite pleasant, ma'am. Especially now that you're finally home," she said with trembling hands as she steadied herself and slowly leaned down, placing a plate of food in front of me.

"Good. I have a few errands to run. I was hoping to take you along." I said, making her smile.

"I'd be delighted," she says, as we begin to talk, ignoring Calvin and Kiley.

"Your mother is almost here, Calvin. It's Friday, did you forget? Get your employee out of here before Sarah gets the wrong idea." I said, taking a sip of the coffee Josey had just poured for me.

Kiley looked at him in disbelief, probably waiting for him to scold me, reprimand me, or yell at me.

Except it didn't happen.

Yes, Calvin was cheating on me.

Yes, he did bring her home last night, stupid decision, but he did it regardless... yet-

He had never once scolded me, never once yelled at me, or treated me wrong, which only made his betrayal hurt more.

I fought back a bitter cry, suppressing my tears as I took a bite of my food.

Calvin, though irritated, dropped his shoulders and sighed.

"Kiley, Ellie's right, my mother will be here soon. You should get changed. I'll have my driver take you home. Why don't you take a few days off? I'll see you on Monday.”

“ But-”

“Go, Kiley. Listen!” he whispered, tugging at her elbow and telling her to go change.

I rolled my eyes, eating my food without a care.

“By the way, Ellie… why are there so many moving boxes everywhere? I noticed half of your stuff in the closet is gone. That's why I had to let Kiley borrow your night gown this morning while Elenor washed her clothes,” he says, reminding me of the instructions I gave Elenor to move everything to my villa.

I smiled faintly, taking a piece of bread to my mouth.

“Oh, just… getting rid of clutter. I’m changing wardrobe, so I'm getting rid of old clothes.” I said, taking another bite of my food.

It was indeed Saturday, and the movers were soon arriving. All I had to do was wait for Shannon to bring me the divorce papers, get him to sign them, and I’d be out of his life for good.