Against all obstacles

CHAPTER 2

She picked up the phone, staring at the number as she tried to unlock his phone.

"Ow! You changed the passcode to your phone?" Karen says, turning to face Hayden, who stretches his hands to get his phone.

"Hand it here. Hey, give it to me." Hayden took the phone from her.

Switched it off, and threw it on the bed. He took his clothes off while Karen stood there motionless until he walked out and went into the bathroom.

She got on the bed with her clothes and shoes on. And sobs quietly as she soaks the pillow with her tears that can't stop flowing.

Trying to guess what changed. How Hayden her heartthrob could be this cold to her until she dozes off.

He came back from the bathroom. He was faced with this irresistible sight of her sleeping. Which has always melted him for 6 years now.

He turned to the other side to take his shoes off. And manages to take off her jacket without waking her up. He covers her up with the duvet as he gets on the bed.

He quietly picked up his phone. Switch it on to check the message that got in. It was from Sonia. His face immediately lights up, as her curvy shape flashes in his mind. He drops the phone and dozes off.

Slowly she could feel her legs, as a gentle cool breeze brushed through her face. She couldn't remember anything as she turned to the handsome face in front of her. Immediately, the scene from last night replays in her mind. She let out a big sigh.

It felt like a dream she would have been happy she woke up from. He was elegant in every way, and she wished she could capture his looks forever.

She was reading every detail on his face until he opened his eyes slowly.

She tried to look away. Then he whispered "Good morning princess". Her heart sunk at the the sound of his voice.

"Morning" she replied, looking at him with her eyes twinkling like jewels. "I'm hurt, you know?" She continued.

"Shhhh" it's a new day. Let's not start a new day like this.

"But babe, you really," he cut in again.

"I said we're not talking about any of that this morning," he says, pulling his duvet down and those abs she couldn't resist were in sight.

Her face lightens up. All she ever wanted was to be happy with the man of her dreams. After last night, she almost doubted that they shared the same dream.

His body looks like a perfect piece of art as he strolls to the bathroom. She couldn't even imagine how she could survive her morning and night without this man.

Her thoughts are distracted by the sound of water as it splashes in the washing hand's basin.

"I'm I still gonna meet with the board members?" He said with a brush in his mouth.

"No babe, everything is all set." She replies as she joins him in the bathroom.

Hayden stopped brushing and she perceived her perfume brush through his nose. As always, she grabs him by the back.

"You did hurt me yesterday." She whispers. He was silent as she had expected him to be.

"Babe, I think you should get ready for work. I'll fix breakfast". Hayden hurries out into the kitchen.

"Hey babe, looking as glorious as always" Hayden calls out from the kitchen. Acting like yesterday never happened.

She drops her designer bag on the sofa. She swallowed hard as the perfect crispy bacon scent filled the air.

"Babe, you're the best. You know that, right?" Karen says, smiling.

Deep in her heart, she wished nothing had changed. Could it be that I've been paying for this feeling? Having him here with me? Will he leave when I can't pay anymore or when he's gotten enough? She drifts off in her thoughts as she can't believe what happened last night.

"Hey babe, breakfast is ready?" Hayden calls out.

"Oh babe that's sweet. I'll just have a bite," Karen snaps back out of her thoughts and hurries over to get a bite of Hayden's bacon.

"Hey babe you forgot your keys" as he went over to get her keys.

I have the Tesla keys in my bag. I don't feel like driving the Lambo today. I'm not just in the right frame of mind.

"Okay," Hayden didn't ask further, because he knew what that was all about.

She fastens her seat belt, as her phone rings.

"Hey Babe, how're you feeling today?" The voice on the other side calls out.

"Sonia, there's a lot to talk about, I think we'll have to see," Karen spoke calmly.

"Is it Hayden?" Sonia said.

"Yeah, he told you about it?". Karen asked. surprised

"No! We haven't spoken for days now", Sonia replied.

"He's been acting up lately, Babe. I think we need to talk," Karen said, feeling a bit irritated.

"No, this is not good babe, it sounds very serious. We need to meet." Sonia replied.

"Surreal Bar tonight at 8” as Karen suggests.

"Yes, that'll be fine." Sonia answers "See you, bye babe. I love you"

The call ends. Karen took a deep breath.

Whispers to herself her morning affirmations

"You're strong, you're perfect, you deserve everything good. I love me. I love my body. I love my personality. I'm a good woman. And I'm enough" she says to herself before she drives off.

Hayden's phone rings.

"Hey sweetheart, you almost got me busted last night," Hayden said, sounding a bit tense.

"What happened? What do you mean?" The voice on the other side replied.

"The w******p message", Hayden adds, feeling a bit frustrated.

"But I guess we weren't caught, because I just got off the phone with her. We're meeting tonight at 8. In the surreal", Sonia says reassuringly."

"Please no more surprise messages, unless you're sure I'm on the damn phone", Hayden tries to calm down as he stuffs some meat in his mouth."

"Okay, babe." Sonia sluggishly said. "But I can't wait to have you all to myself, My Love".

"Soon, babe. Let's keep holding on a little more". Hayden said reassuringly. " You know I love you, right?" He asked in a serious tone.

"Of course, I know you do," Sonia said sexily.

"So please, let's stick to the plan, babe. I just had the certificates signed yesterday. So we're close. Let's hold on a little more"

Hayden said in a charming yet serious tone.

"I can't wait to be your woman, Hayden," Sonia said in a very low tone that got into Hayden's bones.

"Of course, my angel. And I also told her that I wanted a divorce." Hayden says sheepishly,

"Babe, don't you think you're moving too fast? " Sonia asked. "I think you should do it once at a time. "So that you can get access to the Trust fund. Remember we ain't leaving anything behind" she said in a soft yet commanding tone.

"Okay babe" Hayden answers. "Bye babe. I love you"

"I love you too", Hayden replies.

A slow tone and a serene atmosphere, with couples chatting silently in the background. Karen drops her bag on the chair while she responds to the comfort of the Ridgeline leather chair.

"Karen, you did the right thing. But how could he talk about divorce immediately when the paperwork was finalized". She talked to herself as though she was questioning someone else.

"Karen, you always trust yourself to make the right decisions, remember" she concludes. Her throat was already dry. 'She could use a drink right now' she thought. She signaled to the waiter.

"My usual" she says, grinning.

To the handsome waiter.

"I got you ma. Are you alone?" He asks professionally

"My friend will be here in a minute. Get mine first" Karen says, still smiling.

"Hey baby girl" a familiar voice calls out with the steps of her shoes almost loudly for everyone to hear.

"Hey babe" Karen lifted both her hands up for a hug, stretching up while sitting down.

Sonia bent to hug her warmly. "Babe you're not not looking okay" she added, while dropping her bag on the table.

"Yes that's because I'm not okay," Karen says with a flushed face.

"Spill babe, what did that man do to you this time?" Sonia says, sitting up a bit from her chair.

"He wants a divorce," Karen says with tears gathering up around her eyes.

"What!" Sonia says with her voice almost audible for the couple at the next table to hear. She immediately lowered her tone.

"You mean that ungrateful man tried to dump you after picking up his sorry ass from the trenches?" Sonia said, getting fired up.

"Hey, you can't talk to him like that. He's still my husband. And you know I love him to death", Karen cuts in.

"Here we go again," Sonia says, rolling her eyes, a bit irritated. "He's sweet and treats you well! Yeah, that's true. But doesn't this look like he was just playing you? Like how can he be asking for a divorce immediately after you gave him half of your shares in the company", Sonia says convincingly.

Karen shook her head like a kid, as her face was looking at her thighs.

"He has a valid point though. I haven't been able to give him a child. You know, we've always been fantasizing about having children and a happy family, " Karen adds as a tear makes its way through her cheeks.

"Hey babe, don't do that". Sonia rushes to get a napkin from her bag and cleans her eyes. "I'm not sure he would do that," Sonia says, trying to be a bit convincing.

"And also I think he's cheating on me". She says as she collects the napkin from her. "And the number that messaged him last night, I think I know it very well. You messaged him last night?"

"Me? When?" Sonia stutters as she tries to hide any form of shock from her face.