The Woman He Created

Chapter 5

ELIZABETH

As the weeks went by, I noticed I was encumbered with so many tasks and I didn't need anyone to tell me that Riley was behind it. It started right when she found out I was working in the company.

But then, I didn't care one about that. I carried out every assignment given to me diligently. I made no friends because I was too busy focusing on the job.

One day, I was in the restroom when I heard some ladies walk in.

“I heard her husband divorced her and now she crawled back shamefully to work in her father's company. What a shame,” the first lady said.

“I know right. But I heard her father warned her not to marry him but she didn't listen and stayed away from her family for 3 years. Imagine cutting off ties with your family because of a stranger,” another lady said.

At that moment, I stepped out of the restroom stall I was in and the shocking look on their faces made me smile. I wanted my hand and made my way to the door without saying a word.

But as I got to the door, with my hand holding the knob, I turned around and said,

“When you want to talk behind people's back, at least get the facts right. My ex-husband didn't divorce me. It's actually the other way round.”

I opened the door and walked away like nothing happened. I had actually been hearing rumors about me but I didn't care. Alex has already humiliated me enough and I wasn't about to let it happen again.

Apart from the workload and rumors, things have actually been going on pretty well. I had enough money to rent an apartment. Even thought Dad's house had enough rooms to accommodate as many people as it wanted, I didn't feel comfortable staying there.

And that's because of Stephanie and Riley. I'd rather stay alone and face the boredom than live together with them and mess up my mental health.

One weekend, I went to the store to get some groceries and I bumped into Juliet. The moment she saw me, she rolled her eyes and went the other way. I went after her.

“Juliet, please wait. We need to talk,” I called for her but she didn't stop until she got into her car and drove away.

I don't even blame her for the way she reacted. I said some pretty nasty things to her when we broke up three years ago.

“You're jealous of me because I have a fiance and you don't. Stop trying to poke at my happiness and go find yours,” I had said to her.

With a heavy heart, I went back into the store, got the things I needed and left. When I got back home, I found a familiar car parked in my driveway.

“What the…”

As I got out of the car, I went towards the parked car and knocked on the window, waking up the driver.

Alex rolled down the window and looked at him. His hair was scattered everywhere and looked like someone who was going through a lot. But that wasn't any of my business.

“What the hell are you doing in my house? How did you even find out where I was living?” I asked angrily.

He opened the door and stepped out of the car.

“It doesn't matter how I found out where you live. I only came here so we could talk,” he answered.

I rolled my eyes.

“We have nothing to talk about except if it's about the divorce,” I said and began walking towards the door.

He grabbed my arm suddenly.

“Get your hands off me, Alex,” I ordered.

“I'm sorry,” he said as he let go immediately.

I continued my way towards the front door.

“At least, tell me why you're filing for divorce. Maybe we can fix it, please,” he said, sounding realistic but I wasn't one to be fooled.

“Get yourself out of my driveway before I call the cops on you,” I threatened.

When I was finally in the comfort of my room, I felt my walls break down. I realized I was scared and worried.

How did he find me anyways?

I thought about moving to another apartment, to a place where he would never find me. But I realized I had only just moved in and I loved the space. Plus it was difficult to get this apartment in the first place.

“I'm not leaving my house because of you, Alex,” I muttered to myself.

A few days later, I stopped by the coffee shop on my way to work and as I was rushing out, I

bumped into something and dumped my coffee all over them.

“Oh my gosh, I’m sorry. I didn't mean to,” I apologized profusely.

When I raised my head up, I saw that the man whom I had spilled my coffee on was looking at me with a smile as if he wasn't a bit concerned about what had just happened.

Ok, weird.

“You don't have to apologize. It happens to the best of us,” he simply said.

“But still, I apologize for my clumsiness. What can I do to make up for it? Maybe I can give you some money to have it dry cleaned?” I offered.

He smiled.

“How about having dinner with me tonight?” He asked.

“That won't be necessary. I don't go out on dinners with strangers. This is the best I can do,” I said.

I took his hand and forced a 20 Dollar note into it.

“That should cover it,” I replied.

Without another word said, I walked out of the car and made my way to work. Later that evening, the doorbell rang. I wasn't expecting anyone so I was confused.

Maybe it's Alex.

I made my way to the door, ready to give him a piece of my mind. But when I opened the door, my jaw dropped.

“Juliet?”