Love in Reverse

Chapter Three: What does she want?

“Dani, I think it's better off if you leave him at all. He's no good to you." Karissa, Daniella's long best friend suggested.

Karissa had been a close friend of Daniella and it pains her to see how her best friend was being treated like a nobody by a man she didn't even want her best friend to be associated with.

They were a very close friend since college and she had witnessed how enamored Daniella was to Peter. Even before she didn't want Daniella to be closed with him, especially, how he ignored and left poor Daniella’s heart to shamble after he left the city to pursue his undergraduate degree in a higher institution. If she was her college self, she would tolerate Peter’s shameful act but upon seeing how he treated her best friend, she couldn't just stand and watch her being dragged like that. How dare he!

Daniella sniffles, “How could you say that Riss? You knew I couldn't do that to Peter."

"Oh for god’s sake! Stop forcing yourself to someone who doesn't love you! He doesn't. Love you. Daniella.”

Karissa flushed out of rage as to how her best friend still couldn't dump Peter out of her heart. She should learn by now that he is nothing but trash.

Daniella bawled her eyes out. She hadn't stopped weeping ‘till yesterday and the bags on her eyes are prominent from the stress she was feeling. It's been two days since she found out that her husband was housing another woman in a luxury apartment. Her poor heart couldn't bare what she just discovered and crying her heart out is her only way of indulging it.

Seeing how affected her best friend is, Karissa wrapped her hands to her, giving her a consoling hug. It's not new to see her best friend cry like that but the idea that she was crying because she was neglected and broken-hearted pinched her heart.

“I’m sorry if I hurt feelings but I think you need a break, okay?" She caresses her like a child.

Karissa doesn't like visiting their house, especially since she knows that every bit of this house is from Peter's. If not only for Dani, she wouldn't have gotten here and she would do everything to take her away from this place. Everything.

Daniella hugged her back and felt comforted by the warmth of her body. ‘This feels like the old time, I really missed this.’ She thought.

“Thanks, Riss," she said.

Karissa smiled, " Of course, I'm always here for you.”

The two embraced each other feeling the weight of their emotions relinquish to the warmth of their body. Then Karissa bid her a goodbye and promised her that if she ever changed her mind, she can call her whenever she wants.

“I only want what's best for you, Dani." Karissa said before she leaves.

After Karissa left the house, Daniella spent another whole minutes staring blankly at nothing in particular until she finally found the courage to stand up. The first thing she do is looked around the room. It was deserted with any affection like how empty she had been.

“Huh. You really are pathetic Dani." She said it out loud.

Maybe Missy and Karissa were right, I don’t need to force myself on someone who doesn't really care for me, most of all, doesn't love me. Maybe, the right thing to do was to set him free. There's been a time where she had hopes that Peter would somehow love her, they were a childhood friend after all. But right now, looking back, she thought it would be just a silly young girl fantasy and should be buried down.

‘I think it's time to let him go. But if I would leave him, what would my parents think about this? Are they going to disown me like they would say before?’ She thought, biting her fingernails.

Before marrying Peter Hughes, she was told that that's the only purpose she had at the family. To marry to a wealthy man to keep the company running, and even though she didn't oppose to the offer, she was being threatened to disown in the family if she refused to marry him. Cast away like a mere tool. So, after finishing her degree—as part of the promise she gave—she married Peter.

This is just proof of how her parents treasure more of their wealth than the well-being of their children.

Things would have been scary but she isn't scared anymore. She got her degree, she can get a job whenever she wants. It was because of Peter that she abandoned her dreams and aspirations. She could still be a woman without a man and could get on her feet with or without any help. And most importantly, she got Karissa who unconditionally loved her.

She called for Missy and told her to call Karissa to help her with something. Missy, enthusiastic for seeing her Misses return to her usual spirit, did what she ordered. Things would go as planned because she sets her mind to.

Her eyes landed on the portrait of her and Peter on their wedding day. She was smiling holding her bouquet of flowers on one hand while holding Peter's hand on the other. Upon seeing Peter's sullen expression, she felt guilty and sad.

‘I’m sorry Peter. I didn't know you were this sad to be with me.’ She thought and she forced herself not to shed another tear.

***

In the office, Peter immersed himself in some papers hoping that would push his thoughts aside about his wife. There is something about what he felt inside that is telling him that something is wrong. A bad omen. Unfortunately, he failed to erase his worry because everytime his phone lit up he was somehow hoping it was his wife's name that appeared on it.

Only to be dismayed that it's not hers.

He sighs. He slept in his office room compartment and still had his yesterday’s suit on, and didn't bother to change it. He doesn't wish to return to their home—the house he shared with Daniella—because he felt guilty for making her react like that. Looking at the clock on his table, it reads: six o'clock in the morning. This time of the day usually his wife calls if he has had his breakfast yet. Though he would say no and dismissed her, it didn't change the fact that he likes to be reminded for breakfast.

He groaned and combed a hand over his hair which was a mess at the moment. His door flung open and his assistant, Mark, entered his office.

“Have you brought any news about my wife?” He asked.

His assistant shook its head, " But I had a received a call for Ms. Cooper."

By the mention of Teresa's last name, Peter stiffen. It was her words that kept on resonating that left him unsettled. Before, upon hearing her name he would be glad but now, that changes, something inside him had changed.

Peter frowned, “What does she want?"