Chapter 4

Chapter 4

The next morning came bright and clear with Suzanne getting up from bed in high spirit. She moved around the guestroom, getting ready for the day, and her appointment with Michael. It still felt like a dream...how she was easily able to get him to agree with her proposal.

Lying slanted on the bed was a nude coloured above the knee dress Suzanne had picked up the night before. It was a new dress she was hoping to wear during a night out with her husband, but since it never happened, she had kept it in her closet.

Suzanne hummed softly to the chirping of the morning birds perching over the green trees in the garden outside the windows. She focused her energy on making herself beautiful rather than feeling sorry for waking up for the first time in the guestroom instead of the master's bedroom.

She stood before her full-length mirror few minutes later, the nude-colored dress a whisper of silk in her hands. The fabric felt cool against her skin, gracing her curves and showing them off shamelessly with a promise of understated elegance. It was a simple cut, just skimming above her knees, but the way it moved, the way it hinted at her curves, was utterly captivating.

She slipped the dress over her head, the soft material sighing against her body. As she fastened the delicate clasp at the back, a soft flush rose on her cheeks. Today was important. It was the marking point of her revenge.

Turning back to the mirror, she picked up her ivory comb. Her hair, the color of rich chestnut, fell down her back in a cascade of waves. She decided to let it all out today —her hidden beauty that she rarely showcased.

Deliberately, she began to comb, the teeth of the comb whispering through the strands. Each stroke smoothed and tamed, bringing order to the wildness. She worked slowly, almost meditatively, a quiet hum escaping her lips.

As she neared completion, she paused, tilting her head. A perfectionist by nature, she recognized the beauty in imperfection. She gathered her long hair with her hands, holding them up perfectly with a hair tie, letting it crush against her back softly. With nimble fingers, she loosened a few strands around her face.

They drifted down, framing her high cheekbones and softening the sharp angles of her jaw. Suzanne smiled softly, glad at the reflection she could see in the mirror.

She was applying her low-fat lipstick when the doorbell began to ring irresistibly. Suzanne paused, wondering who had come to visit so early in the morning. She dropped the lipstick in her hand, wore her white low heels, picked up her cellphone, and left the room.

"Hold on," Suzanne voiced out as she approached the main door, and as soon as she pulled it open, a furious face met with hers.

It was Clarissa Adams, dressed gorgeously in a bright pink jumpsuit. She wore her hair down, a soft makeup on her pretty face. She was undeniably a gorgeous woman, one Suzanne couldn't avoid noticing.

As she brushed past her into the house, Suzanne's nostrils were filled with the familiar scent of rose and honey–the exact one she always perceived around her husband.

"I guess you know how to dress after all," Clarissa mocked, swirling around in the middle of the living room to look at Suzanne. With jealousy that couldn't be hidden, she studied Suzanne from her head down to her toes, and back at her face.

"What is this? What is this desperation to seduce my man?"

Suzanne's eyes widened in amusement. She left the door side, walked closer to Clarissa, and smiled into her face.

"Your man? The last time I checked, he was still my husband."

Clarissa folded her arms, the furious rise and fall of her chest was visible. "You bitch. I knew this was your plan all along–you asking for extra two months– it was all a plan to try to seduce Davey. What did you think? That he'd fall for you?"

Suzanne smiled again, keeping a calm state. But deep inside, she was boiling with rage. She wanted to grab Clarissa by her hair, and hurl her out of the house. But she knew that would not be good for her.

"I wonder why you still feel so insecure though when you know you have Davey's heart, and he is willing to leave his wife for you. Is that how beautiful I am?" Suzanne asked calmly.

Clarissa saw bright red. With her eyes blazing with rage, she lifted her hand in the air for a slap, but Suzanne was too quick. She grabbed it midway, and shoved it away.

"Don't you dare," Suzanne warned, her eyes reddening with impatience. Her pain was beginning to show, and it made her desperate. She shoved Clarissa's hand away, daring her for another move.

"Don't you ever touch me with those miserable hands of yours again!" Clarissa vibrated.

"What's happening here?" A cold voice interrupted the heated moment.

The ladies looked up, saw Davey standing at the top of the stairs case, still in his pyjamas.

"You need to come put this woman in her place." Clarissa hissed out the words, turning back to look at Suzanne.

Davey climbed off the stairs, his footsteps hard against the floor. As he approached the women, his eyes were subconsciously settled on Suzanne.

He ran his gaze over her, taking in her appearance, barely able to keep the admiration off his face. He knew she wasn't on the ugly side, but this morning–something was definitely different. She looked like a princess.

"What's going on?" He asked again, and tore his gaze away to look at Clarissa. "You are here."

"Yes. And this lady here doesn't seem to know her place. Does she even know that my marriage is getting delayed because of her??"

Davey paused, and resumed looking at Suzanne. "I don't want such chaos in my home."

Suzanne looked at him, fighting so hard to keep her tears from gathering. Just when she thought she'd lost the battle, her cellphone began to ring. She looked at the screen, and her eyes widened. It was Michael.

"Hello..." She drawled carefully, turning slightly away from some priving eyes.

"I'm outside. I came to pick you up." Michael's voice sounded from the other line.

"What??" Suzanne shouted unexpectedly. Realizing herself, she cleared her throat, shd added, "okay. I...will be right out." She cut the line, turned and saw Davey's gaze on her.

"Who was it?" He demanded.

"Someone." Suzanne replied. She ran past them back upstairs, picked up her bag, finished applying her lipsticks, and went back downstairs.

Ignoring the two love birds in the living room, Suzanne made her way outside the house. As she walked out, she turned slightly, hoping Davey would come out of the house. And yes, he did not disappoint her.

He stepped out of the house, just in time to see Michael coming out of his black SUV. Suzanne tried hard not to look too shocked, but she couldn't help it. Michael came with a convoy to pick her up! She saw four other cars behind him packed up in the street. It was a pleasant sight to see!

"You look gorgeous," Michael greeted, took Suzanne's palm, lifted it to his lips, kissing her fingers softly.

Suzanne took her hand from him, stepping into her planned character. "You didn't have to come pick me up. I can go on my own. What's all this show off for, huh?"

"For you, my gorgeous. I couldn't bear the thought of letting you stress over getting a cab. Please, get in." Michael muttered softly, opening the passenger door with one hand.

"Okay. If you insist. But, I can't promise you anything." Suzanne said out loud, making sure she was loud enough to be heard.

Michael slammed the door shut as soon as Suzanne hopped into the car. He turned, locking eyes with Davey's perplexed eyes. Smiling mischievously, he went round the car, got in as well and zoomed off. Behind him, his securities followed.

Now left alone, Davey stood still for several minutes even after the spectacle in front of him had ended.

"That...was Michael O'Connor, right? What...is he doing here?" Clarissa asked from behind.

Davey was too shocked to talk, he was even too smitten to move. He just stood there, staring after the disappearing images of the cars. He could hardly believe his eyes.