Chapter 2

Alma's POV

How is she back?

When did she come back? How did sh-Why?? 

“Awwn, you two are so perfect together!” One of the ladies cooed desperately, everyone looking. Me too. "Should I take a picture? I want a picture!"

“Do it." Another joined, "It's not every time you see such a couple."

“You guys, stop it...” She beamed. Ella. Her smile so perfect. Teeth all straight and clean it'll put most mouthwash ads girls to shame.

“I don’t want any trouble. He’s married now, you know. We're no longer a couple.”

“You mean married under duress? That's not marriage, Ella. That's imprisonment." Another spat out, his words ice cold. 

“Don’t say that.” she interjected, but they weren't having it.

“Everyone knows Alma Halter climbed her in. She’s a socio-climber, just like her mom."

Boom.

The words drew blood at first prick. I squeezed my hands.

"She doesn’t cease to amaze me honestly. That Alma.  I mean, if I was the one that snatched someone's boyfriend, then married him. I’ll feel some type of guilt, not go around taking pictures, posting and acting like you’re the fucking price! It’s disgusting.”

“Very annoying."

"What?" I stood, stupefied. "What??"

Snatched??

I didn't snatch anyone. Most especially married someone else's boyfriend, Damien was single!

He was single. We worked together, spent late nights at the office, went on business trips, handled projects, had dinners together. He proposed to me!

So what if his grandma pitched us first before all that, liked me and intentionally set us up together?

That wasn't my fault. I didn't do anything.

Yes I did take advantage of It, but I never, never took someone else's man.

“What else do you expect from unsophisticated lots?" Another added, the talking male. "They never know a thing. They're brainless! You should see how the mom brags!"

"I went to Elite city gathering last week and I can't tell you how many people literally cringed at her talking; ‘oh my daughter and her husband are leaving the country this weekend.  They’re going on a business trip. Oh they spend all their time together, can’t separate those two! Oh, the Ashford and Halter’s are bound to be welcoming new little heirs and princesses soon! They’re changing the jewellery industry! Oh my son-in-law is so excellent. My son-in law is so good, so perfect, so beautiful- Arghhghh!!!!"

They all laughed out. Everyone. My gaze found him.

He didn't laugh. Simply lifted his glass and let the conversation continue, but he didn't stop them.

Somehow that hurt even more.

He usually got along with my mom, encouraged her antics even when I felt she was too much. Always giving into her, it was the reason pictures of us were mostly in the blogs to begin with!

He let that happen. Say it was good for public image. The company.

And yet, here he was...

I shrunk.

My heart fried, literally. Air barely making its way from my mouth, eyes red rimmed and teary all over again.

“Honestly every time I see that Alma, my blood just boils. How do you cope man?" They faced him, " How do you tolerate Alma?”

Tolerate?

I looked at him. My heart in my throat, but just before he could say anything,

“There’s no need to ask him. He just does it." The second male drawled, Austin. I recognised him. One of Damien's close friends.

"He has no choice anyways. She forced herself on him.”

“Of course she did!” the most pissed one remarked. His intensity so much that I wondered how I'd offended him. “That bitch Alma…she’s so fucking plain. Look at Ella right now, how does she compare?”

“Ella's clearly more suitable."

"Highly suitable!" he boasted, “She’s elegant, sophisticated, great body and let's not forget there’s no overbearing mother bragging around town after selling off her daughter for cheap!”

"Like she's a cow.”

"Or a lamb."

Oh my God.

They burst out laughing. Loud. Finding it all funny. Insulting me, calling me names. He poured himself a drink, Damien.

Now my blood boiled hot!

My heart closing in on itself as I looked at him in the midst of it all. My own husband simply reaching for his drink. Not a word. Not a single objection.

If anything, he made no move to have Ella leave his lap.

To him, none of this seemed worth interrupting.

"Honestly Alma can't compete! You shouldn't have married her, Damien." They laughed, "You shouldn't."

"Alma's too...how do I put it?"

"Alma-ish. She's too Alma-ish." Laughter erupted around the table.

"You guys…”

“That's a word now." Austin joked, clicking glasses. Like this was the best night ever, the best night to do this to me.

"She’s not that bad, stop.” I heard her say. Ella. To defend me, but all I saw was red.

“She’s not that bad. I checked her out online, see?” She showed her phone. “She’s good. Isn't she, Dame?" She turned his lap, "She is good, right?"

"You can be honest, Dame." They teased, chuckling. "It's your Ella asking. What do you think of Alma?”

“Ugly?"

"Too big breasted for her own good??"

What??

"Holy fuck, that's a good one!" They burst out, my hands flying to my chest immediately. Self conscious and also mad that they'll talk about me like this.

“Tell us what you think man!"

"Talk!"

"Fine." He voiced, finally. But his next words, “I wouldn't say she's not too big breasted for her own good."

"What??”

"What?!" I burst in too, shoving those stupid doors open at once. "You think I'm big breasted?? You have an opinion about my body? Alongside these shameless lots?!" I fired out, pissed.

Everyone froze.

Everyone.

Shock written expressly on their faces, surely not expecting me. My breathing heavy, heart pounding in both fury and hurt as I looked at them. Each of them.

"Continue Damien." I fixed on him, glaring. At both of them. She still on his laps, you could tell this wasn’t their first time. For how long did they date?? How long ago before I came into the picture, cause clearly this wasn't a year old relationship like I was told.

“Oh God.” she first let out. Rose up immediately, movements somewhat panicky but I knew better than to believe that.

"You must be his wife! Pease have a seat, I'm his ex-girl- good friend! I'm his good friend."

I looked at her. Really looked at her. The woman whose name I've heard in whispers around my own home, from the staff.

Same name my husband was moaning this evening and has probably done so for years now.

She was beautiful. Brightly beautiful, I couldn't hate.

Then I heard his voice, "Alma." Soon I felt his presence, arms wrapping around me like a blanket. Soft and warm, like he’s always been when we were outside.

“You came out, Mia? Why didn't you tell me, we could’ve come together. We’re having nights out.”

Mia.

Night out.

First, he was using the nickname only HE called me. The one he specially reserved for when we were outdoors, and also a night out??

Didn’t he say he had an urgent meeting?? That I shouldn't wait up, but here he was!

Here he was having that 'urgent' meeting. With them. Her!

This is what he chose to do on our anniversary night. Forgot the hell about the day, just because he had to show here!

I looked at him, my eyes shining with unshed tears, anger. His touch now uncomfortable to my skin, I stepped out of it. Moved all the back, and he saw it.

“Are you mad at me?” the question came automatically. A question I used to get so excited about, thinking it was him being attentive to my moods, but God.

It was all fake. He was just now enjoying his friends take turns to berate me.

“Is it because of what they said?" He questioned, "They were joking, Alma. Guys?”

"Yeah, sure, joke!" They chorused. All of them. Her inclusive, making me feel even more sorry for myself.

"Quick! Apologize to her," She urged, "You talked the most Varley."

I looked to him. Varley. Right, Varley! The second heir of the Lavender Realities. He was the most upset and I've never liked him before now.

Damien knew that, but still won't stop meeting with him.

"It's all a joke, Alma. Relax." He stood straight, ready to go back sitting down. "You're killing the vibes. I apologise for Varley."

"What? C'mon man."

"I'll apologize." Damien waved him off, facing me like this was nothing. “What do you want? A bag? Dress? Those pure pink gemstones you saw last week? Will that be enough?"

"Awww, that's so sweet!" She chimed in instantly, "He knows her tiny  weaknesses. Apologize properly Varley."

What?

"Fine, but i'm only doing it for you, Ella.” Varley spoke, “It's not like I said anything wrong, it's the truth. But sorry. I didn't know you were standing out eavesdropping.”

Snickers. Laughter becoming loud coughs “I was just joking, Alma."

"Joking." I repeated, "How about you just say you all think I'm a joke! A joke is only funny when the person hearing it thinks it's funny. I do not think this is funny, this is not a joke."

"What else do you want then?" He retorted, "I already apologized."

"What else??" He made it sound like I was overreacting. Overreacting when I just heard him berate me for all sorts!

"Okay enough.” Damien cut in, “Can you let this go? Come sit. Join us, don't let a simple joke ruin things.”

Ruin things?!

He's ruined everything already and he's telling me about ruining things??

“If you want to go home, I'll have someone send you back. Alright?”

Unbelievable.

Just unbelievable.

“If you want to blame anyone, please blame me.” She added, meek. "It's my fault really. I came back late, they all insisted on welcoming me. Don’t fight with Dame because of this. Here, let's toast to you."

She moved hurriedly, grabbing glasses. "A toast to Alma! To Damien’s one and only wife. His true love, most beautiful and understanding wife.”

Dame.

That's what she called him. She came back today too, tonight.

And also most beautiful? Understanding??

So if I reacted now, I was no longer understanding and most beautiful.

Was she trying to be helpful or insult me?

First I got to know about my own husband's desires for her, my anniversary night ruined. Then she shows up, I come out to drink away my sorrows and meet this.

This!

Him and her, them! All of them saying stuff about me, my family, and he didn’t say a thing. He let talk, let them continue... and she called me his one true love?

Beat a dog while it's down, thank you very Ella.

“I don't need your drink.” I stepped back. “I don't know you, I don't need you to apologize to me either.”

“What?” She blinked. Surprised at my words then she slowly faced Damien, movements panicky again.

“Sh-she’s misunderstanding me, right? Dame, I just wanted you two to-

“She means well.” Damien let out, facing me fully. “Ella means well, why do you have to embarrass her? Why are you dragging this out, what else do you want?”

His words weren't even the problem. His tone neither.

It was his features. The sincerely irritated, annoyed, pricked beyond words expression on his face right now.

He was defending her.

Her.

Just here in this room, in front of these people, my name was torn apart. God knows the things they’d said before I arrived.

He didn't do anything to stop it. But I decline one drink from his ex and he jumps right in? Defends her?? Against me.

Wow.

“You are so cruel,” I whispered. “So cruel.” A tear broke clean down my chin, my heart inflamed. Burning on the inside, staring at him and seeing no difference even as he watched me cry. His body positioned unconsciously to shield her.

What a joke truly.

What a freaking cruel joke this night was!

I turned around without another word. Bursting out into the noise, bodies and drinks of the lounge. Everything helping to hide the fact tears rained down my cheeks right now. My heart bleeding.

He didn’t come after me.

Not even by a step, meaning he was there with her. Instead of coming to apologize or worry about his own wife. Me.

Suddenly I didn't know which was worse.

This, or having to hear him moan her name on what was supposed to be our anniversary night.