Betrayed By My Husband; Claimed By My Boss

Watching eyes

Emily’s POV

I sat at my desk staring at the blank computer in front of me.

Work wasn’t like any other day. Today I didn’t feel much into it, definitely because I have a lot on my head.

The Kiss with Lucas.

Vanessa almost caught us.

More secrets about my Husband.

“Penny to your thoughts.” Zara, my colleague whose desk is beside mine, interrupted my thoughts.

“Hey Z.”

“Hi Em, We are in the United States but it seems you were teleported to Colombia just now.” Zara dramatically gestured.

I rolled my eyes, Zara is a sweet girl with her high sense of humor. “Oh please.”

“So what’s up? What’s going on with you?” She asked, concerned.

“Uhm…it’s just some issue at home.” I was unsure whether to spill or not.

“Girl if your husband hasn’t gotten some chick pregnant, thank your stars. My aunt’s husband's little D messed up with some girl, and the family's in disarray.”

I laughed out loud.

It was so funny.

I don’t know whose situation was worse, her aunts’ or mine.

Her aunts’ case could be worse only if the girl in question were her best friend I guess.

“I may be in a worse situation than her.”

Just as she was about to speak, the sharp click of Vanessa’s heels against the floor interrupted her.

Vanessa stopped in front of my desk, a fake smile on her face.

She stood there, arms folded, as if she didn’t almost catch me kissing my boss yesterday.

And like she wasn’t sleeping with my Husband.

“Emily.” My entire body stiffened.

That once sweet voice is now annoying.

“Can we talk?” She asked sweetly.

They do say even the devil appears as an angel.

I looked at Zara. “Can you give me a minute?”

Her eyes were giving me that Don’t stand up and give me that banger gist. “Yeah, sure.”

I followed Vanessa to the Break room.

Vanessa closed the door and leaned on the counter. “You’ve been acting weird.”

“Have I?” I let out a scoff.

“Yes! We don’t even talk like we used to. You are keeping things from me!”

She tilted her head slightly. “And to top it all, something’s going on between you and the hot CEO.”

Now I know where she is going. She wants to find out what’s going on between Lucas and me so she can feed her boy toy.

“Like what?” I asked her teasingly, enjoying the moment.

“Uhm…How would I know? That’s why I am asking…you seem different.”

“Girl, be for real now.”

“Okay! I don’t like the way you have been acting up.”

“Since when does my behavior bother you?”

“Chill…why are you being defensive?,” she laughed softly.

“I’m not.”

“I am just smarter than before,” I added.

“You should be careful Emily.”

I almost laughed but I controlled it. “Oh.”

“Yeah…You know I care for you best…I mean, after your husband…he comes first.” She lets out an awkward laugh.

She noticed how my face was neutral and void of emotions, and she cleared her throat.

“Careful of what exactly?”

“Changing into what you’re not…it will only put you in dangerous situations.”

I smiled.

And the Award for the Craziest Person goes to my back-stabbing Best Friend!

“I’m good Vanessa…you should watch your back rather,” I said subtly with a warning.

“My…my back?” She looked me in the eyes intently.”

“Yes, best friend.” I held her gaze.

“You’re trying to get yourself into some dangerous game Emily.”

“We’ll see.” The corner of my lips slightly curved.

I turned around and walked out, leaving her baffled. Now she knows I am no longer the quiet Emily.

And I am so ready for the game!

***

“What was that about?” Zara leaned over from her desk.

“Oh…just some little situation.”

“Girl you better be careful of girls like that.”

“I heard one of the Senior Managers has slept with her.” She added.

Now that was shocking news. “Really?”

“Yeah…apparently she intends on sleeping her way all up.”

“And you know what they say about girls like that…they’re very cruel to their fellow girls.”

“Thanks Z, I will be careful.”

“Please do…the moment she sees you as a competition, she might not hesitate to play dirty to get you out of the way.”

Crazy how that is my situation at the moment. I smiled at Zara as she got back to her workspace.

It was too late to stay away from her. But I am now aware of who she really is.

***

By the time I got home in the evening, I was so exhausted.

I removed my shoes, threw my bag over the couch, went to the fridge, and poured myself some water.

The last few weeks have been emotionally exhausting for me.

I leaned against the counter and took a long sip.

It was cold and refreshing.

But it didn’t calm the storm inside me.

My eyes slowly drifted to the corner of the living room.

That small spot.

The exact place I had placed the camera.

Hidden.

My heart started beating faster.

This was it.

I had been avoiding this moment since morning.

Because once I see it…

There’s no going back.

I placed the glass down slowly and walked towards the couch.

My fingers reached for my bag.

I brought out my laptop, sat down, and opened it.

My hands paused over the keyboard.

For a second…just a second, I hesitated.

What if I was wrong?

What if I was overthinking?

What if…

I let out a small laugh.

Who was I kidding?

I already knew.

I just needed proof.

Solid proof.

I opened the app and connected to the camera.

The screen loaded slowly.

My heart was pounding now.

Then—

The footage appeared.

Empty living room.

Nothing.

I leaned back slightly.

Maybe today—

Fast forward.

I dragged the timeline.

A few hours back.

Still nothing.

Then—

The door opened.

My breath caught.

Brian.

He walked in casually like he owned the place.

Like nothing was wrong.

Like he didn’t have a wife.

My jaw tightened.

A few seconds later—

Vanessa walked in behind him.

Like she had done this a hundred times.

My fingers curled slightly.

She laughed.

That same laugh.

The one she used at work.

The fake and annoying laugh.

Brian pulled her closer.

My stomach dropped.

Like it was normal.

I didn’t look away.

I couldn’t.

They moved further into the room.

Talking…feeling relaxed.

Like I didn’t exist.

Vanessa dropped her bag on the couch.

My couch.

She sat down.

Crossed her legs.

Too comfortable.

Brian sat beside her.

Too close.

Then he said something.

I leaned forward.

Trying to hear.

But there was no audio.

Damn.

Vanessa responded.

Smiling.

Her lips moved slowly.

I narrowed my eyes.

Trying to read them.

And then—

I froze.

“She doesn’t suspect anything.”

My heart stopped.

I stared harder.

No.

Maybe I read it wrong.

Brian laughed.

Then he leaned back, like this was some kind of joke.

Vanessa shook her head.

She said something else.

Clearly this time.

“She’s still the same naive Emily.”

My fist clenched.

Naive?

I felt something move inside me.

Something cold.

Something dangerous.

Brian reached for her hand.

He held it and looked her in the eyes dearly.

I swallowed hard.

My eyes didn’t leave the screen.

Then—

Vanessa leaned closer to him.

I read her lips. “She won’t see it coming.”

These lots must be crazy.

This is more than cheating.

This is a big agenda to take me down, leaving me with nothing.

Everything was planned intentionally.

What did I ever do wrong to them?

My grip on the laptop tightened.

My breathing slowed.

A small smile formed on my lips.

I let out a quiet laugh. They must think I am still in the dark.

I closed the laptop slowly.

My eyes darkened slightly.

Let them think it is the weak Emily they are playing with.

I stood and picked my phone up.

I stared at my reflection on the screen and it didn’t look anything like old Emily.

I had completely changed without even realizing it.

The kind of change that a cheating husband and a betraying best friend could enhance.

I tilted my head slightly. A wicked smile formed on my lips.

If they both want this game…

Then let’s play.

But this time…

I won’t be the one losing.