7

Chapter 7

Rosebud Martinez

‘I’m so sorry, Ms. Martinez. Something came up, and I had to urgently travel. I'll be back in one week. Will work on the divorce papers as soon as I get back’

I almost threw my phone across the room in annoyance when I read my lawyer's text as soon as I woke up.

I wanted the divorce to go through as soon as possible, but I guess it won't be anytime soon.

My phone chimed with a text as I got ready to leave for the office, and I hesitantly picked it up. However, a smile crept up my face when I saw who had texted me. It was Bruce.

‘Upscale restaurant. 2pm’.

It was the address of the restaurant we were to meet.

My eyebrows squinted as I tried to remember the place. If my memory serves me correctly, it was a seafood restaurant built on a riverbank.

“Bruce is weird…” I chuckled to myself.

“Why this restaurant of all places?”

‘See you later’.

I replied to his text and shoved my phone inside my white handbag before going to stand in front of the mirror to check out my reflection.

The white suit looked perfect on me, complimenting my pale pink skin.

“Should I pack up my hair?” I muttered, stroking my lengthy and silky brown hair, but changed my mind, deciding to settle for this hairstyle.

I had picked up my handbag to leave the room, when the door suddenly flung open. Mathew barged in, breathing heavily like a winded ox.

“Honey.” He smiled at me, halting right in front of me.

“Good morning. I'm sorry I came home late.” He apologised, and I subconsciously checked my wristwatch for the time. It was past 8am.

“I uhm… I was stuck in a traffic.” He added, and I huffed silently.

“It's fine.”

He closed the distance between us, wrapped his arm around my waist and pulling me close, and as our body touched, I felt my skin crawling in disgust. My stomach twisted disgustingly that I felt nauseous immediately.

“I missed you, honey.” He hugged me, like he really did.

I couldn't believe that I fell for this lies back then when they were so obvious.

“You smell strange.” I spoke up, and he quickly pulled away from me, pulling a puzzled look as though he was clueless about what I was saying.

“What do you mean, honey?” He avoided eye contact with me. His face went pale with nervousness.

“I just feel like you smell strange. I might just be making things up in my head.” I forced a smile, and he nodded.

“Yes, honey. You are.”

He said, even though he was smelling of Megan all over.

“Honey…” he paused, placing his hands on my shoulders.

“About yesterday. You know I would never do something as hurtful as cheating on you, yeah? You know Mr. Hawkins was just talking shit, right?”

I looked straight into his eyes, my stomach churned with his disgusting lies.

“I'm sorry I didn't tell you I was going there with Megan. She pleaded that I go with her since you wouldn't be going.” He further said.

“I told you not to worry about it, Mathew. Or are you cheating on me?” My lips curled up in a faint smile. One that he barely noticed.

He quickly shook his head defensively. “No, I'm not. Why would I do that?” His voice was almost quivering, but he managed to sound just fine.

“Then you have nothing to worry about.” I smiled at him again.

“Uhm… I should drive you to the office—”

“No, you don't have to. I can drive myself. Besides, you might be late for work already…” I paused, and smiled. “See you around later.”

My smile faded as I walked past him and headed to the door.

“Honey… Let's go on a date today. I'll pick you up after work.”

I paused with my hand on the doorknob, looking back at him.

“Alright.” I said simply and stepped out of the room.

In the years that Mathew and I have been married, I could count how many times he had taken me out on a date. And each time he did it, it was always in a secluded place. Back then, I didn't think much about it, but now I know better. He was trying to hide me.

My phone chimed with a text as I strode to the parking lot, but I only stopped to check my phone once I hopped inside the car. The text was from Hannah.

‘Appointment with Mr. Luca in forty minutes’.

I exhaled, and put away my phone before driving to the company.

“Ms. Martinez…” Hannah walked up to me as soon as I pulled over at the parking lot of the company.

Her curvy body was graced in a black suit. Her flawless tanned skin was glowing under the early morning sunlight.

Even in her late early forties, she still had a banging body and looked like she was only in her late twenties.

Hannah has been working in the company for years even before I took over the company.

“Mr. Luca got here five minutes ago. He is waiting in the meeting room.”

“Oh… alright. I'll go join him.”

“I got a message from Mr. Ortiz a few minutes ago. He wants to meet you for a business appointment, but I told him that I would get back to him.” She explained as we walked toward the elevator.

“What should I tell him?” She asked as we stepped inside the elevator.

“Let's talk about that after my meeting with Mr. Luca.”

I strode to the meeting room once I stepped out of the elevator.

“I'm sorry for keeping you waiting, Mr. Luca.” I apologised, pulling out a chair to sit in front of him.

Mr. Luca is a renowned billionaire who is into properties. He was rumoured to have worked with several other successful realties. It was almost impossible to get him into this.

“It's fine. I guess I got here earlier than the appointed time.” He smiled at me, revealing his set of white dentitions.

Mr. Luca was in his late forties, but didn't look like it.

“So, shall we get to business?” He smiled at me, raising his eyebrows, and I nodded.

“Sure.”

The meeting kick-started.

We were on it for almost an hour, before we eventually concluded the meeting.

“Thank you so much for your time. I promise you that you are not going to regret working with Martinez realties.” I assured him as we shook hands.

“Looking forward to working with you.”

He left afterwards.

I was heading back to my office after the meeting when I spotted Hannah walking in the opposite direction toward me.

“Hannah…” I slowed my pace, until I halted.

“Ms. Martinez, your sister is here to see you. She is waiting in your office.”

My smile faded, and a deep frown flashed through my face, but I managed to compose myself.

After sleeping with Mathew, she dared show her face to me? What a shameless whore!

“Alright. Thank you.”

I proceeded to my office.

My stomach riled up with anger and disgust the moment I walked inside my office and saw her sitting on the visitor's chair. She turned to face me as soon as she noticed my presence, a smile playing on her lips.

“Sis…” she grinned from ear to ear as she stood up to her feet, and I huffed silently.

She was graced in a white fitted short gown. Her lengthy hair packed up in a ponytail.

“Why are you here?” I walked past her to sit on my chair.

I would always be happy to have her around back then, but having her around now makes me feel nauseous, and I just couldn't wait for her to leave.

“Why do you sound like that, sis? Are you still mad at me for going to the banquet with Mathew without you?” She pouted her lips as she sat across from me, and I huffed.

She suddenly gasped, her eyes widening as she raised her hand to cover her mouth. “Mathew mentioned that Bruce said something about cheating. Don't tell me you believe that rude jerk?”

She frowned.

“Of course, I know you won't believe him. He is just used to being like that.” She waved her hand dismissively, chuckling.

I stared at her the whole time as she ranted. The only question I kept asking myself was how she managed to fool me these whole years? How did I never suspect them together?

“I'm busy, Megan.” I turned to my computer, completely ignoring her.

“Seriously? Are you going to be that dismissive toward your own sister?” She whined, reaching to touch me, but I retract my hand immediately.

“Anyway, I came to seek your help, sis.”

I rested my back on the chair and gazed straight at her. The sheer audacity to show her face and ask for my help after everything.

“So, there is this contract I've been trying to get from James's properties for weeks now, but it's almost impossible for me…” she paused and exhaled before she continued.

“It's already driving me crazy because he is giving me a hard time. So, I was wondering if you can step in to help.” She pouted her lips.

My mind wandered off to everything I've done for this bitch. How I've helped her secure contracts worth millions in the past, but what the hell did she do? She turned around and stabbed me in the back, as if it wasn't enough, taking me for a fool.

“James's properties?” I raised my eyebrows, my lips curling up in a faint smirk.

“Yes, sis.” She nodded, her eyes already brightening with hope.

“Alright. I’ll handle it.” I said with a sweet smile. One that didn't reach my eyes…