4

NICHOLAS’ POV

I stared at her through the corner of my eyes. I felt nothing but pity for the damsel next to me.

I had witnessed what happened. Her confused self walking in the hallway, reading what was written on each door. I lost sight of her. Only to hear someone break out in sobs. I left my shitload of work, only to find her crying at the door of her husband's office. I watched from a corner of the hallway, keeping my distance.

It didn't take time before she turned around and walked briskly toward where she had come from. I see the filthy man call out to her “Melissa”

I never liked Steve, to start with. If not that senior partners are voted in by the board, he sure as hell won't have a place in my own company. But cheating on his wife is low, even for him. Having an affair with your secretary, how unprofessional.

And that weird-looking secretary of his. I always knew she was a cunt.

I stared at her for a few minutes, noticing how she stifled her sobs. She was in pain. I couldn't bring myself to ask her where she was heading or if she'd like to come with me. I straightened my posture

“Is it okay if we drop you at your home “

She froze, then she nodded slightly, she didn't feel satisfied.

“Mr Ross’ villa” I say tapping the driver from behind.

Soon the car came to a halt in front of a large house, it was pretty fair. Not just as enchanting as my penthouse or villa.

“Thank you, Mr Redmond” she muttered to me, her voice was low.

I nodded, anytime.

I watched as she stepped out of the car, leaving a wet patch on the seat beside me, I didn't mind. I let her unlock the small gate and go into the house, then I waited for a few minutes before telling Mark, the driver to continue driving.

I thought about her for a moment, about how she must have felt walking into Steve’s office to meet one hell of a scene. Life is unfair to the good people.

MELISSA’S POV

I lay in bed, sleep far away from me. The same bed that Steve and I make love in. Tears dried on the sides of my face. My mother would be so devastated if she ever found out. She always saw the best in Steve. Is this it? Is this where our marriage takes a sharp turn? Is this where it all ends? I didn't want it to end. I wasn't sure I wanted anything to end. I just wanted to be happy.

“Melissa” I hear a voice with soft taps on the door. It was Steve but I ignored.

“I know you're in there, I just wanted to check up on you?” he continued.

The pathetic being was being nice to me?? After this betrayal. I felt even worse. What was he trying to accomplish?

“Uhh, please forgive me, for our sake, for the sake of our marriage. It was in the heat of the moment” I didn't want to hear another word. I flipped my pillow over my head, hoping it would drown out his voice.

“Melissa,” he said, his voice soft almost making me remember the man I fell in love with. I almost reconsidered.

No, I wanted to be alone, by myself tonight. He already caused me so much pain.

I had woken up a while ago to the sun's rays hitting me through the window. I had forgotten to pull the curtains down. I lay in bed for a few more hours, reading newsletters and scrolling through blogs. It was only when my stomach began to rumble, I decided I'd get out of bed.

I stared at myself in the mirror long and hard. I was unrecognizable, my eyes were puffy and bloodshot red. I had cried myself to sleep. Flashbacks from last night fill my thoughts as I run the cold water through my fingers onto my face. The hunger in me had vanished, but I still took a shower regardless.

I slipped into comfortable clothes and decided to get myself something to eat. Coming down the stairs, I could smell the aroma of fried sausages, bacon and even baked beans. Who was cooking? The private chef wasn't supposed to be in today. I got to the kitchen and to my greatest surprise, the table was set. A full English breakfast. For me? Or? My mind went to Steve, of course, he didn't do this.

I see a little sticky note on the back of a mug.

“Enjoy your breakfast Melissa, with love from Steve”.

I was appalled. Steve did this?

Was this his way of apologizing, was this his way of saying that he's sorry and everything would be fine?

I didn't trust the food, I couldn't. But I was too hungry to fix myself something else. I sat there and nibbled at the sausages, forcing myself not to glance at the eggs. I didn't want to enjoy the meal. It was my favorite, but I hated it at the moment.

****

I heard keys jiggle at the front door and it swung open, it was Steve. That's unusual. The sun had just set and he was back from work?

He wanted to say something but he hesitated, as of searching for the words.

“I see you ate breakfast” he said noticed the peeping into the kitchen.

I nodded

“How was your day?” he asked.

“Good, I didn't do much” I said blankly.

He scratched the back of his head

“Do you have an outfit you can wear to a formal dinner?” he asked

“Uhm, I mean maybe, I can check” I say stuttering. Was he..?

“If you don't, Tim will take you to go get one” he cut my thoughts.

I didn't know what to feel, was he taking me out, after everything that happened?

“Why tho?” I asked, letting my chuckle mask my intense curiosity.

“Redmond International is hosting their annual reception tomorrow night” he said casually.

Oh. But I guess that still counts.

“And you're just telling me this now?” the disappointment in my voice evident.

“Does that really matter? its not like you do anything at home anyway”

I can’t even feel bad enough because he was right, I wasn't doing anything at home all day. But he didn't have to put it like that.

“You have to go, everyone’s wives will be there “

Oh is that what this is about? Showing everybody he had a wife?

“Maybe Redmond would finally find a wife from the plus ones” he joked.

His boss wasn't married? I don't know why I was shocked but I didn't know what exactly I thought. He never came off as married or single to me. Maybe him being married is based on personal reasons.

“Maybe he doesn't want to get married “ I found myself saying.

“Nonsense,” he laughed “what sort of a man doesn't want a wife to himself to keep”

What an odd thing to say.

“What if he doesn't want to keep a wife?”

He scoffed “No man is complete if he doesn't have a wife to himself you know”.

Is this what Steve thought of me? Just a liability to keep at home. I began to feel sorry for myself.

“ Stop asking silly questions and find a way to fix that swollen face of yours before tomorrow, you have to look like a pretty wife” he said before retiring up the stairs.