Three

Nathan's POV 

'Let's get divorced then,' 

The words kept ringing over and over in my head for the rest of the day and no matter how much I tried, I could never let it go. 

I hadn't expected Alicia to come to my building and never did I expect her to barge into my office like that. I knew Alicia was a stubborn woman who would go after whatever she wanted even to the gates of hell but never in a million years did I ever think I would see her at my office, asking for a divorce. 

I thought she loved the marriage enough to keep staying. I did everything she wanted, which was actually nothing. I didn't ask her for anything and neither did I force her to do anything against her will so, why would she want a divorce? 

What did I do wrong? I mumbled under my breath. 

"What did you say?" Sylvester, my friend asked. 

"Nothing," I shook my head. I’d driven over to his place after I left work this evening.

"Something is on your mind and I know it. I've been your friend for over a decade now so trust me when I say I know you more than you know yourself," I snorted. 

Sylvester always believed he was a know it all. Ever since I first knew him till now, he still hasn't changed. When I first met him and Malik, I was in Junior high school and I hated how Sylvester was always being a know it all in class and how he wouldn't stop bragging about it. One day when I couldn't take it any longer, I punched him in the face. After we were told to apologize to each other, we just clicked and became friends. 

"I'm fine, Sylvester and please, don't ask me again," 

"If you say so," 

I glared at him because I knew he wouldn't let go of the topic so easily. I was already on the brink of getting frustrated and one tiny bit of word might ignite my crazy. I picked up the cup of wine and poured the entire content into my mouth. It burned at the back of my throat and that was what I needed. I poured myself another cup.

What could've happened? What did I do wrong? Have I been so terrible she can't stand the sight of me? I don't even go home that much, she doesn't even see me at the house so why would my presence be the problem? 

Why am I so bothered? Why should I be worried about this? It's a divorce, right? We'll sign some stupid document, free ourselves of the contract and the marriage, and move on. Right? 

Shit! Where did things go wrong? 

"Now, you're getting me worried. What is wrong with you?" Sylvester asked again. 

I looked at him his time, and opened my mouth, ready to say something but someone interrupted before I could bring myself to say anything. 

"Who was that lady from earlier?" 

Malik, my other best friend who is also a lawyer asked me. They were both in my office when Alicia barged in. 

"Nobody. She's of no importance. You shouldn't bother yourself with her," 

"Really? Can I have her contact? She's bold, fearless, and pretty. A total package if you ask me. She's definitely my type," 

"NO!"

Malik groaned. "Why? You just said she's a nobody so why can't you give me her contact? Maybe she's my future wife," 

There's something I forgot to mention, Malik is probably the most foolish friend on my friend's list. He's sarcastic, devilish, and a big asshole. 

"I said NO, Malik. What other fucking language do you want me to say it in?" 

I yelled. 

"Why? Stop being a killjoy, Nat. Why is it such a big deal to give me her contact? Fine! Give me her name," 

"NO!" 

"What?" 

"No is no, Malik," I yelled again. The guy was beginning to get on my nerves. 

"Why?" He yelled back.

"BECAUSE SHE'S MY WIFE," 

Shit! I groaned once I realized what I just did. I'd been trying to keep my emotions under control but Malik will always be Malik. 

I didn't keep my marital status a secret from my friends but I didn't invite them to the wedding and neither did I ever introduce them to her or her to them.

"Finally, we got to see the mysterious bride," Malik replied with a smug plastered all over his face.

I closed my eyes in regret for a few seconds. He wasn't interested in Alicia like he said, he just wanted to find out who she was by all means possible. 

"I thought she was an alien or an old witch that you had to keep her away from everyone including us, your best friends," 

"She didn't want to meet anyone from my circle," I replied. 

"Maybe because you never asked her to meet us," Malik defended someone who doesn't even know his name. 

I shook my head in shame and looked away. Alicia made it clear from the start that we would only be married on paper and she would go to events with me but when the time came, I just couldn't find the courage to ask her to attend events that are outside the family's events with me. 

Sylvester hit my shoulder, "My friend, whatever it is you're thinking about is nothing compared to the deal you'll be signing tomorrow. Take your mind off it and get your head back into the game," 

My head immediately went back to the client that'll be in my office as early as possible tomorrow and I needed to be extra ready to meet them.

Saying a quick goodbye, I rushed out of the apartment and drove home to get to work and probably avoid Alicia. 

As I walked into the silent mansion, my eyes caught the document sitting on the kitchen aisle, I picked it up and opened it to see it was the divorce papers. 

She was ready, she had been ready since the night my grandmother died. 

I walked closer to her room to question her about it but I stopped because of what I saw. I was planning on spending the night at home but when I saw Alicia, something broke in me. 

I'd never seen her in such a state ever since I married her and it made me question everything from the start to the finish. 

It made me realize how terrible I was and I am as a husband and as a person.