Her Travails

Five

"Billionaire Jordan Scott married a woman named Erika Liam in a private ceremony"

"Grass to Grace: Hotel cleaner gets married to billionaire business mogul"

"Jordan Scott and his newly married wife looked like a power couple at the met gala"

"Jordan Scott's marriage to his wife just secured the last condition for him to be able to pursue his political ambitions"

Mixed reactions trailed the news;the wedding ceremony of Mr and Mrs Scott was the topic of the century.

"Jordan got married" Thomas thought aloud, seemingly talking to himself as he swiveled about on his chair. "I don't get it, I've never even heard of him being in a relationship or having a fling with anyone, talk more of being in a relationship, something smells fishy."

"I'm happy for him and whoever he married. I hear she's a beautiful woman" Katherine replied, walking in to find him soliloquizing.

And the mention of the word beautiful, Thomas senses perked up, the p*****t that he was. He just couldn't resist sexualizing all the surrounding women.

"Can I see a picture of her?" He asked gloatingly.

"Sure", she replied as she tossed across a copy of Glamour magazine, one of the biggest magazines anywhere.

"She kind of looks familiar, but I can't place it. Maybe I saw her at one event or the other, or maybe I saw her on TV somewhere. I wonder where Jordan met her. She's so pretty, I wish I had her hair." Katherine blabbered on

"Oh, for heaven's sake Katherine, keep quiet!"

"I'm sorry "

"Erika, this is Erika", Thomas repeated.

"Who is Erika?"

"The cleaner we kicked out. Her name's Erika."

"But that's impossible. Take a closer look, maybe they just look alike. No one as influential and wealthy as Jordan would ever settle for such a pest, that Erika or whatever her name is, she's a filthy woman."

"It says here her name is Erika Liam", Thomas continued. That scumbag, Jordan, took this woman. Well technically, she wasn't his woman, but she was supposed to be his woman, but for her stubbornness.

"We kicked that woman out on the streets just a couple of days ago. How could she have hooked Jordan too? She must be practicing voodoo, or some evil twisted sort of dark magic."

"Katherine, get dressed, we're going to pay a visit to Mr and Mrs Scott "

At the Scott Mansion

"Hello Mr Smith, it is good to see you. It's been quite a while since you paid me a visit, isn't it?" Mr Scott started. They were seated at the bar close to the pool, having martinis.

"Yes, yes, I've been occupied with work, you know, running a business and trying to put bread on the table."

"Indeed, it is necessary, after all, to keep the wives happy."

"So what brings you here?"

"My dear friend, I came to congratulate you and your wife, it is amazing how you were able to find a wife and get married within days", he said, laughing humorlessly, with an unmistakable contempt in his tone. "I mean she's a lucky one, eh, a couple of days ago she's cleaning floors, and today she's so influential and powerful. Isn't it?" he said mockingly.

"Congratulations are in order, I suppose. I mean, it's not every day a man loses a wife and gains a new one in a matter of days."

"What are you insinuating, Scott?"

"Oh, nothing, nothing. Just making an observation. You're quite a lucky man, aren't you? The first wife dies under mysterious circumstances, and then you find a new one so quickly. Not just anyone but Allison's best friend. Some might call that... convenient."

"That's enough, Scott. You're crossing a line."

"Oh, I'm just getting started. You see, I know a thing or two about your first wife's death. Things that might interest the authorities."

"What are you talking about?"

"Let's just say I have information that could change the way people see you. And your wife. You wouldn't want that, would you?"

"You're blackmailing me?"

"Just having a friendly conversation, old friend. But I think it's time for you to leave. Before things get... uncomfortable."

"You're pushing your luck, Scott." Thomas stands up and leaves with a scowl on his face.

"Until next time, Smith. Until next time." Watching Thomas leave, he chuckled and took another sip of his Martini.

Meanwhile, Erika still couldn't believe her eyes. Her former best friend and confidant was standing before her, unable to recognize her.

"Wow wow wow, the wheels of fortune truly spin in any business direction. I mean, one day you're my office cleaner, the next day you're married to a billionaire business mogul, your typical fairytale, isn't it?" Katherine sneered.

She still didn't know she was Allison, her husband's ex-wife, the one that was supposedly dead, who was supposed to be her best friend. She also didn't have any idea about Maya, which I was grateful for.

"At least he's my husband, a little birdie told me the story of a certain woman who married her best friend's husband as soon as she got the chance, without even waiting to confirm if her friend was dead or still alive".

Katherine was physically seething with anger. Clenching her teeth in fury, she managed to stutter,

"You have no idea what you're talking about. You're just a... a... "

"A what, Katherine? A wife? A partner? A person who has found happiness in a way that you can't understand? Go ahead, say it."

"You're just a fake, Erika. A fake smile, a fake laugh, a fake life."

"And you're just a sad, bitter person who can't stand to see someone else happy. You're so consumed by your own jealousy that you can't even see the truth."

"The truth? You're the one who's hiding the truth, Erika. You're the one who's living a lie."

"And what lie would that be, Katherine? That I'm happy? That I've found love? That I'm living a life that you can only dream of?" "You're not fooling anyone, Erika. Least of all me."

"I don't need to fool anyone, Katherine. I'm living my truth, and that's all that matters."

Laughing sarcastically, Katherine continued,"No, not your truth, you're living a big lie, there's a secret somewhere Erika, and it will be revealed soon, I promise."

"There is no lie, Katherine, you're just insecure, and instead of rubbing your trust issues in my face, put a leash on that dog you call a husband."

"You should be afraid, Erika. You should be very afraid. Because when the truth comes out, you'll be the one who's left with nothing. No husband, no home, no reputation."

"You're just trying to intimidate me, Katherine. But it won't work. I have nothing to hide. And even if I did, you're the last person I'd be afraid of."

"We'll see about that. You just wait and see. I'll make sure everyone knows the truth about you, Erika. And when I do, you'll be the one who's left with nothing but ashes."

"You're just a bitter, jealous woman, Katherine. And your threats are empty. I'm not afraid of you, and I never will be. Now, if you will excuse me, I'm off to see MY husband. Do well to close the door on your way out".