THE OTHER WOMAN

Chapter 2

Jack held my hand tightly as we turned to the priest to recite our wedding vows. I gazed at him as he solemnly vowed of his undying love for me. My mind barely registered my surroundings as my thoughts drifted back to the day I met him.

I was in my third year of university and I lived with Isabella, my best friend at the time. She was gorgeous and charming and I adored her. We had been friends since time immemorial. Our problems started when Isabella's boyfriend started hitting on me. Sam was an asshole and I hated him with a passion. He would sneak into our hostel when Isabella was away and profess his undying love for me. He told me that he didn't love Isabella anymore and he only stayed with her to get to me. I was so mad at him for lying to my friend and for being a pig in general. Isabella loved Sam so much that I didn't dare tell her what was happening behind her back.

She would have freaked out.

On that particular Sunday morning, I was dressing up for church when Sam showed up, unannounced as always. He knew Isabella strictly attended the first service so he would find me alone. He grabbed me unexpectedly, yanking my hair so hard that my head tilted backwards and he kissed me. I fought him off but he was too strong for me. I wanted to scream but he covered my lips with his and shoved his tongue into my mouth, deepening the kiss. I was repulsed and almost threw up on him. He let me go when he realized tears were spilling over my cheeks. I stood there, arms akimbo, gasping for breath. I wanted to slap the smug smile off his ugly face but I was rooted on the spot, shock, fear, anger and absolute disgust paralyzing me.

"That was an awesome kiss. Did you like it?" He asked, crossing his arms in satisfaction.

"Like it?" I almost screamed the words. "You are a disgusting son of a b***h! Get the hell out of my room!"

At this point, my tears were falling in torrents.

Isabella chose that moment to burst into the room. One look at my teary eyes and she demanded an explanation. Sam quickly told her that I tried seducing him and I was crying because he turned me down. She looked at me in horror and before I could explain that the little shît was lying, a hot slap landed on my face.

I stared at Isabella in with tears in my eyes. She had always been like a sister to me, but at the moment, she looked more like an unhinged voodoo priestess. She hit me with and pulled at my hair, screaming obscenities right in my face.

"You stupid b***h! I'm going to teach you nasty lesson! You had one job; one f*****g job, Julie. To NOT f**k my boyfriend! He is mine. You hear me? Mine! God, you are a piece of work. You'll die all old and wrinkly and gross and alone."

"Isabella, let me explain. Sam is-"

"Shut up!" She yelled, cutting me off. "Shut the f**k up you jealous w***e!"

Sam was obviously enjoying the show. In that moment, I hated him more than I ever hated anyone. I had never longed for a gun..or kinetic powers..so bad. Slamming him against the wall behind him would've made me feel so much better.

Soon, neighbours started pounding on our door. Sam opened it for them and they rushed in. They found the scenario amusing because some of them started taking photos and recording videos to share in the university w******p groups. None of them tried to separate us.

Then someone charged through the crowd and tore Isabella away from me. My face was bleeding and my hair was awful. He stared at me in shock before he left in a rush, only to show up moments later with a first aid kit. He asked everyone to leave and surprisingly they obeyed without hesitation. I later learned that he was some hotshot student leader who was rather respected around campus.

He keenly tended to my wounds before he offered to accompany me to the health unit. I was still a little dizzy on my feet so he took my hand in his, entwining our fingers together.

I didn't mind.

If anything, I liked the feeling of his hand in mine; the sheer strength that lingered beneath the warmth of his skin.

I felt safe around him for whatever reason.

He smiled down at me.

"Forgive my manners. My name is Jack."

"Julie," I replied, smiling back through the tears. "And no, you can't call me Jules."