002

Chapter 2

DAHLIA

“What is she doing here?” I asked, my eyes never leaving hers.

“What were you doing with her?” I detached my hand from Desmond's shoulders and gazed right at him, taking a step back.

“What…What are you saying?” Desmond quickly pulled his headset off his head, flinging it away.

Then he quickly grabbed me, holding onto my waist.

“Leave us, Sophia,” he instructed.

My eyes never left Sophia's as she walked away, she sent a glare in my direction and just before she closed the door, I noticed she missed a button on her shirt.

The moment the door shut, I pulled away from Desmond's hold, glaring at him.

“Dahl, you're over thinking,” he said, looking at me.

“I met another woman all sweaty and looking like that in your office, she even missed a button on her shirt…And you’re telling me I’m overthinking?” I couldn’t hold back the hurt, anger and disappointment.

“Calm down, Dahl,” Desmond quickly pulled me into his arms and began to stroke my back like he always did each time I got offended, but then I backed away.

He sighed.

“The proposal I told you about. The one with the Knights. It suddenly went missing, I couldn't search alone so I called for someone trusted to help out, we've been searching for hours,” he explained, staring right into my eyes.

“Tony couldn't help with the search?” I asked.

Desmond sighed.

“I don't know why you're suddenly acting like this, baby. You and I know I would never do anything that will hurt you. Tony was busy at that time and Sophia was the only available person. I'm sure you noticed the new faces. I don't really trust any of them,” he explained, holding onto my hand and desperately wanting me to believe him.

His explanation made a lot of sense and at that moment, all my doubts were erased.

“I will never hurt you…” Desmond went on to say softly.

I shook my head at my silliness. Blaming it all on pregnancy hormones, I threw myself into his arms.

“I'm sorry, Des. I don't know what came over me,” I mumbled.

He didn't say a word for a moment and then I proceeded to apologize once again.

“You know I love it when you're possessive over me,” he smiled, kissing me. I wasted no time returning the kiss and in a few minutes, the sound of our tongues wrestling with each other filled the office.

“I have to find the business proposal, “ Desmond suddenly pulled away, still holding onto me.

As much as I wanted nothing more than to throw myself into his arms, I understood the importance of doing business with the Knights. It would change our life forever.

“I'll help you,” I said, making a mental note to tell him about the pregnancy later. Knowing how excited he'd be when I share the news. I didn't want him to miss this big deal out of excitement.

After barely 10 minutes of searching, he found the papers.

“You know what Dahlia. Why don't you take the proposal to the Knights yourself,” Desmond suddenly suggested.

“Why?” I asked

“I wanted Sophia to go but….” He was saying but I cut her off.

“I'll go,” the mere mention of the name Sophia, was now an irk to me. In fact, I'd probably hate anyone called Sophia for the next coming years.

Desmond might not understand, but as a woman, I did. That woman was out to seduce my husband. I simply ruined her plans. That was the only plausible explanation for her glaring at me earlier.

“I'll go home with the proposal and study it, then visit the Knights tomorrow….Do not worry, I'll secure this deal for you, “ I promised him.

The moment I said this, a thought flashed through my mind, it's always great to celebrate two great news at once.

“I'll tell him about my pregnancy when I secure the deal with the Knights,” I declared inwardly, smiling.

“I'm leaving now,” I kissed him and headed for the door.

“I'll be home soon. Don't bother about making dinner, I'm sure you'd get tired by the time you reach home,” Desmond smiled at me.

I nodded, loving my ever so caring husband.

Leaving his office, I waved a tensed Tony goodbye and walked out.

But then, as I stepped into the elevator, someone walked in too, it was Sophia.

“We need to talk,” she said the moment the doors shut.

I felt disgusted by her presence.

“I have nothing to discuss with you Sophia,” I quickly dismissed her.

“Not when it involves your dear Desmond,” she said

“Once again, Sophia. I have nothing to discuss with you,” I maintained my stand.

Just then, the elevator door dinged and I walked off. Sophia persisted and followed me out of the company and into my car.

“What the hell is wrong with you! First you try to seduce my husband and now this?” I fired at her.

She simply smiled.

“Buy me coffee and I'll tell you something about your husband,” she maintained her stand..

Sighing, I drove to the nearest coffee shop. Not because I would believe whatever nonsense she would say about Desmond. But because I wanted to get rid of her.

“Don’t you think your husband is cheating on you, Dahlia?…” Sophia asked the moment we settled down in the coffee shop. Staring intensely at me like she was trying to gauge my reaction

I scoffed, unfazed.

“You don't think so?” She asked, smirking.

“Why would I? I've been married to Desmond for years. He didn't cheat when we were dating, he never cheated since. Why would he suddenly cheat now?”

“Well, I hate to be the one to break it to you, but your saint Desmond is a chronic womanizer and is cheating on you, not with me though, I have better taste…” She paused, then leaned forward.

“Believe it or not. The sooner you come to terms with that, the better for you…And for what you witnessed in the office, nothing happened,” she casually spoke, sipping the coffee that had just been dropped on the table.

I speechlessly sat there, not knowing what to say.

“Why are you doing this?” I finally managed to speak.

“Why do you want to tear my marriage apart?”

Sophia scoffed.

“Your marriage fell before it even began. And for why I'm doing this, Dahlia….It's simple. Find yourself. You're lost all in the name of marriage.

“What…” I was speaking, but then she picked up her bag.

“I'm leaving. I'll pay for the coffee on my way out.”

“One more thing,” she paused.

“Ask your husband why he fired the old employees….Those people were loyal to you.”

“Wake up, Dahlia,” she patted my back and walked away, leaving me seated there confused.