Chapter 3

ALMA’S POV

I raced back to my table after that. Not answering a question from Rosie as I grabbed every drink I saw on the table, drowning it all again and again. Anything to keep me from remembering this awful night and the pain clawing at my chest.

I succeeded.

Blacked out possibly cause the next I knew, I was here.

In this place where all the floors were different and brownish. Totally not the white porcelain I was used to waking up to at my side of the bed. Or while preparing for work.

Work.

I had to go to work.

The thought pushed me up, forced me to take in my surroundings and-

“I’m not home.” The realization struck. Clarity coming, head banging loudly, hungover… ughhh.

It didn't last long though, my disorientation. And I would've preferred it than the outright blaring sound that came after.

"Jesus! What is that??" I exclaimed, gripped my hair as I looked around. The sound somehow following me. Telling me it was coming from me.

My phone.

Of all times in the world, it chose now.

"Ughhh." I scrambled around to find it. Found it and,

"What?!" I let out immediately. "What do you want from me?"

“Who you talking to like that? And why do you sound like you’re still in bed, Almie??”

“Because I am STILL in bed?” I stated the obvious. Taking in the purple sheets all around me, face scowling. There were purple pillows too, purple flip flops at the side of the bed, my clothes gone. Purple for the rest of the stuff around the room.

Definitely Rosie’s apartment. The color purple freak.

“Goodness why me," The voice muttered on the phone, "Why are you still in bed? What are you still doing in bed, Alma Halter? Why are YOU still in bed?!!"

“Arghh.” I pulled the phone away, instantly recognizing that shrill . "Mom. Oh gosh, speak softly."

“I will speak softly when you get your ass over here!” she snapped, “How could you do this to me too? Your sister’s not here, your father lazing about and now you. You’re telling me you’re still in bed. In bed!”

“Alright , I’m coming.”

"You better! And bring that wine too."

"What wine?”

“The red bottle head I told you to keep??"

What?

"The one that you called a Domaine...de la ... something I don't know!"

"Domaine de la Romanée-Conti?" I asked,

"That one!" She said, "Bring it. Bye."

“Wait, I thought you wanted the bottle reserved for the house-warming. Why do you want it now?” I asked her, things coming back to me. But instead,

“Say that again? Say that again you brat!" She snapped, angered. "The housewarming is today. Today is the housewarming!”

Huh?

Did I hit my head somewhere last night? How come I don't remember that.

“Tell me you remembered to inform my son-in-law at least."

What?

"You informed him. He's coming, right? Because if he's not and it's because of you..."

I stayed quiet. Silent.

Majorly because the events of yesterday were starting to flood back in. Him. The bathroom. Her. The lounge. The talks. Him again.

Of course I didn't remember to remind him of the housewarming, I didn't remember it myself with all that was going on.

Plus do I want to start my day, spend it all beside him after everything??

No.

I'd rather he didn't show up at all even.

“Goodbye mom." I simply said, hung up before she could say anything else. My spirits all dampened, low, the weight of yesterday heavy like drums on my shoulders.

I didn't want to go anywhere at this point. Didn't want to think anything.

But mom...knowing her she'd be waiting at the door for us. Me and him.

Even if he didn't show, I should. She was my mom after all.

"Better get up then." I muttered, putting off the sheets. Feet on the floor, throat scratchy. "I'll need to get checked or something."

My throat felt incredibly sore.

Where was Rosie anyway??

****

A few hours spent in the apartment, confirming I was indeed alone, I jumped into the shower.

Maybe Rosie had a work emergency and couldn't leave a note. She kept food though. Soup and hungover drugs on the kitchen counter. Which was more than enough. It helped get me started for the dreadfulness of the day I had ahead at moms.

And I couldn't be more right.

“Look who’s arrived!” a voice shot into the air the moment I stepped in. Familiar. More than that, taunting.

“Look at her, look at the beauty, the shoes! The star of the Halters, rising star of Ashford × Halter bond! Welcome!"

Ughh.

“Who is It?" Another voice joined, heels hurrying over. Like this was a family set up and invited guests weren't looking and whispering around right now. Watching this drama unfold.

"Celebrity Almie!” the hug landed before I could speak. Squashing the flowers and gift I came with. "You look exquisite! Look at how you pack them girls." She pressed my boobs for effect.

“Actually, I’m not a celebrity," I tried to say, but-

“Almie?” another voice called,

“The one and only you see on Tv!” She remarked in front of me. The one that touched my boobs. “You’ll always see her with that man of hers. Holding hands, going to work at his big company, eating lunch. Isn't that what a celebrity is? Hmm?”

No.

It's called posting your life's moments. Everyone does it, including your daughter Aunty.

“Nice to see you too, Aunty k.” I greeted her. “Aunt Melly! Aunt Aby!”

“Nice to see you, Almie.” They chorused back, smiling. Happy. Too happy and that was never good news.

“Why are you alone?” They got into it. “Why you come alone, yesterday was your anniversary, right? Where did you go?"

Wow.

I didn't even post anything. They kept serious updates about my life, didn't they?

I just smiled sheepishly, walking past. Or at least tried to. They followed. "We didn't see anything online, Almie. Why didn't you post?"

Because I didn't have anything to post?

"Did you have nothing to post, Alma?"

Oh my God.

"First time in all 3 years, did not see your pictures online." They stopped me, formed a circle. "What happened, Almie? Tell us.”

"Yes, tell us." Aunt Melly pressed, smirking. Unable to hide her excitement.

"I- posted," I tried to say,

"Oh we mean pictures of you two, honey." Aunt Aby pointed out, "You and your husband, not you at work. What happened to that?"

"Something you can't tell us?" Melly suggested, wiggled her brows,

"You're too embarrassed to say?" Aunt K offered. All three waiting earnestly.

I stood. "What?"

"Tell us!" They urged greedily, but I was confused. I owed nobody any explanations, most especially not them.

Luckily, “What is this about?” Another voice cut in then. Bold. Loud. Mom. “Why are you all crowding my baby? Let her come in at least!"

Thank goodness.

I slid away fast.

“Mom.” We hugged, my flowers crushing even more. Her eyes spotting the wine wrap. A knowing, overly smug smile appearing on her lips instantly.

“Hello ladies," She faced them, "Are you enjoying and eating to your fill?"

"Yes, we were just-

"You better! Don't want to have you fainting on my new polished floors like you did at the Christmas party, Aby." She smirked,  "As you can see, these floors are very expensive. You wouldn't know anything about polished floors, would you Melly?"

"I-

"Oh I forgot! You're still using wooden floors." Mom cut her off, tone biting.

Aunt Melly shrunk, moved backwards gritting her teeth. Aunt K offended of course. Ready to shoot, as usual but mom didn't let her. Not yet.

"Do you know what this is?” She said aloud, taking the wine from me. "This is the finest, luxury filled and most expensive wine in the entire east coast! Feel it.” She pushed it to their faces. Holding out the bottle from the wraps, the three women reluctantly, begrudgingly doing as told.

“Smooth, huh?” She edged on, smug. Myself standing uncomfortably by the side. Not liking any of this, people watching.

You would think I’d be used to this by now. Used to mom being like this. Bragging at every little thing. Using me, her kids, family to press in others faces. Have a go at my father's family. Aunt K and rest.

But no.

I wasn't. Especially not after last night.

“How you get such a wine, huh? Surely you can’t afford it.” Aunt K sneered, rolling her eyes openly at mom. But mom didn’t mind. She couldn’t, not when her ultimate speech was at her lips.

"Mom,"

“My son-in-law got for me! He ordered it several months ago, had Almie keep it in store. For me. This house, this housewarming. To be served at my honour."

Oh God... Really mom??

It did NOT happen like that. It wasn't your dear 'son in-law' but his grandma who gifted ME the wine months ago.

"My son-in-law is just the best." She continued, dramatic. "The sweetest man ever, so happy for you sweetheart." She cupped my cheeks. “You're so lucky.”

Yeah.

Lucky.

“If he’s so sweet and all that, why isn't he here today?" Aunt Aby shot, hiding behind Aunt K. "Why isn't he here with your precious daughter?"

“She didn’t post about her anniversary yesterday too." Melly joined, "Did you know that, Cassandra? Did you know she didn't post?”

"The blogs didn't carry it too!"

All eyes were on me now. Others seemingly drinking and moving around, but I knew they were listening.

"Is something wrong, Almie? Our celebrity wife. Is something wrong with your marriage? Trouble in paradise. Fire on the mountain!"

I stepped back, unconscious.

"Your husband was seen yesterday with someone else! It's in the blogs, who is that??"

My blood ran cold. Ice cold at that one.

“It was one blonde pretty lady. Really pretty. You know her? She lives with you now?" Aunt K pushed, hit me on the arm.

"Is she his mistress? Your co-wife?" They chuckled, Mom uneasy now.

"There's nothing wrong with her marriage-

“Shut up, Cassandra!” Aunt K spat, pushing her to the aside. Facing me like this was full on war or supposed to be their business resulting in this hostility!

"If everything’s alright, how come he isn't here? How come you're standing here all alone, looking empty, sad lonely, forsaken, kicked out for Christ's sake."

What??

"You don't-

"Step away from my wife." The voice sliced through before I could finish. Silence. Raw silence everywhere, conversations died, and few moments, I felt him. Felt his presence, a hand settled against the small of my back, drawing me firmly to his side. Warm.

“The relationship between me and my wife is none of your business. Back off."