Chapter 3

FRANKLIN POV

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

"How about me? I've always admired you. Honestly, that night, I felt sad seeing Natalie drug you and use you as her pawn to escape from our parents' home. She's just wayward, and I always admired you, hoping we'd become a couple," Amelia said, tears gathering in her blue eyes.

I sighed.

"Don't worry. I'll end my marriage with Natalie, okay? She can move on with her life with whomever she pleases. I don't care," I told Amelia, and she smiled sweetly at me.

"Does that mean you'll consider dating me now? I really do love you, Franklin," Amelia asked, looking at me sweetly.

She was 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 would send me on errands to meet Mr. Liam Jackson, and from there, I'd catch a glimpse of Amelia.

Whenever our families hosted events at the end of the year like New Year festivities, Christmas, or birthday celebrations—my dad would invite the Jackson family to our home.

Now that I had married and moved away from my father's house, I lived alone with my wife. I hardly attended these end-of-year celebrations because I felt ashamed to be in the same location as my wife. I would travel and give excuses to my dad for why I couldn't show up.

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

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

"Okay," Amelia replied, while the waiter positioned our meals 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 and left for the restroom to relieve myself.

I stole a final look at Amelia, before I entered the restroom. She smiled at me.

I hurried into the men's restroom to relieve myself. There were several stalls for men to use, since the restaurant could get crowded with patrons at night.

As I stepped out of the restroom—not expecting I'd need to go, simply because I hadn't had time to relieve myself at home—I bumped into Michael Austin, my childhood best friend here in the city.

Michael wore a white shirt paired with black jeans similar to mine and black canvas shoes too.

"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 could find a pretty lady to hang out with."

Michael had dark skin compared to me. I was fair.

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

"Your date?" Michael looked taken aback and stopped me, his eyes narrowing.

"Yeah, can't I go on a date?" I asked Michael. He frowned but quickly laughed and replied, "Of course, Franklin. Hahaha, you can go on a date. But with your wife, I'd guess. Who did you come here with?"

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

Damn it, I never went on any dates with Natalie. I hadn't taken her out or shopping. I just planned to divorce her, and while the matter was still brewing in my mind, I hadn't discussed it with Michael yet, even though he was my best friend. I knew he wouldn't support me in divorcing Natalie because he had a soft spot for her.

Michael and I were the same age. He owned several hotels here, thanks to his wealthy parents. He was a billionaire, and his father was a senator.

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

As I approached the table where Amelia sat, I noticed the waiter had served our order. 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 as I moved to take my seat, wanting to finish dinner quickly and return home on time to my unwanted wife.

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

Michael only stared at Amelia's hand. He didn't accept it.

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

Some patrons looked at our table in shock despite the dim light in the room. Amelia appeared tense.

"Shut up, Michael! What has gotten into you? I'm 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 kept supporting my wife over me.

Michael never found any fault in Natalie and would often disagree with me if I told him she was ugly and not my type.

"Really? I thought you came here with your wife, and here you are, 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, gathering more attention from the restaurant staff. We weren't the only ones using the large parlor, and with Michael raising his voice, he disrupted the quiet atmosphere.

"Michael, you can leave. Don't disturb me or lecture me on how to live my life," I told him, seeing Amelia look embarrassed.

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

I treasured my friendship with Michael, but he got on my nerves each time he disagreed with me about divorcing Natalie.

Michael often tell me I was blind to how beautiful Natalie was.

"I apologize on my friend's behalf. He's always like that, picking Natalie's side. I'm beginning to think he's fụcking her behind my back—the cheap woman that she is," I told Amelia to ease her tense mood.