CHAPTER 11-FRI(END)S

CHAPTER 11

Shockingly, Ashton was still in the house when it was morning. I found him at the dining table, picking at the food on his plate. It almost reminded me of the past, of what we had and how we would have breakfast together, and Ashton would stick to his sweet coffee that I still did not have a liking to.

He looked natural except for his bouncing leg and nervous look. There was no need for him to be nervous or uncomfortable; after all, it was his house, too. I walked past him and straight to the kitchen because I had to leave Florence with a few instructions. His eyes followed my every movement, and I could feel them on me at the back of my head, like an irritating itch.

"What?" I turned to him after telling Florence to move my things into the guest room.

"You don't have to change rooms because of me," He said, but I shook my head.

"Of course, I have to. You and I can't share a bedroom," I said instead and adjusted the sling of my purse over my shoulder. After grabbing my keys as well, I walked out of the house and got into my car, but not before taking in multiple breaths to cool my anger.

I loved the man I had left sitting at that dining table, no matter what I told myself or convinced myself, I still loved him. Even deep through the regret, hurt, and anger, the love I felt for him felt like it could crush all the other emotions and make them meaningless. That was the last thing I needed to happen.

He sat at that table. He looked remorseful and full of regret. I wanted nothing more than to forgive him, embrace him, and tell him that I yearned and cried for him every single night. One thought kept me from doing that. If he had truly regretted it, he would not have only come to apologise after seeing me with his brother. He felt like he was losing me to Ridley, that was the only reason he was here, looking repentant.

I drove to the office with a heavy heart and turmoil in my mind. These last few months, it felt like my mind never got a break, and I was continuously stressing about something...mainly my husband. Just like the previous day, I received stares, judgemental, and questioning alike. Dare I say, it felt worse today, especially with no Ridley by my side. Ridley had told me last night to call him in the morning so that we would go to the office together, but in between my internal battle and countless thoughts, I had forgotten. I regretted forgetting.

The elevator ride was the worst because there were other people, and they made it clear that my presence would not stop their gossip. Just like yesterday, their judgemental and horrific opinions came out. They did not bother to hide the fact that they thought of me as a cheap gold digger who was trying to destroy a family. How could I destroy a family that did not exist to begin with?

I almost bolted to my office when the elevator came to a stop on my floor. I only took a deep breath after sitting in my chair and looking out at the bustling city through the view of the large window. Lisa entered almost a minute or two later.

"Good morning, ma'am." She greeted. I looked over at her and spared a smile. Her poise was straight and professional, including her voice.

"Good morning, Lisa." I greeted back and sat straight. "What's on my schedule today?" I asked, and she started clicking away at the tablet in her hands.

"You have that meeting with the head of the staff at 8 as you requested, and..." She dragged on the word as she scrolled on the tablet with her fingers. "...you have a meeting with Mr Ridley Stetson immediately afterwards." She emphasized his name.

She kept reading through the schedule until she reached the part of divorce papers. "Lisa! Wait, what divorce papers?"

"The divorce papers that you requested be prepared. John and Stake firm said they'd be able to have them delivered today in the afternoon." She explained.

Needless to say, the talk of divorce left a bitter taste in my mouth. I had not expected the papers to be ready in only a few hours, especially after I had told the lawyers that I did not wish to settle. I only nodded and kept silent as she read the rest of my schedule and later left my office to get me a cup of coffee.

I was an hour and a half engrossed in my work when the door of my office opened and Ridly strutted in, looking displeased.

"Janelle, why are you here?" He asked.

"Um...I work here?"

"You know what I mean." He threw his hands in the air as if exasperated. "For heaven's sake, I told you last night to call me when coming to work."

"Oh, that." I lied and avoided his glare. "I simply forgot." Now that was not a lie, I did forget. "Besides, if I waited for you, I'd be coming into work at his hour."

Ridley groaned and ran a hand through his already messy hair. It was either because I could see the resemblance between him and Ashton or I was just that thirsty because my eyes drifted to his arms that were covered by the light blue dress shirt but still bulged enough to be acknowledged.

"Do you know how many reporters are outside? What if the media surrounded you? The people in this fucking building are fucking snakes, they wouldn’t have helped you." He looked so pissed off that it warmed my heart. Was he worried about me?

"There were no reporters when I arrived," I Ridley, cool down, or you can get out of my office. I see no reason why you are so worried about me. I am not your responsibility." I told him.

"What do you mean by that? Of course, I would be worried; you are my one chance to teach Ashton a lesson." He said. Every feeling of warmness in my heart drained to nothing.

"Yeah," I said in a low voice and rolled my voice. "I'll be sure to remember to be safe so that you can succeed in all your plans to ruin your brother."

He realised what he had said and how it had made me feel because he looked back at me with an apologetic look, and I scoffed. At the end of the day, he was a Stetson, and I could not put my full trust in him. This was more like a business deal in which both of us would benefit. Seeking even the smallest form of human emotion or friendship was pointless.

"Janelle, you kn-"

"It's okay, Ridley, I totally understand, and you don't have to explain anything to me." I cut him off. "The divorce papers are coming in today, I'll sign them and have them sent over to Ashton."

"Janelle-"

"I have to get back to work now. We can talk at lunch."

He paused as though ready to argue before sighing and leaving the room. I leaned back into the seat and closed my eyes for a minute. This loneliness was getting tiring. I had no one in my life, no one to lean on or to cry to. Even after my husband had decided to leave me for another woman, I had no one I could complain to and seek advice. Was I cursed with loneliness because it sure felt like it?

Since my parents' death, I never had anyone that stuck around. I thought Ashton would stick around, but he didn't even try to leave me in private; he made certain the entire world knew that he did not want me anymore. After the ice skating rink, a part of me had hoped to find a friend in Ridley but reality was harsh and cruel.

I opened my eyes and started working once more. After a lot of emails, reports and documents, Lisa entered my office and smiled.

"Ma'am, I have a journalist that would like to have an interview with you."

"Which media outlet?" I asked absentmindedly. This was expected, all of them wanted a piece of gossip to keep their articles and tabloids alive, and right now, Ridley Stetson and his sister-in-law, me, would surely do that.

"It's an independent journalist," She replied.

"Run it up with Ridley, he'll deal with any journalists and the media," I responded and she nodded before handing me an envelope. "The divorce papers have been delivered."

I looked at them for a second too long before taking them and placing them on top of my files. "Has lunch passed?" I asked her and she shook her head.

"Well, there's still 15 more minutes before it's over."

"What? Why are you still here? Go on and have your lunch." I told her and she nodded before leaving.

I sat there for a few more minutes and did nothing, and when my door opened once again, I expected it to be Lisa, but it was Ridley with a paper bag in his hand.

"I brought food. You can't remain upset at he who brings food." He said with a playful smile and I ended up smiling back at his infectious smile. "Oh, you cracked. I thought you'd chase me out again."

He placed the paper bag on the table and started unloading bowls of food.

"You have food. I can always chase you on another day."

He smiled at me and I smiled back. One thing I was sure of was that even if Ridley considered me only as a stepping stone to get to his brother, I was grateful for what he gave me right then, the feeling of belonging and friendship.