Chapter 6: Dave Colombo?

Arias*

Sylvia has always lived in my shadow since high school, and I enjoyed it. The way she watched me. The way she tried to copy me. The quiet admiration she thought I hid from.

So when she confessed she had a crush on Greg, I didn’t hesitate. I pushed myself at him. Lucky for me, he already had something for me too. We hit it off quickly, and I made sure Sylvia saw it — every laugh, every touch. Her jealousy tasted sweet.

But Greg wasn’t all that. I got bored.

Then Steve came along — foreign trips, promises, big dreams. I dumped Greg and left the country with Steve, only to discover he treated me like trash. Every insult from him made me regret leaving Greg.

By the time I wanted Greg back, I heard the news.

He was married.

To Sylvia.

I swore right there: I’ll take my man back.

And of course, Greg came running the moment I called. He always does. We started sleeping together again like nothing had changed. Like his marriage was just a minor inconvenience.

My birthday was approaching, and I planned it perfectly. I made sure Sylvia would be there. I wanted her to see us together again — to remind her of her place.

She came.

And God, the defeat on her face? I enjoyed every second of it. That was my warning to her: Greg is mine. Always has been.

That night, I lodged with Greg at a hotel. We spent the night together again. Twice was all it took.

I was pregnant.

Greg was overjoyed. He laughed as he told me how Sylvia couldn’t conceive even after five years of marriage. He said it was destiny — that we were meant to be together.

“You came back?” I asked when he entered the room, wrapping myself around him. “What about your wife?”

“She asked for a divorce,” he said casually.

“Divorce?” I smiled. “Looks like she finally learned her place. But where will she go?”

“Anywhere she wants.”

“No,” I said quickly, pretending concern. “Call her. Find out where she is.”

I secretly hoped he wouldn’t. I wanted him in bed, not thinking about her.

But he dialed.

To my annoyance, Sylvia picked up.

“Where are you?” Greg barked. “I won’t take you back even if you beg!”

“I don’t think you should be saying that.”A man’s voice.

“Leave my woman alone.”

I sat straight up.

“The thug from the hospital?” Greg snapped — then the call went dead.

“Was that Sylvia?” I asked. “Who is she with at this time of night?”

Greg paced. “That guy from the hospital. Why is he calling her his woman? What’s going on between them?”

The irritation flared hot in me.

Why did he care?

“Why are you stressing?” I snapped. “It’s not like you still love her. The baby needs you.”

I rubbed my stomach deliberately.

He softened instantly. “You’re right, my love. Forgive me. We’ll finish the divorce in two days. Then we’ll get married.”

I smiled.

Finally, Greg would be mine again.

We bathed and slept.

______

The next morning, we went down to the hotel lobby to get toiletries.

And then I saw her.

Sylvia.

Locked in a passionate kiss with a man.

The man kissed her forehead gently before walking away. I looked at Greg. Jealousy was written all over his face.

“Sylvia!” he shouted, storming toward her. I followed.

“Have you gotten so shameless?” he yelled. “A married woman kissing another man in public?”

Sylvia smiled — calm, confident. A confidence I had never seen on her before.

“You and your woman look good,” she said coolly. “Oh, you slept here last night? Are you following me or…?”

“Or what?” Greg snapped. “How could you be so cheap?”

“Cheap?” She laughed.

“We’re no longer married. I can kiss whoever I want, flirt with whoever I want, do whatever I want. Take care of your pregnant wife and stay out of my business. Stop calling me. Stop stalking me.” She turned slightly.

“Tell your lawyer I’m on the last floor. VIP room at the extreme.”

I said nothing. I had already snapped photos of her kissing earlier — quietly, carefully.

“Sylvia,” Greg said stiffly. “We may be divorcing, but lay low. You’re ruining my image.”

“What image do you have left?” she asked.

“You’re going too far,” I warned.

“Then take your husband inside,” she replied calmly, “and do your duties better. If you were, he wouldn’t be here embarrassing himself.”

Her words hit hard, but I stayed silent.

“Let’s go,” I told Greg.

He didn’t move.

“Darling,” a voice called across the hall. “I’m done. Let’s go shopping.”

I turned.

It was the same man.

Handsome. Tall. Well-built.

Did Sylvia really bag someone like this?

“You’re the man from the hospital,” I said sweetly. “Are you dating Sylvia?”

“Yes,” he replied. “We’re getting married.”

“What?!” I screamed.“You’re marrying a divorced woman?”

“Yes. She’s my spec.”

“Who are you?” I snapped. “Sylvia, do you even know him well enough to marry him?”

“Yes,” Sylvia said simply. “He’s Dave Colombo.”

My breath caught.

“No way,” I shouted. “The Colombo Group?”

“Yes,” Dave said, smiling. “Now that you know, please excuse us. My wife and I have somewhere to be.”

“My wife?” Greg whispered.

“Sorry, my darling,” Dave mocked.

He took Sylvia’s hand and walked away, leaving us frozen.

“Is that man really going to marry Sylvia?” Greg groaned.

“Why do you care?” I yelled, storming upstairs.

Everything was crashing too fast.

How could Sylvia enter the Colombo family?

The family I had dreamed of all my life?

I won’t allow it.