2

Chapter 2

Leilani Moore

I dialed Derek's number for the ninth time, pacing in the living room. It was past 11pm, and he wasn't home yet.

Just like the other eight times that I had tried to reach him, his phone rang and disconnected without an answer.

Derek left early in the morning today for a meeting with a client despite today being Saturday. We were supposed to spend enough time together, and as much as I didn't like the idea of him leaving earlier, I didn't want to be selfish. It's his work we are talking about, and I didn't want to make him feel like I was putting my needs before his career.

It was almost midnight when I heard his car drive in, and I exhaled deeply in relief, standing up from the couch.

Barely three minutes after the sound of the car, Derek walked in.

He paused when he saw me in the living room, his expression changed into shock as he called out. "Honey... You are still awake?"

"Where have you been, Derek? Why didn't you take my calls?" I demanded, going over to hug him. I perceived an unfamiliar scent in him. It wasn't Derek's usual scent but a feminine one.

'Was he with another woman? Was Derek really cheating on me?'

"Oh, that?" He held my shoulders after he pulled away from me, his eyes gazing straight into mine with a smile on his face.

"I'm sorry, honey. The meeting rounded up late, and I hung out with friends afterwards. I tried calling to inform you, but you weren't reachable. I'm sorry for keeping you up this late," He apologised to me, cupping my cheeks in his palms and leaning forward to kiss my forehead.

"Derek..." I paused, swallowing a breath before I continued. "You smell strange. Were you with another woman?" I looked straight into his eyes, my heart pounding hard against my chest as I waited for his reply.

Derek laughed. More like a nervous laughter as he said. "Come on, honey. Why would I do that? I wasn't with a woman, honey. Are you doubting me?" He looked straight into my eyes confidently.

"No, I'm not. It's just..." I paused and shrugged.

"Hmm," I managed to nod my head, forcing a smile.

"Baby, are you still mad at me?" He wrapped his strong arms around my waist.

"No, I'm not. It's just..." I paused, and shrugged. No way Derek could be cheating on me. Although I wasn't so confident about this marriage because of how distant Derek could be some times which he usually blame on his work and I understood, and I never doubted him. But cheating on me never crossed my mind. I didn't believe he could do that.

"Do you have an idea how worried I've been?" I complained.

"I'm sorry, love. I promise, I won't stay out this late again, I promise," He assured me, stroking my long blonde hair, and I slowly nodded.

"Hmm. It's fine..." I paused, wrapping my arms around his neck as I asked. "So, have you eaten?"

"Yes, darling. I already did. I'm so exhausted, and all I want now is to shower and go to bed," He groaned.

"Do you want me to prepare your bath water?"

"You don't have to worry about that, babe. I will handle it. You should go to bed. You must be tired,"

Derek held my hand and led me to the room before going to the bathroom to shower.

Derek was barely entering the bathroom when his phone beeped, a text popping on the screen. I swear, I wouldn't have touched his phone if the text didn't look weird by just a glance at it.

I hesitantly reached for the phone, and saw the text from an unsaved number which read 'Did you arrive home safely? She didn't find out anything, right?'

I squinted my eyebrows, wondering who the person was, and what he or she was talking about. Everything was becoming suspicious even though I didn't want to suspect my husband.

My mind went back to the incident a few days ago at his office, and I asked myself 'what if I was trusting wrongly?'

Though Derek has never given me a reason to doubt him, but this wasn't right.

'What if he was just playing his game smartly and you could never suspect anything?' I quickly dismissed the thought, shaking my head in denial as I swallowed nothing, putting the phone away when I heard the shower stop.

Derek walked in shortly after. He had a white towel wrapped around his tiny waist, water dripping down his hot abs and broad chest. His black silky hair was soaked in water as well, dripping down his face.

"You are still awake, honey?" He asked, going over to his closet to grab his robe.

"Hmm... I was waiting for you," I managed to reply to him, and he mumbled an 'oh'.

"I'll join you shortly, baby," He winked at me before going ahead to dry his hair with a towel.

Many thoughts conflicted on my mind as I stared at Derek.

I'll definitely find out if he really was seeing another woman...