Another woman

A MONTH LATER…

GISELLE

I check my phone for the thousandth time. Still no message or calls. Where could she be? I glance at the door again, wishing she'll walk right through it. I've been waiting for half an hour now. I'm getting tired.

Taking another sip of my coffee, I glance at the handful of people in the cafe. Everyone has a companion. I'm the only person sitting alone at a table. I feel insecure and once again, I'm glancing at the door.

Frustrated, I pick up my phone to call her. But her familiar cologne fills the air and I look up. There she is, heading towards me with an apologetic smile.

"I'm so sorry, Giselle. I got stuck in traffic." Tasha, my best friend, says, as she sits opposite me. She has a cup of coffee and she places it on the table. She's dressed in a three-piece suit, her typical working attire.

"I understand, but you should have called or texted. I got worried, you know?" I pout, relieved that she's here.

"I'm so sorry." She gives my hand a warm squeeze and I smile. 

"It's fine," I assure her, but her hand is still on mine. I glance down and see that she's examining my hand with a gloomy expression on her face.

Embarrassed, I pull my hand away from her grip, holding my cup with both trembling hands and looking away.

"Why are your hands like that?" She asks, giving me a pointed stare. I can see her from the corner of my eyes.

"Like what?" I try to play dumb, but I know exactly what she's talking about.

"Your hands are bruised and dry. Your fingers are chapped and dirty. Your skin lacks your usual glow. What's happening, Giselle?"

"Nothing. I'm fine…"

"Bullshit!" She snaps in a low tone. "How many part-time jobs are you working now? Be honest."

My lashes fall in guilt and it takes a few seconds before I reply to her question.

"Five."

"Five?!!" She almost yells, but quickly brings down her tone again. "Are you crazy?!"

"No, I'm not. I'm just trying to help my family…"

"Don't be ridiculous, Giselle. Before Theo lost his job, you never had to work. You were the definition of a housewife. And now you think you're some part-time job expert?!"

"I'm just trying to help…" I repeat, almost in tears. 

The five part-time jobs are hectic and draining. I don't have time for myself or my son or Theo, but at least, I pay the bills now. And that's enough comfort for me. Still, it doesn't change the fact I feel drained and exhausted. I don't dare complain, but honestly, I'm not okay and slowly falling into depression.

I feel guilty if I try to complain. I shouldn't feel exhausted from taking care of my family. Theo didn't feel exhausted when he took care of us for eight long years. So I try to suck up my exhaustion and not bother anyone with it.

"Why isn't Theo trying to find a new job? It's been a fucking month already!" Tasha snaps.

"He's still traumatized by what happened to him. He feels burnt out, and his doctor demands that he takes a long rest. Just until he feels like working again."

"So he stays at home all day and you work your ass off? That's bullshit, Giselle. It's his responsibility to take care of you and your son. Not the other way around."

"I know. But right now, he can't. And I just wanna help…"

"At your detriment?" She cuts in. "Look at you, Giselle. You look like a shadow of your real self. You're working yourself past your limit and it just might hurt you."

"I don't mind," I mumble, refusing to look at her. She may see the misery in my eyes.

"How long are you gonna do this?" She reaches for my hands but I retrieve them. No hard feelings. I just don't want her to make more comments about my skin and hands. I may not be able to hold back my tears if she does that again.

Tasha has been my best friend since high school, and she's always been too direct and blunt. Sometimes, I wish she wasn't. I know the truth is important, but sometimes, we want to hear a sweet lie too. That way, we won't feel hurt.

"For as long as it takes. I love my husband and he loves me as much. I'll do anything for him."

I answer firmly, looking boldly into her eyes.

"Does he really?" She arches her brow. The skepticism in her voice is vivid.

"What do you mean?" I feel my nerves twitch in dread.

"Does Theo really love you just as much as you do?" She drops the question and it hits me like a bomb.

"Yes, he does. Why would you think otherwise?" I try to smile but I'm trembling too much. I get this nervous and sensitive about talks like this. About Theo. 

"Giselle, listen. And please try to be clear-minded about this." She leans in closer. "No man will ever watch a woman he truly loves work herself to misery and he won't do a thing. No matter how burnt out he is, he can't just sit and watch his wife suffer."

"I'm not suffering…"

"Then what do you call this?" She gestures at my appearance. I fall silent and she sighs. "Please, Giselle. You need to stop this. Don't lose yourself trying to carry all the burden."

"Theo loves me. He shows it in every way." I say the words like I'm trying to convince myself. "You don't understand because you're not married yet. But I'm sure when you get married, you'll understand that it's not so easy to look out for just yourself. You'll want to look out for your loved one too." 

"I don't need to be married to know that men can be assholes and gaslighters just to get what they want. Theo has you in a bubble of guilt trip. You can't think for yourself 'cause that makes you feel guilty. He's manipulating you, Giselle. Why can't you see that?!"

"That's enough!" I snap angrily, and tears fall down my eyes. My heart stings from her words. How can she be so cruel? "Please," I add in between sobs.

She drops the topic and we sip our coffee in silence. She glances at her wristwatch and looks at me.

"What do you plan on doing tomorrow?" She asks. "Are we having a girls' night or will you be throwing a small party at home?"

"Huh?" I arch a brow in confusion. What's she talking about?

"I can't believe this!" She scoffs, leaning back in her seat. "Did you also forget about tomorrow?"

"What's happening tomorrow?" 

"Your birthday, silly!" She reminds me. "Geez, how could you forget your birthday?"

"Fuck!" I gasp, feeling the thrill rushing down my body. It's my birthday tomorrow. Tasha's right. How could I forget?

"I can't believe Theo didn't remind you either. What's wrong with the both of you?"

"Maybe he's planning a surprise for me. Just like last year." I beam with excitement. Last year was magical. Theo went all out and made me a flower-themed birthday. I can't wait to see what he has for me tomorrow.

"So are we having a girls' night or do we come over?"

"Actually…" I drawl, feeling a bit shy. "I'm planning to have a romantic night with Thoe. I just thought about it and I think tomorrow should just be me and him…"

I feel bad that I'm leaving her out on celebrating my birthday but I also hope she understands. It's been a while since Theo and I made love or spent time together. I'm thinking we can do that tomorrow.

"It's fine. We can always have our girls' night some other day."

"Sure, we will." I smile, feeling more excited now that I have her support. "Could you do me a favor, tho?"

"What's that?"

"Can Shane come over to your place tomorrow?" I hesitate a little before I add. "He heard me and Theo the last time and he's still asking me about it. I wanna avoid that uncomfortable situation."

Tasha chuckles teasingly. "You know Shane is always welcome to stay at my place."

"Thank you so much, Tasha." I smile, but my insides are churning with excitement.

The next day, I stop by the mall to pick up a few sex lingeries for tonight. I also bought a cake, lip gloss, and perfume. Everything I need to spice the night. It's my birthday today, and I get off work early to go be with Theo.

I'm also very excited to see his birthday surprise for me. I alight the cab and hurry to our apartment. I unlock the door with my keys and step into the dark apartment.

It's quiet but I'm sure Theo is in the bedroom, probably waiting to surprise me. I tiptoe to our bedroom and push the door open but it's empty. Maybe he's in the bathroom.

I quickly tear my clothes off my body, ready to be fucked and loved. But after a few seconds and he's not stepping out, I head to the bathroom.

A frown creases on my face as I see that it's empty. Where can he be? I move grudgingly to go sit on the bed but I see a white folded part on the nightstand.

A giddy feeling courses through me as I tear it open and skim through it. Horror engulfs me as I read the content.

 <By the time you see this, I already eloped with my lover. I never lost my job, It was all a lie to get you to foot the bills while I saved up for my trip. Don't look for me. Move on. Goodbye.>

My trembling fingers let go of the note and I drop to the floor with a piercing cry. This can't be!