Chapter 05

~JESSICA~

“Clinton, how did you get in here?” I asked as I removed my coat.

“Is that how you greet your husband?” He sounded serious.

“What’s that smell?” I asked and then walked to the kitchen.

“I tried to cook, but it didn't turn out well,” he followed behind me, and it turned out the smell was from burnt eggs. 

I couldn’t hold my laughter.

“So you’re telling me you can’t even fry eggs?” 

“Yes, why are you laughing?” He looked so innocent.

“You never learnt to cook?” I asked,

“Why learn when you can just employ someone to do it? The thing is, I didn’t know I would one day wake up married, or I could have learned." He confessed. No matter how angry I was at him, I just couldn’t help but feel butterflies in my stomach. Jade had never even once tried to cook for me. “Let’s eat out.” He invited, snapping me back to reality.

“Of course, let me just put on a clean dress,” I said and quickly left the kitchen. I couldn’t afford to start feeling something for this man. 

He was my fiancé's uncle.

I closed the door behind me as soon as I reached my room. I took out my phone and dialed Loren’s number.

“Girl, you’re late,” she reminded me as soon as she picked.

“Listen, you have to cover for me tonight.”

“Wait what? Why?”

“My husband—Clinton is here, and we’re going out for dinner,” I said.

“Wow really? Don’t worry, enjoy yourself, but don’t forget to pack up all your gist because I’m coming early in the morning for it.” 

“You’re a sweetheart; okay, I’ll talk to you tomorrow,” I said and almost ended the call when she stopped me.

“Wait, have the fool called you?” She was referring to Jade, as I already told her everything about the incident at the grocery store.

“No,” I sounded sad.

“Good, now take my advice and try to make your marriage work because if you don't, I’m snatching him from you,” she warned.

“I wish I could, but I can't; our marriage was a mistake.”

"No, it’s not, or if it is, then try and take advantage of the mistake.” 

“What do you mean?”

“Remember the reason you approached him was to revenge that jerk, then stick to it. Play him like he’s doing with you,” she advised, and I was considering it. Maybe that’s just the best option now.

“I will call you later; I have to go now. I’ll be there early in the morning. Love you,” she said before she ended the call.

I quickly searched for a dress; I didn’t have many long kneed dresses. So I put on a red silk one that covered only my curves. It was short and tight on me; I just hoped he wouldn't complain. 

After the last glance in the mirror, I headed out and I found him waiting—seated on my couch. He stood to his feet as soon as he saw me. He was staring at me with his mouth wide open.

"What?" I asked and waited for a complaint.

“Wow! How did I get so lucky?” He commented.

“I’ll take that as a compliment; come on, I’m hungry,” I said as I walked towards the door, leaving him behind. Just as I reached the door, he appeared from nowhere and opened it. 

“My lady,” he said. I rolled my eyes before walking out. I noticed he had a key as he locked the door with his key.

“How did you get a key to my apartment?” I asked.

“Well, your landlord was kind enough to lend me a copy.” 

“What? How?” I couldn’t believe it, as my landlord would never give out a key copy of any apartment.

“I’m an investor, so it was much easier,” he explained.

Outside, my neighbors were eyeing me weirdly; it was as if I had killed a person or something. 

“Good day, Mr. Clinton." Almost everyone we passed greeted him. It seemed like he was famous around the neighborhood. He opened the door to the passenger's seat and then walked to the driver's. 

“You seem quite famous,” I complimented.

“You think so?” He had a corner smile; now I understood why I met Jade here.

After a few minutes, we arrived at the restaurant; it was the most expensive in town. I knew because this is the place Loren always used to come to when she did hookups back before she met her boyfriend. I’ve never been here personally, as Jade always liked traveling; we would go for a date in Paris; he spent money like sand. 

We were already seated on our table, and he was lovingly staring at me, it somehow made me shy.

“Good evening, Mr. Clinton and...”

“Mrs. Clinton,” it’s Clinton who finished for her.

“Yes, I hope you’re enjoying your evening. Are you ready to order?” She was battling her eyelashes, disregarding me. I, being a stripper, knew that move well.

"Well, I’ll have what my wife will have,” he turned to me.

"Okay, let me just take you through our menu,” she said as he bent a little. She was now standing beside Clinton; her words were like a whisper as she was just inches from his ear. She cleared her voice before she started talking. She shocked me, and I was starting to feel a little insulted.

“We have an Italian and Chinese menu; which one would you like to see first?” 

“How about we start with my wife?”

“I will assist her; we can get your order first,” she insisted as she pushed her chest out. Well, at least I had my boobs done so her boobs were not bigger than mine.

Clinton cleared his throat and moved a little from her then spoke, “I’m sure you love your job here..." She immediately stood to her feet, hearing his words.

“I’m so sorry, sir.”

“Please get us another assistant,” he ordered.

"Sir, I can still assist the both of you; my apologies for—”

“We insist, and I would like for you to apologize to my wife,” he said. She looked embarrassed and then swallowed hard. After Clinton warned that she might lose her job, she apologized and called another assistant to help us.

After we had finished ordering, he turned to me and asked, “Are you okay?”

“Clinton, you're a great man; I’m not the right woman for you.”

“You’re perfectly right for me.”

“I have a boyfriend. I want us to get a divorce,” I said.

“The same guy who turned out to be married?” I didn’t respond. It was true that the boyfriend I wanted to divorce him for had a wife. So I just remained silent, and he took my hands into his.

“Let’s eat okay,” he said, and I nodded. My mind was now with Jade; he lied to his wife that I was seducing him—what a jerk.

———

“I’ll call you okay; I could come in, but I have a meeting early in the morning, and I don’t want to fight you,” he said and brought my hands to his lips and pecked them—his mouth was warm, we were at my apartment. 

“Goodnight,” I said as I got out and headed to my apartment. He didn’t drive until I entered inside.

There was romantic music playing in the background. I quickly switched on my light, and to my surprise, there were red roses all over the floor.

“What’s going on here?” I kicked off my shoes and walked to the bedroom where the music was coming from. Only to find Jade seated on my bed shirtless, holding a bottle of wine and two glasses. 

“You’re here,” he said as he took steps towards me. I took steps backwards until my back hit the wall.

“What are you doing here, Jade?” 

“What question is that, love? I’m here for you.” 

“What? After what happened at the grocery store?”

“I'm sorry, love; she's dying soon. I had to act or she could die in the shop,” he explained, and I believed him.

“About your phone, why did she have access to your phone?” 

“Babe, I don’t know how she got it, but she did and was angry with the pictures. She almost had a heart attack. I had to lie to her.” 

“Stop!” I shouted as he tried to take steps towards me.

“Babe?”

“No Jade I can’t. I can’t keep being your side chick and get insulted.”

“Love I’m sorry, but if you have to be with me, this is how it’s going to be for now.”

"Well, maybe I don’t want to be with you anymore.”

"What, Jessie, you know I would die without you.”

"Well, apparently you didn’t die for a week as you ignored me.”

“I didn’t ignore you; I was not here; we went to visit her family outside the city. I’m sorry I didn’t let you know,” he pleaded, but it was too late; my mind was made up. I couldn’t keep being his side chick anymore.

"Well, until your life is fixed, we will not continue to see each other for now. I think we both agree that we need a break,” I said, meaning it, but he kneeled down.

“Jade...”

“I’m not losing you,” he sounded like he was going to cry.

“No Jade I’m tired; just get up and leave, please.” I stood firm in my decision.

“I'm so sorry, babe. I know I did you wrong, but I thought you would understand. Please, you know I can't stay away from you. I love you. You and I have been together for three years planning a family. Now that we are close to having it, you want to just throw it out of the window?” He was surely going to cry, and I couldn't watch him cry. I kneeled with him as I took the bottle and glasses from his hand and placed them on the table. 

He was hiding his face from me, so I cupped his chin as I faced him.

“Jess, I love you,” he said with tears in his eyes. 

“I know, I’m just tired; I can't handle this.”

"Yes, you can; we will go through this together. We will overcome it.” I couldn’t help but lean in for a kiss; he responded by biting my bottom lip, and before I knew it, he was undressing me while I undid his buttons.

He picked me up, threw me on the bed, and crawled on top of me. Just like old times. 

———

There was heavy knocking on the door; Jade was still asleep. He looked so peaceful, I felt sorry for him now that I understood that he was just hurting as much as I was in this situation.

I didn’t have enough time to adore my man as the heavy knocking continued; I’m sure it was Loren here for gossip.

I quickly put on a shirt and rushed to the door. I had to get rid of her, as she might be angry if she found out that I slept with Jade. She was just looking out for me, but she didn’t understand my feelings. Jade is my first boyfriend. I spent years planning our perfect family, and I was not going to lose him over this situation.

“Loren I...” A hot slap stung my cheek as soon as I opened the door; I didn’t even finish my sentence.

“Prostitute, so you managed to lure him into your filthy apartment, bitch, where’s my husband?” It was Lucy; I honestly didn't have the time to deal with this sick girl today.