7

I stand frozen as the girl speaks some more about him getting her a dress for the gala.

What gala? Why wasn't I aware of a gala? What is she talking about?

Anthony's laugh tickles a part of my brain that makes me long to hear it gestured toward me but I shake the thought away, instead turning back to Hestia.

"I think I want to go home." I say, trying to keep my voice steady.

Hestia nods, "I agree, I think it is time your room gets a make over."

I give her a tight smile, "It definitely needs it. Let's go back the way we came."

I gesture my head back to where Anthony and the woman are still standing, hoping that my small act seemed innocent enough to where it looks like I don't know he is behind me. Hestia nods and picks up my bag for me, leading the way with a smile on her face.

We don't get very far until she notices Anthony and stops in her tracks, "Anthony, I didn't expect to see you out today."

I keep my eyes forward and avoid his gaze when he turns toward us.

"Oh," His voice seems startled, "And I didn't expect to see you either."

I scoff, "I'm sure you weren't."

I look over and give him a glare, looking at the painted fingers that cling to his sleeve. My eyes meet his and his indifferent expression enrages me to my very core. He doesn't even seem fazed that he was just caught by his wife with another woman.

"Hestia," I say, grabbing my bag from her, "Let's go home, I have a room to decorate."

I quickly walk away, not even hearing him call after me to try and clear anything up. If we were supposed to be a couple in public, this was the farthest thing from it. I don't ever want to see his face again. Maybe I should use the card he gave me to buy a house in a different state, no, a different country. What kind of man is he anyway? 

The thought brought me to my father, what would he say if he knew that my husband is sleeping around? Would he even care? He did force me into this after all. Should I get a lover too?

Now that's not a bad idea.

I reach the car and wait for Hestia to come so she can unlock it and take us back home. She eventually does make an appearance and I climb into the passenger seat as soon as I hear the doors unlock. She gets in on the drivers side and I hold up a hand to let her know that I'd rather not talk, opting to turn up the music instead.

~~~

I look at all of the things I purchased, lining them up on my bed and glancing up to potential places they could go. The fake plants a nice escape from the encounter with my husband earlier. I decide to line the windowsill with the smaller succulents and pull my vanity chair over to hang two of the plants on either side of the window. Some green curtains would tie this all together but I'll have to look online later. I turn to my bed to take some of the stationary and organize it on my vanity to try and make it a usable desk. 

I take a step back to admire my handiwork and smile at the small cactus erasers that line bottom of the mirror. I turn around and start to change my sheets, finding a small card escape from the folds of the white fabric. I eye it suspiciously before opening it.

Violet,

I am the type of person to hide things. I am quiet and I am not the kind to show emotions. I hope you find this room to your liking and decorate it to your hearts content. I hope we can at least be cordial with one another as I have not feelings for you at this time. 

Your truly,

Anthony

I scoff and crumple up the letter. I'll be that he's been seeing the woman even before we had gotten married. I can't believe this. I throw the note in the trash and sit on the stripped bed, wondering why I'm even getting upset in the first place. I take a deep breath.

"You have both made it clear that you don't live each other. He can have a lover. What's it to me?"

My voice is barely audible as I take another deep breath. 

A knock on the door snaps me out of my thoughts and I quickly jump up, "Come in."

Hestia opens the door with a smile on her face and a plate full of cookies, "Wanna try some oatmeal chocolate cookies?"

I raise an eyebrow, "Oatmeal chocolate?"

She nods, "I don't like raisins so I replaced it with chocolate chips, want one?"

I take one hesitantly as I, too, do not like raisins. I smell it and the sweet scent lifts my spirits, the first bite exploding with flavor. 

My hand goes over my mouth, "My gosh, Hestia, this is so good!"

Hestia smiles with pride, "Thank you! And it's looking so cute in here!"

I see her gesture to the window and I turn to point at my vanity, "Look at what I did here too! I was just changing my sheets when you knocked."

Hestia quickly puts the plate down, "I'll help you finish!"

I smile and finish the cookie, wiping my hands on my pants as I take my place on the other side of the bed to complete the transformation. It was quite refreshing to see the dull room have a bit of life in it. 

"I want to get some matching curtains, it looks a bit weird with just the blinds there." I say, nodding at the window as I grab another cookie.

Hestia looks at it and nods, "I suppose I can see that, where did you want to go to get them?"

I shrug, "It's honestly too late for me to go anywhere else today so I was thinking I could buy something online."

Hestia nods thoughtfully, "Well, if I'm out and about and I come across some, I'll let you know."

I smile at her and take a seat on my bed, "I'd love that. Actually, let me put your number in my phone."

Hestia shakes her head, "Oh, Violet, I'd love to but since I work for Anthony, that also means I work for you. I'm not allowed to give out my phone number."

I click my tongue at her, "You introduced yourself to me as my new best friend, remember? Best friends should have each others phone numbers. Now hand it over, sister."

Hestia hesitates once more but puts her phone in my hand. I smile in satisfaction and quickly enter the digits, sending myself a quick text to save her number on my phone as well.

I hand her phone back to her, "Now, what should we do for the rest of the night? Do you know any good shows?"

Before she could speak, the elevator chimes through the condo, signaling that someone was home. Dread comes upon me as footsteps echoes against the walls. A womans fluttery laugh is heard and my happiness is gone. 

He brought her here.