Her Speech

The rich sound of piano filled the room, people slowly dancing to the music. It was surprising to Laura because she hadn't expected people to turn up that evening on such short notice. Of course most of them were Monica, Thomas mom's guest, and her other kids Rachel and Max.

"Look at this," Monica started to say as she saw Laura coming close. She was making her voice loud on purpose so everyone of her circle could hear her. "My son's wife, getting treated like royalty."

Laura straighted her posture, ready to face what was coming next. She abandoned her own mother because she was mistreated, how much more this proud good for nothing mother in law?

"He pays for your expenses, even when we tell him to save and invest more." She continued, "now just for some dumb anniversary, look at millions of dollars wasted."

"Mom," Thomas called from behind. He must had been coming from the salon because he looked more handsome than ever. Good to see he'd looked on his very best just so Laura could fire back the arrow he'd shot at her.

"Everyone's watching. Let's be on our best behaviors." He said, warning her with the frown on his face.

Monica only snorted. "Oh please. I can't help myself but say the truth when it's needed. She's lazy and won't work, being a useless stay at home wife while you work your ass off."

"Really, Thomas? You work your ass off?" Laura raised a brow.

Thomas cleared his throat. He hasn't been expecting Laura to look this breathtaking. Surely, she was a beautiful woman. But seeing her in that damn dress made him just want to take her home and rip them off. He licked his lips, fighting back the seduction.

"You look really beautiful. And this is a great party. Mom, Laura threw this party under such notice. Isn't it amazing?"

"Well it's your money. You can hire the whole world with money on your side." Rachel, the eldest, added. Max muttered an agreement nodding his head.

Laura ignored them all and fixed her focus to Monica. "I have an amazing news to share with you that'll make you love me even more."

Monica's eyes popped in disbelieve. "Very funny of you to think that--"

Just then, Thomas wrapped his arms around her waist and whispered, "oh God no, you're not about to confess your pregnancy, are you? I feel we should wait a bit and take our time to think about keeping the baby or not."

Laura shivered on his touch. This man who wouldn't even hesitate killing her just for his dark plans to come to past. It terrified her that she didn't know who Thomas was anymore. This wasn't the man she'd fallen in love with.

She came up with a fake charming smile. "Of course, whatever you say darling. That reminds me, honey. When is Rita coming? She's running a bit late, don't you agree?"

Thomas stiffened. "Yea, she must had been caught up in a meeting. We've been very busy lately."

"Sure," Laura nodded. "Oh look, she's here now."

Thomas frowned. He didn't understand what her obsession was all about. Why was she acting so...excited. He slowly turned and found Rita behind.

"Hi, Rita!" Laura called out. To her surprise, Monica and her kids won the race, hurrying to meet Rita, smiling and holding hands like they'd been acquainted.

Laura turned to Thomas. "Oh look, everyone in the family loves Rita."

"It's not what you think. I invited her one time to--it's nothing, okay? It's probably because her mother is a famous actress."

"An actress?" Laura acted surprised. "Hmm, maybe that's why you're so attracted to her."

"Laura, we still need to talk about what happened this morning."

"No we don't. What we need to talk about is why..." She paused for dramatic reasons. It sure made Thomas feel at edge. "Never mind, Rita is approaching us."

The way Laura smiled through everything was starting to concern Thomas now. Laura realized she'd been letting herself flop, and Thomas was a calculating man. The way he started to fumble against the red ruby pendant around his neck spelt out his suspicions. She needed to act quickly now.

She was just waiting for Jonathan's signal. If he would show up with those reporters any moment soon...

For now, she still had to stall.

"Laura, we need to talk." Thomas was cut off as soon as Rita approached then.

"Laura Jones," Rita said with a coy smile. "Finally nice to meet you."

Laura stood tall, maintaining a gracious position. She couldn't afford to reveal the pain she was feeling now. Thomas was...just not the man she got married to anymore. She needed to leave. Let him be happy with his mistress.

"Same here as well. You're so much prettier in person." Laura said. "You sneaky little bitch." Rita face scattered into a painful frown. "My bad, can I call you that? It's just that, you and my husband have such chemistry, he's literally a workaholic because of you. Always putting ideas into his head,"

She smiled as Rita shifted uncomfortably. "So you do notice the chemistry between Thomas and I. I gotta commend you, where do you get the strength to still remain with him? Other woman would have just divorced him by now." She concealed her little comeback with a soured laughter.

Laura's face became stern all of a sudden. But she needed to remain calm. Jonathan would pop up with his signal anytime soon. And she didn't want to add any more trouble to his plate by murdering a woman...

"You're right," she breathed the words. "Divorce is for good women, like me. You should remain with the beast. The same fate would just happen, when Thomas will find some other lady more interested in and you wouldn't even matter anymore." Advancing closer till she met the shorter woman's ears, she whispered. "That's interesting to think about, right?"

Two slender ladies walked in, dressed on dark suit, and a composed attitude. The reporters are here. Jonathan's signal.

"Excuse me, honey." The grim look on Rita's face now was more than enough for Laura to proudly walk away from. She proceeded to the high table and made her way over the staged area.

A mic was handed to her by one of the event planners. "Good evening everyone. I have an announcement to make."

"Oh what the fuck is she busy yapping on about now?" Rachel gossiped with her mother and brother.

Thomas's face hardened. Everyone paused and waited for what she had to say.

"Thank you all for coming to celebrate with us. Although it's our wedding anniversary, I thought we should officially acknowledge the future Mrs. Grayson. Rita Smith, life must be going great for you now, huh?"