[3] Plot for revenge

ASHLEY

When I woke up the next day, I found myself in bed with a cup of coffee on the table close to the bed.

I rubbed my throat, which had gone sore from crying all through the night, and slowly got out of bed. My legs were still wobbly, and I could barely walk.

As I limped towards the cup of coffee with every strength left in me, the door behind me suddenly opened, and I felt my heart drop into the pit of my belly.

My fist clenched in fury when a familiar cologne swept past my nose.

“You're awake!" Alex's voice pierced through the room, and my throat knotted.

I took in a deep breath and pulled myself together before turning to face him with a stern look on my face.

“I'll put up with you only after the official contract signing. I'll file for a divorce once this is over!" I snapped.

Alex's lips twitched into a smile that made my skin crawl in disgust.

He slipped his hand into his hand pocket, then began to trudge closer with a smile on his face.

“It's a good thing you're being considerate over the company's welfare," he muttered and reached out to touch my face, but I slapped his hand away.

“Until then, keep your distance. Our marriage is over!" I snapped, spun around, and marched into the bathroom.

I couldn't stop crying no matter what I did. It wasn't just the cheating that hurt me, but how shameless and proud he felt about his affair.

I swore to survive it all and destroy him when the party is over. I would have the last laugh in the end.

With those words ringing in my heart and comforting me, I pulled myself together and put on the mask of happiness over my face all through the day while hoping my best friend would come up with evidence to prove Alex's affair and get everything he owned.

“Ma'am, can you hear me?" The stylist standing beside me muttered, and my head jerked up.

It was already evening, and after a long day of faking a smile to everyone and the media, I was sitting in front of the mirror, getting ready for the party that would be held in the large hall beside the main house.

I turned towards the stylist and forced that facade on again.

“What did you say? I was lost for a moment,” I muttered in a quivering voice.

"Would you like a heavy make-up or just the usual?" She asked.

I parted my lips to reply, but stopped and stared at my pale face in the mirror.

For the past five years, I had lived the way Alex wanted me to. I dressed in long, flowy gowns as he wanted, ate food that his doctor and mother recommended, wore my makeup and hair the way he liked it—light, simple, or, on occasion, nothing.

He always claimed he was a simple man who loved simple women, and I had foolishly believed him and licked his feet like some servant.

“Give her a light make-up. It's just a simple party between associates after all, what's the use of all those heavy colors on her face?" I jumped as Alex's mocking voice snapped into my thoughts.

“Yes, Sir," the stylist muttered and flashed a glance at me, seeking approval.

“I… don't like heavy make-up, you should know that by now,” I whispered.

That was a lie. I was the Bella Donna back in school, the most envied prom queen, but now, I couldn't even look at those dresses I always loved to wear.

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. Soon, it would be over, soon.

The stylist did as she was told, and soon she was done with my make-up.

I stared at my close to bare face and my lips twitched up in displease.

My phone rang, and she looked at the caller ID.

My heart jumped in relief when Lilian’s name flashed across the screen.

“Hey," I whispered when I accepted the call.

“Come outside, quickly," Lilian muttered, and I sprang up.

“I'll be at the garage," I muttered and spun around for the door.

I threw the door open and raised my flowing gown, then rushed down the stairs.

Cold air hit me when I stepped out of the main house. My head swung in the direction of the hall, and I felt my heart tighten. The music flowing from the house clicked to me that the party had begun, and Alex would come for me soon.

“Ash!" Simon, Lilian's boyfriend, called, and I turned around.

I gasped and rushed towards him with a smile on my face and relief bubbling through my body. 

Simon grabbed my arm when I got close to him and engulfed me in his arms, causing me to stiffen.

“What are you doing?" I gasped as I pushed him off.

My eyes glared at him while my heart raced in alarm.

Simon gulped hard and dropped his head.

“Lilian told me," he replied, and my glare softened.

Simon stared at me with concern in his grey eyes.

“I'm sorry, I never expected that bastard to do that to you,” he said.

I forced a smile back onto my face and nodded.

"I'll be fine,” I whispered in a trembling voice.

Simon covered the space between us and placed his hands on my shoulders, leaning closer.

“We are always here for you, Lilian and I,” he muttered.

"Thank you,” I replied.

Simon squeezed my shoulders and stepped away.

"Lilian is in the car," he said as he walked away to the hall.

“Have fun," I bade and turned around, then ran into the garage.

When I got to the garage, I pulled the door to the car open and slid in, heaving loudly.

“Did he see you?" Lilian asked, jerking forward with wide eyes.

“No," I shook my head.

Lilian sighed and relaxed into the seat, then pulled out her phone.

"Did you find anything?” I asked, filled with hope. 

"Yes." 

A sigh escaped my lips, and I felt happiness wash over my body.

“He is cheating," she muttered, and I swung my head.

It wasn't new to me anymore, but that phrase always hurt me whenever I heard it.

“With who?" I asked.

Lilian leaned back, her brows shooting up.

“I'm not sure about her identity yet." 

My face fell, and the happiness bubbling in me crashed.

Lilian, upon noticing the sadness in my eyes, gripped my shoulder and forced me to look at her.

“Hey, you don't have to be sad. I have a surprise for you at the party,” she muttered.

I gripped my dress tightly, my heart clenching.

"I can't stand him, Lilian. I don't think I can survive another day with him.”

The assiduousness in my voice was gone and dead, and my body was as pale as that of a ghost.

Lilian sighed, pity crossing her brown eyes.

"Ash, I told you to calm down. Don't you want to know what the surprise is?” 

I raised my head and looked at Lilian with tears in my eyes.

"The revelation?” I asked.

Lilian nodded her head, smiling lightly.

"Yes, the revelation,” she muttered, and a new wave of hope rushed in.

"You should get going before he comes," Lilian urged me.

I gripped her hand, and Lilian stiffened in confusion.

“Thank you so much, Lilian," I muttered.

No one had ever helped me the way Lilian had, and I would forever remain indebted to her.

Lilian smiled warmly, like she always did, and ran her hand through my hair.

“I'm always here for you, Ash, always. Now go, I'll expose that celebrity soon," she muttered, nudging me towards the door.

I smiled and pulled the door open, then slipped out.

The moment my heels touched the ground, the smile on my face dropped, and confusion kicked in. I turned around and stared at her with darkened eyes.

She paused from applying the lipstick in her hand and raised her brows.

“How did you know she is a celebrity?" I asked.

Lilian scoffed and narrowed her eyes.

“Didn't you say she covered her face? I would do the same if I were in the situation, too,” she said, and I gulped.

Lilian scoffed, disbelief etched on her face.

"Wait… you aren't–" 

“No, I'm not," I quickly blurted out and smiled warmly at her before spinning around and walking out of the garage.

“My love!" My feet froze when Alex's voice hit me.

I took a deep breath and turned around, glaring at him.

A disgusting grin was on his face as he covered the spaces between us and grabbed my waist.

I gasped and tried to wriggle out of his hold, but he held tightly, grinning widely.

“Someone might see us, my dear wife. Remember, we're still the best couple to the press," he muttered, and I stopped struggling.

I scoffed loudly and sank my nails into his arms, causing the smile on Alex’s face to fade.

“Don't think this is the end, Alex," I muttered through clenched teeth.

Alex leaned close, his smile widening.

“It definitely isn't the end, my love. Come on, let's go in, the guests are waiting," he whispered and yanked my nails off him, then wrapped his hand tightly around my waist.

I felt like announcing that I would be filing for a divorce against him to the guests the moment we stepped in, but I held it all in.

Lilian would do it. In a few hours, his dirty affair would be exposed, and he would be left with nothing.