OUR SINFUL AFFAIRS

CHAPTER 1 ALEX It was Valentines but there I was in my shop, working on a dress because I didn't have a date or plans for the day. I hadn't gone on a date in four years and it was going to remain that way for a while because men started to repulse me from the moment the supposed love of my life betrayed me. Sighing tiredly, I checked the time to see it was past noon and immediately, my stomach grumbled. I decided to grab lunch before returning to finish the dress. So I locked my little shop up, tucked my keys into my purse and made my way down the walkway to my favorite pastry place. Suddenly, I heard a familiar voice yelling from the other side of the street and I paused. It had been years since I heard that voice but I could still recognize it from anywhere. I snapped my head toward that direction at once and I saw her. It was Lacy, my roommate from college that I had lost contact with ever since we graduated. She looked terrified as she yelled at the top of her voice at the man standing before her and I quickly crossed over to help her out of the situation. “Lacy! Come on now, let's go for our lunch date” I grabbed her arm to pull her away and thankfully, she played along. Without a warning, the man caught my shoulder and pushed me back aggressively. His eyes were bloodshot and I could tell he was excessively drunk. “Where the f**k do you think you're going? I'm not done with her” he growled in my face and I eyed him. “Well you are now so goodbye” I snapped back and he chuckled in return. “Says who, b***h?” He asked and hearing him call me a b***h ticked me off. “It's fine, um… Alex. I'll take care of this…” “No you won't!” I was quick to cut Lacy off when she tried to interfere. Then I turned back to the man and slowly, I tucked my hand into the pocket of my dress. “Call me a b***h one more time” I said as calmly as I could and mentally, I prayed he wouldn't do it. I'd been looking for a reason to unleash my pent up frustration and he was presenting himself to be the perfect target. His eyes flashed with vile excitement like he'd been presented with a challenge and the moment he bared his teeth to speak, I grabbed hold of the can in my pocket and held it to his face. I didn't let him utter the word. I made sure to excessively shower his eyes with the pepper spray in my hand and his painful yell rang through the busy street as I grabbed Lacy's hand and pulled her along to run away with me. We didn't stop until we got to the pastry shop and I led us to a table to sit while we both panted heavily to catch our breaths. “Holy s**t! I didn't expect my day to turn out like this” Lacy chuckled, her eyes wide with shock and excitement as I laughed. “Neither did I. I was on my way to get lunch when I saw you” I returned and for the first time since our unexpected reunion, we had a proper look at each other. She was prettier than before. Her clothes looked expensive, her skin looked so clear I could see my reflection on it and her red bouncy hair still shone as brightly as it always did. “It's been a while roommate” she said, her voice now calmer while she smiled at me and that made me grin as I recalled how we called ourselves ‘roommate’ instead of our actual names. “I know right? We just lost contact after graduation” I shrugged as I picked up the menu to figure out what to have for lunch. “What did that man want with you anyway?” I asked her while taking a look through the menu and she shook her head. “He walked up to me from nowhere asking for money and when I tried to leave, he wouldn't let me so I lost it” she answered and recalling how terrified she looked made me angry again. I thought about how glad I was that I saw her and got her out of there in time and I froze when she placed a hand over mine. “One question, Alex. What brings you to this side of the city? Didn't you accomplish your dream of becoming a private chef?” She asked, her eyebrows etched together in concern. At first, I wanted to put my walls up and withdraw like I usually did ever since I lost hope in ever achieving anything notable for myself but I changed my mind. It was Lacy and she was always a good and caring roommate to me. I was also happy she remembered how I always talked about wanting to become a chef. So who knew? Seeing as she looked sophisticated now, maybe she was going to help me get out of this phase of my life. “It's um… it's quite hard to find anyone who would hire you as a private chef when you don't fit into their world” I told her with a shrug and her face fell. “Oh, I'm so sorry” she gushed but I forced a smile. “It's fine. I'm a local seamstress now. I make handmade dresses for women” I tried to lighten the mood and one of the pastry shop's waitresses came to our table to take our order. I ordered for me and Lacy since I still recalled what she liked to eat. Then it was just the two of us again. “Being a seamstress… Does it pay a lot?” Lacy asked another question and I pursed my lips while wondering if it was alright to be honest and she placed her hand on mine again. “It's fine, Alex. You can talk to me” she smiled warmly and I went ahead to be truthful, shaking my head in response while I bit my lower lip. “It's—manageable. I live on the floor above my shop and… I just wish things would get better for me, you know?” I shared and silence followed as the waitress returned to serve us. Then she walked away. “So what about you? Why are you all alone in a place like this on valentine's day?” I finally asked Lacy about herself too and she smiled. “My husband canceled our plans because he had to leave for an impromptu business trip so I came searching for a shop I found online.” My eyes bulged when she mentioned a husband but I couldn't help but notice how she didn't seem enthusiastic to let me know she was now married. I decided to change the subject. “Did you find the shop then?” I asked her and she shook her head again as her shoulders fell. “No, it was a scam” she sounded deflated, causing the mood to slowly turn sour. To make her feel better, I pushed her plate of cake closer to her, hoping it would switch the mood in the air. “You should have a bite. The taste will make you feel better” I offered and I watched her smile return after she tasted a spoonful of the cake, her eyes instantly brightening up. “This tastes so good, Alex” she told me, her eyes wide with glee as she fetched another spoon and I smiled, proudly shrugging my shoulders while I watched her enjoy the pastry. “I still remember how you're a sweet tooth. That's why I specially ordered this one for you” I confessed and I didn't miss the way her eyes lit up when I said that. “You have no idea how happy I am to know you didn't forget me” she said softly, her eyes now filled with a look that seemed like longing but I didn't want to dwell too much on it. “I'm happy you didn't forget me too, Lacy” I returned and I watched her reach into her bag to pull her phone out. “Now that you know I'm married, I should show you a picture of my husband” she giggled while she swiped through her gallery. Then she handed the phone to me and when I took a look, my blood went still. A loud roar began in my ears and my fingers trembled the longer I stared. Lacy married Blake. She married my ex, the same man who disappeared from my life, ghosting me for absolutely no reason on a random day and I had no idea how to react. For a moment, I just sat there, frozen. Then I remembered Lacy was watching me so I quickly got rid of my shock as best as I could and forced a smile. She had no idea what turmoil I was passing through because she never met Blake. None of my friends met him while we dated because that was what he wanted and I stupidly let him have his way. “You both look—so perfect together” my chest constricted as I forced those words out and she giggled again. “Thanks, Alex… oh and by the way, I just had a thought and I think you're going to love what I'm about to offer…” She began but then she paused and gave me the brightest smile, oblivious to the internal hell I was feeling inside. “Be my private chef, Alex.”