If Cara had been startled before, now she was completely numb. Jessica and...Chris?! No. It didn't make sense.
She straightened her posture after realizing she'd been standing there with her mouth opened like a log of wood. "Jessica? Chris?" Then she found her courage slowly coming back. Jessica had grabbed the bed spread and covered her body by now. "Jessica? Did he make you do it? Oh my goodness. Why didn't you come to me?" Out of nowhere, tears bursted from Cara's eyes. She had treated Jessica like a younger sister she never had as the lady was four years younger than her. But she was respectful and so damn caring. "Chris? How could you! Did you rape her! You bastard--" the rest of her words never got completed as Cara rushed down towards Chris and began hitting him as hard as she could. "She is only a child, you idiot! Even if you're drunk--how could you!" "Hey, stop this!" Jessica pushed Cara back with all her might. "Are you out of your mind?" "Shut up, Jessica." Anger rested in Cara's eyes. "This is not alright. Get dressed. We're leaving." She knew she was drunk, but now, her eyes were sharper than ever and the sluggishness in her had completely vanished. This was too much of a big news for her to still be drunk. "Stop embarrassing yourself, Cara. I love Chris." Jessica bursted out. Cara did not hear her. Actually, she wished she had not understood her clearly. "Did you hit your head somewhere? Have you lost all your senses that you'll speak to me in this shitty manner?" Cara shot back, but Jessica held her ground. "What are you gonna do? You're gonna kill me? I love Chris, and he loves me back. So what's the big deal with you?" Immediately Jessica spoke up, Cara landed her a big slap, and its impact sent the lady's face turning to the floor. Her jaw clenched as she felt her cheeks burning. "Have you lost your mind, Jessica? What nonsense is this??" Cara snapped. "Okay, stop this--" Chris was saying when he got lucky as his face felt the brush of Cara's palm across his face. If he had not pushed his head back a bit, he too would be feeling the burning face that Jessica felt. He gripped her hand tight as she launched another slap. "Hey, stop this!" "Fuck you, Chris? What the hell is this??" Cara roared out. "How dare you both take me for granted like this!" Jessica scoffed. "You're the one taking yourself for granted." "Excuse you?" Cara revealed the rage in her eyes freely. "It seems you've worn out the thunderous slap just now. Do you need another one?" It still vexed her so much that someone like Jessica would have the nerve to sleep with her husband! And still have the nerves to speak back at her like that. "Why do you act so angry now when this is what you've always wanted?" Jessica ignored her deadly gaze and went on. "You don't love Chris. Every moment we spend together, you use the time to complain about just how immature he acts. How he can never love you the way you want." "You will shut your bloody mouth up right now, Jessica, or else I swear I will--" "You'll what, Cara?" Chris shut back at her, startling her a while. "She's not really telling lies, you know? No matter what I do, I'll just never be enough for you. You complain over every little thing." Cara was highly frustrated that her voice shot high up as she tried to defend herself. She was shouting at the top of her voice now, painful memories seeping through her mind of when she risked it all for Chris. Moments when she gave up on everything she cherished just to be his wife. "I gave it all up for you, you moron! I loved you more than my own fucking happiness that I left my life in the past. My career! Just so you can be happy. Just so you can love me the way I love you." She raged out. "But you took it out on me for so long, Cara. You make me feel bad about myself all the fucking time!" Chris shot back at her. "Chris, you are never around. You head out and come back late at night. And after two days, bam! You're out for a mysterious business trip and won't be back until two weeks later. You're never around, even when we're together. You're always texting and smiling to yourself. I have become boring to you--" "Technically, you've been having all these curves that aren't attractive anymore. Looking older than your age, whereas I'm young and sexy. I mean, you've seen me naked and you even compliment my nice and slender body." Jessica said proudly. Everything was starting to become unbearably painful for Cara now. "So it took you just two years to cheat on me? That's it, you're doing this because I'm no longer as slender as I used to be two years ago??" She was twenty six, same age as Chris was, and he always made this joke that he would be more happy being with someone younger than he was. Had he really been serious? Jessica smirked, feeling fully elated now as Cara was sulking in pain. Chris heaved in a frustrated sigh. "Look, I know you're drunk. I mean, we all are. Let me get dressed up and take you home. To, you know? Cool off some steam." Chris quickly picked up his scattered cloth and began to get dressed. "And me? Who's taking me home, Chris?" Jessica pouted. Cara shot her an irritated look. "Okay, stop this madness at once! I deserve an apology for this shameless act of yours! Are you insane?" "Calm down, honey--I mean, Cara." Chris stuttered. He had been avoiding this mess but never in his wildest dreams imagined that that moment would be when he would have to deal with his... situation. "Let's just calm down. Come on, I'll drop you home now." "You see, I don't think there's any other way to calm things down." Jessica said slowly, making every word sound suspicious like it was supposed to be some poetic quote. Everyone was staring at her now. "You keep saying things will be calm. That we can sort things out." Jessica went on. "But there's no other way. Because I'm pregnant!" "What!" Chris spat out. "That's enough. I think you're drunk as well. Damn it, who said dating two women would be easy." He muttered to himself and kept on getting dressed. But Cara stared carefully and waited. She knew Jessica could be telling the truth. "Cara can see through me and she must know I'm not lying. You know what your wife has been working on for the past two years now without any success? I did that so easily in just a few months." Jessica said. She stood upright, shoulders straight and chin up. "I am pregnant, Chris. You're going to be a father soon."Mr Marcus Armani was quiet, he had not heard her words loudly and didn’t make any comment because he believed that she must have been talking to herself. He took a sip from his drink and placed it back on his table. She cleared her throat and looked up to him. She was met by Mr Armani’s gentle gaze. She felt hesitant to speak but she just had to ask the question on his mind. “Uhm… Mr Armani, I’m sorry to disturb you with such annoying problem but I have a question to ask you. I need an advice.”Mr Armani was focused. “It’s no issue at all. What would you like my advice on?”She sat up with her back straightened and cleared her throat once more. “I have this… friend and this friend of mine is having issues with her relationship. She recently got engaged to her boyfriend and they are really in love with each other. But recently, they had a fight about an issue that was born because of her fiancé’s mother. “Thier wedding is coming up and it has been a very hectic week for her. Hectic i
The morning air was cool on her face, her nausea had surprisingly disappeared without a trace. Maybe if she had stepped out earlier, she would have felt better. The feel of the breeze playing with her hair and spreading kisses all over her face was more than relaxing. But Cara still felt nervous because she did not know what to expect from the outing she was going. What the outcome would be would only be known to the time travelers. As for her, she would just have to attend it to find out. She had arrived at the golf course faster than she had anticipated. Well, there was no going back now. Whatever would happen would happen. Several others dressed for the environment were around, enjoying simple games with friends and families. Some even plain strangers challenging each other's skills. She did not spot Mr Armani anywhere though. She looked all around the room. So she had to walk up to an attendant-- a young blonde female helping refill balls-- and she spoke as nicely and softly
Cara spent the next few days in the comfort of her home, not bothering to go to work or even go for her pregnancy check up. Her doctor had reached out to her due to her absence and Cara simply said she would visit when she could. She stared at her phone all day, wondering when Romeo would finally call to check up on her. But nothing came through. Not even by accident.Were they really over? She wondered. He asked for a break not that they should cancel their wedding right? Speaking of their wedding, she did not even know if it was already canceled. She could not know anyway, Romeo's parent had taken full charge of planning the entire event and simply told Cara and Romeo to relax. All they had to do was to be there on that day. That day having being a few days away, anxiety was a small word to describe what Cara was feeling. She did not know whether to reach out to him first and ask if they were still getting married. How stupid would that sound though? Or nonchalant and not even
Those were the exact same words she had said to him just now, to take a break, so why was she so heartbroken? Why did she feel a sudden chill snake up her back? Why did she crumble to the ground? Why was it hurting her so much? Tears trailed down her eyes freely, her heart beat like it was about to explode, it was not built for such pain. The way it made her feel, watching him walk out on her and slam the door without looking back, she was at the edge of losing her mind. Her heart was soon to explode. "Come back..." She mitered softly, hoping he had not left. Hoping he was still by the door outside, hoping he was only waiting for a second before walking back in and engulfing her in his arms. "Come back to me..." She muttered softly. She strength to even speak any louder than that had evaded her. No matter how hard she tried to reach for it, it kept slipping out of her grasp. So she remained on her knees, tears washing down her face like heavy rain, heart as burdened as ever, soul
Romeo took Cara home later in the evening, she had been silent all through the ride and it was to his notice. As they arrived in the living room, he was supposed to turn back and leave, after all, Giovanni was still waiting for him. They had some catching up to do. But instead, he sat her down and sat next to her. "Is everything alright? You did not say a single thing all through the ride back home." Cara had been lost in her own thoughts but she was thankful that he had noticed it. She sat up properly and asked him, "did you hear what your mom proposed to me today?" Her voice was soft. "The merger?" Romeo's brow arched as he asked her and she nodded her head in response. He continued. "Yes I did, what about it? I wasn't really paying attention to her." Cara let out a soft sigh. "Well you know enough to know what her proposal was. Why do I have to merge my company with yours?" "It's not that you have to, it's just something that seems like the right and normal thing to do." Rome
Cara despised pettiness, so she despised herself for what she did next. "Remember, Jessica, that bug could still be around here." She hinted at Jessica's ugly secret. Jessica knew what she was saying and fell quiet. She clenched her fist in anger. Cara continued. "If it pleases you that I leave the room, I will, just know that whatever Romeo decides is of his own choice and not mine." Jessica still did not say anything. Tori shook her head, "that's absolute nonsense." She touched Cara's hand softly. "You are the new woman in the home of the Armani, every decision taken shall be in front of you. We are one. You can counter his words if you wish, or you can comply. Whatever you do will be accepted because you are a part of us now." Cara responded with a soft smile. "Now," Romeo started off in a tone that rose with authority, "back to your case. My decision still stands, same as it was before. The Knowles family has been with us for a while now, sure, but ever since power was switc
As Jessica noticed that they were all walking towards her, she rose to her feet and tried to act as composed as ever. "So...?"Cara wanted to roll her eyes, knowing well that Jessica was acting like she was not worried of the situation. Romeo could discard her right away if he wanted to, Jessica ought to be smart enough to know that. But she said nothing about it and continued. "It has been decided. Both of you, you are going to pretend like you don't know each other. We are just going to tell Mr and Mrs Armani that you have a very low tolerance rate for bugs and you saw one under the table. That was why you ran out." "And if they ask about the bug or want to call the manager to take care of it?" Jessica questioned. "Then we will just tell them it has been taken care of. No story." Cara responded. Jessica was silent for a while before speaking. "Why are you helping me this much? It makes my skin crawl." "Because no matter how much of a b*tch you are to me, I am not a petty woman
Romeo discarded the restaurant's manager respectfully, after they made sure no one else was going to overhear their conversation, they continued to address the issue on ground. Romeo pulled Giovanni aside, "how could you do that, Giovanni?" Giovanni arched a brow. "How was I supposed to know she was married and involved with your company? With a kid! I had a one night stand Romeo, not everyone is as committed as you are. Even in your bachelor years, you did not hook up with any woman. You're perfect but I'm not." Romeo gave a roll of his eyes. "This is not about me being perfect, besides I'm not. I didn't do any of that because I chose not to. And I spent my nights at the company while others spent theirs at a club."Giovanni scoffed. "Oh please, that's just an excuse. What about college years? Even the time you spent with me in Japan, you are too good for your own health." "My college years were pretty wild, Giovanni, believe it or not. Not in the hooking aspect because I was com
The Armani family-- Cara included-- along with their guest stared at Jessica as she dashed out of the room, ignoring Tori's call to her. They could only wonder what could have resulted to such impromptu action. All except Giovanni of course. The look on his face was neither surprise nor pleasure. He was just simply staring. Cara involuntarily rose to her feet and chased after her former best friend. She had not even expected herself to do something like that but she was already standing outside the room before she realized it. "Jessica!" She called out to the runaway princess. Jessica stopped and turned around, surprised to see Cara outside as well. She waited until Cara had walked up to her before she began to spit out without a second thought. "What are you doing here? Did you come here to make fun of me? Did you come here to let me know how much of a failure I am?! Huh?!" "Calm down." Cara said softly. "You need to breathe or else you'll pass out at this state." Jessica stil