Chapter 4

NICOLETTE'S POV

I could not believe my eyes that he actually thought this was all that meant anything to me, money. I saw the transfer he made into my account which he termed shopping and I angrily threw my phone on the bed standing there by my bed stark naked. Clearly he either did not know what was happening exactly or he was trying to play me for the stupid one but I would not have it that way. I dressed up and eventually went down to eat when my phone started ringing. It was Zibelle.

"Zibs..." I said sadly

"Girl don't tell me you're still worked up over that, you are his wife and I really doubt he would let her back to his home. You are the real deal and you know that." she said over the phone.

I realized now that tears were already beginning to drop from my eyes because I sincerely was beginning to wish that what she had said to me would be true and that all this was a phase that would eventually pass but I knew for sure that should Laurel come back and decide on it then my marriage would be over. Maybe I was being greedy after all. I was the one who signed up for a loveless marriage but I would rather that this was too early a time for my marriage to start shaking or getting crumpled down. I sniffled and then used my hand to clean my tears.

"I want to believe you Zibs. Sincerely I really want to." I said to her

"Then believe me. You know what, let's hang out tonight at Barry's. We'll drown all this negativity with the fruit of the vine." she said to me.

I gave it a thought and yes, it was not shopping but it certainly would befit my purpose at the moment. I needed the timeout to go gather up my thoughts. I spent a lot of time getting ready to go out and towards the evening when it would be time, I started putting on my makeup. Nothing much, just a highlight here and there then tied my head up in a ponytail to make certain the look was absolute. That should certainly do that trick. 

Finally it was time and I grabbed my keys and wallet as I started out. I was just approaching the door and ready to pull it open when someone did from the outside causing me to step away from harm's way. It was Xander and he stood out there looking at me. The way his eyes swept through my body from head to toe had a lot to say for me. It was clear that he was taking in what he was seeing but whether or not he was impressed or disgusted I could never tell. Xander barely talks to me on such petty matters. But then slowly his hand came up like he wanted to reach for me and I tensed immediately freezing up.

You could easily see my collar bones on full display but he stopped himself halfway and instead brushed his hands through his hair in a boyish way.

"You're going out?" he asked me

"Yes." I said.

Then the awkward silence. I had a strong feeling that he wanted to say something to me but somehow he could not fit in the right words on his lips. I waited because I wanted him to say something to me, anything at all even if it should be an explanation or confirmation. But when he eventually spoke to me, it was neither of the things I had been expecting.

"With Zibelle?" he asked me

"Yes." I said.

Seriously I was not enjoying this at all and was barely keeping myself from crying. He was holding back on something and I feared that worst.

"Cool." he said and stepped aside like the gentleman he was so I could pass.

We had to pass the most awkward couple challenge if such a thing should exist because we both knew we admired each other greatly but would rather keep on lying to ourselves. I knew well enough what things I wanted to hear precisely which was actually impossible.

Zibs was already waiting for me by the bar in a friendly chat with Barry, our favorite barman. She smiled at me the minute she saw me and got up from the stool to hug me tightly. She could tell from my looks that I was not only broken but shattered entirely. 

"My marriage will be over soon Zibs, I can feel it in my bones." I said to her.

"Don't say that. Hey Barry we'll be over there in our favorite booth. Could you bring us good drinks?" she asked smiling and batting her eyelashes

"You got it girl." Barry responded as he clicked his tongue.

Leading me by hand, Zibs took me to our favorite booth back in the day. We would sit there away from all eyes as this was a dark corner where the lights were just too dim and we would watch everyone performing. It was fun. Zibs was about speaking when she saw Barry approaching with our drinks.

"We are only two Barry." Zibs said, noticing an extra.

"This one here is in the house for Nicolette. Been a while she came to say hello to us small people y'know." he said beaming.

I forced a smile on my face as I showed my appreciation to him for his kind gesture. And then he left, reminding us he was a call away from us. 

Staying with Zibs and talking to her about my troubles eased me out a little as she asked why I was panicking when I mentioned my fears to her.

"Did he say anything about her to you?" Zibs asked me.

"No but he seemed to have wanted to." I said

"But he didn't because she doesn't matter." Zibelle mentioned and I thought of believing that yet at the back of my mind, I knew she mattered a great deal to my husband. She is his mate after all.

"She is his mate Zibs and I am nobody. I'm a runt." I said to her.

"Who says you are? Girl, grow up and see that your marriage is fine. Do not over assume and ruin everything." she said.

Those last words from her rang through my ears as I recalled her voice when she said them. I realized how right she was and decided to let my fears away. After our drink, I had to go home feeling a lot lighthearted.

I had just gotten home when I noticed the awkwardness of the house was screaming. The maids and servants were glancing at me weirdly. Some whispered to each other but I held my head high as I walked into the house towards my room. I heard my husband from the study which was on the way to my room. He was on the phone and the door to his study was rather wide open. I stopped right in front.

"Laurel, you are stressing me out. When would you be getting here?" I overheard Xander on the phone and he sounded worried.

How wrong Zibs was to say my marriage was fine when my husband was getting worked up because of another woman. I turned away when he noticed me and looked up. I made to hurry away 

"Wait Nicolette please." I heard him say behind me.