Home Sweet Home
958 Words
“Hello,” I hollered calmly, placing the phone in my ears.
“This is the warehouse confirming your order.”
I took a deep breath. “Yes, it’s still on.”
“Do you have our balance ready?”
“Of course.” I nodded, and there was a slight pause.
“Alright then. We are all set up and waiting for your green light tomorrow. The movie should begin by 9am, but it’s all up to you.”
“No, not 9am. Wait for my signal.”
“Roger that, ma’am.”
“Wait…” I wiped my tears with my sleeve. “I want fireworks,” I added.
“Say less. We’ll make it rain.” The line went dead, and I clutched the phone in my chest and wept bitterly. This would be the last time I would cry over Nicholas.
After a sober morning, I began to pack up some core things I needed for my disappearance. The Warehouse had sent me some new banking details and safes where I could transfer my assets safely, and I was on my computer when John walked in.
“Afternoon, ma’am.”
“What is it this time?” I rolled my eyes.
“Your husband is home,” he announced and my heart tightened, my thoughts spiraling out of control. If he was back to spoil my plans he’d better not. I heaved, passing my gaze to John who still stood there.
“What?” My brows raised.
“He brought company.”
“Company?”
“A woman named Maya Jackson.” His chin raised, his eyes stern.
“The impetus!” I growled as rage burnt my thorax.
Without thinking twice I navigated my wheelchair to the sitting room where they were. Alas, it was true. They were standing with Nicholas’ hand around her waist. I didn’t think they noticed my presence as they were whispering things into each other’s ears and giggling.
I cleared my throat, and they instantly adjusted.
“Oh, my wife!” Nicholas grinned like the fool he was.
“And what do I owe this pleasure?” I gifted them a plastic smile, taking note of how he wouldn’t hug or kiss me in front of her.
“Maya, this is Lady Harper.” He ignored me, focusing all his attention on her. I took in her appearance. An hourglass shape, glowing yellow skin, oval face with succulent lips, and dreamy blue eyes, just the way he liked them.
She leaned forward and extended a handshake to me with some derogatory gaze, one which I’m sure Nicholas would have noticed if he wasn’t so carried away peeping at her cleavage. I took the handshake with a smile.
“What is she doing in my house?” I blurted out, unable to hold back my grudge. Nicholas’ smile waned quickly.
“What do you mean? She is the biggest potential investor of the year. Her husband's brand in collaboration with our company would be insanely lucrative.” He intoned.
“I thought we maintained a strict policy. No business at home?” My face turned grim, and he noticed. But then Maya cut in.
“I could leave. I mean your wife doesn’t want me here so…”
“No, no…” Nicholas grabbed her waist again in my presence.
“Yes, you should.” I nodded furiously.
“Andrea!” My husband thundered, and I froze. “Stop this nonsense. Maya is a guest and she would stay.”
“Not in this house.”
“Why are you being insufferable, eh? She is just giving us a harmlessly kind gesture for future partnerships and you're spoiling everything. What do you even know about this business?”
His last words stung me! If he was referring to my family business, one which I was involved in since I was nine, then he must be stupid. Maya had drained his senses. “I—I can’t believe you’re saying this, Nicholas. We had an agreement…”
“Keep quiet, Andrea! You’ve done enough!” He echoed, and I went mute, stunned to my bones.
“I don’t want to cause a rift between you and your wife. Let me go, maybe we can do a video call or something…” Maya let out a pretentious proposal, turning to leave, but Nicholas pulled her into his arms.
“Maya, please.” He begged — something he’d never done for me.
I kissed my teeth and looked away, unable to take it any longer. “Bitch.” I cursed under my breath while observing with the side of my eyes how she lured him out of the sitting room into the anteroom. I could hear whispers of sweet nothings, then a sudden lull. From the reflection on the glass mirror at the entrance, I saw them kissing and folding. I just wheeled around and zoomed off, heading for my room with hazy eyes. My world entire world was spinning, but a huge frame suddenly stood in my way.
It was John. He muttered a few words which I did not comprehend at the time and handed me a phone. It was on loudspeaker.
“Lady Harper, it’s me, Audrey, from Harper Enterprises.”
“Speak,” I managed to utter.
“It is about that research you asked me to do.” She responded swiftly and my curiosity piqued. My grief instantly vanished.
“I shall email everything to you immediately if you would kindly provide a secure email address to…”
I couldn’t wait for her to finish, I just handed the phone over to John and passed him a death glare.
“Provide it,” I said with finality.
- Writer
