CHAPTER 11: Divorce? Before We Even Met

Meanwhile that same evening, across town at west Cedarville Alura was actually at her old apartment, not the one she lived in with her dad though, it's the one she once shared with her roommate who later became her friend, Nessa.

She stood in the middle of the one room apartment and looked around slowly, as memories hit her.

After graduating she had to leave her father to find a job, but she needed a place to stay while job hunting. That was when she met Nessa at a job interview. Luckily they both got the job and Nessa offered to accommodate her at the apartment, but Alura would have to pay part of it since Nessa was struggling to pay it alone. Alura had willingly accepted.

So that's how they became roommates and eventually best friends. They had spent two years in this place, two years of working three part time jobs because the salary wasn't enough, and eating instant meals almost everyday, and counting coins for bus fare.

Now she was packing the last of what remained in this apartment into four boxes.

She folded another sweater carefully and placed it into the box beside her feet. Alura had already packed most of her own things earlier that week, only a few things were left and she decided to get them along with Nessa's remaining things.

Honestly, the new apartment had felt too quiet alone. She had wanted her father to move in initially, but she considered the risks involved and decided not to, Robert can be really unpredictable and she didn't want to risk betraying Grandma Mabel, so she decided she would send him money from her salary instead especially after his last request for three hundred bucks. Hopefully he would use the money for something reasonable.

That was the real reason she asked Nessa to move in. Not because she needed help with rent anymore or because she was afraid of living alone. Just that the silence felt heavy there sometimes, at least with Nessa around, there would definitely be noise.

Nessa was the complete opposite of Alura and living with her for two years had destroyed whatever innocence Alura used to have. The girl had absolutely no shame. Not a single bit of shame, she had once casually explained 'Riding techniques' over breakfast while Alura nearly choked to death on toast. According to her Alura was lucky to be coached on her sex styles course for free.

Alura still hadn't recovered from the embarrassment, their friendship honestly made no sense on paper. While Alura was quiet, cautious and constantly worried about bills. Nessa was carefree, she believed the universe would do its job and provide for her, funny enough she somehow gets unusually lucky. She's also chaotic, loud, reckless and beautiful in a sexy way that attracted trouble like a magnet.

But somehow their friendship worked, Nessa had been there during some of the worst moments of Alura's life, even when Alura had to do a job that required her to go against her morals just to pay off one of her father's several debts, Nessa never once judged her, and they had even decided to keep it a secret....well not just between them, Alura's childhood friend also knows about it.

Alura sealed the last box with tape and sat back on her heels, she sighed with relief.

Her phone suddenly buzzed in her back pocket.

She wiped her hands quickly and pulled it out, expecting maybe another email from work.

Instead she felt her heart beat jump, the message was from Lou(Helper).

And the first word that caught her attention was DIVORCE??

Lou: "I came to your apartment tonight and I heard everything. I want a Divorce.

"...W--what?" Her eyes widened as she read through the messages.

Lou: "I will not tolerate this behavior. You're clearly only after money, and I won't be humiliated by a wife who sleeps around in an apartment my family provides."

She stood up from the floor very slowly, what was he talking about?, what did he mean by sleeping around? Wait he visited her apartment.... today?

Her confusion slowly twisted into horror. "Oh My God."

Alura's face drained completely of color as realization slammed into her. She immediately dialed Nessa's number.

"Please don't let this be what I think it is...Please."She whispered in panic to herself while pacing frantically in the room.

The call connected after the third ring.

Then Nessa's voice answered from the other side, breathless and giggling.

"Hey babe! Sorry I couldn't come along, Jake and I kinda got distracted." She giggled again.

Alura shut her eyes and bit her lips hard. No. No no no.

"Nessa," she whispered weakly into the phone.

Nessa gasped dramatically. "Wait, why do you sound traumatized?"

Alura pressed a hand over her forehead. "Please tell me you weren't just having sex in my apartment."

Nessa went mute.

Then finally answered with hesitation, "Uhmm....Maybe?"

Alura felt her soul leave her body.

"Oh my--Ahhh" She screamed into the phone in frustration, ruffling her arranged hair.

"I guess we might've gotten a little loud....actually really loud."Nessa admitted shamelessly. She suddenly gasped, like she just realized how serious it was, "Did the neighbors call to complain? Oh my, I'm so Sorry! They probably hate us already."

Alura slowly lowered herself into the nearest chair before she would collapse.

Lou had visited for the first time. He heard everything, Now he thinks it was her. Blood rushed to her face so fast she thought she might actually pass out.

"Nessa," she croaked. "Lou went to the apartment today."

"What?" Nessa whispered with realization.

"He heard you and Jake, now he's texting me about a Divorce." Alura whispered in agitation.

A loud shriek exploded through the phone. "Oh shit!" Nessa cursed loudly.

She immediately started panicking too, "Lou? as in, the one whose Grandma pays our rent? Fuck He's gonna think you're some cheating sex maniac!"

Alura scoffed and stood up, "He already does."

Nessa hissed, "Alura, I'm so sorry, I had no idea, if I knew he was coming I never would have—"

"It's okay." Alura was already pulling on her jacket with one hand, her phone crushed between her ear and shoulder. "I'll sort it out, hopefully." She hung up and left the apartment hurriedly, along with the boxes behind, then she boarded a cab home.

She immediately sent Lou a message explaining herself.

"That wasn't me!! That was my roommate and her boyfriend! I wasn't even there. I was packing my things at my old apartment! Please, this is a huge misunderstanding!"

She reread it again before sending. It showed delivered, then read almost immediately.

Alura held her breath hoping for a reply, a good reply though.

But one minute passed. And she got nothing.

She decided to call his number directly for the first time since she got it. Her heart was hammering so hard she could feel it in her throat. It rang once, just once, and then--

"The number you are trying to reach is unavailable. Please leave a message."

Alura sighed in frustration, and ran a hand through her hair, "He won't even reply my messages."

She didn't leave a message. What else would she even say to convince him?

.................

By the time Alura got to the new apartment it was already late and she was seconds away from crying.

Nessa opened the door before she could knock, for once, her roommate wasn't smiling or grinning, instead she looked really worried and guilt ridden.

Jake stood awkwardly near the kitchen holding his shoes.

"Hey..." he muttered carefully.

Nessa immediately pointed toward the door. "Out."

Jake didn't argue after seeing Alura's face. He nodded and grabbed his jacket, leaving quickly.

The apartment became painfully quiet after he left.

Nessa turned slowly toward Alura, she looked genuinely horrified.

"I'm Soo sorry, I didn't know he was coming over tonight."

Alura pressed her lips together and went to sit, she sighed, "I know, it's not your fault."

Nessa shook her head, "No seriously, if I knew your husband was visiting I wouldn't have..." She gestured vaguely toward the bedroom

Alura buried her face in her hands.

The worst part was that Lucius already disliked this marriage arrangement. She could tell from his texts sometimes. He was always cold and rude, like someone tolerating a situation instead of wanting it.

And now this happened before they even officially met. Her image to him has been totally ruined.

"Maybe he'll calm down tomorrow," Nessa said hesitantly.

Alura laughed weakly, but it sounded closer to breaking apart. "I hope so."

She really wanted to believe that.

Her phone suddenly buzzed, she immediately checked to see if he finally replied. Even Nessa was eager to know.

Unfortunately, it was an email, but the email was not from him, it was from a legal firm she didn't recognize.

Legal notice: This is to notify you that the divorce documents are currently being prepared and will be delivered to you for signature in due course.

Alura's eyes widened, "....What?"

"What happened? What did he say?" Nessa asked anxiously, but Alura was completely frozen and mute.

Nessa grabbed the phone and read the email, she cursed in a whisper and looked back at Alura worriedly.

She was lost in thoughts. Why doesn't he believe her, how can they divorce before the marriage even really starts?

And when they get divorced, will she be kicked out of the apartment? What if he asks for the money to be returned? What if....she ends up right back with Percy Miller?