MYSTERIOUS WOMAN

(SIX YEARS LATER)

EASTON’S POV

I checked my watch for the third time as I made my way to the airport’s entrance. I had cut my meeting short so I could get here in time to pick up Nicole, despite her suggesting she takes a cab. Thankfully, I made it just in time. As I awaited her, my eyes suddenly caught sight of a woman. She stood some distance away from me and had her gaze glued to her phone. Her long, silky, dark hair covered the side of her face, preventing me from seeing it fully.

Something about her seemed familiar, but I couldn’t wrap my head around it since I was yet to see her face. I attempted to break my stare, but it seemed as though my eyes had developed a will of their own and were refusing to comply with my mental commands. The woman swiftly turned around and walked away, but in that swift movement, I was able to catch a glimpse of her face.

I suddenly felt uneasy and curious about this woman, and my legs started moving on their own in an attempt to follow her, but before I could move any farther, someone rushed up to me. It took a few seconds to come back to my senses, and I glanced at the figure before me; it was Nicole.

“Easton! I’ve missed you so much! Did you wait long?” Nicole asked with a lot of enthusiasm in her voice.

“You were only gone two weeks.” I responded calmly even though I was just as excited to see her again. We began walking towards the exit, with Nicole clinging onto me like a koala.

“I know, but it felt like an eternity. I can’t stand being away from you even for a minute.” She replied, and I simply gave her a nod before opening the passenger door for her to get into the car. “Thank you.” She said it with a bright smile. I got in and drove off immediately.

During the ride, Nicole kept talking nonstop about her trip, and from time to time she would check in to see if I was paying attention, and I would give her a slight nod. Truth be told, I haven’t even heard one thing she’s said for the past five minutes. As much as I had tried to stop it, my mind kept wondering about the mysterious woman at the airport, and I found myself relating her to my ex-wife.

It’s been six years since Mirabella disappeared from my life. I’ve always wanted her gone. I’ve always wanted to end our marriage, but when it finally happened, I didn’t feel any different.

My marriage to Mirabella was strictly business. She might have been in love with me from the start, but I only ever agreed to it because our company was about to hit rock bottom due to bankruptcy, and that was the only way to save it.

I sternly believed that I was the biggest victim of this marriage, until I saw her tears that night. I couldn’t deny the fact - the bright and shiny girl was also hurt so badly. BY ME!

I didn’t get any information about her ever since, and the things she left behind were the divorce paper with her signature on it and a note of apology to my parents. She didn’t even take her wedding ring with her.

I thought I would finally get my freedom and happiness with her gone, but her image haunted me every night. I kept dreaming of her tears each night, and my parents never once stopped blaming me for the divorce.

Nicole had tried apologizing to them because she felt she was at fault, but they never accepted her. They made it very clear that she wasn’t welcomed, and that’s why we didn’t get married all these years.

“Easton, this isn’t the way to your parent’s house. I thought we are going to visit them??” Nicole’s voice pulled me out of my trance. I let out a deep sigh before turning to her.

“I think it’s best I take you home instead.” I replied, and her face fell. She took in her bottom lip for a moment before speaking again.

“Are you worried you might get into another argument with them?” Nicole asked, worry evident in her tone. I glanced at her shortly before returning my gaze to the road.

“It’s been six years; they should get acquainted with the fact that I’m with you now.” I replied, hoping it would set her mind at ease. Nicole has always comforted me and taken all the blame my parents had to throw at her. The least I could do was reassure her that things would work out soon.

When Nicole didn’t respond, I turned to her and saw that her expression had changed. I noticed the guilt on her face, and it made me remember Mirabella again. I wondered how she’s been all these years, where she’s been, and if she’s doing alright.

I wouldn’t deny that I had tried searching for her a couple of times, but all attempts to trace her failed. It was like she had vanished from the face of the earth. I wanted to see her again and ask her if she hated me so much that she had to completely disappear from my world.

“I just think today’s not a good time.” I added after a while, and Nicole bobbed her head in response.

“I didn’t get to finish telling you about my trip!” She suddenly stated, her enthusiasm had returned once more. “I met someone familiar on the plane, and you know her as well. Can you guess who?” Nicole asked, and the first person I thought of was... Mirabella? Could she have been the one Nicole met on the plane? Is she really the woman I saw at the airport?