Fair Play

“Mrs Gray, I think it’ll be better if I inform him you are around.” “It's okay Bill. I’m his wife. I'm sure he won’t mind,” Catherine told James’ assistant with a smile on her face. “It's just that …” Bill hesitated looking towards the door to James’ office, his fingers hovering over his keyboard. “It’s fine,” Catherine cut him off, waving a hand dismissively. “I want it to be a surprise. He won’t mind.” Before the PA could protest further, Catherine was already heading down the familiar hall, her low heels moving softly against the tiled floor. She kept her head high, telling herself that James would appreciate the effort, that perhaps today would be the day they rekindled something. Catherine's heart has been racing with excitement since she came into the towering glass building that housed James' empire. She clutched the carefully packed basket in her hands, the weight of the warm, freshly cooked meal heavy but comforting. Today was James' birthday. She had spent the entire morning preparing his favourite dishes, wanting to surprise him with a personal touch—something to remind him of the bond they used to share before their relationship grew so distant. It was the arrival of that woman that changed the dynamics of their marriage. Even though he was not so besotted with her because of the circumstances of their marriage, they were good to each other. James was good to her for the first two years of their marriage. However, in the third year, the love of his life returned to the country and things fell apart. Still, she wanted to try and get the spark back into their marriage. She didn’t want her effort in these 6 years to be wasted. She wanted her husband back and she was determined to do all in her power to make her marriage work. And that is why she came here today. She arrived at his office door, tapped lightly once, and then paused for only a heartbeat before turning the handle and stepping inside. Her world shattered in an instant. There, on the edge of James’ desk, sat his secretary—legs wrapped around his waist, their clothes in disarray, and their bodies tangled together in a compromising, intimate position. The room smelled of betrayal, and the soft sounds of their secret moment came to an abrupt halt as the door swung open. Catherine's body went numb. She dropped the basket of food, and it hit the floor with a loud clatter that echoed through the room. The wrapped gifts fell out, rolling and spilling across the perfect carpet. For a second, no one moved. Her heart was pounding in her chest; what she saw unfolding before her was like some sort of grotesque dream. James pulled away from his secretary, adjusting his shirt with the casual air of someone merely interrupted during a business meeting, not caught in an act of complete and utter betrayal. Someone caught in the act of infidelity. “Catherine,” he said coldly, his eyes narrowing. “What the hell are you doing here?” Her breath caught in her throat, and she felt the sting of tears threatening to spill over. She hadn’t come here for this. She had come to surprise him, to share a moment that had meaning, to try and rebuild what they had lost. “I—I made lunch,” she stammered, her voice shaking. “Did I tell you that I’m hungry?” He spat. “It’s your birthday, James. I just wanted to surprise you.” James’ expression hardened into one of pure disdain. “You’re pathetic,” he spat, stepping toward her with menacing authority. “Don’t you dare walk into my office without permission again?” Catherine felt the heat of his anger before his hand connected with her cheek. The slap was sharp and quick, but the emotional pain that followed was far worse. She stumbled back, her hand flying to her face in shock. “James—how could you?” she whispered, tears spilling down her cheeks as she stared at the man she had once loved so deeply. “I thought—” “You thought what? That some pathetic homemade meal would fix anything?” he sneered, stepping over the spilt contents of the basket as though they were garbage. He picked up the neatly wrapped gift she had brought, examined it for a brief moment, and then hurled it across the room. It crashed against the wall, the sound of breaking glass echoing in the space. “I don’t need your gifts,” he said harshly. “And I certainly don’t need you waltzing in here, ruining my day with your ridiculous, sentimental nonsense.” His words cut deeper than the slap, and Catherine stood there, humiliated, her chest aching with heartbreak. She had known their marriage was strained, but this? This was a new level of cruelty. She had thought he might still care, that deep down, there might be something left to save. But standing here, in his office, with his secretary adjusting her skirt and avoiding eye contact, she realized just how far gone he was. “You disgust me,” James added coldly. “If you ever come into my office without an appointment again, there will be consequences. Do you understand?” Catherine could barely breathe through the pain. She nodded, her voice lost somewhere deep within the crushing weight of the moment. James didn’t even look at her again as he returned to his desk, dismissing her as if she were nothing. As if the last few years of their marriage had meant nothing. With trembling hands, Catherine bent down to collect the scattered remains of her ruined surprise. The food she had cooked with such love, the gift she had chosen with care— it all seemed so pointless now. She couldn’t stop the sob that escaped her as she clutched the broken pieces in her hands. With one final, shattered glance at James, Catherine turned and left the office, her heart heavy with regret and shame from the embarrassment she had just received. As she made her way, she could feel the pitiful look, and some mocking glances sent her way by some of James' staff. These were the people smiling at her and greeting her with courtesy when she walked past just a few minutes ago. She walked faster ignoring their glares. Catherine barely registered anything else as she rushed out of James’ office, tears blurring her vision. She had no idea how she made it to the elevator. Her legs moved on autopilot, carrying her away from the humiliation, the pain, and the suffocating sense of betrayal. Each step she took felt heavier than the last, and the walls of the elevator seemed to close in on her as she descended. The sharp sting of James’ words played over and over in her mind, each one cutting deeper than the last. Pathetic. You disgust me. Pathetic is the word she has come to use in describing herself. Her stepmother has never failed to remind her how pathetic and useless she was. She thought marriage with James would help her get back to herself after leaving their home, but it seems she is still useless to everyone. She didn’t even finish college because her stepmother convinced her father that there wasn’t enough money to train both her and her step-sister. And her father had agreed. Even though she was practically sold to James, since she was used to pay for her father’s debt, she still loved him. She believed that at least, she now has the role of a wife and mother so she doesn't feel useless anymore. However, her husband has once more proven that she is still useless with all that played out in front of his employees. She bit down on her lip, choking back a sob. How did it come to this? How had her life become such a miserable shadow of the dreams she once had? The elevator dinged, signalling her arrival in the parking garage, but Catherine barely noticed. Her eyes were still misted with tears, and as she stepped out, she didn’t see the person walking toward her until it was too late.