Chapter 6

BRIELLE’S P.O.V

I marched past Diana who was grinning not because of the delicious spread on the dining table, which smelt so good by the way, but because she was about to ruin my peace and life. I pulled Albert into the kitchen, but Diana still followed us into the kitchen.

“What the fuck is your problem Diana, go and eat your dinner or better still, vanish from the face of the earth,” I spat in annoyance. 

“I don’t see what you want to say to Albert that you cannot say while we eat. He hasn’t had anything to eat all day,” she said.

She touched Albert’s arm and that simple gesture made me flare up. “You should know better than to come between a married couple,” I was really beginning to enjoy playing this husband card. Even though my husband was an asshole. 

Albert yanked his hand away and told her to leave. An inconsequential victory, but still a victory.

“I didn't mean to upset you, I promise,” Albert turned to me as soon as Diana left.

“At this point your promises mean nothing to me. First you proposed to me, mainly because you did not want to marry Diana and now you impregnate her and bring her to our home? And you are standing here to tell me you did not mean to upset me,” I huffed. “What did you think was going to happen? That I would smile and congratulate you?”

“I don’t want to marry her. But I cannot abandon my child. I don't want my child to be raised by another man!”

“I am not asking you to abandon your child. But does Diana have to live with us?”

“She said she would abort my child if I do not allow her to stay with us. I had no choice!” His voice was low and he sounded sincere, but there was no way I would be living in the same house as Diana. It just would not work.

“If Diana stays, I will leave and never come back,” I said, folding my hands over my chest in defiance.

“Be reasonable Brielle.”

“You would not be reasonable if I got pregnant for my ex and moved him into our house!”

“Brielle, it is just temporary.”

“Either she leaves or I leave,” I maintained.

When he did not respond, I took that as my queue. I grabbed my purse from the counter and left. I made sure to avoid making eye contact with Diana, because I am sure she would be dying to flash her victorious smile at me.

Rachel opened the door at the third knock. “Girl, what are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be enjoying some billionaire penis or something?” she asked in her usual playful manner.

I brushed past her and slumped into her couch wordlessly. She shut the door and followed immediately behind me. “Ok, first, that was super rude. Secondly, what is wrong this time?”

Rachel’s house always smells of cinnamon and butter and today was no different. It certainly has something to do with the fact that she was a baker and always had baked goods at home. 

“Can I have a cupcake or muffins or whatever deliciousness you baked today?” I say making puppy eyes at her.

She rolled her eyes before disappearing into the adjoining kitchen. When she reappeared, she had a bottle of white wine and two glasses in one hand, and in the other hand was a platter carrying two blueberry muffins, my absolutely favorite type of muffin.

Rachel handed me a glass of wine and a muffin. She settled beside me with her own glass of wine and muffin. Muffins and alcohol was not the best combo, but I needed the alcohol to forget the shit Albert and his baby mama served me.

“You are amazing,” I muttered between mouthfuls.

“I know.”

“Can I live on your worn couch for the next five years?”

 “Uhh no, you cannot!” her eyes widened in surprise. “Did something happen between you and Albert?”

“Nothing happened between Albert and I. But something is definitely happening between Albert and Diana!” I took a swing of my drink.

“What? Do you think he is cheating? If he is then I would….”

“Diana is pregnant. With his child. And now he moved her into our home.”

“That scumbag!” she shrieked. “Y’all have not even been married up to a week and he is already displaying trashy behavior.”

I took another swig of my drink. So maybe I did not tell Rachel about the marriage contract between me and Albert. That was because I signed an NDA. It was best that the secret contract between Albert and myself remains a secret. Rachel would certainly kill me when she finds out about this, but it would be better than going to jail.

“What do you want to do now?” Rachel asked in a much calmer voice.

“Sleep on your couch for the rest of my shitty marriage?”

“I mean that works. You can pay me with your expensive diamond ring. I mean I could sell it and buy a house in New Orleans.”

We both laughed and drank more wine. Rachel put on a movie, but I fell asleep along the way. When I woke up in the morning Rachel was gone. But she left breakfast for me in the kitchen and a note with a smiley face on it.

I felt so uncomfortable going into the office today. I did not want to see Albert’s face or speak to him, and also I had borrowed Rachel’s dress, which fit my body too snugly, highlighting every curve in my body. 

I did not have the time to pack my clothes last night and the thought of pumping into Diana when I got back to get my clothes, infuriated me. So I settled for Rachel’s snug navy blue dress. Thankfully, it had a slit at the back and this made walking easier. 

When I got to my desk, there was a big bouquet of flowers, it took up a great deal of space. I took out a small note and it read. ‘I am sorry’.

The small smile on my lips turned to a curious frown when I found a brown envelope, tucked underneath the flower. I carefully pulled it out and took out the content.

My fingers trembled as I read the papers. 

How can he do this to me?