CHEATING

AUTHOR'S POV

"That book makes calls me single in ten different languages," Avery sighed and threw popcorn into her mouth.

Sydney lowered the book to look at Avery. She looked at her incredulously, " Since when did you become single?"

"Some days ago." She replied dryly.

Sydney's eyes widened; she dropped the book and sat up. "Did Aaron break up with you? You both have been together for nine years. But, I thought he proposed a month ago."

Avery rolled her eyes carefreely. "He didn't break up with me. I mean look at me."

Sydney's expression morphed into confusion, " You broke up with him?"

"Yes."

Sydney gaped at her, not believing her words. "Why? Wait, is it April already?”

"I'm not joking Syd. Aaron bores me, I mean, I could be having s*x with him and sleep off. Besides, I need a man who can take care of me-"

Sydney cut in sharply, still in awe, "Aaron tries, he pays your rent and gas bill. He loves you, Avery."

Avery resisted the urge to tell her her mind. How would she know how it feels when her husband is opulent? Avery dispensed her anger and spoke, " That isn't enough Sydney. I've found someone better."

Sydney's jaw fell, and she shook her head, "You are unbelievable."

Avery grinned. "I know."

Sydney sighed and leaned on the couch, "So what's he like."

"He is rich, affluent, sexy, everything in a good man." and definitely not single. Sydney still looked confounded. Avery had been so in love with Aaron, she wondered what changed.

The telephone rang causing Sydney's heart to leap. Her face fell and she turned pale. She detested the way Gavin made her feel. She was tired of the constant heartache she felt when she heard anything about him. She had cried enough and was tired.

"Are you going to answer that or should I?" Avery asked with feigned concern. Sydney waved her off and got up.

Her throat felt like the desert when she picked up the phone. Theresa's voice came with a cursory whisper, " Hey Sydney, it's Theresa."

Sydney's heart sighed. She had left Ethan and Emily at Theresa's the previous night for a sleepover. Theresa wasn't around to her happiness- she was on a date with her husband, Hank at the Grand Hotel.

"Oh, Theresa, Hi."

Theresa could sense Sydney's confusion and explained. " I didn't have your number, so I asked Emily for it."

"Oh, that's not a problem. Is Ethan and Emily okay?"

Theresa sounded less like the cheerful woman she is, Sydney wondered why. "Yes, they are playing in the garden with Authur and his friends. But, that's not the problem, Sydney."

"Then what's it, Theresa?" Was it because Sydney ignored her invitation to the country club?

"I was just a bit concerned when I overheard Emily telling Authur Gavin's in Paris." Theresa lay out in a tense tone.

"Yes, he's in Paris, what about that?"

Theresa's voice became less audible, Sydney had to press the telephone against her ear to hear her properly. "When I was on a date with Hank last night, I saw Gavin with this woman. I think they saw me watching them, so they left. I told Hank I wanted to use the restroom, and when I found them, they were hugging passionately."

Sydney gasped faintly and held the chair for support. She couldn't understand Theresa properly; maybe she mistook him for someone else.

"No, Gavin's in Paris... You must have seen wrongly."

Theresa replied quickly, more audible this time. "I know who I saw Sydney. He's your husband. I wish I saw the woman clearly. She looked familiar but I couldn't see her well."

"I'll call Gavin. He's still in Paris, I know." She dropped the telephone and walked into the living room. Avery saw her and stood up immediately. Sydney snatched her phone from the couch and called Gavin.

"Are you okay, Syd? What did Gavin say?" Avery asked as she noticed the scared look on Sydney's face.

"It was Theresa, she said she saw Gavin with a woman last night."

Avery's eyes widened. Her voice held fear, "Uh.. but I thought he was in Paris. Did Theresa say who the woman is?"

Sydney got hysterical when Gavin didn't answer the call. "She said she looked familiar but she couldn't see her face clearly.''

Avery sighed internally. Suddenly, her anger revved and she turned defensive. "How can Gavin lie to you?" Avery gasped in dismay. "Wait, is he having an affair? Why would he lie to you and your kids if he isn't up to something?"

Sydney bit her lips and shook her head. "No, maybe he had a good reason to lie."

Avery groaned loudly and held Sydney's shoulder a bit too hard. " When would you stop being so naive and see Gavin doesn't regard you?"

Sydney looked away making Avery to smirk a bit. She continued to coerce Sydney, " Part of you know he doesn't love you. What man doesn't put his wife first? He wanted a housewife, and when you proved to him you aren't one, he hurt you, blamed you for every little thing, and now he's cheating on you."

"He can't. Gavin, he loves-" She didn't believe her thoughts. "He love my children."

Avery's eyes widened humorously, "And what about you?"

Painful tears poured down Sydney's cheek. She didn't want to believe it. She couldn't imagine Gavin with another woman. Her heart wouldn't take it. Gavin still felt a bit of love for her, that should mean something!

But didn't he ask for a divorce? He wanted to leave her for another woman.

Sydney hugged Avery and cried. Avery patted her back, "You are being too forgiving. That's why he keeps on hurting you. Don't be a weakling like your mother. Go to his office and find out for yourself if he's truly in Paris or not."