SELENE WOODS

CHAPTER 4

I laughed out hysterically, slumping in my seat.

All this while, i had been living in a promised neverland. I'd been living a lie.

Turning my head, i peeked out of the window, watching the red-orange rays of the setting sun. Quietly, i made a copy of the USB, tidied up the files that layed littered on the desk - wiping away any traces that i might have left behind.

It was far into the dusk before i rounded everything up. I stood in the darkness, the silence ringing in my ears - They weren't back yet. I smiled sadly - as I'd expected, they weren't coming back home tonight.

I slipped out of the office, shutting the door softly on my way out.

****************

I stepped down the flight of stairs , listening to the sound of cheerful laughter coming from the living room.

I paused briefly - they're back, but they aren't alone.

Taking a deep breath, I walked - my footsteps were soft against the black marbled tiles .

"You're back?!"

I flashed a soft smile, my face stiffening as my eyes scanned the familiar faces in the room. Then it lingered on the unfamiliar lady.

She had Edward in her embrace, her long red hair falling over her bare shoulders. Watching the way she had put on the airs of the lady of the house - it wasn't hard to guess that this was the Irina.

Jason rarely brought people home, but he had made an exception for this one person. And Edward never liked it when strangers carried him, but he looked all snuggled up in her embrace - so it had to be true.

I bit my tongue, feeling incredibly bitter - not out of jealousy, but out of the desperate need to exact revenge.

"Selene,this is Irina." - Jason held out his outstretched hand towards the red haired lady which she held firmly while smiling softly. Though her eyes held a taunting glint.

My eyes zoned in on their intimate affectionate gazes, they looked like a happy family - i averted my eyes, i had guessed that already.

When Jason averted his eyes from her, she returned to giving me a smug look. I curled the ends of my lips, feeling unfazed by her pettiness.

"Hmmm~!!!" - I folded my arms, sighing softly as i made my way past the trio.

I attempted to sit in one of the vacant sofas, when a book came flying towards me, hitting me squarely on the cheek. I stared at the magazine that had landed on the floor, the pain sinking in but i didn't wince.

"What do you think you're doing?" - Edward's childish voice sounded very agitated. " Who gave you the permission to seat with us, you ugly country bumpkin?!!."

Listening to the little tramp throw his little tantrums, i took my sit anyways. Then i raised my calm, cold,unbothered eyes to him - he flinched, frightened by my glare. His little hands clutching tightly to Irina's dress as if seeking some comfort.

I never knew that my calm gaze could frighten the little nuisance - i shook my head, if i knew...i would have done this a long time ago.

"Selene, he's just a child."

My ears twitched listening to that implicative sweet tone . Staring at the young lady covering Edward in a motherly overprotective stance. It's an annoying sight to behold - what exactly was she digging at? .

"Did i do anything to him?" - I stretched my hands wide open, shrugging my shoulders with a nonchalance i never knew i had.

Irina trembled, looking frightened as she quietly withdrew. Her slender manicured fingers poking Jason's side. She looked like a delicate flower that could be easily blown away by the most gentle breeze .

"Selene, Enough!!!!" - Jason glared at me, possibly annoyed that i had made everyone's morning awkward.

But how's any of that my fault?.

"I didn't do anything ." - I spoke in a lazy tone, making eye contact with him.

Jason paused , his fine lips slightly parted but no words escaped them. He only stared at me, probably in shock or in disbelief. He cleared his throat, averting his dark eyes from my figure.

Irina let out a low moan of distress,her hands over her forehead as she gripped Jason's sleeves.

"Jason, i don't feel well. It seems like i have a cold." - she spoke in a silky voice, her face flushing with a tinge of red.

I bit down my lips, fighting the sudden urge to smile. Her acting skills were truly tremendous, no wonder she was able to win the best actress of the year. If not it would have been a great waste of her talents,no?!. I had to applaud her great utilization of skills,it was worth commending.

"Selene, have some home made remedy prepared for Irina. She has a cold."

I gave off an amused look, watching as he draped his hands over Irina's petite frame. His eyes filled with indulgence and worry as he examined her flushed face - Edward, was no different, he held her hands while using his shirt to wipe off any trace of sweat on her face.

Watching them take good care of Irina, i had expected to feel a pang of heartache, even if it was just a little. But instead, i felt calm.......way too calm.

I stood up, casually walking towards the kitchen without a single word. Leaving behind the doting father and son, several intrusive thoughts played in my mind - like poisoning the remedy and exacting my revenge.

I shook my head, bringing out a porcelain bowl from one of the cupboards. That wasn't any fun, considering that she would be having it easy. I wanted to deal her a slow,fatal blow- the kind that could not be remedied . Like the plague i was currently suffering from, to have to live every of her days in constant guilt.

I had just switched on the gas when i heard the sharp distinctive sound of heels. I ignored it , bringing out some fresh ginger and a clove . I already knew who it was, so it was useless having to look behind me.

"Selene, right?" - Irina asked in a more stern voice, which was a stark contrast to her delicate persona just few minutes ago.

I ignored her once more, not wanting to bicker with her in the very least. I walked towards the counter, her heels trailing behind me and that too at a close range.

I turned around, just in time as she pushed me against the sharp edge of the kitchen counter. The pain shot through my waist, surging through my body as i bent over with a wince. Hot tears brewed in my eyes but i dared not let it slip, I'll never again shed tears for people like these again.

"I asked a simple question, why aren't you answering?"

I felt Irina's breath right above my head. "This is what happens when low lives like you get a chance to enjoy simple pleasures , you become exceedingly haughty. Just because you're married to Jason now, doesn't mean you're meant to be."

She raised my chin with her fore fingers,her eyes blazing with fury. " The title of Mrs Smith is just something i borrowed to you for a purpose and after that purpose has been fulfilled, there would be no use letting you keep it. So quit feeling smug, you're just a disposable b***h that Jason is just toying around with."

I slapped Irina's pinchers off, " Sounds like someone is just jealous of something she can't have." - I remarked, using the counter to support my weight as i pulled myself up, resuming my chores.

"What?!. Why would i be jealous of you?. It seems like you are in the dark about everything, don't you wonder where your 'husband' and son have been for the past three days?. " - Irina leaned in, her hands tracing the kettle as it sat on the stove.

"They were staying at my place, constantly complaining about how monotoned and boring you were. In other words, Jason is mine and mine alone- you don't even stand a chance."

I nodded, actually finding some sense in what she had said. "Truly, compared to you....i stand no chance. But it makes me wonder...why he chose to marry me instead."

I turned my head, watching as her face turned all shades of red. Trying to taunt me, well, she ended up throwing the stone on her own foot.

" He doesn't love you. He only wants me and he can't stand the sight of you - I'll prove it to you, you'll see."

I turned my back to her, waving my hands dismissively. " Sure,sure, you'll certainly prove it to me someday." I couldn't stand having to listen to her constant yapping.

" Arrgh!!"