Chapter 6

SERENA’S POV

My face probably said it all cause, “Are you angry?” she asked, acting confused like I was supposed to be embracing her with open arms right now.

“Oh my, I don’t mean to upset you at all, Serena. I promise!” her voice made it even harder for the scowl to leave my face the longer I stared at her. “I’m so sorry, I was just-

“What do you want?” I asked dryly, unable to take much more. “And what the hell are those for?”

She turned, her eyes lighting up as she took in the big luggage and moving boxes that were lined up behind. Alongside a few maids standing awkwardly beside them.

They were obviously moving them.

“Oh, those are mine!” she responded with a big smile, “The boxes, the luggage, oh and that pink stroller too!”

Right.

The baby, of course. How could I forget?

On reflex, my eyes went to her belly. The door knob bearing the brunt of everything that protruding belly had me feeling right then and there. “I’m just settling in!” she responded, acting totally oblivious and chirpy for someone that rained havoc on my life yesterday.

“Eli said I could pick a room of my choice after we had breakfast, so I thought to choose this floor! I mean, why not? The lighting and the sun in this area? Ha, simply exceptional! I can already see myself taking some real hot Prego pictures after working out a bit in the private gym at the end of the hall!”

'Excuse me?' I blinked,

Prego pictures? You have got to be kidding me.

Talk about being comfortable! Too comfortable even.

I couldn’t even stop the scoff of irritation that left my lips at those words. “I think the baby likes it here too! Which is why I decided to move here, preferably in Eli’s room too. Didn’t realize you were also staying here, Serena.”

Didn’t realize or you're just acting dumb to get on my nerves!

“But good thing I met you. Please which is Eli’s room? So we can move all of this in at once!”

Wow.

Was this happening? Like really happening? Right now?

I couldn’t even tell if she was just being clueless with those fake ass smiles on her face! Her eyes just kept darting around as she spoke. Checking out everywhere, including the master’s bedroom which I currently stood with the door ajar.

If I didn't know, i would think she was some tourist inspecting hotel options.

And clearly, I wasn’t the only one that thought that!The maids behind all had appalled looks on their faces as they gaped at little miss prego.

“Do you think we can have lunch together later?” she added, looking at me. “After you must’ve… cleaned up...that is,”

Ha!

I so wanted to laugh right now. I mean, I could laugh. If I wasn’t clenching my jaw so tight in irritation, that is!

Just what did she think she was doing? Coming here and acting all brand new like yesterday didn't happen. Like we were fucking besties or something!

Or was she testing my patience? Wanting to get a rise out of me?

For what though? To go complain about me to Eliot? Her lover and baby daddy?!

Ha! The world really has turned upside down.

Unable to take much more, I turned to the maids. “There are several spare rooms at the guest wing, are there not?” I asked, my tone dangerously calm. Actively cutting off whatever miss Prego had to say.

“Y-yes ma’am Serena!" one of them hurriedly responded, totally uncomfortable by the situation.

“Then shouldn’t a guest be occupying one of those rooms?” I pressed further, holding their gazes. “How come all of this luggage, boxes and all, are coming in this direction?”

Silence.

My words slowly sinking in, “We’re so sorry, Ma’am Serena!” they chorused, hurried whispers filling the air as they immediately got into action. Moving the boxes and luggage back down the spiral stairs where they had come from. “So sorry, Ma’am!”

“Hu-hey!” Miss Prego called out, totally stupefied at their behaviour. “Where are you all taking my stuff to- I’m staying on this floor! Serena, I-

I didn’t even let her finish, “GUESTS are to remain at the guest wing.” I spoke, facing her squarely as I emphasised on the word ‘guests’.

“But Eli-

“THIS wing," I continued, "THIS floor, THIS lighting, the Sun, THAT private gym and everything else … are for the master bedroom. This entire floor is the master’s wing! And this place you’re standing right now is facing My Bedroom. There should be a room for you downstairs, go check it out.”

Her lips opened and closed repeatedly, no words coming out. Her disbelief clear, as she took little steps backwards. Obviously offended, but I didn’t give a shit!

If we were counting, this wasn’t even a tip of the iceberg that she dumped on me yesterday.

And i was anything but patient with her right now.

“Is there something you need?” I pressed, voice dry.

“No, I just…” she trailed off, pushing out her fake ass smile again as she took a step forward. “I just want to say hi. Yesterday was so—" she paused, eyes flicking to my hair, my robe, my bare feet, sure I looked like a mess. Go ahead.

“—fast-paced.”

Oh, so that’s what we’re calling it now. ‘Fast-paced’

Regardless, “Okay,” I said flatly.

Her smile twitched. Not expecting that response. Obviously wanting more, wanting something… anything. An argument, perhaps? An invitation? Or even a fake ass syrupy welcome into the home she bulldozed into? Into my life.

Whichever be the case, she wouldn’t get one.

“Alright then,” she said after a moment of silence, “See you ar-

But I had already shut the door. Cutting off her words from my ears. A scoff leaving my lips as I realized what she was about saying, “See you around? What are we, besties now? Co-wives?! Ptff!”

Crazy.

And just like that my entire morning was ruined. Leaving a bitter taste in my mouth despite how hard I had brushed my teeth.

The rest of the day passed by like a slow-burn headache. Each second bringing with it the painful reminder that my life had turned much worse.

I literally went from being bored out of my mind, thinking my life couldn’t get worse, to actually watching my life get much worse! And under less than 24 hours too!

While that Miss Prego was everywhere. Like literally everywhere! Acting all happy and excited, her voice echoing in my once quiet halls. One minute she was on call laughing loudly, the next her footsteps were resounding everywhere, freely moving about like she owned the place.

And it didn’t help that all those sounds just kept landing at my door. Bouncing off my walls like she was standing right there!

Call me paranoid or whatever but it was annoying the shit out of me! My whole body tingling with irritation as I sat in my room all day long. Wondering just how I landed in this mess in the first place!

What moments of my life caused me to reach here?!

I couldn't bear her while being in here, imagine being out there with her. “Don’t even want to imagine,” I grumbled, blowing off yet another strand of hair from my face as I laid lazily in bed.

Finally, evening came! And silence once again returned to the hallways.

No more laughing and humming. No more noise. No more May. But instead, in came the king of darkness himself.

Eliot.

“Eli!” her voice had rung out happily as he came in. Much like how I would’ve been yesterday if he had been at the door and not instead of the surprise package he had kept specially for me-his mistress.

But still, I didn’t move. Didn’t go down the stairs or make any move at all. I just stood there, watching as she rushed up to him.

Her blonde hair curled, blue dress hugging her belly like a proud badge as she took his stuff.

Unfastened his jacket like a hostess at a gala. Every touch, intimate… and he let her.

My heart squeezed tight with a deep ache as I watched them. Watched him. Watched the man I’ve lived with for four years. The same man that refused physical touch from me, only coming close at night when he needed to 'keep warm' aka. sex…

That same man now stood there in OUR living room and let some woman touch him.

To take his stuff and just welcome him home. Something i couldn’t do for so long… And as much as it hurt, I couldn’t cry. Not a tear. My eyes had run out. All that was left now is anger.

Pure unbridled distaste as I held his piercing gaze from where I stood on the third floor-Masters floor.

And after a moment, I looked away. Heading back to our room. Letting them do their thing, while I faced the reality that my life was ruined. Or at least what I had thought was my life.

It took a while, but he came up as well. The musk, minty cologne he always wore filling the air even before he stepped into the room.

And as he did, I faced him. My features holding no feelings whatsoever.

If he could act all cold and indifferent to me, then so could I!

“May said you’ve been up here all day,” he started, his voice calm as a scoff left my lips.

“What, she’s reporting me to you, now?” I sneered, “I can’t stay up in my room anymore? I should instead mingle with the woman you cheated on me with, impregnated, brought to my house and want to divorce me for? Huh?”

His jaw clenched at my jab, a flash of emotion showing briefly in his eyes. Not anger though, just… something.

Weird.

“I’m not asking you to do that,” he responded, “I’m not asking you for anything but to sign the papers.”

“I’m not signing,” I argued, “I said it last night, didn’t you listen?”

“Then she stays,” he retorted, “May stays until you agree to sign"

“Is that supposed to be a threat? I can throw her things out if I wanted to!”

“But you wouldn’t dare,” he stepped forward, eyes trained on me. “You wouldn’t dare, Serena. Don’t push me, I’m already being lenient as it is.”

My lips twitched, a bitter scoff emitting from it as I held his stare. “Then you don’t plan on staying in this room, do you? You don't intend on laying on our bed after saying that, do you?”

“No,” he said after a moment, stepping back. "I don't intend to," and after holding my stare for a moment more, he turned and walked out. Leaving me in the silence. Leaving me in the pieces…

And I tell you, this bedroom had never felt so cold in all our four years together.