Chapter 12

“Hi son, oh it's you, how long have you been listening darling”

“I was passing by when I heard voices. It was sounding like a dispute, I had to check”

Richard shows concerns innocently.

“Oh son, we are just having a bonding time. Molly is such a wonderful soul, we've been interacting for hours” Madeline says, patting my back in pretence while I just stand there watching Madeline perform.

Richard is still acting nonchalant about my presence but this time, he is not even acknowledging me.

“He keeps making me feel invisible”

“Okay, mom, I was just concerned, you both have fun”

He says, wearing a little smile. My heart skips.

Richard exits the scene leaving Madeline and me to continue to “bond” while I'm already unstable because of Richard's depassion towards me, I lose interest in my confrontation with Madeline, while marvelling about the game Richard is trying to play.

“This conversation shouldn't escape both of us. No one, I repeat, no one should be permitted to have a single datum of this discourse. Be warned” she warns pointing her index finger at my face fiercely.

“You don't have to send threats, they are empty and I'm not moved by them. Anyway, your secret is saved”.

I flit from her sight not minding what her next action is, but fully ready for what she has to bring on.

I'm sitting in the living room lost in thought thinking about Richard.

“Is he trying to act like he can't remember we had a thing that night? Or isn't he acting? Did she really not remember?” thinking within myself my mind is troubled.

“In two months, Richard will be sold out if his company, how do I save him? If I tell him about it will she believe or act foolishly? Can he even trust me?”

While I dialogue with myself, Jason walks in with a bottle of wine and two glasses.

“Hi honey, what have you been up to? I’m sorry I left you bored, I was attending to a business call”

“A business call, or planning a conspiracy against Richard” I debate, while giving a mischievous welcoming smile.

“So honey, how have you been relating with my mom, I want you both to get along. She’s a bit difficult, but I will always defend you”

“Yes Jason, we had a dialogue a few moments ago”

All lies, this and many more are promises he gave to me when I was his wife but after marriage, he joined his mom and made life miserable for me.

Vibration from Jason's phone jiggles, which is so unusual because he never switches his phone to vibration.

“Oh honey, excuse me to take this call”

He gets up to take the call outside but he’s acting suspicious. The era of Amanda has come.

I wonder how I never took these red flags seriously at first when we were married. They were clear.

Jason walks inside in a rush, like something urgent is happening.

“Honey, I have to catch up with an investor, we have a meeting scheduled in thirty minutes”

“So is Richard going with you” I questioned.

“No no no, he isn't. I'm going alone.”

He says, winking his eyes. I know Jason so well, when he winks, it's sure he's about to hurt people. But I'm not sure who he's trying to hurt. Richard, or me.

“I will be back in less than three hours, please don't go away” he implores as he rushes out, alongside his PA.

Richard and Molly's pov

I'm left in the house with Madeline and the domestic staff of the Cross household. Feeling bored, and decide to take a stroll.

I stroll to the garden, and it is a beautiful sight to behold. Colourful flowers with an amazing smell. The air in here is calm, and refreshing. It feels like paradise.

Flashing back to when I was a daughter-in-law of this family, my daughter and I would play around here till nightfall, because her dad, Jason is always absent in our lives but present in Amanda's.

I begin touching the trees and flowers, grounding with the earth. When I hear footsteps approaching me. Lifting my head to see, it's Richard.

“Clock it”

I panic.

“Hi, Richard, you look really stressed are you ok” I acknowledge even before he can say anything

“Molly, your voice is golden. You sound pretty good”

Richard's commends almost facing down.

Maybe he's shy

“I do? How would you even know that?”

“I heard you sing, while coming, anyway, I normally come here after work. After spending 60 per cent of my day at work, I spend the rest of it here in the garden it's comforting and peaceful.

“Singing? I didn't even realise I was singing” I exclaim in surprise.

He picks up a seat while a maid offers him a glass of drink.

I'm uncomfortable being in such close space with him, which for some reason is weird because I had to convince myself that he's the reason I'm coming here today.

I watch him sip his wine in silence like nothing has happened between us.

“Is he trying to play mind games with me? How could he pretend like we didn't just have the best moment of our lives? A few days back?” I reflect while watching him cool in actual virtue.

“He looks so innocent, one wouldn't believe he could be so hot in the other room” Wearing a naughty smile I gape at him.

“Is anything the matter, do you have something to say”

Oops!!

“No no, I have nothing to say actually, I just reflected on something”

I begin to adjust myself as soon as I learn he's taking

Every detail of my mood.

Contemplating whether to tell him about the conspiracy of his friend and his “acting mom” or to engage him about the one-night stand at the party, I'm lost in thought again.

“Molly, do you remember where we've met before?

Now I'm nervous

Obviously, he remembers every detail from that night