CHAPTER 2: UNEXPECTED ALLY.
1461 Words
TESSA.
I don't know how long I stood here, being drenched in the rain as my whole world shatters around me and I am only snapped out of my reverie when a car honks loudly as it rushes past, spaying me with dirty water.
I take a moment to look around, trying to get my bearings before I remember what the driver gas said.
I look down and see the little key in my hand and then at my bags, -bags I certainly didn't have before today- being soaked in the rain.
“What am I supposed to do now?” I whisper brokenly to myself.
I woke up this morning, calm and content after a night of lovemaking only to have my whole world tipped upside down.
He had made no mention of this, given no sign of what he was planning… How could he? How could he be so callous to a person who has been so devoted to him?
How… is this the man I loved?
Or was I just a blind stupid fool?
I didn't even know about the bloody Camile. He never mentioned her or showed any sign that he was waiting for her.
He… he made me a bed warmer.
A mistress.
“Ugh,” I groan out as I drop to my knees, the pain ripping through me.
I… was a mistress.
“Ha! Hahaha. A mistress,” I laugh out, brokenly. “I am a mistress,” I say once again before breaking down into tears.
Another passing car horn causes me to get to my feet and take hold of my bags.
One by one, I pull all three of them towards the entrance of the apartment before slotting the key in to open the door.
It is a nice place, Anna’s apartment. Spacious but not too big, pretty aesthetically, with comfortable couches, lots of throw pillows, and a fluffy purple carpet.
Perfect for a self-sufficient single woman.
“Why is she even helping me?” I wonder out loud.
I don't move past the living room, where would I go to, anyway?
Instead, I collapse to the floor, my back leaning against the wall as I once again sink into despair at the unfortunate turn of my life.
Flashes of memories play through my mind, times when we were happy -or at least I thought we were the way he joked and teased me, the surprises he made for me, the way he romanced and seduced me.
A far cry from the man I saw today.
The only time I had seen him like this was when he was dealing with his business competitors or rivals. People he had no regard for.
And I apparently am one of them now.
Or maybe I always was.
I am not a stupid person.
I am not one of those ladies who don't see the red flags in their partners.
I am realistic and quite clear-headed.
I knew he wasn't perfect but his flaws were things I was willing to put up with
Compromise with.
There was just no sign of this.
No idea or weird behavior that he was going to do this.
My heart keeps trying to think up excuses for him, but I know who he is.
He doesn't make decisions on an Impulse. He thinks them through and weighs the pros and cons before making a choice.
And the fact that he was willing to send me tracking shows that he has no desire to return.
No amount of leading air begging or trying to show him how wrong he was will make him change his mind.
It is… was one of the things I liked about him.
He was strong and clear-minded and always stuck to his decisions.
I just never thought those decisions would be turned against me.
No, I wasn't blind.
He deliberately left me in the dark.
Weighing the pros and cons and found me wanting.
After all, I have done and sacrificed, I have finally outlined my usefulness.
Damn him.
Damn him to hell and back.
Him and the wretched woman he chose.
Once again, I have no idea how long I remained there and it is only the insistent sound of the doorbell that brings me out of my reverie.
I hurry over to open it and Anna walks in.
“Hi,” she says quietly. “How are you?”
“What do you think?” I reply before getting my manners back. “Sorry, that was mean. And in, thank you. For not calling security on me and helping me get to the car.”
“It is nothing. I didn't think getting embarrassed in addition to such a betrayal was the best course of action. Have you had anything to eat?” she asks as she moves deeper into the apartment and eyes my bags.
“No. I uh…”
“Yeah, I didn't think you would have any appetite. You should at least change your clothes, you don't want to get sick in addition to all of these.”
“How long?” I ask her, changing the subject.
“What?” she asks, confused.
“How long has… he… that been going on?”
“Oh, right. Um, she came into the office for the first time last week for a business meeting. And then continued till now.”
“So, two weeks. He has been cheating on me for two weeks.” I say brokenly.
“I am so sorry,” she says as she takes my hands. “You don't deserve this.”
“No. No, I don't,” I say before bursting into tears again.
She leads me to the couch and ignoring my soaked clothes, sits me on it. She doesn't let go, just hugs me tightly as I let it all loose.
“What do I do now?” I ask brokenly.
“What do you want to do?”
“I don't know!” I snap. “I just wanted to be his wife. I loved him and I dream… dreamt about a life together, how do I start all over again.”
“You can and you will. I know you. I have watched you these last two years and you… you are a superwoman. Smart, Intelligent, resourceful, and stubborn. You will pull through and thrive because that is who you are. Don't let this break you.”
“Why are you helping me?” I ask.
“Because you helped me. I know you might have forgotten it, but not long after you had started dating Mr. Wentworth, you had finished a visit to the company and on your way out of the building, you saw a crowd gathered around an old man that had collapsed on the floor.
“You were the one who took him to hospital and paid his bills without asking questions. That man was my father and because of you and your quick and compassionate actions, he managed to scale through. I owe you for that.”
“Oh, I totally forgot about that. How is he now?” I ask.
“Still old, still in pain but comfortable. But not the point. I swore that I would find a way to pay you, and now I can.”
“I-”
A shrill ding interrupts me and to my shame I hurriedly reach for my purse, hoping it is a message from Aaron.
It isn't.
It is a message from my bank.
The sum of three hundred million dollars has just been deposited into my account.
“Huh,” I scoff in disbelief.
I guess this is how much I was worth to him.
“Wow,” Anna exclaims as she sees the alert. “At least no one can accuse him of being stingy.”
“No. They can't. Also, I believe he did this to ensure I never come near him again. I thought I knew him, but I guess I was wrong.”
“What do you plan on doing now?” she asks.
“I need to leave the country.”
“What?! You can't! That would seem like running away!”
“Everyone knows that we have been together for years. I won't be able to avoid the scrutiny and it will only get worse when-” I cut off, shocked about what I was about to reveal.
“When what?” she asks, her time worried.
I stare at her for a few seconds, considering what I am about to say and wondering if she is trustworthy.
Finally, I speak up.
“When I put to bed.”
“What?!”
“Yes. I am carrying Aaron’s child.”
- Writer
