THE OTHER WOMAN

Chapter 10

I ran out of the church, tears blinding my vision. I didn't look back as I rushed past the surprised ushers at the entrance. It never occurred to me to use one of the bridal cars. A few guests tried to stop me but I overpowered them with superhuman strength and disappeared.

The city centre was as busy as ever. Cars honked noisily and the chaos was making my head ache. Pebbles cut through my soles and pedestrians stood and stared at me but I didn't give a f**k. I jumped into the first bus that I came across and sat at the back seat. A kind middle aged woman stared at me pitifully and tried to strike a conversation. I just sobbed silently and she minded her own business when I snubbed her completely.

The tough-looking conductor tapped my shoulder making me jump. He looked at me, arm extended impatiently.

"Where's your ticket? I don't have all day." He snapped when I appeared to be clueless.

My mouth dropped open. I didn't have a cent on me leave alone a bus ticket, and I had no idea where the bus was headed before I boarded. I knew no one outside of my friends and family and I didn't have a phone or anything.

"I don't have cash right now but..."

He didn't wait for me to complete my statement.

"You don't have cash right now? What the f**k am I supposed to do about that?" He looked me over like he was seeing me for the very first time. "Is that a wedding gown? Where's the lucky guy?"

My eyes brinked with tears. If only he knew...

"Look, you're making my already shitty job even harder. Produce that bus ticket, pay in cash or get out! You don't get to be a princess around here." He turned to yell to the driver. "Stop the bus! We have a nuisance over here!"

The bus halted to a stop. They really were going to throw me out. The kind lady I had ignored earlier offered to pay for me and I sighed soundly. My Good Samaritan was right here. It was almost noon when we arrived at the intended destination. I had never been to this side of town before, so I had no idea where I was headed. All I wanted was to put as much distance as I could between Jack and myself.

The kind lady tapped my arm lightly,

"This is my stop, darling. I hope you'll be okay."

"I have no idea where I am. I don't know anyone around here," more tears kept falling.

She looked at me with concern and shook her head pitifully. She held my hand and we alighted the vehicle. She led me to her house and offered me some food but I politely declined, I couldn't keep anything down.

I called my dad with her phone but he wasn't picking up. I knew my mum would freak out if I called her so I opted to call my maid of honour.

Anna's voice came through on the second ring.

"Hello?"

"Hey Annie..it's me"

"Damn girl, where you at? We're looking for you all over!" She sounded relieved and mad at once.

"I'm fine. I'm in Northridge."

"Who do you know over there?"

"Nobody."

"We're coming to get you, okay."

"No, I'm fine. I don't want to see that douchebag. I can't believe he had the audacity to do that." Fresh tears clouded my eyes at that.

"Julie..you won't be seeing him. He just married her. They must be leaving the church any moment from now." Anna's voice was low and soothing but her words made my head spin and my toes curl.

My legs felt like jelly and they couldn't support me anymore. The house was spinning and I felt dizzy. My legs gave in beneath me and I felt the floor rising to meet my face. The last thing that registered in my head before I passed out was a scream from the lady.

Everything turned black, then blank.

Total darkness

*********

I slowly released my breath as my thoughts shifted back to the present.

I could feel tears clouding my eyes but I willed them back.

I didn't want to ruin my mascara.

And I sure as hell didn't want Isabella to see me cry.

I turned around and stared at her, seated so casually in my office, looking at me intently. I had gone through all that because of her.

And him.

She had taken him away from me, and he had let her.

I was going to make life outrageously hard for both of them, little by little, until they crawled on their knees and begged me for forgiveness.

"Jules "

Her voice brought me back to the present. I send her a cold look.

"That's Julie to you."

"I just-"

"I'm not going to have a conversation with you. I have done nothing to you, and we owe each other nothing. Tell Jack to come here and see me if he has an issue."

"Are you crazy? If you think even for a second that I'll let my husband come here, then you're totally mistaken. I know what you're up to."

"Then I guess we're done here."

I sat on my chair and got busy on my computer, completely ignoring her.

"Julie, please leave Jack alone. Leave us alone."

"For the last time, tell your pathetic husband to bring his cheating ass here if he has an issue. You're dismissed."

I dialled my mum's number and I laughed heartily as we talked, just to irritate the devil's spawn still seated in my office. She eventually realized I wasn't going to entertain her and she showed me her middle finger and walked out, slamming the door behind her.

I released my hair from its ponytail and the messy curls fell wildly around my face. I smiled to myself. They had seen nothing yet. That was just the beginning. I knew Jack would come to my office and beg for my mercy.