The Love Game

CH.18 Heartbreak

Chapter 18 Heartbreak Part 1

Rachel P.O.V

Zander has been acting strange for the past couple days. He is more irritable, too busy for a coffee break or lunch, and has been sending Garrison to our house with his nanny Grace. I have been seeing less and less of him, but I am not the only one that notices. Garrison and Grace have noticed a behavior change as well. I guess the situation at work is more severe than I thought. I try to stay positive for the kids sake assuring all of them including Garrison that its just a phase and all will be well soon. But in the back of my mind I am beyond worried for Zander, it pains me to see him like this. I wish there were some way I can comfort or alleviate his stress.

I am in my office just reviewing paperwork before I make my way to meet Cat at our second flower shop. I am distracted at the thought of Zander. He must be at his desk right now with paperwork scattered everywhere. I should probably go and make a quick visit at his office; I was done with everything here anyways. I tell Beatrice that I am calling it a day and give her the rest of the day off. I walk the two blocks to his office building and go up the elevator to his floor. I get to his secretaries’ deck and ask to see him, but it is a surprise. She happily obliges and asks me to sit and wait because he was currently in a meeting. Five minutes later a blonde woman in a sultry red business skirt and matching blazer exist his office. She looks like she just had a rough make out session as she rubs her lips and combs her fingers through her silky hair. I could not help but feel a ping of jealousy rage over me. I try to breath and control myself knowing Zander would never cheat on me, we love each other too much and I was confident in our relationship. His secretary motions for me to proceed. I enter and see Zander standing behind the desk his suite coat hanging on the chair, he had his sleeves rolled up and the first few buttons undone. I smile as I enter and watch his reaction. What I did not expect was what I saw evident on his neck. I stopped dead in my track seeing lip stick stains, when Zander saw my reaction his face dropped guilt written all over it.

I take a deep breath, close my eyes and ask, “Please tell me that I am just imagining things?” I open my eyes when I do not hear him say anything. I start nodding my head holding back the slough of emotions taking over me. “So it was that blonde woman that just stepped out of your office.” He only nods and looks down at the floor. “Ok…Ok…Ok.” I repeat trying to figure out what I should do or say next. Finally, I decide to say nothing and walk closer to his desk. I take off my ring and place it in the center of his desk on top of all his paperwork. I look at him one last time with a blank expression before I turn and exit his office. I hold all my emotions together as I walk to where my car is parked. It seemed like I was having an out of body experience making my way through the crowd. I get into my new red Ferrari and speed off. I just drive on the freeway going nowhere. I decide to pull over and get a coffee and water before going to the river and park looking out at the rushing water. I finally get out of my blank state as I let all my emotions that I was bottling up explode. I cry in frustration; my heart is shattering into a million pieces. The pain is so unbearable, I hold place a hand over my chest. Then anger takes over and I pound both hands onto my steering wheel and scream out loud still sobbing. After finally letting it all out and I am hiccupping from the after math, I mentally start to prepare myself for the many talks I will be having with my kids and friends. I know it was not my fault. I know what a catch I am, and any man would be lucky to have me. I have to focus on my anger towards him to make it through this heart break. I cannot deny the pain I feel, what I thought we had was special, thought he was my second chance. I clearly was wrong. I did not see any signs of this happening. I was cautious when I played the dating game, he was perfect. I wipe my tears and take a few deep breaths. I pull out my cell phone and call Cat.

“Hey girl are you still coming, I expected you an hour ago!” She answered.

“Actually something happened…” I take a deep breath trying to keep it together. “Can you meet at my place as soon as possible?”

“Yea of couse, is everything ok sweetie?” I could tell she sensed my pain.

“No… but I can’t say over the phone… I… I just…” I couldn’t find my words.

“Sweetie Ill be there, you don’t have to tell me over the phone, see you soon and be safe.” Then we hang up.

I drive back to my house and pull up the same time Cat does. We both get out of our cars and she rushes to engulfing me in a hug. I guess its clearly written all over my face that I was in pain.

“Sweetie I am here, lets go inside and sit and you tell me what’s going on.” She says interlocking our arms and entering into my home. We sit on the couch together in the living room.

“So What happened?” She asks. I take a deep breath.

“I caught Zander with another woman.” Saying that out loud was shattering my heart even more. I start to tear up and I look down at my empty ring finger.

“That mother fucker!” Cat says in a huff “How did you find out?” I take another deep breath.

“I wanted to surprise him in his office. You know that he has been stressed at work and I just wanted to see him and just make him feel better. Well I saw this gorgeous blonde leave Zander’s office. At first, I didn’t think anything of it. I don’t even know if his secretary suspected. But when I entered to see him. He didn’t seem delighted to see me. Then I spotted the lip stick marks on his neck.” I start to sob into my hands. I take a moment to breath as Cat pats my back. “When I asked him, he said nothing, but I could see the guilt in if face. I asked if it was that blonde and he nodded. So I gave him back the ring and left.”

“O Sweetie I am so sorry. This is unbelievable, we all thought that he was hopelessly in love with you. That Bastard.”

“Yea, he did not say a single word to me. I mean its not like its wasn’t obvious already… He just stood there. He was to guilt ridden and sad looking. I just had to leave.”

“If I were in your shoes, I would have slapped the living daylights out of him. You know Conner, Ian and I are going to give him a nice beating.” She said trying to cheer me up

“No need, I am so angry at him, but he is not worth the trouble. Karma is going to bit him in the ass. Ill just take my revenge on him in my own special way.” I try to laugh while wiping my tears.

“Rach your so strong. First Jonny and now Zander. You are a phenomenal woman. There is literally nothing you cannot do. The hell with men, the hell with the dating game. You really don’t need them. You are successful in your own right. And you’re the best mom. You will get through this with your head held high. Watch him beg for you back seeing that you were not phased by all this.” She says giving me a side hug and leaning her head on my shoulder.”

“I know… your right… I just am worried about the kids now? How are they going to take the news? Garrison has become so close to them. I would hate for this to ruin their friendship. And Garrison, I love that boy, I would hate to see him suffer too. O God how could Zander… why did you have to do this.” I shake my head knowing that a breakup like this would heavily affect the kids.

“Look your kids are strong… they take after you in that regard. And they will move on. Garrison, I don’t know what will become of him, but as long as they maintain a friendship with him than he will be fine too. Just encourage all of them to remain friends.”

“Yea his nanny Grace and I have become close. I can still request playdates and carpool schedules with her. I can easily avoid Zander for a while. I just don’t want to lose Garrison too.”

“And you won’t… just know that I an here for you, how about I call Conner and Ian. We can get together and talk about it here at you house and drink the pain away? Would you like that? That way Leah can come over and distract the kids while we drink?”

“Yea that sounds nice. I am glade its Friday and I don’t have too many obligations this weekend.”

“Great! Now go wash your face while I make the call.” I nod and make my way to my bathroom.

Cat stayed with me throughout the day. She was my rock right now and I could not be more blessed to have her with me. I call Grace and cancel movie night saying that I was taking the kids somewhere. I hated lying to her. Garrison and Grace both deserve to know the truth, but I will let Zander explain it to them.    

When the kids came home, I sat them down and told them about the breakup, I left out the cheating part. I didn’t want them to get angry and take it out on Garrison just because his dad is a pig. They were confused and tried to convince me to give him another chance. It was hard to not breakdown in front of them, But I was able to hold it together long enough to be firm and set in my decision. They were little taken back by my tone. I was set and done and that was it. I know it will take the kids a while to get over it, but they just all gave me a group hug and gave me loving words. I was relieved that they didn’t hate me, but it pained me more that they tried to fight for Zander.

Later Conner, Leah and Ian arrive. Leah makes a b-ling to the kids. I guess she was eager to play with them. Conner and Ian join Cat and me in the kitchen as we pour ourselves some drinks. We all sit at the kitchen island drink shot after shot of tequila. We first talk about the breakup. They let me vent cursing Zander. Once I felt that my ranting was enough my friends change the topic and cheer me up with their goofiness. My friends were truly the best. I start to feel better already. I go to bed that night knowing that tomorrow is going to be a better day, as long as I have my kids and friends with me nothing can keep me down.    

Zander P.O.V.  

I knew that it was inevitable to break things off with Rachel. I could not find any way out this. Everyday my heart broke even more as my deadline approached. I ended up planning an easy way for her to break up with me, I could not be the one to break up with her. I was not strong enough to say the words needed to say. I called my cousin to come into town and help me with my stunt. Yes, I asked my cousin to pose as the woman I was having an affair with. I know that my sudden behavior change would entice Rachel to pay me a surprise visit. But I was not at all prepared for the deed itself. When Rachel finally came to my office, I could not speak a single word. I just stood there ready to take the reaction of my betrayal. I was purposely hurting her, and it was killing me inside. When she only spoke those few words I just simply nodded. I could hear the pain in her voice, I could not bring myself to look at her. I knew the minute I look into her eyes I would immediately break down and take her into my arms. I had to resist, I had to bear the pain. I heard her approach my desk and place something on my desk. I get the nerve to look at her. All I saw was a blank expression on her face. Her eyes lost its sparkle. I felt my eyes begin to glaze as tears threaten to form. Then she turns and walks away. I look at my desk and see the ring on my desk. I grab it and hold it tight making a fist in my hand. The pain consuming me, leaving me dead inside. I sit down on my chair and open my hand to see the ring. A lone tear finally escapes my eye as my mind floods with the memories of us. There is nothing more I can do now. I had to save my son. I gather myself and text Nathan that the deed was done. I decide to take the rest of the day off and go home. I could not work anymore. All I could think about was Rachel.

When I make it home, I see Grace in the kitchen preparing a snack for Garrison. She greeted me and told me that Rachel cancelled movie night, so she is trying to distract Garrison. I nod realizing that the kids are not going to take the breakup well. Rachel was probably preparing to talk to her kids tonight. I grieve knowing that I am going to miss those kids. I did not just lose a finance, but I lost a family. Garrison lost his siblings. If I thought my heart could not shatter anymore, I was dead wrong.

I finally gather the courage to tell Garrison and Grace about the breakup. I did not include the details of the false affair. Garrison did not take it well whatsoever. He stormed to his room and slammed the door. I could only imagine the grief he is feeling right now. I turn to look at Grace and I can see the disappointment in her face. She does not say a single word. She makes her way over to Garrison’s room to go and console him. I could not do anything more. Rage overtakes me as I make my way to my study and pull out a bottle of whiskey. f**k Nathan! He ruined everything. He made me hurt the people that I love the most. I through things across the room, trashing and cursing as I release all my anger. I can’t live with this pain. I drink the whole bottle and open another one. I keep drinking and throwing things until I find myself on the floor. I cannot think, I cannot feel anymore, I am just hollow. I let the darkness take me.

I wake up in the morning with a massive headache. I just continue to sit there and endure it. I do not even bother to get out of my study to see my son. I cannot face him right now. I must start thinking of a way to keep him safe. I sudden get the energy and motivation I need to figure out my next move. I need to take my revenge on Nathan. I am not going to let him get away with this. I may not be able to win Rachel back, but I love her too much to have his disgusting hand on her. I get up dust myself off and get to work. I grab my cell from my pocket and make a few calls. This is not over yet.