The Other Woman
1671 Words
Vivian's footsteps slowed the moment she stepped out of the car.
The mansion stood before her, glowing beneath the soft lights lining the driveway. Tall windows reflected the night sky while neatly trimmed hedges bordered the stone pathway leading to the entrance.
For a brief moment, she forgot the fact that she was married to a man who clearly didn't want her.
The house was beautiful.
Then her gaze landed on the woman standing at the estate gate.
Vivian stopped.
Athena walked towards the porch with her purse hanging from one shoulder. Her white dress had been replaced with a fitted black one, and her blonde hair fell neatly around her shoulders.
The smile on her face widened the moment she spotted Oscar.
"Oscar."
Vivian's good mood disappeared instantly.
Athena hurried down the steps. "Thank goodness you're here."
Oscar stepped out of the car and frowned. "What are you doing here?"
Athena tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "I know this looks strange."
Then she glanced at Vivian.
"My driver had to leave unexpectedly after the wedding."
Vivian stood there, stunned. How the hell did she know this place? Her eyes caught a yellow taxi driving away from the estate and her stomach twisted.
Athena had followed them all the way from the wedding hall to their estate.
She folded her arms. "And?"
Athena ignored her.
"It's really late. I didn't feel comfortable driving all the way back to the city alone."
And yet she brought a taxi to drop her off here instead of taking her to her house?
Vivian's eyes narrowed on the woman across her, she knew what she was playing at.
Athena looked far too comfortable for someone stranded in the middle of the night.
"I tried calling you," Athena continued softly.
Oscar's expression remained unreadable. "My phone was on silent.”
She nodded slowly, “I figured.” Athena hesitated. "I was hoping I could stay here tonight."
The silence that followed was brief.
"No." Vivian said.
Athena blinked as Oscar looked toward Vivian.
"I'll leave first thing in the morning." Athena offered quietly.
"No," Vivian repeated.
Athena's smile stiffened.
Oscar's eyes narrowed on his wife as she stepped forward.
"There are dozens of hotels within twenty minutes of this estate. You could have ordered a taxi to drop you like you did on your way here."
"It's almost midnight."
"Hotels don't close at midnight." Vivian cuts her off sharply.
Athena's grip tightened around her purse. "I don't want to inconvenience anyone." She said in that quiet voice that would make any sane man pity her.
"Then don't."
Oscar's jaw flexed. "Vivian."
She ignored him. Pulling her phone from her purse, she began scrolling.
Athena frowned. "What are you doing?"
"Ordering you a driver."
Athena's face immediately changed. "There is no need for…."
"I insist." Vivian smiled. "It would be rude to leave a guest stranded."
Before she could press the screen, Oscar's large hand closed around her wrist. She lifted her gaze slowly to meet those grenade eyes staring down at her with a glint on them.
"Come here."
His voice was dangerously low and unfortunately, Vivian knew that tone. Even more unfortunate, her body remembered it too and she hated that
Without waiting for an answer, Oscar guided her toward the side of the house. The moment they disappeared from Athena's sight, Vivian jerked her wrist free.
"What?"
Oscar stepped closer, forcing her to step back until the stone wall behind her felt cold against her back.
Vivian's breath caught as she felt him exhale shakily as though trying to pull himself together.
Fuck.
Years could pass and her body would probably still react to him. That irritated her more than anything.
"You've lost your mind."
His voice remained calm.That was somehow worse than yelling.
Vivian folded her arms. "Because I don't want your ex spending the night in our house?"
His brows lifted, "Our house?"
She immediately regretted repeating the words. A flicker of amusement crossed his face and vanished as quickly as it appeared.
"You're embarrassing yourself."
Vivian laughed. "Oh, that's rich."
His green eyes remained fixed on hers. "She asked for a place to stay. There's no reason for you to be condescending."
"I offered to get her a driver." She offered firmly, standing her ground. “I don't see why she should spend the night here, especially tonight.”
“Why?” He asked, “You've got plans for me?”
Her brows furrowed, “What?”
His smirk deepened. “It's our wedding night, no?” He ran his finger down her chin slowly. “You're the kind of girl to look forward to things like that.”
Vivian clenched her fist. How dare he?! Using what he knew about her against her like…
“You didn't have to do all that. All you had to do was ask…”
Her hands swung over his face so fast the sound echoed through the entire space.
His face tilted to the side, cheeks burning from where she had just hit him.
“Don't ever talk to me like that!” She snapped. “I am not some fling of yours!”
Oscar chuckled, his face turning back to meet hers.
“Why? You think being my wife makes you any different from the women I pleasure?”
“You..” she raised her hand again only for him to catch it mid motion.
“Enough.” He warned.
Her eyes watered. God, how could he be so mean to her? What did she ever do to him?!
“Athena stays." He said simply. “And I'll make sure you hear every little moan of hers tonight.”
Vivian chuckled in disbelief, earning an arched eyebrow from him.
That wasn't the reaction he had expected.
She smiled, staring right into his eyes. “Sure. Have fun.”
Without another word, she brushed past him and headed toward the entrance. She could feel his gaze on her back the entire way but she didn't care.
Oscar stood there, eyes fixed on her as she walked. He had said that to hurt her and yet…
Yet, she ignored him.
His fist clenched.
The moment Vivian stepped inside, she understood why Louis had looked so pleased earlier.
The entrance hall was enormous; crystal chandeliers hung overhead. The marble floors gleamed beneath the lights. A curved staircase swept toward the second floor.
Everything looked elegant and it somewhat reminded her of her childhood.
Louis had definitely spent a fortune on this place.
Footsteps approached. A woman in her late fifties walked toward them. She wore a dark navy dress, hair pulled back in a knot and hands clamped behind her back.
Several staff members followed behind her. "Welcome home, Mr and Mrs Onyx."
The woman smiled warmly at the duo. "My name is Zara. I oversee the household staff."
Vivian immediately liked her. At least someone was smiling.
"It is good to finally meet you both."
Athena cleared her throat. "And me."
Madam Zara's smile never faltered. "Of course."
The pause before the response was almost invisible. Madam Zara gestured toward the staircase.
"If you would follow me, I'll show you the rooms."
The group headed upstairs. Vivian remained silent. Oscar walked beside her and Athena followed close to him.
The second floor was even larger than she expected. Madam Zara opened a set of double doors.
"This is the master suite."
Vivian stepped inside. The room was beautiful.
Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the estate. A king-sized bed occupied the center of the room. The sitting area alone was larger than some apartments.
Athena's eyes widened but Oscar looked unimpressed.
"What about the second master suite?" He asked.
Madam Zara hesitated. "Master Louis instructed us to prepare this suite for the newlyweds."
Oscar's jaw tightened. "And the other one?"
"The renovations are incomplete."
Athena looked confused, glancing over to Oscar as though to prompt a response. Does that mean he would be sharing a room? With Vivian?!
"The room is not ready?" he asked.
"No, sir."
"Then prepare another room upstairs."
"I'm afraid that won't be possible tonight." Madam Zara remained calm beneath his stare. "The workers left hours ago."
Oscar's expression darkened. Vivian suddenly found herself enjoying this conversation a little too much.
Madam Zara continued. "There are several guest rooms downstairs." She glanced at Athena.
“You expect us to share this room?"
Madam Zara offered an apologetic smile. "Master Louis specifically instructed us to ensure the newlyweds stay in the same room."
Vivian nearly choked. Of course he did. That meddling old man.
Oscar's stare could have frozen hell.
Madam Zara stood her ground. This is not her first time working with the ultra wealthy and she'd learned to say the truth as it is. If they insist on having it fixed by all means, do your best and leave the rest.
"I am simply following instructions."
Athena forced a laugh. "I'm sure something can be arranged." She glanced at Viabin. “He shouldn't have to do something he doesn't want to…”
"You will have the second suite completed tomorrow." Oscar said.
Madam Zara nodded. "Of course, sir."
Athena's smile returned. Victory. At least, that's what she seemed to think.
Madam Zara turned toward her. "If you would follow me, Miss Athena, I'll show you to the guest room."
The smile disappeared again. She glanced at Oscar helplessly.
“Oscar..I can't spend the night alone. You know how horrified I am of the dark..”
Oscar checked his watch. "I'll be right there with you."
Athena immediately brightened, her eyes twinkling as she glanced at Vivian, sending a smirk her way.
Vivian returned it with a pleasant smile that made Athena's falter by a fraction.
Athena was welcome to celebrate. After all, she was heading downstairs while Vivian remained upstairs.
In the master suite. As Mrs. Oscar Onyx.
Oscar paused at the doorway, his gaze met hers briefly. Then he turned and followed Athena out. The door closed behind them.
- Writer
