CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER TWO

Vanessa lays on the single bed of Emma's one room apartment scrolling through the news and rumors from various blogs . She felt sad that she seems to know less than what the blogs know about the breaking of her own marriage.

Her  voice trembled with a cocktail of anger and sadness. "Emma, how could he do this to me? I thought we were solid. I thought our love was unbreakable."

Vanessa had always believed that Alex was the one person she could count on, the foundation on which her dreams were built. Yet, as she sat helplessly amidst the ruins of their shattered relationship, she could feel herself spiraling into a dark abyss.

Emma reached out to grasp v's hand, her eyes filled with empathy,  “Vanessa, I can't imagine the pain you're going through right now. But remember, rumors are just that – rumors. They often exaggerate and twist the truth. Try not to let them consume you."

" You know the saddest thing is I still believe he will come back " she confessed with teary eyes " I still jump whenever my phone rings hoping it was him."

" Do what you have to do to recover v and stay away from all those blogs and any news about him altogether " she advises, enveloping her friend into a hug.

" That friend of yours Jeff was it ?He came by my office asking for you , of course I told him I don't know your whereabouts. I just thought you should know" Emma said, hugging her tighter.

She wanted nothing to do with anything that concerns Alex but she feels like Jeff might know something she didn't so she said " I will give him a call later"

" Okay just don't call to talk about Alex v he is not worth it." Emma pleaded , causing her to roll her eyes.

Emma has been her roommate and ultimately her best friend right from day one in college and currently the friend she was living with till she finds a permanent solution to her predicament and Jeff might be her only way if she doesn't want anything from Alex.

**********************************

It felt weird sitting in a bar while pregnant even though it was not obvious that she was, not to mention all the people giving her side eyes probably recognizing her as Alexander Marshall's ex wife. But Vanessa couldn't care less she was determined to meet Jeff and she chose to meet him there because it was the only place she could think of that doesn't remind her of him.

A blonde woman of about the same age as she was wearing a coral tight dress with a sweetheart neckline walked up to her with a wide grin, her Rosy lips shining as she flashed a smile before sitting next to her.

“Mrs. Marshall” she said extending her hands for a handshake “its Emily”

Vanessa understood her tactics she was fishing for information that would confirm her divorce since it was all just gossip and rumors and that is why she called her ‘Mrs Marshall’

“Hi! Vanessa Said reciprocating her smile, “Do I know you?” 

“Emily Taylor , we met a year ago at Monte Carlo” she said with fake enthusiasm.

Vanessa was in Monte Carlo with Alex quite alright. It was all over the news and  gossip blogs last year mostly because she got sick there and people assumed she was pregnant but she can't remember meeting anyone there  except for Jeff and most of his visits were work related and he always came alone.

However the mention of Monte Carlo brought back memories of Alex she would rather forget  in her mind he had spent the whole month there doting her every move when she came dawn with the flu.

He had come into their hotel suite one night to retrieve some documents for Jeff and she wasn't in bed. He had frantically looked everywhere until he found her on the balcony wearing a black and white lingerie. She looked so beautiful and sexy under the moonlit balcony, her hair let down and messing with sleep all day.

He had slowly walked up behind her and hugged her cupping her breast and taking her by surprise she giggled as he planted subtle kisses on her neck .

“You almost gave me a heart attack, Mrs. Marshall,” he said between kisses .

“You worry too much about me Mr. Marshall” she replied, her voice a whisper From his touch and kisses.

He spun her around collapsing his lips on hers in a passionate kiss fueled by his desire for her his hands cupping her breast while the other held her head. She could evidently see his hunger for her from his growing borner between them and she loved it.

Her body slowly surrendered to his every touch he had completely forgotten about Jeff and the reason he was there in the first place he carried up bridal style and into the hotel suite not once taking his eyes off her.

“You are beautiful he murmurs as he landed her on their king sized bed his lips immediately searching her's in a passionate kiss , he teased her with his tongue making her moan in his ears as she kissed him back

His hand tracing between her thighs she could feel his boner as his hands found her pants and kneat she stifled a moan  loving how he made her feel .

Sighing at the memory she decided to go along with Whatever game the woman before her was trying to play.  

“Yeah Emily” she said as if she just remembered her “sorry my mind was somewhere else , you came with Mr James right?” 

Mr James was one of Alex's acquaintances; she had met him at almost all the parties she had attended with Alex and they had shared a laugh or two .He was famous for attending parties with highly paid xcode he was basically the horny bad guy in Alex's cycle.

“Yeah” Emily agreed she was in Monte Carlo with James only he was never in Monte Carlo last year.

“You poor thing, how are you coping with everything?” Emily said, faking concern .

“Excuse me? Coping with what exactly?” she asked but saw Jeff walked in before Emily could respond .

She stood up and started to walk but felt Emily needs to be put in her place for lying and butting into other people's problems so she signaled one minute to Jeff and walked back to Emily.

“Emily was it?” She sarcastically asked,”You see, normally I don't care about gossipers, especially low live one dollar prostitutes such as yourself  but for a Charity case like you I'd make an exception.” 

She paused for effect and watched Emily's eyes grow wide like a sources with surprise and awe, her mouth moving but no words came out.

“ What goes on in my married life is mine to worry about, worry about your business that is basically non existent at best seeing as we are in a room full of potential customers and nobody is eying to pay for your service probably due to all your STDs” she said standing up .

“Oh! And James was never in Monte Carlo last year and if he was wayward as he is he will never stoop so low for a cheap whore like you . Have a good night” she added As she walked away her head held high.

“ Sorry for keeping you waiting” Jeff said as he take her hands in his and kissed it “ I was seeing Alex off”

“So he has Left the country” she stated mostly to herself .

“I'm sorry, Vanessa, that was insensitive of me,” he apologized.

“You are free to mention him in my presence Jeff” she scoffed shrugging.

“Where has he gone to?” she asked, struggling to fight back her tears.

“Am sorry  i promised him not to tell anyone” 

“And by anybody you mean me” she flashed him a bitter smile.

She could see in his eyes that he felt sorry for her and wondered how pathetic she sounded.  Jeff held her hands in an effort to comfort her as he signaled for the bartender .

“two grasshoppers please” he ordered, sending a familiar smile her way.

But she was quick to stop him “no am good” she said, looking down at her intertwined fingers and biting her lower lip.

He raised a brow quizzically at her, sensing she wanted to say something “uhh?”

“I,I, am pregnant” she whispered with a shaky voice looking up at him

The look on his face was historical but this is not the time for humor.

“ I was going to tell him but he had other plans obviously” she conface on the verge of tears.

Jeff looked speechless. He knew how badly Alex wanted it,  was his second favorite topic of discussion but yet again seeing as Vanessa was his first favorite and he left her out of the blue it isn't so surprising.

“ Say something will you ?” She urges getting tired of the way he was staring at her.

“Why didn't you tell him about the baby?” He finally asked .

“ I have not tell anyone except you” she informed “ and please don't tell anyone”

“ You didn't answer my question” he stated persistently

“ Was he remorseful when you saw him off?” She ignored his question again. “ And i bet he had a girl with him” 

The look on his face confirmed that 

“ Then there you have your answer he doesn't deserve to father my baby”

Silent fell as they both took some time to mual over things, their eyes scanning everywhere but each other.

“ I am going  to my grandparents” Vanessa broke the silence “I call because i need your help" she said pushing some documents she brought out of her bag to him.

He glanced through it, nodding his head now and then as he read .

“And he left me the house , I want you to help me sell it,” she said .

Looking up at her he asked “after this and then what” 

L“ Then I sign the fucking divorce papers and be done with him” she answered standing up “ see you tomorrow .”