His sidepiece

     Emma's POV.

It was a night out with the girls. Specifically,we were four in number,and gladly,we were here to celebrate Kristy's engagement.

    “I cannot believe he actually proposed!” Kristy gushed as she pulled out her fingers,flaunting her diamond ring.

    I smiled,glad at the atmosphere.

     Kristy pushed back her blonde hair as she grinned even harder.

     “Girl,I am proud of you!” Faith supported with a hug. I watched as she wrapped her arms around Kristy who cringed. Everyone knew she was not the touchy type.

     Faith had gotten engaged two months ago,and we were only a week from her wedding-I was still yet to get a plus one for the wedding.

      “We have two single ladies left!” Faith giggled as she stood between Katy and I. 

  She wrapped her arms around us,I shrugged her off.

  Katy was already in a serious relationship,two baecations and all,but here I was,with a terrible dating reputation,and a haunting past.

     “Mark will propose anytime soon. I'm sure of that.” Katy spoke for herself.

   We all nodded. It was no news that Mark was head over heels in love with her,and we all knew her plan if he didn't propose soon.

    There was always an elderly wealthy man waiting for his turn at her doorstep.

     “Emma…” Faith called my name,and it took all my self control to avoid rolling my eyes. 

  I knew what her condescending tone meant,and I had little to no desire for pity.

       “I think I have someone serious,” I lied as I pushed the straw towards my lips. 

  Was it normal to take a mojito with a straw?

    “Who is he?” Kristy attacked.

   I actually rolled my eyes.

      “He's a person.”

Kristy's groan sounded like a suppressed roar.

      “Is he your hot boss?” Katy asked with a wink.

   Not again.

    “No.” I ground out,emphasizing that I had no intention of indulging them,but as always,I was ignored.

     “Your boss is so hot!” Kristy gushed,fanning herself.

   To think that was someone preparing to get married.

      “I would leave my fiance in a heartbeat for him.” Faith confessed.

I took a large gulp of my drink.

    “Why haven't you made a pass at him?” Katy asked.

     “Because he's married.”

   Wasn't that obvious?

     “Divorced.” Faith countered.

     “Separated,” I corrected.

  As much as I hated to admit,his wife had refused to sign the divorce papers. She wanted a larger settlement,and he would not budge.

     “Separated,and divorced are the same thing.” 

      “Are they?” I asked. “Do you want me to go after a married man?”

   All three exchanged glances.

      “Technically,he's not married.” Faith replied.

    “Are you for real?” I asked,dropping the cup in my hands. “He is still legally married. I can't chase him.”

    “You did it once…” Katy snuck in with a sly tone.

I rolled my eyes.

    “We can remember how all that went for me. Can't we?” 

None replied.

   They knew what had happened the last time I had given my feelings a chance. I had been disgraced,almost fired, disappointed,and dumped.

 If Alex could choose his wife over me the first time,he would definitely do it again. 

   “I mean….” Kristy started to speak,and I felt a rage boiling in my chest.

  Why wouldn't they let this topic end?

  Why was everyone so focused on Alex? 

   Why?

     “You mean what?” I barked at her.

   “Sheesh…take a chill pill,girl”

I heaved a deep breath. Kristy was right. I was losing my mind over a harmless discussion.

      “Well,I'm seeing someone else.” 

    “Who?” 

      “His name is Romeo.”

     “Sounds hot!” Faith spoke,again.

   “He is. He is dark skinned,low cut,quite tall,and he's a banker.”

     “Not bad. Do you have a picture?”

   I pulled out my phone,tapped on his picture,and tossed it their way.

  Faith took a look,smiled,and handed it over to the rest.

    “He's not bad. Not bad at all.”

  I grinned. Romeo was hot,and in a way,we were seeing each other. 

  Well,we had gone on one date,it was fun,and we were texting. Although it wasn't stable and all,it was something.

     He liked me,and I knew that with time,he'd grow on me.

     “Why are we just getting to know about Romeo?” Kristy asked.

     “I wanted it to stay for a while,before I made the announcement. You know,the whole act of not getting your hopes up for nothing.”

  I could see through their faces that they concurred. 

   I waved at the waiter for another glass.

     “I still prefer Alex though.” Faith somehow managed to bring him up again.

    “Too bad he's married,and there's nothing I can do about it.”

       “Who says nothing can be done about it?” Faith asked.

  I could see the dark mischief in her eyes. It was that same look that had started the affair three years ago.

      “Whatever you're thinking,my answer is already no.”

     “Emma…”she called me in a sweet,deceptive tone.

    “No.”

   “Emma?”

    “No.”

   “You could at least listen to what I have to say.”

     “No.” I shook my head.

   “I'll still say it, anyways…”

I groaned as loud as I could without drawing attention.

                           —

 Two hours later,and the cab came to a halt. I held my heels in one hand,and my bag in the other.

    “God…” 

  My head hurt so bad. I had gotten so caught up in our fucked up conversation that I had ordered more drinks.

     My legs wobbled as I searched my bag for some cash.

  I picked them up randomly and placed them in the palm of the already annoyed cab driver.

    “Goodnight!” I hailed as he drove away.

   Tomorrow’s hangover would be hell on Earth.

As I walked down the street,I pondered on the little scheme my friends had planned.

  Did I want Alex? 

   I didn't really know… 

  Sometimes he was a dickhead,but sometimes I remembered the days I thought we were in love.

I hissed as I walked up the stairs,and into my apartment. 

     Fantasizing over my boss wouldn't change anything. I needed to accept reality.

I pulled out the keys from my bag,but as I reached for the door,I realized one ugly truth.

My door was open,slightly ajar.

I wiped my eyes with my palm,hoping that I hadn't gotten so drunk,I was creating scenarios.

I held the door knob,pushed it,and I gasped as it opened even wider.

   I never forget to lock my door. Never 

I stood still as I heard footsteps from within.

I looked at the room number. Surely,it was mine.

     Who was in my house?