FIGHTING FOR LOVE [SEQUEL TO RUNNING FROM MY HUSBAND]

CHAPTER THREE

Love Richmond

Wayne had decided to come and get ready at my apartment, he was saying something but I couldn’t really focus on him. I was wondering whether I was going crazy or did I actually see Quin today.

“Are you okay?” Wayne asked me as he held my hand.

I looked at him and smiled, “why wouldn’t I be? We are going to a party.” I said with feign excitement.

“Then you should probably get dressed if you don’t want us to be late.” Wayne said as he kissed the back of my hand and went ahead to finish tying his tie.

I powdered my face, “I don’t mean to be ungrateful but don’t you think the dress is too flashy?” I asked. “It’s red. I don’t have a good experience with red dresses.” I said as I remembered when I met Quin’s business partner at the dinner we went to.

“Can you give me a minute?” Wayne asked as he walked out of the room.

“Where are you going?” I asked but he didn’t answer he just walked away.

Nina, the teenage babysitter, walked into my room, “I don’t mean to intrude but I just met with Mr. Wayne and he seemed in a hurry. Is the party cancelled?” She asked in a soft polite voice. I like her because she was an old soul, very responsible and hardworking, most of all Nick liked her. I think he has a little crush on her but they seemed to get along so I ask her to watch him from time to time, Nick doesn’t complain so I assume it’s a good sign.

“I have no idea what is happening.” I said, “maybe it’s because I complained about the dress?” I asked confused looking at Nina.

“What’s wrong with the dress?” Nina asked as she looked at the dress that was laid neatly on the bed.

“Red isn’t really my color.” I commented.

“Well getting a dress like this can be amazing for me.” Nina commented as she gently brushed the dress as though it was something that was so delicate.

“When is your prom?” I asked.

“Next month.” She answered.

“You can come here and I could help you get dolled up.” I offered.

“I wouldn’t want to inconvenience you, Miss Richmond.” Nina said shyly.

I chuckled, “it’s not an inconvenience. I would love to do that.” I said just as Wayne walked back into the room and my eyes went wide. The black dress he was holding was amazing, I stood up, walked towards him and run my fingers on it. The strong fabric flowed so elegantly, the sexy V-neck sure to reveal just enough but not too much and the slit in the front was looking awesome. I looked at Wayne, “whoa.” Was all I managed to mutter.

“You like it?” He asked.

“I’m in love with it.” I said as I took it from him and laid it on my body. “What do you think Nina?” I asked.

“Compared to the red dress you can really rock that dress. It matches perfectly with your hair.” Nina commented, “I should probably let you finish getting ready.” She said as she walked out of the room.

I turned and looked at Wayne a smile on my face, “did you just happen to see this dress too?” I asked.

He smiled back, “actually I bought this specifically for you. I saw it and I thought you’d love it.” He said.

I shrieked, “you were right.” I said as I hugged him, “thank you, thank you, thank you.” I said.

“If getting you a dress will be making you smile like this maybe I should get you a dress every day.” He commented.

“That wouldn’t make it as special as this one.” I said, “let me get changed.” I said as I went to the bathroom.

We left the house at around eight in the evening, I kissed Nick, who was already asleep, goodnight then we left. “After you milady.” Wayne said in a British accent as he held the car door open for me.

“Why thank you kind sir.” I said in a British accent of my own as he helped me into the car. He joined me shortly after and we headed to the party. “Would there be anyone I know at the party?” I asked.

“A few people here and there, you might meet Gabriel, Quin’s friend, he’s the one who is in charge of the shipping company now.” Wayne said.

“You don’t have coworkers?” I asked.

“I have partners but the nature of my job doesn’t allow me to have coworkers.” Wayne said with a smile, “I also have another thing to give to you.” He added as he took out a small necklace from his pocket.

“It doesn’t have a tracking chip, does it?” I joked.

“What?” Wayne asked confusion on his face.

“Never mind. It looks… different.” I said as I lacked a better word.

“It’s a mood necklace. It should change according to your mood.” Wayne explained as he helped put it around my neck.

“What does this color mean?” I asked as I held it.

“That’s amber and if I remember correctly that means you have mixed emotions, is something wrong?” Wayne asked in a concerned tone.

“It’s just I haven’t been in a party in a while so I get the feeling I might embarrass you or something.” I said as I could feel myself getting nervous now.

Wayne looked at me, “maybe you shouldn’t wear the mood necklace to this party. It’s literally wearing your heart on your sleeve.” He commented.

“No!” I said as I run my fingers on it, “I love it and I’m sure I can control my feelings.”

Wayne shrugged, “if you say so but I really feel like you should take it off.” He said again.

“We’re here sir.” The driver said before I could respond.

Wayne got out of the car and helped me out. The party was elegant with officially dressed servers, offering expensive champagne, I guess. Wayne handed me a glass of champagne as he led me into the party, “you really like the party, huh?” Wayne asked.

“I do.” I commented as I took a sip of the champagne. “Fancy.” I commented making Wayne chuckle.

“Let me say again, you should probably take the mood necklace off.” Wayne commented again.

I sighed, “okay. Help me with it.” I said as I moved him to a corner and lifted my hair.

“Keep it in your purse and you can wear it later. That’s all I’m saying.” Wayne said as he placed it in my hands and kissed them, “now let me show you off in this party.” He said as he offered his arm to me and I placed my hand.

He walked me around as he showed me the art in the house, introducing me to a few people here and there but so far I hadn’t met anyone I knew. We were walking around when someone came and took Wayne away to talk to them about a certain matter, I went to get myself another drink. Once my glass was refilled, I glanced around the room and my eyes met with Quin. I was surprised, he slowly walked towards me. I could feel my heart racing I couldn’t tell whether it was because of excitement or fear, my years with him weren’t exactly the best. But before he could reach me someone else walked up to him and started talking to him, I released the breath I didn’t even know I was holding. I wasn’t ready to talk to him just yet so I decided to excuse myself for some fresh air.

There was a balcony that was overlooking the garden, it was so peaceful. The fresh air, the cool breeze and the sweet smell of the flowers, “no, no, you don’t get to do this to me.” I heard a woman say from the garden. There was a man’s voice too but I couldn’t get his voice quite clearly.

“I had to find a way to come here in order for me to see you?” The woman asked.

“Valeria, please listen to me.” I heard the man speak, he sounded eerily similar to Wayne.

“No, you listen to me…” The woman, Valeria, started to say but then she saw me and she stopped speaking and she walked away.

“Valeria? Valeria! Where are you going?” The man asked and he moved to look at what she saw, it was Wayne. My eyebrows creased when I saw him and I stood straight from the edge I was leaning on, what was that all about? I wondered but Wayne looked at me again then he walked back into the house.

I sighed and went back to trying to relax myself then I heard my name, I turned and it was Quin. I was really hoping I wouldn’t have to talk to him today.

“Quin.” I whispered.

“I was hoping to talk to you?” He asked and I couldn’t get a word out. My mouth opened and closed like a fish.

“No you can’t.” Wayne voice broke through the silence. “The audacity of you to even approach her.” Wayne said through his teeth, “stay away from her and Nick.”

“She’s still my wife and Nick is still my son. You have no right over them.” Quin said and his words made me feel as though he thought as though we were just a property that he could walk out on and come walk back in. I walked away, “Love!” Both Wayne and Quin called out but I just walked away.