Chapter2:The name that changed everything
1143 Words
Albie continued his speech with his smile never leaving his face.
“And tonight, we're not only celebrating profits and growth but the people who stood by Spencer Holdings from the very beginning…”
Applause filled the room. She heard Micah speaking beside her, but her brain didn't catch the words. Albie gave a brief glance at Marianne.
“And I want to acknowledge someone who played a major role in the foundation years of this company,” he said.
Lauren’s hand turned cold around the glass. What was Albie doing?.
Marianne stepped forward as though she'd been waiting for that exact sentence, and a few cameras shifted slowly.
“He'd been away for a while, and I think it's only right we welcome him properly…”
He?
Lauren frowned in confusion.
“Please, everyone… Micah Howard.”
And with that, Micah stood up beside Lauren, and all the cameras turned to them.
Lauren could see the shift in Albie's gaze. He recognized her instantly, but she… she quickly covered her face from the camera, hiding her side profile with her hair as she picked up her bag and made to exit the room, but Micah took her hand.
The sound of the cameras clicking became rapid,she pulled away her hand and hurried out of the building. Her heart raced as she found the car instantly and ignited the engine, driving right out. Micah had blown her cover, and she only wondered how Albie would react to that.
Lauren's hand trembled slightly on the steering wheel as she drove past the lights and straight home.
The name clicked now. Micah was Albie's old friend that he had only ever talked about twice or thrice. He missed their wedding, and she wondered if he was the reason Albie had refused her attendance at the ball.
It was late when she got home. She hurried up the stairs to her room but paused at the door.
What was she scared of?
His reaction? Or her disobedience?
The fact that she went to the gala after he told her to stay home, or the fact that Marianne was at the party?
She walked right back down and sat on the couch, taking off her shoes and undoing the clips in her hair. Her hair fell over her shoulders, and she massaged her temple. She hadn't been swift enough, and the camera had captured her.
Nobody would recognize her. It's been years, and she believed she'd changed over that time. She didn't know when she drifted into a nap, but the sound of the gate opening woke Lauren. She sat up and rubbed her face, bracing herself for whatever Albie was bringing.
The door opened, and he walked in alone. Lauren's eyes darted to the wall clock. It was way past an hour and a half since she got back, and it was still early for him to return. He'd left his ongoing party.
Lauren straightened on the couch as he removed his jacket and placed it neatly on the arm of the couch as though nothing unusual had happened, but Lauren could tell he was only trying to stay calm.
“You came home early,” she finally said, her voice softer than intended.
Albie didn't reply immediately. He loosened his cufflinks, then rolled up his sleeves before looking at her.
“Did I?” he asked, his eyes landing on her.
She shifted uncomfortably as though she'd been caught cheating.
“Yeah… you said you were going to return later and…”
“Why were you there, Lauren?” he asked, and she felt her heart tighten.
“I wanted to… you said you wanted to go alone, and I wanted to be there too,” she said, and he scoffed.
“Can’t you simply accept that you went there because of micah?” He asked and she furrowed.
“ What do you mean?” She asked
“Can you stop with your pretence already?” He repeated confusing her more . “ What do you have with him?” he asked, and she frowned.
“Have with him?” Lauren asked, unsure of the question.
“Have you been sleeping with him?” he asked, and she gasped.
“What?” She was stunned.
“I'll ask again, have you been sleeping with him?” he asked again, and a low, disbelieving laugh escaped her as she stood up. Albie was way taller, and his deep brown eyes only pierced through her.
“Did you think I would cheat on you just because you're cheating on me?” she asked, and Albie frowned.
“Cheat on you?” he asked.
“Marianne…” she started while studying his facial expression, “...you're acting all defensive just because I saw you with Marianne, and you pulling Micah into this is just who you are, always trying to shift the blame from yourself,” Lauren said.
“Did he come back because of you?” Albie wasn't fazed by her accusation. He seemed more interested in whatever was going on between Micah and Lauren.
“I am not surprised. There have always been signs, and I have always ignored them,” he continued before she could answer the question.
Lauren was surprised at how he was constantly shifting the blame to her. She clearly saw his interactions with Marianne.
“Last time I checked, Albie Spencer…” Lauren replied, “Marianne Cooper was out of the country, and suddenly she's back… you refused me from attending the party because of her, isn't it?”
“Yes, it is... Lauren Watson,” he replied, calling her by her father's name.
But what shocked her the most was his acknowledgement.
“Ohhhh,” dropped from her mouth. “Since when, Albie?” she asked calmly.
“I never stopped loving her…”
“Since when have you been cheating on me?” Lauren shouted angrily, and Albie paused.
“You're a cheat too, Lauren. I saw you, a number of times. You pushed me..”
“Saw me? Where?” Lauren was surprised at his accusations and the fact that he was saying it with sincerity in his eyes.
“I saw you in Morocco, I saw you in Rome, I saw you at Ramos Hotel, and everything is just aligning tonight… you have always been cheating on me,” he said, then after a minute simply turned and stormed out.
Lauren paused, a low gasp escaping her. Her knees weakened, and she sat back down, digesting his words better.
He saw her in Morocco, Rome, and Ramos Hotel, and he never mentioned it?
Rome was two years ago, and Ramos Hotel? That was months back.
Was that the orchestrator of his attitude toward her?
She was chasing his case, and he’d thought she was cheating on him?
- Writer
