My high school time travel

CHAPTER2

ASHLEY P.O.V

It was morning, and I hadn’t slept at all last night. My head was aching, and my mind was racing. I tried to find an answer to make me doubt the truth I had figured out last night, but the facts were just laid there. I was allergic to chocolate cake, but it was Alex's favorite. The bracelet was for males, plus the customer service topped everything.

Was Alex having an affair? Why would he do that? My head was aching, trying to figure out the answer when Alex came downstairs, already dressed up for work.

“Good morning, babe. I’ll see you later. Have a nice day,” he said, distracted by his phone and giving me a peck on the cheek before leaving.

Did he not notice I wasn’t in bed all night? I thought to myself as I stood up after he had left. I went to the coffee machine to make myself a cup of coffee when Lucy came in shortly.

“Good morning, ma’am,” she said. I replied with a smile.

“Oh, ma’am, you look so stressed. Did you get any sleep last night?” she asked, her voice marked with a tint of concern. “Why don’t you go take a hot shower, and I’ll prepare your favorite,” she said, and I went upstairs as I had that in mind earlier.

A WEEK LATER

ASHLEY P.O.V

It’s been a week since I figured out my worst nightmare—dealing with a cheating husband. But a part of me didn’t want to conclude yet. I needed more proof, but I was too weak and frankly scared to go down that investigation path. It’s been a week and some days, and I hadn’t even gone to work. All I did was the little I could from home. I sat and thought to myself, if all I ever do is sit down here, I’m going to be drained with no solid evidence for my depression.

I quickly got dressed and headed to Alex’s office. It was time for action.

When I got there, the pattern was the same: paparazzi snapping, workers greeting, people staring, security following me, and then finally getting to Alex’s office. As soon as I got there, I met the secretary. She quickly informed me Alex was in a meeting. I smiled, entered the office, and decided to wait.

While watching the view from the glass windows, I could hear footsteps and voices after some minutes. The door opened, and there was Alex laughing and having a conversation with Sophie. They were so into the conversation that it took them some minutes to recognize my presence after the door was shut behind them.

I didn’t want the scene to be awkward, so I walked up to Alex.

“Hey, babe,” I said, giving him a kiss while Sophie stood there.

“Hey, uhm, what’s the purpose of this meeting?” he said.

“Do I need a special reason to see my husband?” I said, giggling. “Oh, hi, Sophie,” I said, turning and giving Sophie a wide smile.

“Hi, Mrs. Ashley,” she said.

“Hope I wasn’t interrupting an important discussion?” I asked.

“Oh no, I was about to take my leave,” she said and left.

As Alex and I sat down to talk, I could notice his endless distraction and restlessness. Could it be because of his new lover? Anyway, I found an excuse for coming to see him. I told him I noticed his office was lacking some artwork and told him to send an email to my company, so I could send an artwork to his office. After our boring conversation, I decided to take my leave. As soon as the office door closed behind me, I walked to the secretary and instructed her to send an email to my company demanding an artwork. I also gave her my contact, telling her I’d need to confirm personally concerning the piece I’d be sending.

As I walked out of the building, I felt the weight of the world on my shoulders. The drive home was a blur, my mind replaying every detail of the past week. The tech door to the house unlocked with a familiar beep, and I stepped inside, feeling a hollow ache in my chest. The house felt empty, despite its grandeur.

ASHLEY P.O.V

As I drove to work, my mind was already made up to go on with my plan. The engine's hum was the only sound accompanying my racing thoughts. I spent the day at the office arranging the artwork after receiving the email from Gonzalez Company. Each piece was carefully selected and meticulously placed, a distraction from the turmoil brewing inside me.

3 DAYS LATER

It was night already, and Alex had just gotten into bed after his long day at the office. He slid into bed beside me and gave me a peck on the cheek. I kept my eyes shut despite being wide awake, my heart pounding in my chest. His phone kept buzzing, but he later silenced it and sent a message.

Why do I now start suspecting his every move? I knew Alex—if it was a business matter, he wouldn’t even mind picking the call in the room despite me being asleep. I could hear the soft tapping of the keypad from his phone, and then he adjusted on the bed and drifted off to sleep.

After some hours, I heard him snoring gently. I carefully stood up, trying not to make any noise, and tiptoed to his drawer to get his phone. There was a password. What could it be? I tried my name, his, his mother’s—it didn’t work. “Ashley,” I typed, and the phone opened. My heart sank for a few minutes, then I realized I had to do what I needed quickly. I linked his phone with mine and went back to bed. It was indeed a cold night for me.

It was morning, and Alex had gone to work. I received all the paintings at home, and I now had enough time to do what I had to do. Each artwork was a testament to my dedication, yet my mind was preoccupied with a plan far removed from art.

It was evening, and I was about to prepare myself dinner when the house telephone rang, its shrill sound cutting through the quiet house. I walked over and picked it up, the receiver cold against my ear.

“Where’s my son?” the person on the other line spoke, her tone sharp and demanding.

I rolled my eyes and placed my hand on my forehead, knowing exactly who I was speaking with—my mother-in-law, Mrs. Gonzalez. Her calls were always a mix of concern and subtle interrogation.

“Good evening, ma’am. Alex isn’t back from work yet,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady and polite despite the headache building behind my eyes.

“Call me when he is,” she said rudely and hung up the phone without another word.

I let out a long sigh, placing the receiver back on its cradle. Dealing with her was always draining. As I dropped the telephone, my phone beeped. I picked it up—Alex had received a message. I waited for him to read it and then send his reply before I opened it, not wanting to look suspicious.