Chapter 2: Lost in despair

Diane punched the remote control angrily switching off the television as the unfortunate news of Rissa's tragedy was displayed.

She rummaged her well-polished fingernails in her hair and bit her quavering lips

" It is all over the internet, Rissa”, she said sardonically and sank back on the sofa beside her best friend.

Fresh tears streamed out from Rissa's pale face; she had to disguise herself hideously to exit the hotel, where she was apprehended by her husband.

" This is the worst that could happen! I have no idea how on earth the reporters captured you in that blanket" Diane screamed in frustration

" I…I ran after Liam to stop him," Rissa responded dejectedly, feeling foolish for putting herself in a trap as she did.

Diane hugged her lovingly “It is okay baby girl, we will get through this together" Diane consoled her but Rissa disentangled herself from her arms

" Be realistic Diane! there is no getting out of it; I just lost my marriage, I lost my job, I lost the man I love, and to cap it all, I am all over the internet half naked!" Rissa blurted out angrily.

Diane couldn't dismiss it, Rissa was right, she just lost everything, workplace romance backfires in a tough blow if it turns out bloody like Rissa's did.

" Look at it, look closely, that is my divorce papers of a one-day marriage!" Rissa said dangling the divorce papers mailed to her a few hours ago in Diane's face.

She threw the paper on the table carelessly " I cannot even walk silently on the streets without being bashed by a stranger”, she busted into uncontrollable tears.

"Calm down baby girl, I know all of it, I sympathize with you, that is why I brought you here to my house, you can stay for now" Diane calmly said

Rissa raised a questioning brow at her" How long do you think cheating on the CEO of Golden Fingers on the wedding night lasts before the world moves past it?" Rissa asked sardonically, mocking her pitiful situation.

Diane was mute; she honestly knew it would take quite some time; even getting another job in a prestigious company wouldn't be easy for her now that the internet had nicknamed Rissa "the slutty Cinderella that cheated on her charming prince on their wedding night".

" I have a suggestion, baby girl”, Diane said, adjusting herself on her seat; Rissa raised her head in anticipation as all solutions eluded her at the moment.

Even picking up calls wasn't easy for her as she got cursed from every angle. The only consolation she got was a short message from her loving mother and, of course, Diane's help.

" You have my listening ears" Rissa said lazily despite her head pounding heavily

" I think you should leave town for some time", Diane said, and Rissa adjusted uncomfortably in her seat.

"Hear me out; I know you cherish your career, but right now, it has gone down the drain, so you need to step back for a while from the crowd; once this tragedy is long forgotten, you can resurface and take back the wheel of your life" Diane advised her.

Rissa was silent for some seconds, contemplating Diane's words. It all made sense, but she felt a sense of uneasiness about it; was she meant to run away from the problem?

" You have a home in the countryside with less judgemental people; go there, spend some time with nature, heal and return stronger”, Diane added, giving her hope.

Rissa kept weighing her words carefully but her clouded mind wasn't clear on decision making at the moment.

" How long do you think it will take for my step back from the world" Rissa asked intuitively

Diane smiled coyly "Come on, baby girl; the world moves on very fast; the internet gets busy every day, six months maybe, a year or two years at most”, she responded, shrugging her shoulder.

" That ain't too long I guess" Rissa responded dejectedly, she cleaned her teary eyes "I am famished "

" I made you omelette and some fresh juice; help yourself to it. I am going out to see a date,” Diane said, standing up and putting on some jewellery.

Rissa stood up and made her way to the kitchen as Diane got her shoes on; she was about to exit the house when Rissa shouted, “Have fun, babe," and Diane shut the door.

Diane swayed her hips as she walked into the VIP elevator. She punched the fifth floor instantly the elevator took off. She got off at the fifth floor and adjusted her maroon mini skirt that hugged her curves.

She turned the doorknob and let herself in " Good afternoon, Mr Hickson", Diane said, smiling pleasantly.

"Diane, you asked to see me”, Liam said in a businesslike tone, ignoring her pleasantries and not bothering to offer her a seat.

" I just want.......” Diane said but was cut off by Liam, "If you are here to cook up an excuse for Rissa, you can see yourself out; I do not want to talk about her” Liam coldly cut her off.

" I know you hate Rissa right now, but how can I not talk about it?" Diane said pleadingly.

" It is over, Diane; I have sent her the divorce papers”, Liam said, feeling pompous.

" I am sorry, Liam”, Diane said pleadingly; she moved up to him to console him.

Liam could not help but notice how her well-blended makeup accentuated her flawless skin, her cleavage showing off in her bustline.

" I trusted her, Diane; I wanted to give the world to Rissa", Liam busted out angrily.

" I am sorry, Liam. I warned her several times against flings like that, but she assumed I was old-fashioned”, Diane said softly, batting her long lashes.

" What! She has been cheating on me from the onset!" Liam screamed, losing his temper. Diane quickly held him by the shoulder.

" I just found out about it all recently, too, but she begged me that she had stopped it; I didn't expect it to happen again, not on your wedding night at that”, Diane further added, enjoying Liam's reaction.

Diane could not help but drool intently over his handsomeness, his black shimmering hair and dimples could make an onlooker fall on his feet. His good looks were further refined by his high taste in fashion.

Looking at his custom-made brown tuxedo, Diane could not help but wonder how much of a fortune it cost, probably her whole month's salary. Liam's sophistication and charm had always held many female's hearts, including hers.

" You are not alone, Liam; I am also trying to heal from a broken heart; anyway, if you need a drinking buddy or a listening ear, mine is always available for you”, Diane said in her softest, seductive, appealing tone.

" Do you have any prior plans? What about tonight? Can you be my drinking buddy and listening ears?" Liam said, falling for her empathic ability.

" I am very much available" Diane said sweetly, smiling pleasantly at herself for the accomplished mission.

Liam requested the bar attendant bring in some wine as he kept on pouring himself while blabbing endlessly about Rissa's betrayal.

Diane listened with rapt attention also drinking along with him. Being a light drinker, Liam had drunk himself into a stupor with a twinkle of an eye.

" I feel stupid, Diane; she was all cuddled up with him,” Liam said and busted into uncontrollable tears.

Diane smiled coyly, she stood up and traced her well-manicured fingernails over his broad chest

" You were too good for her, Liam”, she responded devilishly, relishing in Liam's shattered emotion.

He flinched at her touch but didn't try to stop her, she took it as a clue to keep on.

She sat on his muscled lap and brought his handsome face to hers, their lips only inches away.

" I will make love to you tonight,” Diane said authoritatively and glued her lips to his. Liam's eyes widened in shock, but in his vulnerability, he kissed her back hungrily.