Chapter 3

Franklin:

"You're right. We would have been married, but it's not too late to divorce your sister now. She isn't up to my standard, and I do not like her," I said as the waiter brought our dinner and Amelia smiled.

"How about me? I have always admired you. Honestly, that night, I felt sad seeing that Natalie drugged you and used you as her pawn to escape from our parents' home. She's just wayward, and I had always admired you, hoping we would become married," Amelia said, tears gathering in her blue eyes. I sighed.

"Do not worry, I will end my marriage with Natalie, okay? And she can move on with her life with whomever she pleases—I do not care," I told Amelia, and she smiled.

"Does that mean you will consider dating me now? I really do love you, Franklin," Amelia asked me, looking at my face.

She was very beautiful, and with her blue eyes shining, I couldn't say no to her request.

I had always wanted to date Amelia. I used to like her back then. She was tall, like a formidable model, with slender legs, a slim waist, and an ample bosom.

In those days, my father usually sent me on some errands to meet Mr. Liam Jackson, and from there, I would catch a glimpse of Amelia.

Also, whenever our families had any event hosted during the end of the year—like New Year festivities, Christmas, or birthday celebrations—my dad would still invite the Jackson family to our home.

Presently, since I got married and moved away from my father's house to live with my unwanted wife, I hardly attend these end-of-year celebrations, as I feel ashamed to be in the same location as my wife.

I would travel out and give excuses to my dad why I couldn't show up.

~~~

The waiter soon arrived with our meals, and I felt pressed and stood up from the table to excuse myself.

"I'm coming. I want to go use the restroom," I told Amelia, and she smiled.

"Okay," Amelia replied, while the waiter left our meals positioned on the table.

I knew I wasn't supposed to leave my meal, but Amelia was like family to me and I trusted her.

I quickly waved off the negative feeling that had settled in the pit of my stomach as I left for the restroom to relieve myself.

I stole a final look at Amelia, before I entered the restroom, and I saw her smiling at me.

I hurried into the men's restroom to relieve myself. There were several stalls for the men to use, knowing that the restaurant could get crowded with lots of patrons.

As I got out of the restroom, wanting to leave—not expecting that I would become pressed simply because I didn't have time to relieve myself at home—I bumped into Michael Austin, my best friend here in the city.

Michael wore a white top paired with black jeans similar to mine, and he wore black canvas shoes.

"Franklin! What brought you here, bro? Hold up, let me use the restroom quickly," Michael rushed into the restroom to relieve himself, while I waited for him to come out.

"Franklin!" Michael and I shook hands, and I asked him, "What's up with you, Mike? What brings you here?"

Michael smiled and replied, "I was just bored at home. You know, no wife or girlfriend, so I came here to see if I can find any pretty lady to hang out with."

Michael had dark complexion skin, compared to me, who was fair.

"That's fine. I have to go now, as I came here with my date," I replied, wanting to leave and not wanting to mention that I came here with my wife's half-sister.

"Your date?" Michael looked taken aback as he stopped me, his eyes narrowing at me.

"Yeah, can't I go on a date?" I asked him. Michael frowned, but laughed and reply, "Of course, hahaha, you can go on a date, Franklin. But with your wife, I guess. Who did you arrive here with?"

"Come, let's go out and meet her. She will be waiting for me," I told Michael, as he didn't seem happy to hear that I came here on a date and not with my wife.

Damn it, I haven't gone on any date with Natalie. I haven't taken her out for shopping. I just plan to divorce her, and while the matter is still ongoing in my mind, I haven't discussed it yet with Michael, even though he is my best friend. I know he wouldn't support me in divorcing Natalie, as he kind of has a soft spot for her.

Michael and I are the same age. He owns several hotels here, thanks to his wealthy parents, as he is a billionaire and his father is a senator.

We exited the men's restroom and went back to the private parlor to join Amelia there.

As I approached the chair where Amelia sat—just as I saw that the waiter had already served my request—I quickly introduced Michael to Amelia.

"Hey bro, meet my girlfriend, Amelia Jackson. Amy, this is Michael Austin, my childhood best friend," I introduced Amelia to Michael, just as I moved to take my seat, wanting to be quick with my dinner and to return home on time to my unwanted wife.

"Hi," Amelia said to Michael, as she stood up from her seat and extended her right hand to him for a handshake.

Michael only stared at Amelia's hand and didn't accept it for a handshake.

"Franklin, isn't she your wife's elder sister? Are you fụcking both your wife and her sister now?" Michael asked me, his anger evident, and that actually pissed me off. He shouted so loudly despite the fact we were in a private hall.

Some other patrons looked at our table in shock, despite the dimly lit room, while Amelia appeared tense.

"Shut up, Michael! What has gotten into you? I am not fụcking Natalie at home, and whatever relationship I have with Natalie and her sister is none of your business," I barked, pissed off that my best friend supports my wife over me.

He never finds any fault in Natalie and would often disagree with me if I tell him that Natalie is ugly and not my type.

"Really? I thought you arrived here with your wife, and here you are, actually fooling around with your wife's sister. Don't you feel any shame, Franklin? And if you want to cheat on Natalie, must you cheat on her with her sister?!" Michael shouted, seeming to gather more attention from the staff working in the restaurant, as we weren't the only ones using the large parlor. With Michael raising his voice at me, he seemed to have disrupted the quiet atmosphere of this private parlor.

"Michael, you can leave and not disturb me or lecture me on how to live my life," I told him, seeing Amelia looked embarrassed.

Michael looked at us, just as I told Amelia to sit back, and he turned around and left.

I treasure my friendship with Michael, but he gets on my nerves each time he disagrees with me about divorcing Natalie.

He often tells me that I'm blind to how beautiful Natalie is.

"I apologize to you on my bestfriend's behalf. He's always like that, picking Natalie's side, and I'm beginning to think if he's fụcking her behind my back, as the cheap slut that she is," I told Amelia to ease her tense mood.