ISABELLA.I sat, silently, watching as they both walked in. Laura in a white suit, and John in black.“Mrs Blackwood,” he acknowledged, as he stretched forth his hands.I smiled gently, receiving his handshake.“I'm Laura Miles,” Laura introduced herself, stretching forth her hands.I clasped mine together, holding back my sneer. “I know who you are,”I watched as she retreated her arm.“Can we sit?” John asked.“Sure,” I replied, trying to hide the edge in my voice. I didn't want Laura on my chair, or anywhere near my office for that matter, but some level of pettiness was beneath me.They both sat, watching me intensely. I focused my eyes on Laura. If she had any tricks of her sleeves, they were bound to fail.“How may I help you?” I asked both of them, impatiently. None answered immediately. I turned to face John, “you do know my husband and I have decided not to get the divorce, right?” “I am quite aware of that,” he replied.“Good,”“We're here for a different purpose,” “What i
ISABELLA “Why do we have to talk about her?” I asked, after a long minute of silence. I could already feel the tears dripping down my eyes.Alex brushed them off with his thumb, “oh, baby, it's nothing to cry about,” he consoled.I sniffed, gently wiping my nose. Why did he still have to talk about her? Why couldn't she leave our marriage? Even after all I had done, he still wanted to talk about her. He was clearly thinking about her.She was everywhere. The bitch was plastered on my marriage. She had her permanent seat at the table.“Alex, I don't think we should talk about the woman that nearly destroyed us,” I said to him,It was best to get it in the air that I didn't want to be affiliated with her. I wanted her to be a forgotten part of my past.“Baby, we-”“No, Alex. We can talk about it some other time.” I refused, gently touching his arm. I looked him straight in the eye, “tonight is for us, okay?”He nodded, “whatever you want princess,”“Thank you,” I appreciated him, The
ISABELLA.My fingers were as good as nonexistent. I grunted in discomfort as I tugged them from within me. Maybe I just needed some sleep. If my brain was shut, I would forget all about this. Maybe tomorrow, I'd be too busy to remember. Moreover, I had a planned trip with my husband, and daughter.I grinned as I snuggled into the duvet. Sleep was all I needed.I shut my eyes, willing for the thoughts in my head to stop, but it didn't. Every time I closed my eyes, an image of Emma would just pop up. She was living rent-free in my head.I sighed, turning to the other side. I usually slept better on the right side of the bed. The thoughts only worsened. The sex tape played repeatedly in my head. I sighed, looking at the ceiling.Maybe laying upwards would help me sleep. I placed a palm on my chest, closing my eyes.My eyes could barely remain shut for five minutes. I immediately sprang off the bed.A little bit of workout should help.I started with some squats, then a few jumps.Panti
ISABELLA.“Wow!” He gasped,I giggled, too weakened to speak.“That was-”“-the best sex of my life,” I completed it for him.He nodded in agreement. I wished I could deny it, but that was an impossibility. What had happened between us was nothing short of mind blowing.We remained in silence, taking in the moment. He bent to kiss my forehead.“I have something to tell you,” he said,“What's that?” I asked, eagerly.“You wouldn't believe it, but the first time I met you, I almost couldn't resist the urge to kiss you,” he confessed.My eyes bulged in surprise. That wasn't the reaction I had expected. John was a good guy. I expected some guilt, and the part where I would have to convince him, and-“-well, I couldn't do that, because you're someone else's wife,” he continued, “and at that time, I was still with Emma. I didn't believe in cheating, or compromise, so I pushed everything back,”“Would you have said anything if I didn't make the first move?”His eyes bore into mine for a minu
ISABELLA.“Let me get something straight,” I started, pointing a finger at him, “you don't want me to help Emma?” I asked, in disbelief.“Why should you help her?” He asked,If this was a prank, he had to end it here. I blinked repeatedly, unable to understand what he was saying.“We're talking about Emma Martinez,” I explained,He chuckled, before speaking, “I know,”“No, you don't get it. I don't think you get what I'm saying. I'm saying I want to try helping her out of this case so she doesn't rot in jail,” I tried explaining. He had to be misunderstanding me.“I totally understand you. What I don't understand is why?”“Because she needs to be helped!” I exclaimed,“She has her attorney. Why would you want to help the girl that tried to ruin our marriage?”What the actual fuck? This couldn't be Alex. It had to be someone else. The Alex I knew would be on his knees worshiping me because I decided to help his mistress.“Who are you?” He chucked at my question, “sit, baby” I sat, wa
ISABELLA.I stepped down from my car, casually stepping into the building. As much as I wanted it to seem like I wasn't interested in any sort of attention, I knew I couldn't appear in public alone at this time. The two bouncers I allocated to myself walked before, and behind me. After the reservation I had made, Laura came up with the silly idea of us meeting at the station. It was easier to for us to discuss in the presence of Emma Martinez, plus our appearance in public would make it known that this was a plan. People had to think I had decided to make the move. I had, but not in the way I wanted them to think.I walked into the station, ignoring all the ogling, and cameras that were flashed my way. It was good to know I could pull this much attention.“Excuse me,” I called out to an officer. He turned, and on realizing my identity, beamed at me.“Mrs Blackwood,” he acknowledged me in a jovial tone. “Great to see you,”I forced out a polite smile, ignoring his familiar attitude. P
ISABELLA On seeing that we had reached a clear, and concise agreement, I rose from my seat. “I have no money,” Emma whispered,I turned to face her, “how's that any of my business?”“I need some money from you,”“The fuck you don't. What do you want my money for?”“I can't leave town without money. Where would I go? How would I survive?” she asked,How was that any of my problems?“You'll find a way around that. If you could find a way to fuck my husband in my face for three years straight, I'm sure you'll definitely come up with a way to survive. There are many husbands out there,” I replied, with a smirk.I watched as her face fell in shame. It took her two years, and barely two months of me showing her what I was capable of before she realized she needed to feel some shame.I sneered in disgust. “Make a budget of the town you're relocating to, and get your attorney to send the bill to me,” I said to her,I watched as her eyes lit up,She did not say a word after that, but I knew
EMMA.The gruesome horror I felt when Isabella's face came to light was unexplainable. I felt like my heart had been ripped out of my chest.I thought she was here to gloat or cause a scene. Knowing the kind of person Isabella tended to be during one of her moods, I knew better to underestimate how crazy she could be.Never did I think she would come here to give me an opportunity at redemption. In the past months that I had been in this cell, a whole lot had happened. More than I could even speak about.I wished I could cancel every memory from this place.I was still deep in thought when Laura, and John walked in.My breath hitched halfway, as soon as I sighted him. He was looking as good as ever. His hair was slicked back, and the white shirt he wore hugged his chest.Seeing him was like the first breath of fresh air. Of course I had seen him earlier, but I was too scared to speak up, and Isabella had interrupted soon enough.They both took two seats opposite me.“How are you feeli
EMMA.I stared into the empty space, watching the grass filled lawn. Kristy looked around, carefully taking in the arena.All the vibe , soft joy, and excitement had faded, and now it was time for business.I took a deep breath. The entire street was silent. I repeated that again. If anything were to happen, everyone in the neighborhood would know.Our voices would be loud.I shut my eyes, recalling how my mother used to slam pans as she shouted at us.The neighbors would come out, listening as she threatened to cut us off, and send us into the streets if we didn't behave.Why didn't Zara remember that?I clearly did. I recalled how a neighbor approached us, asking why we always defended our mother whenever the cops came to save us, and we would recite what she taught us, “she is our mother. We cannot survive without our mother.”Bullshit. Our mother had been ready to choose a man over us. Our mother threw tantrums because the man she wanted didn't want her in return.Our mother wa
EMMA.Kristy drove swiftly through the roads, with cool music playing in the background.We had driven off the part of town with numerous buildings, and we were currently passing through a number of line trees. I watched how beautiful nature could be.The silence and soft waves coming from the trees. It was beautiful to see.“How are you feeling?” Kristy asked, pulling my attention.I turned to face her, “I'm good. How about you?”“I'm alright.” She replied, with a deep heave.“Do you want to switch?” I asked,I knew I would eventually have to take the wheel for a while, but I didn't think it would be so soon.“No. It would just be helpful to have someone to talk to.”“Oh-” I sat up straight, “what's up?”“I'm just curious about your plans. I wasn't eavesdropping or anything, but Laura mentioned the possibility of you not returning. I thought this was just a short visit to see your sister. Are you really leaving us?”I took a deep breath, “I honestly don't know how it'll play out for
ISABELLA Slowly, my eyelids pushed open. I looked around, noticing that Alex and I had somehow ended up falling asleep on the balcony. We were laying on a spread chair, and I was on him.I wiped my eyes gently, clearing my view. How had we ended up here?I remembered us talking, and then I said a lot of things that had been needed. He said the things on his mind too. We eventually cuddled, and fell asleep.I remained in the same position. I could hear his heart beating gently.I loved the way we were. Just silence and peace. We hadn't even had sex in over a week but I felt this was the closest we had been.I heard him grunt, and shuffle, so I lifted my weight off him.He opened his eyes gently.“You're awake,” I said to him.As I watched his lashes move repeatedly, my heart swell with joy. Was this what it felt like to be in love?He grinned gently as he saw my face. “Good morning,” he greeted.He reached out, touching my face.“You look so pretty today,” I grinned at his complimen
ISABELLA.For the first time in years, I pulled out a blunt, and lighted it.Looking down through the windows, I watched as most people were gathered at a cubicle, partying, while the others stood nearby.They seemed happy, and…content. The exact opposite of what I felt.I took in a deep breath, before moving the cigarette to my mouth.A deep sip, and I pulled it out.How did I end up in such a life?I had imagined so many ways my life would turn out, but never did I think, despite all my hard work, that I would end up unsatisfied, sad, and tired.I had worked for this. I had worked for the money, for my home and for my husband. Now, I had lost almost everything.My daughter seemed like a distant relative who had no relationship whatsoever with my husband. Even I couldn't have a stable relationship with my husband. The memory of Emma still lingered in my marriage, and when it wasn't lingering, I was still bothered who he might be sharing his bed with.Emma wasn't entirely the problem,
ISABELLA “Who are you?” I asked, clenching my jaw.“It’s great you've finally decided to hold a conversation with me.”“That's not the answer to my question.”“My name is of no importance. You'll most likely never see me again.”“Good. Now, fuck off.”He chuckled. “You've always been a fiesty woman, Isa.”“Fuck. Off.” I spat even harder.The knowledge of Alex purposely leaving me out here was beyond heart breaking.“I have a lot more things to say to you.”“I have no intention of hearing it.”“My first question is, why him?”“Why what?” I asked, annoyed that he ignored my replies.“Why Alex? What's so special about him? He publicly disgraced you with a cheating scandal, he's currently ignoring you at your marital vacation? So, why him? What's so good about him?”“None of your fucking business.”“No, Isa. Don't be stubborn.”Who the hell did he think he was? “Leave.” I quickly said to him,“I believe that, by now, we would have accepted the fact that I'm not leaving anytime soon. You
EMMA.“So, now that Liam has given you the much needed permission to do whatever you want to do, what's the next plan?” She asked, breaking the silence.“I'll communicate with Kristy, and see if she'll be available to go with me in two days time.”“That's a solid plan. Is there anything else you need?” She asked,I could tell she was implying something from her tone, but I couldn't tell what it was.“Not really. Is there anything I should need?”“I think so,” she replied,“And that is?”“Give me a minute. I'd rather show you.”I sat quietly as she walked up stairs. She arrived a few minutes later with a pink gift bag in hand.There was a wide grin spread on her face.“What's that?” I asked, still in doubt.With all Laura had done for me, if she offered me another gift, I might just break down in tears.“I got a little something for you,” she said, still holding the bag.I felt the tears building up in my eyes.“I knew you would need it, and I didn't want you to be bothered. Here, take
EMMA.His words left me dumbstruck. My lips parted, but the words croaked in. I clamped my lips shut, pushing down the thousands of thoughts in my head.I thought he had forgotten me. I wished he had forgotten me!Why did he remember me?“You remember me?” I managed to croak out,His grin grew sly, and sheepish.“Now, onto business,” he said, ignoring my question. I blinked repeatedly, trying to recall if that had actually happened or if I was hallucinating. I had read somewhere that people often hallucinated once they had survived a traumatic experience, and it was safe to say my experience was traumatic. Was I losing my mind?I closed my eyes, then opened it. He was still sitting right before me, so that conversation had to have happened.I wasn't hallucinating. I couldn't be hallucinating “Oh my God,” I muttered out, understanding the implication of things.If I wasn't hallucinating, then he did remember me, and if he remembered me…“Are you alright?” His voice came in a thick,
EMMA.Laura arrived at four minutes after seven pm. I had just rounded up my third movie of the day. I had watched one, and was halfway through the second when the girls finally came. We talked for hours, and they finally left.I Ioved their presence, but them risking their spouses for me wasn't worth it. I wasn't comfortable knowing they were endangering their marriage.“I'm home,” Laura announced, as she walked in.“Welcome,” I replied, turning to face her.“Thank you,” she replied, pulling off her red bottoms. I watched as they both ended up on different sides of the room.If there was one thing I had grown to notice about Laura, it was how disorganized she was. No one was perfect-that I knew-but I had somehow concluded that she was. Aside that, she seemed to have her life I order. Moreover, it explained how she kept up with her social, and work life. Arranging her personal life wasn't needed at the top of the chart to me. She was on track.I watched as she dropped her handbag rec
EMMA.About eight weeks had gone by since I left that dungeon, and I still had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. It felt like the weeks I spent there had quadrupled, and taken even more months or years because it felt like the system had cut me out. Everything was the same, but different. I couldn't explain it. Everything looked the same, but felt different. I no longer felt like a young woman in her prime. I felt like an ex convict, and although I knew I was not actually convicted, it didn't make me feel any better. I had spent months in there fighting for my life. My brain, and thinking patterns had been altered.I took a deep breath, staring at the blank television. I was still too lazy to approach the sockets, and maybe it was better this way. I hated the noise that came from the TV, knowing fully well that I wouldn't be able to focus even when it was turned on. I was already too bothered about stuff.I was still deep in thought when I heard the doorbell ring.I gently wal