His Father’s Wife

Now it all make sense

Gina walked into Zoey’s apartment, her stomach knotted with a mix of concern and doubt. She half-expected to smell the familiar scent of the cigarettes Zoey promised to quit. Instead, she found her best friend perched at the marble breakfast bar, leaning into a phone call with an annoyed tone.

"...keep that pathetic loser under control," Zoey was saying, her voice dripping with a malice Gina had never heard before. Gina arched her brows.

"A pathetic loser?" Gina’s voice was like a cold splash of water.

Zoey’s face was drained of color. Her hand jerked, sending her crystal glass tumbling to the floor. Shards of glass and white wine sprayed across the tiles.

"Gina! You... you startled me," Zoey stammered, frantically shielding her phone screen against her chest before sliding it onto the counter. "You didn't knock."

"I’ve had a key for three years, Zoey," Gina said, her eyes narrowing as she watched her friend’s trembling hands. “You shouldn’t expect me to knock.”

Zoey said nothing. She couldn’t believe she forgot that one important detail. Gina was as much of a roommate in that house.

"Is your stomach feeling any better? You said you were in too much pain to leave the house."

"Getting there," Zoey lied, a tight, artificial smile stretching across her face. "I'm just glad the traffic wasn't too bad for you today."

Gina paused. "Traffic? How would you know about the traffic if you've been in bed all morning?"

Then Zoey realized she slipped. O boy! Who couldn’t she think before talking.

Her eyes darted towards her phone. "I... I saw a notification on my GPS. You know how it is."

"Right. Maps." Gina let out a short, dry laugh that lacked any humor.

In a few minutes, they were seated before the TV watching a boring program.

"You know, for a second, I had this insane thought that you were at Sean’s place. So funny right,” Gina let out a laugh. “Imagine how strange it would be? My best friend and my boyfriend, sharing all the affection he wouldn’t share with me. Waiting for our magical wedding night," she quoted ‘magical’ in a sarcastic tone.

At first there was silence. Then Zoey forced a fake laugh. Her forehead was sweating as she cleared her throat. "That’s... that’s a crazy thought, G."

"Completely insane," Gina agreed.

Zoey already knew the doubt was buried in Gina’s mind. And until they got it off, Gina would always doubt. To bridge the tension, Zoey decided to bring up the wedding. She suggested a romantic getaway at the Azure Springs Resort—a place famous for its sprawling water parks and secluded villas.

Gina didn’t see that as a bad idea. Maybe if Zoey handled the booking and Gina handles the decorations, she could revive her failing love again.

“Thank you, Zoey,” she thanked hugging her friend close.

Well, this short lived peace shattered the moment Gina returned home. She walked to the dining table to grab her Aurelia contract. Then she saw it. Her breath caught in her throat. The document was a ruined, orange mess. Someone had overturned a glass of juice, the acidic liquid soaking through the signature lines and blurring the ink of the company’s signature

"No!” She screamed in tears. “Sean! What happened? What did you do?" she cried out.

Sean emerged from the kitchen, a silk handkerchief in hand, dabbing at the paper. His dabbing only tore the sheets and made things worse.

"It was an accident, baby. I’m so sorry. I’ll call the manager and have them send a new one. In the meantime, just focus on that new collection you were telling me about—the one with the gold embroidery?"

Gina sank to the floor.

***

The day of their get away came in a jiffy. Gina arrived at the resort early. She would comvince Sean to lay with her that day. Maybe with that, she would have peace of mind. And she wouldn’t doubt him anymore. She transformed the suite into a beautiful romantic site. Crimson rose petals scattered across the duvet, the scent of sandalwood heavy in the air, and a slow, seductive melody humming from the speakers.

As a final touch, she hung a delicate lace piece in the bathroom. One she would wear to hook Sean to herself. With a smile, she nodded at her brilliance.

It would take a long time before Sean arrives back from the office though. Meanwhile, she spent the afternoon wandering the beautiful environment.

Evening came just as she calculated and her heart jolted. It was time. It was time to surprise her sweetheart.

She returned to the room, her heart lightened with hope.

She pushed the door open softly, a smile already forming on her lips. Then her smile vanished. Her eyes widened in shock and her jaw dropped.

There, in the center of the bed she had decorated with love was Zoey, draped in Gina’s own lace lingerie, her laughter echoing against the walls as she moved with Sean. Riding him like he was the man whom she’s wanted for years. The man who was supposed to be waiting for a wedding night that would now never come.