003

Chapter 3

DAHLIA

Walking from the coffee shop to my car suddenly felt like an extreme sport. My heart was in turmoil. I was exhausted by everything.

“Who do I believe? My husband or a woman who I’m sure badly wants to seduce him?”

Never have I been this confused and drained. Today was supposed to be a big day for me, I can’t believe I’m ending it with worries and restlessness.

Getting into my car, I drove back home with an unclear head, deciding to pull myself together before Desmond gets home.

But then, by the time I got home, Desmond was already back.

“You're finally back,” he exclaimed in excitement the moment I walked in.

He was still on his work shirt, a clear indication that he just got home. He wore an apron and was making dinner.

“You said you'd get something on your way home,” I pointed out, staring at him.

“Oh, about that. I decided to just make you something myself. It's better than eating out,” he smiled yet again.

I stood there, staring at him. All doubts suddenly disappeared.

“Why the heck did I let someone trying to ruin my marriage get through to me?”

“I love you, Des, you know that right?” I asked.

He seemed taken aback by my sudden love confession.

“I love you more, Dahl,” he said quickly, wiping his hand and walking over to me.

“Is something wrong? Did something happen on your way home?” He threw a series of questions at me, staring intensely at me.

Before I could utter a word, a lone tear slipped down my face.

“How on earth could I even doubt him…”

“Dahl, you're scaring me, what's going on?” Desmond anxiously asked, getting all jumpy and quickly leading me to the couch.

“Promise me you would never cheat on me or look at another woman,” I calmly demanded, staring at him.

My statement was followed by complete silence for at least five seconds.

For a moment, an unexplainable emotion flickered on his eyes, but then it was gone before I could figure out what it was. Guilt?

“Is this about what happened in the office? Is this still about Sophia? Did Sophia say anything to you? I thought you trusted me, Dahl?” He quietly asked, looking genuinely hurt.

I hated myself for hurting him this way, but then I had to clear every single doubt that woman had put in my head.

“Just promise me,” I insisted.

He sighed.

“I promise you, Dahl. You are and will always be the only woman in my life. I would never cheat on you, never!” He solemnly declared.

I wordlessly stared at him.

“This puts you at ease, right?” He asked. I let out a simple nod and without warning, he pulled me into his arms.

“I only love you, Dahl. You doubting me hurts like crazy. Just trust me like you've always done, please,” he pleaded.

I quickly bobbed my head.

“I'm sorry,” I mumbled.

“Go change your clothes, I'll set the table, then we can have dinner together,” he said, finally letting go of me.

By the time I woke up the next morning, my husband was already prepared for work and ready to leave. I had spent nearly the entire night going through the business proposal, I didn't want to flop this. Getting the contract would be my apology to Desmond for ever doubting him.

“Good morning, Dahl,” he kissed my cheeks the moment I walked into the living room.

“I made breakfast,” he pointed at the dining table.

“You can eat and sleep more. Your meeting with the Knights has been rescheduled to later in the day,” he informed me.

I nodded, watching him quietly.

“I'm off to work. I'll return late today. I have to meet a client after closing hours. I already made dinner, it's in the fridge,” he kept walking around, trying to put everything in order before he leaves.

“You can go, Des. I'll take care of the rest,” I called out to him, smiling.

He nodded and kissed my forehead.

“The contract with the Knights is really important to me…to us….” He was saying, but I cut him off.

“I know. I'll get it. You seem to have forgotten who I am,” I struck a pose, reminding him of how I went all crazy trying to find investors even while sick. The memory made him laugh and then he finally left.

Barely a few minutes after Desmond left, I got a text message. It was from my younger sister, Roselle.

“Meet me at the usual place by 10am. I have something to tell you,” the text read.

“What is she up to?” I couldn't help but wonder what my crazy younger sister wanted from me.

Even though Roselle and I were sisters, we are the exact opposite of each other. Like fire and ice, I was the cool one while Roselle is crazy and nonchalant. Roselle and I aren't really close, but we respect each other. The place she asked to meet up was our hiding spot back when we were kids, our parents would usually get into fights with each other. It was always draining to watch. Thankfully they were now divorced. Roselle was taken by my loving dad, while my controlling mum took custody of me. Roselle hasn't reached out to me for over a year now, and now she is suddenly asking to meet like it's really urgent. I couldn't help but wonder what she is up to.

About two hours later, I was dressed up and ready to go meet Roselle. I took the proposal along, deciding to just head there after speaking with Roselle.

“Going there early will just count as a plus for me,” I told myself.

By the time I got to the cafe, Roselle was already seated and waiting for me.

“You're punctual today,” I noted, settling down in front of her. Roselle never sticks to a time schedule. The last time we met up like this, she was over an hour late.

“I have to be, when it involves your life,” she stated, giving me a pitiful gaze.

“Stop staring at me that way and tell me what's going on.” I sensed that something was wrong and it instantly made me begin to feel uneasy.

“Let go of your husband,” she casually stated

“What?” I said aloud, and my heart skipped a beat. I looked at her like she had suddenly lost her mind.

“Dahl, don't tell me you don't get what I'm trying to say…Divorce Desmond. He isn't worth it,” she said more seriously this time.

I was taken aback by her words.

“I….I….” I stuttered not knowing the right words to let out.

“Rose, you know what Desmond means to me. Why would you suddenly ask me to divorce him?” I finally found my voice.

Roselle stayed silent for a few minutes, avoiding my eyes.

“Just divorce him, Dahl. He isn't worth it…” she avoided my question.

“I can't divorce my husband for no reason, Rose. You can't suddenly ask me to let go of the love of my life and expect me to just listen to you….” I was beginning to get mad at the fact that she brought me out here only to ask me to leave the love of my life.

“What's with everyone trying to break my husband and I apart? First it was Sophia, now it's my younger sister…” I mumbled internally, getting exhausted by it all.

“It's for your own good, Dahl…I…” Roselle began again, but I cut her off, now pissed off.

“Then tell me why. Give me a reason, “ I demanded.

“Fine.” Roselle stared right at me.

“Your husband is….” Roselle began but then the loud ringing of my phone cut her off.

“Give me a moment,” I quickly excused myself and moved aside to take the call, upon checking the caller, it was Tony.

The moment I answered the call, Tony's anxious voice sounded.

“Dahlia, you need to hurry over to the Knight Corporations right now. Desmond got the time wrong. You were scheduled to go there about an hour ago….”

“What? I'll hurry over there now,” I quickly responded then hung up.

“Something's up?” Roselle asked the moment I got back to where she sat.

“I have a meeting to attend. Let's talk later.” I said real quick and picked up my bag.

“But Dahlia…” She tried to protest.

I shook my head, indicating that I really had to leave.

“Fine!” Roselle finally backed down.

“Just ask Desmond what happened to your loyal employees. You can come find me then,” Roselle said, sounding so confident.

I wanted to sit back and get over the entire madness, but business awaits.

Not uttering a word, I walked away wondering what the hell was going on. But then one thing was sure, I was going to confront Desmond about the employees.