Secret Affair

Caught

TWO YEARS LATER

SOFIA

I became the mayor's wife without much protest, not because I wanted it, it just happened. The wedding was a small affair and conducted in a rush in a small church in the community in the presence of Veronica, myself, Tim, and someone he brought over and introduced as his assistant. I know I should have run away when I had the chance. But I couldn't because where could I possibly go? I am gullible and lack the courage to do many things to free myself from certain situations. Many tend to walk all over me and I can't protest, or maybe I can, I just don't know how to, but it is okay, at least I have a friend now, Trisha. She was Tim's personal assistant and a very good friend of mine. It was easy to open up and tell her things I dared not voice out to everyone else, not even Veronica, Trisha has a way of making me feel better. After marriage, I moved in with my husband since it would be weird not to, and continued schooling. There was only a semester left before graduation, and thus I stopped working and focused completely on my education. Tim was also busy with his campaign and would request my presence every once in a while for photo shoots. As the mayor's wife, everyone thought I had everything, but the truth is. Nobody cares how depressed and miserable I am. I have heard people talking, whispering about how the mayor spoils me with expensive gifts and I don't even do anything. Some were jealous of my position and asked if that is all I amount to, look pretty and get tons of my pictures taken. My life seemed perfect to everyone watching from the outside. I know that I am being treated badly in my marriage, but I don't even know how to fight for what I want. I always thought Tim wasn't a bad person, he just didn't know how to be a good husband. He portrayed himself as the perfect husband in public, so that I couldn't even show my discomfort. If I did, then I would be labeled as a greedy woman who doesn't know how to appreciate what her husband does for her. I always force my smiles and act like I was okay. After all, what else could I possibly do? Tim is all about appearance, even if there was no need for it, he requested to have our pictures taken and published daily. If he as much as sneezed, then he wanted it published in the tabloid.

Veronica was always happy to see our faces on the news and proudly announced that she was my mother. I don't want to refute the claim because technically she raised me. I am always on edge anytime she visits because she only comes to demand more money. I don't know if I am overthinking it, but it felt like she does that quite a lot. Tim might not be good to me, but he treats my stepmother well. And after satisfying her demands, he takes out his frustration on me once we were alone. I once complained to Veronica about the abuse I have had to suffer, but her response shocked me. She assured me that love was only shown this way. According to her, men only abuse the women they care about. She said he was only showing me love the best way he could, and I should reward his love by having his baby. Just like getting married, I have never thought about having a child of my own and honestly, if I end up with one, I don't know what I am supposed to do with it. I have been both emotionally and verbally abused so much, so that I don't even know what it means not to be abused. Fortunately, he hadn't begun to get physical with me, or I might lose all will to survive. I have noticed a pattern lately, Tim had developed an habit of locking me out, he would ask me to some place, and change the lock code to our penthouse apartment before I return. At first, I would call Trisha to get him, but soon it seems she has also forgotten how to pick up calls, so I am basically on my own, dealing with everything and still acting like the happy little wife of the mayor.

RYAN

From the moment I left the old mansion, I became my own person. I had nowhere to go or any money. Even though the old man was aware of my predicament, he did nothing to help. I walked dejectedly with a new purpose as cars zoomed past me, some of them deliberately splashing water on me without stopping to apologize. I didn't resent them. I have done something similar before, when I was the grandson of a wealthy man. I know now what it feels like to be treated badly now. I was too tired and hungry to dwell too much on why I deserved how I was treated. I couldn't possibly spend the night on the street, the weather still looked gloomy, like it might start to pour again. I began flagging down vehicles. Not many of them spared me a second glance until a lady riding in a van stopped. She was quite nice and asked me where she could find a maintenance person at this time of the day because she had a clogged drain that needed fixing asap. Even though I had never fixed a drain before, I didn't even know the first thing about unclogging one. I told her confidently that she was in luck as I was a certified plumber. Whatever that means, she believed me and happily took me home. I was thinking about how hard unclogging a sink could be as I half-heartedly listened to her boring stories along the way, stories about how her kids abandoned her and never checked on her. I was thinking about if I were her child, I would definitely abandon her too. She talks way too much and everything is hard to follow, but I kept my opinions to myself and politely nodded and threw in offhand comments where appropriate. The thought of having a place to stay for the night warmed my heart. I was too hungry to understand most of the things she was saying. When we got to her house, which was in the middle of nowhere, and stood alone, nothing crossed my mind until much later. She led me into her house and showed me the clogged kitchen sink. I have never been so nauseous in my life. Somehow, I managed to keep whatever was left in my stomach down and hide my disgust. I had no idea what I was supposed to do. When she realized this, she asked kindly if I needed any tools and took out her toolbox. It was filled with all kinds of tools, but the problem is, I am no plumber and had no frigging idea what I was doing there. I realized it was better to be honest and turned to face her.

"You are no plumber, are you?" she asked, pointing the plunger at me. I shook my head and began to apologize. "Oh it's okay, I knew right away you didn't know the first thing about plumbing, but I liked talking with you and that was why I brought you over even though my instinct was telling me you could be a dangerous burglar," she said before matching towards her sink and using the plunger to unclog it.

"I am sorry I lied," I said, making my way towards the door. I didn't know if I would be able to find my way back to town, but I don't think she would let me stay the night in her shed.

"It's okay, I get lots of youngsters around here," she said, brushing my apology off. That was when I noticed it. On the wall hung different stuffed animal heads. I hadn't noticed it before, but the house itself smells weird and is highly untidy. Maybe I should have paid more attention to her words. What did she say about having to keep her children with her forever? Dang, I can't remember, I tried the door handle, but it was locked, the keys were on the table and we both looked at them at the same time. I was gripped with fear I had never known before. There is a saying about never going into the houses of strangers. I guess it is too late to remember such warnings now. She casually walked towards the table, picked up the house keys, and pocketed them. My day couldn't get any worse than this, my hunger was long forgotten as only the thought of surviving filled me. How was I supposed to get out of this mess now?

"I don't get a lot of house guests, you see. I just want to tell you a little more about myself," she said, walking towards the stove. What is she planning to do now? I panicked, watching her every move meticulously. "Are you hungry?" she asked, slanting her eyes to look my way. All I could do was gulp the lump in my throat. I remained transfixed. I couldn't possibly eat anything she gave me, it could be poisoned.

"I would like to go now, please," I pleaded, still trying the door handle. Would anyone come to my rescue if I shouted and called for help? The next house is about a mile away.

"It is already dark out there, don't you want to stay the night?" she said casually, "I am making pasta, stay for dinner."

That was the longest night of my life, and yes, I ended up eating the food she gave me and even spent the night on her couch. Whatever frightened me was all in my head, but I learned a valuable lesson that day. She was kind enough to offer me a change of clothes. It used to belong to one of her sons when they were about my age. If it were a year back, I would have laughed in her face and insulted her. When I left her place the next day, it was to get my grant and enroll in school. Although I never went back to her place after that night, I found the time to call and talk to her every once in a while. But I stayed in the school dorm all year round, and I was bullied for it too, but it doesn't matter. I knew what I was after, and a little bullying wouldn't deter me from my purpose.

It wasn't easy at first, but I thrived. I couldn't do much else anyway. The grant came with a little cash pocket money. I knew he just added that part to it and I plan to pay back every cent once I start working. It was nothing near what I usually got, but it was money and I lacked so much of it at the time. I had to take on many extracurricular activities just to earn extra credits. I remember being on the verge of giving up most of the time, but I didn't, reminding myself of the purpose of the war and pushing forward. Over the years, I made a few friends. I was aware the old man had tried interfering with the people in my life. But I was careful enough to avoid everyone he tried to plant in my life. It is true that once you get motivated to do something in life, it doesn't matter how many obstacles are in your way, you can achieve anything.

It's been six years since I left the old man's mansion. The first two years were hard, but it got easier. Contrary to my initial plan, I graduated with a fairly good grade after spending four solid years studying a course I had zero interest in. I was going to prove something to myself, but most importantly, I needed to prove to the old man that I could live well enough without him. I wanted him to know that he had picked the wrong opponent. He was so confident of winning the wager, that he asked me to return once I graduated, and he would reconsider putting me back in his will. As if I would do that. I am done being dependent on him or anyone for that matter. I had made a promise to myself then, to buy his business and I would not stop until I achieved that. I thought once I graduated I would be way too successful to think about the humiliations I have had to suffer, but reality was indeed cruel. Right now, I work in a decent media office, and although the pay isn't good, it feeds and clothes me for the time being. I have also managed to acquire a one percent share from the Alvarez company and I plan to start making waves soon, I would give the old man a run for his money.