There were a lot of ways this evening was meant to have gone, Alisha thought as she took in the sight before her. Her entering into her husband’s office, kissing him and laughing their way into a quickie was one way.
Another way, Alisha thought, was that she’d enter, and he’d tell her how lucky he was to have her as his wife.
She was meant to have celebrated her fifth-year anniversary with her husband by her side: a clear show of their love and perseverance over the years. Proof to her father that she didn’t have a horrible taste in men; that she hadn’t courted and married a man who was only after her wealth.
She was meant to announce the new orphanage she was commissioning in honor of the event and show her husband the car she had bought specially for this event. A commissioned piece in his favorite color with his name engraved on it. Yes, that was how it was meant to go.
So why was she seeing this?
I can't believe this!
Kyle's ass was in her face, and a pair of legs in red heels were wrapped around them. He was pumping in and out with so much gusto that Alisha was taken aback by his enthusiasm. He never moved this way when they had s*x.
Several times, Alisha had tried to switch things up in the bedroom, but he always insisted that he loved her in missionary and didn’t want to make a w***e out of his wife. What a load of bullshit.
Alisha couldn't understand what she was seeing. She didn't want to believe it. But this was no hearsay. This was happening right in front of her.
“Kyle?”
He startled and scrambled back from the woman who was splayed out on his table. He took his time to drag his trousers up, buckle his belt and tuck his shirt in before he turned to look at her.
“Jesus Alisha. Why will you just badge into my office?” Alisha couldn’t believe her ears. That was what he was asking her? How could she have been so blind?
“Kyle, what is this? What are you doing? Today is our anniversary, Kyle!”
Kyle sneered at her. “Stupid b***h, what does it look like?” He helped the woman on the table up, and Alisha recognized her through her blurry eyes. She took a deep breath to settle herself, because Alisha was afraid that if she allowed herself to start wailing, she wouldn’t stop.
I didn't even realize I was crying.
She knew that girl. She had seen her all the times that she had visited Kyle in his corner office. Charlie. That was her name. She was Kyle's secretary. Alisha thought of all the times she had dropped by his office and bought gifts for the girl. Bags, shoes, holiday souvenirs and all the nice things she always had in excess at the house.
The countless laughter they shared together being women who saw Kyle closer than anyone else. Alisha laughed at that. Only if she had known that Charlie was f*****g her husband behind her back. And betrayal was what she used to pay her for her kindness. Her father’s words came to mind, but Alisha swept them away in a frenzy. She didn’t have time to be told ‘I told you so’ by her memory.
“This isn't what it looks like, Alisha. It would have been a good place to start, Kyle. What does it look like? It looks like you're cheating on me with your secretary, Kyle! How could you do this to me? Today is our anniversary! Does that mean nothing to you, you bastard?”
“Oh please. Stop screaming in my ear. And don’t cuss at me, b***h,” He walked to Charlie and helped her off the table. Her dress was down her waist, and a boob hung out of it lewdly. Kyle wrapped his palm around it and squeezed. Charlie giggled, and a wave of nausea enveloped Alisha.
It's like I'm not here. Alisha thought as she watched the display. Kyle helped Charlie dress, and only when she was fully dressed did they both turn to face her.
“This is your fault, you know. You're a frigid b***h and that's why I had to find comfort somewhere else.”
Alisha looked stunned. “Frigid… b***h? Me?”
“Yes! It's always work work work with you. More money money money. No time to take care of your husband or cook for him. You're always chasing the next big thing, always looking for ways to grow a billion-dollar empire as if it needs your help.” He laughed at her, and Charlie joined in. “And s*x with you is like lying with a doll. Of course, I got bored. That's not my fault.” Kyle smirked at her.
“But I tried so many times to change things in bed with you...” What was she doing? Was she about to start explaining to her cheating husband how she had tried to better their marriage? Absolutely not.
Charlie laughed, and the sound of it was grating against Alisha's ears. “He was so lonely and he looked sad. His eyes were always ready to stray after any beautiful woman he saw, and I just knew he wasn’t being loved enough at home. I had no chance but to make him feel better. It's not my fault. You just failed in your duty as a wife, Alisha. I had to deal with your failure, so now deal with it.”
Alisha couldn't believe her ears. “Kyle. Tell me if this is a mistake. I'll forget this happened, and we'll go out there to celebrate our party like the happy couple we are. Kyle please!”
“Unbelievable, Alisha. You obviously have no sense of dignity. I wonder how I put up with you so far. You were always too serious for my liking. Unlike beautiful Charlie here. She doesn't tell me it's inappropriate if I want to f**k in the office. Or if I grab her ass because it's mine. She's a real woman who knows her place, unlike you.”
Alisha felt tears pouring down her face. “So, what are you saying, Kyle? That I wasn't good enough? I married you against my father's wishes. He always thought you were a snake, but I defended you because I love you. And you're doing this to me?”
Alisha walked to Kyle and grabbed his hand. She needed something to show her that her husband was still somewhere in there. Maybe we can still fix this, she thought. But she didn't want to admit what was right in front of her. That Kyle was a lying bastard who had betrayed her.
“You told me you loved me yesterday morning. Was that a lie? Kyle, please don't do this. I know you still love me. She's just deceiving you. She only wants your money. I'm your wife, Kyle. Please.”
And then Kyle did something Alisha never thought could happen in all her years. If you had told her it would happen, she would have called you a liar who wanted to destroy her marriage.
Kyle forcefully pulled his hand from Alisha's hold and sent her stumbling backwards. Too late, he noticed that she was going to fall, but instead of helping her, he smirked and watched her fall to the ground.
Alisha's ankle twisted painfully beneath her, and she cried out in pain. She looked up through teary eyes, and watched as Kyle and his mistress, Charlie, laughed at her.
Something broke into pieces inside her.
I have loved you for years and went against the wishes of my family for you. I stayed with you in a rat-infested apartment because you pretended to be too proud to accept help from my family, and I wanted to support you. I made you everything you are today. And this is how you choose to pay me back? You will regret this day, Kyle. That is my silent promise to you.
Alisha stood up and wiped her tears. No one in that room knew it, even Alisha included, but that was the beginning of a new journey for Alisha. The beginning of a new life.
For the old Alisha was passing away, and someone more powerful was being born in her place. A phoenix rising from the ashes.
A monster whose only goal was now revenge.