The Ex-Wife's Return: After You

Chapter 2: Unforgettable Farewell

SAMIRA COSETTE

The truth is, they don’t know that I already know the bullshit they’re doing behind my back. I have long known since then. Catherine… that woman really did take that chance to make a fool out of me. But then again, like the usual thing I do, I just played it cool. I stepped away from the unit with heavy feet. And like usual, I look fine on the surface.

I came back to the restaurant with a huge smile on my face. I could feel Catherine’s eyes following me the moment I caught their attention. The best thing to do right now is to act clueless. She could question my behavior, she could also think of how dumb I am.

But honestly… I want her to think of the former–I don’t want her or Travis to know that I know. That would just make me look so pathetic, more than I already am.

“I’m so happy for you, girl…” I said as I handed her the photos. Everyone celebrated for the second time when they saw the ultrasound photo, while I forced myself to vibe with them. Until it came to a point that… I can’t take it anymore.

“Oops, guys, something came up. I think I need to go.” I muttered in the middle of their celebration while showing them my phone. By the time I got their seemingly sad approval, I didn’t hesitate to fly out of that suffocating place.

Thanks to my assistant, who immediately understood my message earlier. I got to have an excuse to leave. Strangely enough, I don’t have any more tears to cry in this devastating moment. Perhaps, my intuition remained and didn’t let go of the idea that Travis is of course still hooking up with my cousin.

This is… so humiliating… To think that I have been unknowingly embarrassing myself right in front of that woman. I just… want to disappear from everyone’s sight right now. I just want to leave.

The silence inside the car made things heavier for me. I glanced at my phone for a second before deciding to call my best friend, the only one who stays by my side when everyone is against me.

“Waddup?”

“I will finally break it off with Travis…I should’ve listened to you earlier.” Celebration from Vanessa immediately struck my ears.

“f**k, yes! You finally came to your senses! Thank god! You–”

“He got her pregnant, Van…” Slowly, I spoke before she could finish her words. Silence emerged, putting a heavy weight in my heart. “I just want… to disappear, Vanessa. I can’t take all of this anymore…” The pain I suppressed earlier finally broke free.

“I know they would reach that point, that fucker… Where are you? I knew right from the start that I have a bad feeling about that bastard. You should’ve listened to me, Cosette! Look at you, now! You let your goddamn cousin take something away from you again!” Her excited voice dropped. She went into big-sis-mode. She… really sounded so mad.

“Meet me at my condo. I need to talk to you about something. God, I’ve been planning this since forever!” She didn’t even give me a chance to say something and dropped the call instantly. Whatever she’s up to… I can only listen.

I told my assistant to bring me to the Roux Star Homes, my dad’s real estate business, where Vanessa also lives.

“What have you been planning? Make sure it won’t affect me.” I asked while comfortably sitting on the sofa and having a feast at the same time. I didn’t have an appetite earlier at lunch after all.

“Tomorrow’s founding anniversary of Travis’ company, isn’t it?” She asked. She looks so serious. I nodded in response. For someone who hates Travis more than anyone, it’s quite surprising that she knows about that information. “You will be compensated with all the emotional turmoil tomorrow, my dear Cosette. Just follow my lead. This is my pent-up anger to that man.”

“Don’t worry, everything’s prepared. You just need to act upon it,” she took a pause and looked me in the eyes seriously. “And then, you can disappear.” She added, firm and supportive. I swallowed the particles remaining in my mouth as the weight of those words stayed with me.

***

It’s past 7 in the evening when I returned to the villa. I gazed my eyes at the huge house as I stopped by the door. This villa was the eyes of how much I humiliated myself in front of a man who doesn’t care. Now that I think about it, I don’t think it was void that I’ve been feeling–but the unacknowledged anger I have. Vanessa… she really did wake me up from this long windy nightmare.

I took a heavy breath when I felt my eyes bursting out of angry tears, and tried to calm myself down. I let myself in with a hope in me–that Travis doesn’t know about it yet, because that’s the only way I can carry out the plan successfully.

“Samira…” A sweet voice emerged from the staircase as I made my way up. I saw Travis, smiling sweetly at me, with a bouquet of mixed flowers in his hand. He didn’t know. That’s good. “Where’s my baby had been, hmm?” He walked down toward me with an amazing mask, while his deep blue eyes looked at me intently. I didn’t answer and just looked at him with a smile… pretending for one last time.

“Happy 3rd anniversary, babe. I have a gift for you.” He said and leaned in for a kiss which lasted for a few seconds. He then brought me upstairs, to our room, where his so-called gift is.

I opened the box laid in front of me, and what greeted my eyes made me chuckle. It’s a f*****g lingerie. Is this what he called making up? After getting a woman pregnant, huh? This man… is the biggest asshole I’ve ever known.

“I told you I’ll make up to it.” He said, while stripping off in front of me. “Put it on. I know it will suit you.”

Before he could strip his brief off, I returned the lingerie in the box and put it aside. I grabbed the robe hanging, and said to him,

“Not now, babe. I’m tired.” I didn’t let him say a word and just went straight to the bathroom. But even in the bed, Travis kept pulling me toward him. He wanted to do it. I don’t even understand now how he still feels that way towards me. Am I that too easy, huh? “Travis, please… Tomorrow’s the founding anniversary of your company, right? I can’t go looking tired.”

Finally, he stopped.

And the day came. I stared at the gift from Travis last night. For some reason, I feel like wearing it as my underwear. I didn’t think much of it, and wore them without a second thought. I want this day to be unforgettable to everyone, most especially, to Travis and Catherine. For the first time ever, I wore heavy make-up covering my freckles, and let my slightly wavy ginger hair dangle over my shoulder.

I look like a different person, with this make-up and revealing satin dress, as well as the lingerie peeking out. After all, they knew me as conservative.

“Samira–” Travis called out my name. I turned to his direction, and saw him staring at the garment of lingerie peeking out on my thighs. “Holy f**k… Baby… you’re so f*****g hot.”

“Shall we go?” I ignored his remarks and walked out of the room with him.

“You should’ve worn something like this sooner, babe, just like your cousin.” Travis said as we got into the car. I held myself back with those remarks and tried not to give him the attention he wanted. He rested his hand on my thigh and caressed my skin. I could feel him trying to invite me for a make-out by the way his hand reached my inner thigh. He’s intentionally trying to brush his hand on my womanhood, seemingly expecting me to go with it like he wanted.

The naive me would go for it, but the respect I have for myself this time made me stand my ground. So, I cross my legs before he does something worse. Good thing, he finally stopped. Not long after, we were then welcomed with immense presence and cameras the moment we stepped out of the car.

“...We owe a lot to our executives, and of course, the employees for this success. We have come this far because of them. Happy 28th founding anniversary to us.” Travis stood on the podium and made the opening remarks. A round of applause took place in the auditorium as he walked down back to his seat, beside me.

While Catherine is standing beside the stage, staring at me… with bullets in her eyes for sure. I just smiled at her like the usual.

“Now, shall we hear from the vice chairman’s wife, Director Samira Cosette Roux-Blue?” I stood from my seat the moment my name was called. Another sound of clapping ensued. “Oh my god, ma’am, respectfully, you’re so beautiful.” I smiled at the emcee before grabbing the mic on the tall table. My eyes then met the audience intently looking at me. After I took a breathe in, I began my speech.

“It’s been two years since I held a position in this company. Getting in, I never thought I would be the director. The family Blue is too generous to me. And I know that generosity will bless this company more than ever. After all, people with good hearts are rewarded.” I took a pause with a smile. But that’s not all, I’m just getting started.

“Thank you to everyone who has been good to me and helped me carve my path in this company. I can’t thank you all one-by-one, but know that your goodness remained in my heart. Special mention to my husband–” Teaseful remarks then ensued without them knowing the next thing I’m about to say.

“And my beloved cousin, his secretary, Catherine Roux. I enjoyed working with you for two years. But… I had enough.” My smile dropped as I uttered the last words coldly. Then, I pressed a button on the remote I’m holding.

Loud gasps and whispers emerged in the next second as they watched the photos Vanessa had been collecting–photos of Catherine and Travis together.

“Happiest 28th founding anniversary, Blue Tech Group.” I flashed my widest smile for one last time as I nailed my eyes at Travis who was frozen on his seat.