Chapter Two
1673 Words
David called Christy from the car.
“David?” She sounded surprised. “Is everything alright?”
“Are you free tonight?” He tried to keep his voice level. “I have a dinner event and Gia… she’s not feeling well. I could use a plus-one.”
A pause. Then: ““I’d be happy to accompany you. Should I tell Gia? She might want to know…”
“No. Don’t mention it. She’s… she’s embarrassed about being sick. You know how she gets. I’ll pick you up in fifteen minutes.”
When he arrived at her apartment, Christy emerged in an emerald dress that should’ve been illegal. It hugged every curve, dipped low in the front, and made David forget every vow he’d ever made to his wife.
“You look incredible,” he said as she slid into the passenger seat.
“Thank you. You clean up pretty well yourself. She settled into the leather seat. “I feel a little guilty, though. Going to your company party while Gia’s home alone.”
“She’ll be fine,” David said too quickly. “She understands.”
“Does she? Because if I were married to you, I wouldn’t let another woman anywhere near you.”
David pretended not hear and pulled out of the parking lot.
At the party David barely tasted the food. He was too aware of Christy beside him, her hand on his arm, the envious stares from other men.
She was everything Gia wasn’t.
When he dropped her off afterward, Christy stayed back in the car, her perfume filling the small space.
“Thank you for inviting me,” she murmured. “I had a wonderful time.”
“Me too.”
She leaned closer, her lips inches from his. “Your wife is so lucky.”
David should’ve pulled away. Should’ve said goodnight and driven home to the woman who loved him.
Instead, he closed the distance and kissed her.
Christy melted into him, her fingers threading through his hair. The kiss turned desperate, hungry. David’s hands found her waist, pulling her closer—
“Come inside,” she whispered against his mouth. “Please.”
“This is wrong.” But even as he said it, he was unbuckling his seatbelt. “She trusts you. She trusts both of us.”
“I know.” Christy’s smile was wicked. “Does that make you want to stop?”
It should have. God, it should have.
But when she took his hand and led him toward her building, he followed.
-----
David crept into his house past midnight, expecting Gia to be asleep.
Instead, he found her curled up on the living room couch,, eyes red-rimmed and puffy.
“You’re awake,” he said stupidly.
“How was the party?” Her voice was flat.
“Fine. Boring.”You should’ve been there.”
She closed her laptop with a soft click. “Who’d you take instead?”
David’s heart stuttered. “What?”
“You didn’t go alone. I know you didn’t.”
“It was just Christy”
“Christy? My Christy?”
“Your best friend, yes. She was happy to help out. You know she’d do anything for you.”
“Did you tell her I couldn’t fit in the dress?” Gia’s voice cracked. “Did you tell her why you really didn’t want me there?”
“Of course not. I told her you weren’t feeling well.” She was worried about you, actually. Almost didn’t come because she wanted to check on you first.”
Gia’s face crumpled. “She’s such a good friend.”
“The best,” he agreed.
“I’m going to bed.” She stood, wrapping her cardigan tighter around herself.
He watched her climb the stairs alone and felt nothing but relief that she hadn’t pressed harder.
Over the following weeks, David fell into a pattern: dutiful husband at home, passionate lover in Christy’s bed. He bought Gia more flowers, more gifts.
And Gia felt herself drowning slowly, pretending not to notice when he came home smelling like unfamiliar perfume.
She couldn’t take it anymore so she texted Christy: Can we meet? I need advice.
They met at a coffee shop downtown. Christy looked perfect—she always did—in designer jeans and a cashmere sweater.
“You sounded upset,” Christy said, squeezing Gia’s hand across the table. “What’s wrong, babe?”
Gia’s composure crumbled. Tears spilled down her cheeks, and she covered her mouth with trembling fingers.
“It’s David,” she whispered.
Christy’s expression shifted to concern. “What happened? Did he hurt you?”
“The way he treats me—” Gia’s voice broke. “He’s so cruel sometimes. He tells me I’m fat, that I’m embarrassing, and then the next day he’s buying me flowers and saying he loves me. I don’t know which version is real anymore.”
“Oh, honey.” Christy’s grip tightened, her thumb stroking Gia’s knuckles. “That’s terrible.”
“And I think…” Gia swallowed hard, forcing out the words that had been poisoning her for weeks. “I think he’s cheating on me.”
Christy’s eyes widened. She blinked rapidly, her free hand flying to her chest. “Cheating? Gia, are you sure? David loves you. He’d never—”
“He comes home late. He makes calls in the other room. He barely touches me anymore.” Gia wiped at her tears frantically. “I’m not imagining this, Christy. I know something’s wrong.”
“Have you asked him about it?”
“I’m afraid of what he’ll say.” Gia’s voice dropped to a whisper. “I’m afraid he’ll tell me the truth.”
Christy reached across the table and pulled Gia into an awkward embrace, stroking her hair while making soothing noises.
“You’re overthinking,” she murmured. “David works hard. He’s probably just stressed. You know how men get.”
But even as she comforted her best friend, Christy’s mind was already racing ahead—calculating her next move, planning her next visit to David’s office, thinking about how his hands felt on her skin.
“Everything will be fine,” Christy promised, her smile never wavering. “I’m here for you. Always.”
Gia clung to her, desperate for a safe space. “You’re right. I’m being paranoid.”
“Everything will be fine,” Christy promised. “I’m here for you. Always. That’s what best friends are for.”
Gia pulled back, wiping her eyes. “What would I do without you?”
Christy’s smile was radiant. “You’ll never have to find out.”
She had no idea she was embracing the woman destroying her life.
***
Saturday evening arrived and Gia sat in the passenger seat of David’s Mercedes.
“She’ll be in a good mood today,” David said, though he didn’t sound convinced. “I told her we were coming.”
Gia nodded, throat tight. She’d learned not to expect much from these visits.
They pulled into the circular driveway of the Harlow estate. David’s mother, Eleanor, was in her garden wearing pristine white gloves, trimming roses.
She looked up at the sound of the car. Her face lit up.
“David! My darling boy!”
She rushed forward, arms outstretched, and pulled him into an embrace. Over his shoulder, her eyes landed on Gia.
The warmth drained from her expression like water from a broken glass.
“Good evening, Mom,” Gia said, forcing a smile.
Eleanor released David and brushed past Gia as if she were part of the landscaping. “Come inside, son. I’ve had cook prepare your favorite.”
David glanced back at Gia, with a little bit of guilt. But he followed his mother without protest.
Gia trailed behind them, invisible.
Eleanor directed every question, every comment, every observation at David. When Gia tried to contribute the older woman would roll her eyes, and she’d turn back to her son as if Gia hadn’t spoken.
“More roast, David? You’re looking thin. Are you eating properly?”
“I’m fine, Mom.”
“It’s important to maintain your strength. Especially with all the stress you’re under.” Eleanor’s gaze flicked to Gia. “Feeding a whole household, managing a career—it takes the right kind of support.”
After dinner, Eleanor led David into the sitting room. Gia started to follow, but Eleanor’s voice stopped her.
“David and I need to discuss some private family matters.”
The door closed in Gia’s face.
She stood there for a moment, staring at the carved wood, fighting back tears. Then she retreated to the hallway, sinking onto a bench
Through the door, she could hear their muffled voices.
“—brought you some options.” Eleanor’s voice, excited.
“Mom, we’ve talked about this.”
“Just look at them, darling. This one is a surgeon. This one studied at Oxford. And this one—” Papers rustled. “—she’s a model but also has a business degree.”
“I’m married.”
“To her. That unworthy creature who can’t even dress herself properly. Who embarrasses you at every function. Who will never give you the children the Harlow name deserves.”
Gia’s breath caught. Her hand went to her stomach instinctively.
“That’s enough. I’m not interested.”
“You say that now, but—”
“I said no.”
Silence. Then Eleanor’s sigh. “Fine. But when you come to your senses, these women will still be available.
Gia couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t think. She stood on shaking legs and walked out of the house, her vision blurring with tears.
She pulled out her phone and called a cab, her fingers trembling so badly she nearly dropped it twice.
By the time David came looking for her, she was already gone.
- Writer
