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MELISSA’S POV

Yup, I definitely knew who he was, I just couldn't place a finger on it.

“Steve’s wife? I suppose” The man said. I still couldn't recall.

“Mr Redmond” he says noticing my silence.

Aha, it hit me Redmond, Steve’s boss. His name came up a lot back home. He looked different. I hadn't seen him since during my wedding. He had been a huge part of it with the donations and all.

“Mr Redmond, good to see you again” I say with a warm smile.

“Good to see you too, Fancy meeting you at a cake shop”

I laughed wondering what an aloof CEO was doing in a cake shop.

“Oh it's Steve’s birthday tonight, just wanted to do something thoughtful.

“Oh, I didn't know that, might have given him the day off, who knows?”

I couldn't tell if he was serious or only messing around. His face was unreadable.

I let out an awkward laugh, “I mean, he could use one of those, I suppose”

He glanced at me, “Steve? Na the man’s fine”

Fine??? How hard does this man make his employees work? Steve wasn't even a mere employee, he was a senior.

I scoffed in a low tone, trying to hide my annoyance.

“Very well then, Mr Redmond, see you again sometime” I said picking up my cake from the counter to leave.

“It’s a pleasure meeting you again, Mrs Ross” he said with a little bow.

Something in me stirred. But I couldn't wait to figure out what it was, I was already late.

I knew I couldn't wait for Steve to come home late at night, so I decided I'd go pay him a little visit with his cake as a little birthday surprise.

As soon as I got home, I rushed to give myself a very long everything shower. I wanted to be clean for Steve tonight.

After about thirty minutes of running the shower, I stepped out feeling all nice and fresh. I had set a special lingerie that Steve had bought me when we first got married. I planned to wear the lingerie under my coat in hopes of getting something good tonight. The sun had set when I was done fixing my outfit and my hair. My makeup was light, with a bit of blush, mascara, and the perfect red lipstick to match my lingerie.

I glanced at my watch, I still had enough time. I quickly got a basket and set the wine that I had chilled throughout the day in it and I went in with two wine cups. And in went the cake lastly.

I had been more than excited to do this and I couldn't wait to see the reaction on Steve’s face.

It was a nice quiet ride to Mond Valley, where Steve worked. I had been here a couple of times but the structures and scenery still awed me.

I reached the front desk and asked to see Steve.

“And you are?” the receptionist said, her eyes moving all over me

“I'm his wife, Melissa Ross”

“Ooh,” she said “Well do you have any id”

I stared at her blankly

“Well never mind, it's almost closing time for me anyways” she said waving me off. Mr Ross leaves later at night anyway, you should know that”

I nodded walking towards the elevator, my heels clanking on the tiles in the silent night. Steve's office was on the fourth floor, I've always known that. I just don't know which office exactly.

The elevator doors opened up to reveal a dimly lit area, with towering shelves and strategically placed artwork that caught my eye. Most of the workers had retired home, leaving their scent of expensive cologne behind.

I wondered how I'd find Steve, luckily I noticed the offices had names on each door. I strolled further till I found it. “Mr Ross, Senior Partner” the door read. I smoothened out my coat, I was tempted to knock. I took a deep breath and placed my ears on the door. I hear muffled voices. I couldn't make it out so I assumed it was a phone call. I waited a bit and placed my ears on the door again, it was silent.

I forgot how to knock, pressing my palm on the doorknob, I twisted it open. My eyes almost popped out of their sockets, nothing could have prepared me for the horrendous sight before me. My husband, Steve, he was there alright but he wasn't alone. With him was a woman perched on his desk, her shirt was unbuttoned, well enough to reveal more than a cleavage. Steve stood between her parted legs, his hands gripping her hips. His mouth was on the lower part of her belly, moving down slowly before my presence was noticed.

My heart clenched tight. All of a sudden, there was no air in the room. The mixture of their colognes in the air made my stomach feel sick.

Steve's face had changed, from pleasure to something close to guilt. He stepped back, tucking his manhood back into his trousers. His mouth kept opening and closing as if in search of an excuse, running his hands through his hair.

“Melissa,” he finally speaks up “I'm so.., it was just this one time” he said as I broke into sobs.

My whole life was ruined, shattered before my eyes. My own husband, I had just caught the love of my life cheating right before my very eyes. The world kept spinning as I made my way towards the elevator, my vision blurred with tears.

“Melissa” I heard him call out to me

“Melissa”

“Just listen okay”

I pushed the buttons of the elevator aggressively. Damn, I was raging with anger. I stepped into the elevator and turning around, I see Steve coming over quickly with the filthy woman behind him. It was then I realized, it was his fucking secretary, Sandra. I prayed silently admits my tears that the elevator doors close before he caught up to me and they did. Tears streamed down my face as flashbacks of the scene replayed in my head. My husband fucking another goddam woman in his office. Is this what he does whenever he says he has to work late? Pieces of me are torn as I wonder what I had done to receive this.

I stepped out of the building and that's when I realized it had been fucking raining. I had only gotten a taxi here in hopes of getting a ride back home with Steve. I slumped down on the pavement at the sides of the building. The universe was against me. Already drenched in the rain, I tucked my elbow under my chin, the rain mixing with my salty tears. My eyes glanced at the entrance of the building from time to time, hoping I'd see Steve walk out in search of me, but there was nothing. Figures approached the entrance and walked out of the building but there was no Steve.

In no time, a tall, huge figure approached the doors, briefcase, and coat in hand, his shirt sleeves rolled up to his elbow. He stopped at the door, and quickly an umbrella was brought to his aid. I tilted my head upward, it was Mr Redmond. Shit, I buried my head in my knees to avoid being noticed.

It didn't work, I heard footsteps on the concrete come toward me

“Excuse me, miss” he said “This is private proper…” he stopped and I looked up a bit.

“Mrs Ross” something in his eyes shifted, pity. He stretched his hand towards me and helped me up. “What are you doing in the rain, you could have called a taxi” he scolded

But I could only whimper. He reached for his coat in his other hand and stretched it out to me. I didn't want to take it but I was too cold to decline. He guided me to his car and he shut the door. His driver did the same for him. The heat in the car made me feel relaxed, but a part of me was still tense. I stared out the window and made myself get lost in my thoughts.