005: handsome devils

Allera's POV

I should be losing my mind. I should be worried, asking myself "what the hell did I just do? Asking a stranger for sex?!" I should be pacing the floors, thinking of ways to undo what I just did.

None of that is happening. Instead my head is occupied with thoughts of him.

Devon Sinclair. I'm sure if I looked up "handsome devil" In a dictionary, I'll see his face next to it.

After a brief conversation with Grandma Glenda, which ended in me getting a new job offer, aka the role of Rosen's shiny new Director, I was too exhausted to keep up appearances for the night.

I'm half tempted to find Devon, drag him off to a bathroom and have sex with him. Take a picture. Or a video. Send it to my husband just to spite him.

The temptation is real, but my feet hurt, and I honestly need to rest.

Also, he doesn't fuck married women.

Without saying goodbye to Daphne or anyone, I leave the gallery and take a cab straight to Grandma Glenda's mansion. I'm sure Carter can find some entertainment for the night.

On second thought, I take my phone out and dial his number.

"Where are you?" He asks, his voice restless. I can hear him pacing, soft jazz music in the background.

"I've been thinking about your open marriage nonsense," I start, leaning into the seat. "Let's do it. What are your rules?"

There's silence on the other side. It stretches for nearly twenty seconds. Then his voice comes, a squeaky little: "What?"

"You heard me. I can fuck anyone I want, right?"

The driver gives me a judgemental look. One glare makes him shudder and pin his eyes back on the road.

"That's not... Look, what happened to earlier today? You were angry, you said I cheated on you. And now you want to cheat back on me? "

The audacity of this man.

"You said it's not cheating." I reply.

"Ally. Where is this coming from? Where are you? You're hurt, I understand . You're not thinking straight either. Tell me, I'll come and pick you up right away."

I let out a heavy sigh. He's so damn wrong.

I am thinking straight. I am hurt. I still can't believe he did this to me. But no point in crying over spilled milk.

It's better to make the best of my circumstances, that's what Grandpa Kazuo would say.

I don't want Daphne to win our bet either.

"Can I make my own rules?"

"Look, baby...let's talk about this in person."

"No. I found someone, I'm going home with him. You were right. We do need some fun and adventure in our marriage, it's terribly boring. How about this? You keep Niko and whatever her name is, and I keep my guy too. Sounds fun yeah?"

"Allera! Stop this play. Where are you? Don't you—"

I end the call, a wide smile on my face. "Bitch."

He calls back immediately. I can see his face, filled with worry and anger. I watch the call ring out. Then turn my phone off and stuff it into my purse.

Maybe Daphne is right and I can't feel love. Maybe for five years I've deluded myself into thinking I love Carter. Or maybe I'm not thinking straight and will later regret this decision.

I arrived at Grandma Hale's mansion, memories fill my mind at the sight of the rococo styled modern mansion.

Daphne grew up here. Sometimes I wonder what my life would have been like if I was raised by Grandma Hale too.

When Daphne and I were five, our parents did something incredibly stupid that nearly ended our lives.

Dad messed with the Yakuza, after he had sworn he would never do it again. It was so bad their parents had to step in and take us out.

Grandpa Kazuo, dad's father, took me with him to Japan. Grandma Hale, mom's mother, took Daphne with her and raised her here in the heart of New York. She tried to take us both but Grandpa Kazuo refused. When I was twenty, I returned to America and met Carter.

The rest is history.

As for our parents, I have no idea where they are, I don't care either. They're probably off making each other's lives hell.

I push the doors open and walk into the grand lobby. It's dark and quiet. I make my way to the downstairs living room. The closer I get, the louder some strange noises coming from the living room get.

At first I think it's a burglar.

Then I hear Daphne's sweet giggle. "Slow down mister. This dress cost ten grand."

"I'll get you a new one." An oddly familiar voice replies.

I creep closer to the door, which is thankfully ajar. The living room is cloaked in darkness and I can't make out the figures well.

"Like hell you can afford it." Daphne shoots back, her words broken up by a loud moan.

"You're still a bitch after all these years."

Carefully, so as not to make a noise, I reach for the light switch and turn it on.

Daphne screams, startled at the bright light. "What the hell?!" She spins around, throwing an accusatory look at me. "Can't you knock?!"

"Really?" I sigh. "At least take this to your bedroom."

She's half naked on the couch, straddling a man. The man peeks out from over her shoulder, baby blue eyes clashing against mine. His fair hair is tousled, Daphne must have ran her fingers through it countless times.

"Mrs Stein! What a pleasant surprise." He drawls, shamelessly checking me out. The ego reeks from him. "You're welcome to join us."

My fists ball up at my sides. "Niko." I spit the word out like it's venom. This has to be a cruel joke by the universe.

There's no way Niko fucks my husband and my sister in the same damn day!

"Wait?!" Daphne jumps to her feet, clutching her dress to her bare chest. "You know him?!"