Episode 14
1245 Words
LYDIA
After I blocked every single one of them, I deduced it was time to reclaim my life.
My feet carried me to the storage closet in the bedroom which I opened.
A quick find later, I pulled out my old dusty portfolio case from the back.
The dust that covered the black leather showed it hadn't been touched it in years.
Just like me, prior to my passionate night with that handsome man at the bar.
A blush swiftly spread across my cheeks as I recalled him, moving inside me.
My c**t instantly began to throb at the unwanted reminder of raw pleasure.
If only I didn't have to leave, I would give anything to experience that night again.
He had made me feel like a woman.
I cleared my throat as I pushed the thoughts to the back of my head.
That wasn't what was important now.
My eyes returned to the portfolio which I opened to find filled with sketches and renderings from my college days.
There were room layouts, color palettes, home decors, furniture designs etc.
A soft smile curved my lips as I stared at my creation, spreading them across the small high table sitting idly in the room.
They were good, really good, even better than I had remembered it to be.
How had I buried this much talent in order go shrink myself for Vanessa?
How had I let every member of my wretched family convince me to give this up?
I had abandoned this when my family had demanded I work at the company instead.
Well, not anymore.
I spent the afternoon updating my resume and adding everything I needed.
My interior design degree with honors, my three years of award-winning student work and the several references from the many professors who had believed in me before I had stopped believing in myself.
Then I started sending out my applications to about fifteen firms across the city.
I sent to some small boutiques, architect agencies and even larger corporations.
One of them was Costello Architecture, a prestigious firm I had admired for years and exactly two days later, my inbox had three interview requests.
My hands were shaking as I glanced through and slowly read each of them.
The third email made my heart stop.
It was from Costello Architecture.
They wanted to meet with me tomorrow morning at ten o'clock.
Tears filled my eyes.
They saw my potential.
And if all went well tomorrow, I might even be one of them, part of my dream.
A lone tear escaped my eyes.
I brushed it away and sat down to reply each of the messages with glee.
If Costello doesn't work out—
If—
I would try the other two cooperations who had also believed in me.
That evening, I sat in the study and began to prep myself for the interview.
I was surrounded by fabric swatches and design magazines strewn around.
Every piece of my old work had been pulled out of wherever I had hidden them.
Now they were laying it across the large desk for the interview preparation.
I was so engrossed in what I was doing that I nearly missed the fotsteps in the hallway.
My head turned around the moment Adrian appeared in the doorway.
I lifted a brow.
He was home early for once.
"Welcome," I said quietly before turning back to what I was doing.
"What are you doing?" he asked.
I turned back to him.
"Preparing for an interview?"
Was he blind?
"An interview?" He asked.
I made a tsk sound.
He stepped into the room.
"For what?"
My brows furrowed.
"Isn't it obvious?"
He just stood there watching me with an expression that I couldn't read.
I let out a frustrated sigh.
"An interview for interior design since I am getting back into my field."
The explanation caused him to frown.
"You don't need to work, Lydia. You are still my wife. And I provide for you."
An amused laughter escaped from me even before I could stop it.
"You do know your money has always come with strings attached, Adrian?" I asked.
He swallowed gently.
"I am cutting those strings."
He made to speak but didn't.
"I can take care of myself."
My attention returned to what I was doing, completely ignoring him now.
I expected him to leave after that, but he didn't, only moving closer to the desk.
"What is that you're making?" I heard the curiousity in his voice.
But it was not enough to get me to look up from the color swatches I was organizing.
"It's fine if you don't want to tell me," he instantly began to sulk at being snubbed.
A dry scoff escaped my tightly pressed lips as I lifted my head to find him staring.
Not at me.
For the first time since I had ever known him, he was actually looking at my work.
Like really looking at it.
He began to reach for something but then stopped and glanced at me.
"Can I?" He asked for permission.
I nodded.
He picked up one of my sketches.
It was a rendering of a modern living space with floor to ceiling windows.
I had designed that a few months ago one night when I had been extremely bored.
His lips parted slightly as he studied it, his eyes frozen on the design.
"This is impressive."
He glanced at me.
"Why didn't you ever tell me that you could do this?" He asked.
My throat tightened.
"I did tell you, multiple times even."
His brows raised.
"When?"
"At our wedding reception?"
His brows furrowed.
Seems like he didn't recall.
"You were talking to your business partners and I tried to join the conversation."
I waited for it to click.
It didn't.
What was I expecting?
"I mentioned my degree in design then and you told me to go talk to the other wives," I continued to recount with a soft sigh.
His gaze rounded.
I picked up another sketch.
"About three months into our marriage, I showed you some freelance work I was thinking about taking on."
He took it to take a look.
"You told me it was a waste of time and that I should focus on being a proper wife."
When Adrian set down the sketch slowly, I saw that his face had gone pale.
Even he couldn't believe his actions I guess.
"I told you many times, Adrian. Countless times. And you just never listened."
He was quiet for a long moment.
Finally, he looked at me. "The divorce papers are still unsigned."
I nodded, wondering where on earth he was heading with that conversation he was starting.
"I know. I already filed the papers at the bureau without your consent."
I met his eyes.
They grew wide with surprise.
"The divorce will proceed whether you cooperate or not Adrian."
"Lydia—"
I cut him off.
I was in no mood for his nonsense.
Nevee will be.
"Goodnight, Adrian. I have an interview in the morning and I need to prepare."
He stood there for another moment.
He looked like he really wanted to say something to me but no words came out.
Eventually, he turned and walked away.
I listened to his footsteps as they faded down the hallway.
Then I went back to my sketches, focusing on the life I was building instead of the marriage I was leaving behind.
- Writer
