CAUGHT IN THE ACT

MEL

“Jesus Christ Mel, what are you doing here?”

My eyes drift from Jonah to my sister sprawled naked on the bed.

Mara.

I am usually the one to look over people’s mistakes but this was the height of betrayal. I would never have expected my own sister to be sleeping with my husband.

I swallow hard and my gaze returns to my husband of two years. He stands and walks towards the table wearing nothing but a black tie around his neck. Bile forms in my throat when I realize the neck tie was my anniversary gift to him.

“What am I doing here? My voice trembles despite my effort to steady it. “This is my home, Jonah. Our home.”

He exhales sharply, as if I am the inconvenience.

“Why would you do this to me?” I ask, fighting back my tears.

“I have tried to be the perfect wife for two years. Is that not enough for you?”

He rolls his eyes and sighs. I recognize that look. It was the same dismissive look he always gave me whenever I would try to initiate something intimate with him. He was always tired and never interested. I would feel bad and think I wasn’t doing it right. Now, I just want to land a hard slap across his face.

I don’t do that. I stand very still and look straight into those arrogant eyes of his.

“Oh for Christ sake, Mel,” he mutters, pouring himself a glass of wine.

“I’m sick and tired of all your drama. You want to talk about being the perfect wife. I’ve been the bearing husband. Putting up with this worthless marriage for two years.” He takes a sip.

“ Everything we have isn’t real. We are only into this because of the contract. The money. The houses. The empire. They’re mine.” He places the glass back on the table.

“You only have access to it as long as we stay married. If you want to walk away, fine, but that would mean giving up everything you now have access to. Including saving your parents from going bankrupt.”

There it is. Leverage.

I tilt my head to look at him. My jaw clenches at the mention of my parents. They would never be okay with this.

I take one more look at my sister on the bed and shut my eyes. She doesn’t even cover herself. She doesn’t look ashamed.

“I assume you’d be perfectly fine if I did the same thing.”

I had spent two years of my life trying to be good enough, supportive and caring. In all those years he had never given me more than a glance or shown real affection towards me. None of this really meant anything to him.

“I’ll dish your energy right back at you. But I promise you will regret it.

He throws his head back and laughs. I had never seen him laugh, only in business meetings.

“Oh Mel ” He walks back to the bed to lie down. Mara cozies up beside him.

“Regret?” His eyes lit up with amusement.

“Now, Why would I give a fuck about you trying to get back at me?” He smirks.

“You are not going to do anything but stay quiet. You don’t even have it in you to go against me. Why? Because you have to be a good daughter.”

I can’t stop it. The tears flow freely from my eyes. I fold my wrists, digging my sharp nails into my palms.

“No one would ever want to have anything to do with you.”

“That’s a lie” I cut in

“You want to know the truth? You were convenient. A strategic move. A source of fame for my family.” He chuckles, then places a kiss on Mara’s forehead.

“Now… Right now my family’s name is as big as they get. You’re useless to me.”

Mara strokes his chin “ Let it go love. She’s pathetic.”

I begin to wonder if she feels even the slightest bit of sympathy listening to Jonah talk down on me and our family like that. It was her family too.

He turns to her and gives her a soft smile.

“Mel, Be decent enough to walk out the door. Your presence here has gotten Jonah upset.” I watch Mara rub Jonah's chest and I gag.

“You’re embarrassing yourself” She says softly.

Her words hurt more than anything Jonah said.

I drag myself out of the room. I run down the stairs, tears in my eyes and Jonah’s words echo in my head.

YOU ARE USELESS

Outside, the night air hits my skin. I flag down a taxi. I tell the driver to take me to El Chapo’s bar. It was where I first met Jonah to sign our marriage contract.

I come down from the cab and walk into the bar. There’s slow music playing and it isn’t really crowded tonight.

I sit across the table of a man wearing black shades. Why would anyone wear shades at night?

He looks charming and exudes wealth and power.

I look away and gesture to the bartender to come over.

“What can I get you, miss?”

I go with the only alcohol I know

“ The Macallan”

He walks away and comes back with a glass in his hand. I collect it and drain the cup immediately. My eyes squint and I feel a burning sensation in my throat.

“Get me three more.” I turn to face the man across from me.

I narrow my eyes on him. Dressed in a fitted black shirt, his shades hiding his eyes. His curly black hair falls and stops just above his eyebrows.

The bartender places the three glasses on the table. I notice the man get up, my heart pounds intensely as he comes closer.

Oh my God. Is he coming to me?

I turn my face away hoping I wasn’t seeing things correctly.

I pick up another glass and drown it in.

He keeps coming close. I swallow hard.

He stops beside my seat.

Up close, he smells expensive.

“Rough night?” He asks. His voice is calm and controlled.

He leans down until his face hovers just inches from mine.

My breath caught.