CHAPTER VIII: THE SHAMELESS MISTRESS

BEING a CEO and a top journalist's son had its pros and cons. It goes without saying that Peter Salameda lived a life that was far from normal. He had been sheltered since he was a kid as a member of a high-profile clan. He couldn't leave without a bodyguard. In fact, eventhough he was studying in an expensive and well-secured academy, he still had bodyguards waiting outside the school. As if that wasn't enough, his security has increased even more since his father became the CEO of SGC.

He tried to understand and accept the situation, but he still struggled to adjust. He was wealthy, but his actions were limited, and he couldn't simply enjoy himself without considering the implications of his acts. He couldn't live a normal life no matter how hard he tried.

Despite everything, he was thankful for his parents, who were nearly perfect. They were so in love with each other to the point of being cheesy. Despite his complaints about their cheesiness, he was glad since he knew how much they loved each other. As a result, they were even better parents to him. They nurtured him well and ensured that he grew up surrounded by love and care. In fact, their busy schedules did not cause them to miss any of his school events.

"Why isn't 'dad here?" he asked his mother as she arrived at school for the parent-teacher conference that afternoon.

"He couldn't make it, son. He had just flown to Davao for an important meeting."

His father never missed a parent-teacher conference or any of his school activities. He always made sure to make room for him in his schedule. But maybe it was one of the things that's changed now that he's a CEO.

He simply nodded and reminded himself that he needed to understand his father. After all, he was working hard for them.

"Don't worry, son. I'll make sure I don't miss anything at the meeting so I can keep your 'Dad up to date."

"All right, 'Mum."

"The driver is already in the parking lot. Go home first, and I'll see you at home after the meeting."

"Okay."

"All right, see you at home," she said as she bid him goodbye.

He took a deep breath and grabbed the strap of his backpack.

He wasn't sure if he'd be able to adjust to their new life. How long will he be able to understand his father's lack of time for him?

"Hey, what are you thinking?"

He immediately grinned when he noticed the person next to him. It was Kayla, his girlfriend. They've only been together for two months, but she's already had a significant impact on his life. He was happier and more inspired because of her. She made him always excited to go to school.

"Oh, it's you. I'm sorry I didn't notice you right away."

"I've been following you, but you didn't notice me since you're so deep in thoughts. Tell me, what's wrong?"

"Life."

"Oh, that's quite deep, indeed."

They shared a laugh.

That was one of the qualities he admired in her. She can make him feel better without putting too much effort. She was a walking ray of sunshine.

"You know what, why don't we do something adventurous today?" she suggested, with a cheeky grin on her face.

"Like what?"

"Let's run away from your bodyguards and go somewhere. We could go shopping or eat at a nice restaurant."

He laughed. If only it were that easy.

"How I wish that's possible. But with our security so tight, I can't just escape from them."

"Don't you think I'm not wiser than they are? I know a way they won't notice."

"Really?"

"Of course. With my parents being so strict, I've learned how to run away so it's easy for me. G?"

"Game!"

***

ELENA was already inside the meeting room and waiting for the parent's meeting to start. She was used to the attention she received from the people aroind her. But truth be told, it was also tiring to keep on smiling. She had to always look nice and pleasant in front of them to protect her image. They couldn't see her frowning as if she has no right to get tired or not be in a good mood.

"The latest episode of your talk show is so great! I'm really such a huge fan of your interviews! You always know the right questions to throw," said a mother next to her. She forgot what her name was. But as far as she remembers, she was the wife of the owner of a famous jewelry store.

"Thank you!"

"I agree with her. You are such a great interviewer! All your interviews are entertaining and educational," said another mother who was listening to their conversation.

"I'm glad you appreciate my works."

In the middle of their conversation, she received another unknown call.

Seriously, where did these people get my number?!

She would not have answered the call, but it was an opportunity for her to escape from the conversation of her fellow parents. They were all nice but she found it too exhausting to deal with them. It was also a bit tiring because she was always the center of attention. She was thankful that they treated her well. But she didn't want the spotlight to always seem to be on her— it was tiring and stressful.

"Excuse me, I need to take this call."

She came out smiling so that they wouldn't notice that she was tense. She made sure to find an isolated area before answering the call. It was at the back of the building leading to the school garden. The place was so silent and no one was passing by. But still, she double-checked if no one else could hear her. She couldn't afford any stupid rumors to circulate about her.

When she was sure that no one else was there, she finally answered the call. She heaved a deep sigh and prepared herself for a conversation that she knew would make or break her.

"Hello?" She tried to sound cold and confident. Whoever that person was, he or she should feel that she wasn't affected at all. She needed to make sure that she would be the one to hold and take charge of the conversation. "Who's this?"

"Oh, hello there! 'Glad to hear your voice, Mrs. Salameda!"

It was obvious that the person on the other line used a voice effect to hide its identity. She could not tell if she was talking to a man or a woman.

"Who's this?" she repeated.

"Oh, just someone you may know ... or not," the mysteriosu person replied followed by a loud laugh.

"Do you think I'm playing games with you? I have better things to do than talk to someone like you."

"Relax, Mrs. Salameda. Relax."

"I'm ending this call now—"

"I am your husband's dirty little secret."

She stiffened at what she heard and did not speak for a long time. She was sweating and her heart was beating drastically as if exploding.

She did not expect that she would be able to talk to her husband's woman. Hell, she didn’t expect her to even have the audacity to talk to her. That bitch didn't seem to feel even the slightest bit of embarrassment.

"What do you want from me?" she asked in a calm tone. She had to act tough, or else she would lose. She had to play the game right.

"I just wanted to ask you something. I hope you don't mind," was her light response but the tone was obviously teasing. "What's your husband's kind of steak? Well done or medium rare?"

She took a deep breath and prayed to God to give her more patience. The bitch was already getting into her nerves but she had to fight her. She needed to calm down if she didn't want to make her even more confident to attack her.

"Why are you asking me that? You're his lover, aren't you? Then I guess you should already know that."

"Well, you're his legal wife, aren't you? You've been married for what? Fifteen years? Then you should know him better."

"What are you trying to say?"

"I don't want to say anything. I just want to know if he likes well done or medium rare steak? You see, he's on his way to our favorite restaurant now and he wants me to order his food so we can eat right away when he arrives. Maybe you can help me out? Pretty please? "

If she was just in front of her, she was sure she wouldn't be able stop herself from hurting her. That bitch really had the nerve to provoke her!

"Aren't you ashamed of yourself?"

"Why should I be ashamed?"

"You're ruining our marriage, and yet here you are, talking so casually to the very wife of the man you're flirting with?"

"What's wrong with that? I mean, I know it's not common. But the wife and the mistress can be friends too, right? C'mon, it's 2022! Let's normalize that."

"Are you sick?"

"No, I'm not. I'm just giving you a better option. We don't need to be enemies."

"Better option? You know what's the better option? Stay away from my husband! Stop ruining our family!"

She got even angrier when she laughed at her again. The longer she talked to her, the more she found it difficult to control her emotions.

"Oh c'mon, we both know I can't do that. I can make your husband happy. I can give him something you can't give. In the same way you can give him something I can't give . "

"Seriously? What kind of sick thinking is that?"

"Why are you mad? I'm trying to reconcile with you by reaching some kind of agreement or set up. It's a good proposition, isn't it?"

She could not believe what she just heard. If she agreed to what she wanted to happen, only his husband and her partner will benefit from it. She wasn't that stupid. She knew her rights and what she truly deserved.

"You want me to share my husband with you," she replied coldly. "Do you think there is a sensible wife who will agree to what you want?"

"Well, I'd like to think that you're not a typical, boring wife. I can see you as a modern and conventional woman— someone who's open to possibilities and ideas outside of the norms of society."

She gave out a sarcastic laugh.

"No, you're not asking me to be open-minded. You want me to be stupid."

"If that's what you think, I can't do anything about it. I have no control over your interpretations."

"Stay away from our lives. Leave my husband," she firmly said.

"What if I don't want to?" she retorted in a teasing tone.

"Then I'm going to find out who you are. I will ruin your life and make sure that you will never get up again. I will crush you into pieces and won't even show you an inch of mercy."

The woman became silent on the other line but she knew that she was still there. She could still hear her breathing followed by loud laughter.

"Do you think this is funny? I'm not kidding you. I will seriously ruin your life if you don't stay away from my husband. I know my worth and I won't let you ruin my family! I will bring you down!"

"You're challenging me, huh? Too bad, I'm very competitive." She heard her sigh. "All right, let's play a game. Let's call it, "Snatching Husbands." Oh wait, I don't have a husband. I do have a lover, though. And he's very good in bed—"

"Bitch," she whispered in a tone that was filled with so much anger.

"Yes, I'm a bitch— a very, very naughty bitch. That's why your husband loves me."

"You won't get away with this."

"You don't even know me."

"Babe, I'm sorry I'm late. I had to attend an emergency meeting. There's also too much traffic."

Her body trembled when she heard her husband's voice from the other line. So it was confirmed. She didn't need any other evidence. It was true that her husband was having an affair with another woman.

"Oh, hi babe! It's okay! I'm just glad you're here," said his mistress in a teasing tone.

"Go ahead and enjoy your date. Because very soon, I will make sure that you will kneel and beg on my knees. I'm going to make you feel the exact same pain that you made me feel." She said in a dark tone." Oh, scratch that. I will triple the pain you will feel. Don't underestimate me. I'll prove to you that you're a stupid bitch who messed with the wrong wife. "