Chapter 1

Aliya’s POV

“Miss Aliya, I bet you if you go right now to Deluxe Hotel, room 102, you’d catch him on the spot.” William’s voice sounded so convincing.

I dropped the call without hesitation, picked up my bag and car keys and sped to the said hotel. I sat in my car for a while, wiping off the tears that tried to make its way out of my eyes. This couldn’t be true. Could it? Philip is a great guy and has always been.

Taking out my phone, I texted my best friend Camille. “Girl, I think Philip’s cheating on me. I’m outside a hotel now. I hope it’s not true because I really love him. Anyway, call me when you get this message.” I opened the car door and stepped out.

“Hi, miss Van Alen.” The fair skinned receptionist welcomed me. “Is there something you need us to take care of? It’s strange having you come down here by yourself. If there’s anything, let me know, and I’ll take care of it immediately.” She asked, fear evident in her eyes.

The Deluxe Hotel was one of the many businesses I owned. It was just the tip of the iceberg, compared to other hotels. But this was a secret I had kept hidden from Philip for a year because I loved him and didn’t want to make him feel any less of a man.

“I’ll need the key card of room 102. Thank you.” I ordered, and she ran off immediately, searching for the key. Seconds later, she arrived, handing me the card. “And Janice, don’t call me by my last name. Not tonight.” I smiled and walked away, heading towards the elevator.

Once there, I hit the button going up to the second floor. Minutes later, I stood directly in front of the room that was supposed to have my cheating fiancé like William had told me. It’s not like I had doubts about him, but I just need to be sure if what William said was correct.

I took a deep breath, steadying my trembling hands, and pushed the door open. The luxurious living room was eerily silent. I scanned the space, but no one was there. A muffled noise drifted me down the hall. My heart sank as the unmistakable sound of moans grew louder with each step I took towards the closed bedroom door.

My stomach churned. Maybe I should just turn back. It can be someone else with his girlfriend, and this will be really bad for the hotel’s image if I just barged in. But William would never lie to me. I’ll just have a look. I hesitated as my fingers hovered over the handle. Bracing myself, I twisted the knob and pushed it open.

There he was, my so-called fiancé, entangled between two women. One was straddling him, her fingernails digging deep into his shoulder as he used his dick to please her. And the other getting satisfied by his index finger.

My chest tightened and my fingers became sweaty as the tears came falling faster than a water slide. “Philip!” I screamed, finally getting his attention. He paused, slowly rising from his lover’s body. And that is when I got the real shock of my life. “Camille? My best friend?” My bag dropped as I placed my hand over my mouth in surprise.

“How? Why? And who the hell is this other woman? Come on Philip. Really? A threesome? And you involve my best friend?” I cried out while he stood looking at me like I was crazy. Does this guy even understand the gravity of what he had done?

“Aliya, you shouldn’t have come here. I and my good friend here, Angela, weren’t done with your fiancé just yet. You can go home when we’re done. You can have your turn,” Camille said with a smirk.

This can’t be right. Camille can’t talk to me this way. For God’s sake, we were almost like sisters. Where’s all this from? “Aliya go home. I’ll be there soon and we can talk. And don’t make me raise my voice, things will get nasty if I do.” Philip finally spoke coldly as he stared me straight in the eye.

“I caught you in bed with not one, but two women and you ask me to go home? After dedicating an entire year of my fucking life to you?” I yelled.

Camille strolled towards me, still naked and smelled of sex. “Dear bestie, did you ever think we were really friends? I mean, take a look at me. I’m everything you’re not. I’m sexy, beautiful and very good in bed, too.” She smirked. “If your boyfriend wasn’t starving, he wouldn’t be here right now. Learn to feed your man, girl.”

This was it. I had had enough of the disgusting people standing before me. Without hesitation, I picked up my bag from the floor. “When you’re done, Philip, we can talk at home. As for you, dear bestie, watch your tongue. I’d assume you’re naïve now, but I might not go easy on you the next time you speak to me like this,” I said and stormed out.

I heard her murmurs but didn’t dare spare her a second glance. That’s someone I confided in about the ups and downs of my relationship with Philip, and she took him away in the blink of an eye. And dumb Philip barely said a word to me. How didn’t I see this coming?

The elevator soon stopped, and I got out, handing the key card back to Janice. “Throw the people in room 102 out of here.” I ordered and got into my car. The drive home was cold and my vision blurred from crying my eyes out. My heart felt torn from my body.

I got home, took a long bath, and waited for Philip. I just needed to know why he’d do such. Moments later, the front door swung open, revealing a furious Philip. “Done so soon?” I asked, placing my phone down on the table.

“You’re a sick woman, Aliya. Are you keeping tabs on me? How did you know where I was and what gave you the right to poke your nose into my business?” Philip yelled as he walked over and strangled me by the neck.

“Let go Philip, you’re hurting me.” I pleaded, but he slapped me so hard across the face that I tasted my own blood.

He pushed me to the floor and spat, literally. “You’re a disgusting woman. That’s why you can never measure up to Camille. Also, can I have that engagement ring back? It belongs somewhere else.”

His words pierced through my chest like a warrior’s freshly crafted sword piercing the innocent, but I tried to calm myself down while Philip kept cursing and insulting me in all ways I had never imagined.

I didn’t want him to see how affected I was, but all my attempts failed. The tears stung, but I wiped them off immediately.

“Philip, I’m the one you love. Why are you treating me this way?” I cried out, but my voice came barely above a whisper. “I’m your fiancé, I’m supposed to….” I wanted to say, but the front door creaked open and Camille strolled in with a grin like she owned the place.

“Hey baby, sorry I’m late.” She said as she placed a kiss on Philip’s lips. “I think I over packed. My luggage is in the car trunk. We can get them later after dealing with the pest.” She giggled.

“What is she doing here?” I yelled.

“She’s here to be many things you’re not. That said, I need you to leave this instant. You can be really creepy. I can’t have you listening in on our lovemaking sessions.” Philip smirked as he pulled Camille in for another kiss.

“This is our home, Philip. We started our lives here together. Where I’m I supposed to go in the middle of the night? Why are you being so heartless? Both of you”

“Give my man a break and go be someone else’s problem, bitch. We don’t help charity cases, but I can offer you a few dollars,” Camille said as she threw a few dollars to the floor. “Here, take it and leave!”

I stood on my feet slowly and dusted my clothes. Without hesitation, I removed the cheap ring from my finger and placed it on the table. Picking up my bag and my phone, I brushed past them.

“Shove your cheap money down your throat, Camille. As for you Philip Parker, you’ll regret ever hurting me. That’s a promise.” I said and stormed out of the house.