CHAPTER 1

Scarlett.

I bet he has a hundred concubines chasing after him ,each more beautiful than the last. And there I was … sitting in despair, not knowing what I'll be of .

This was not the first time, nor will it be the last I'll see panties in his suitcase. Each time my eyes beheld them, it feels as though my heart will crumble into pieces. I'd always feel this cold thing run through my spine.

Who was that? I jolted out of my thoughts when I heard the doorbell ring.

I didn't linger in wiping the tears off my face. I stared at the clock that hit six PM. Oh my, how long have I been crying?

I walked to the mirror. That was it. The figure there always has her eyes maroon and teary. I mustered courage and scrubbed my face, ensuring no one could sense I was crying.

I walked to the door, and saw a mail man.

I don't remember anyone saying they had a package for me.

The mailman gazed at me in an awkward way. What now?

Just then I realized my hair wasn't put together. Shit.

“Hello ma'am.”

“Hello.” I said, heaving deeply when the mailman took a huge step backwards, making a face as though he had smelt a dead rat.

“This is for you.” He handed me an envelope.

“Thanks.” I said, and received it, still perplexed at his behavior.

I abruptly shut the door behind me, and poured my mouth breath on my palms. Shit! It was disgusting. Oh my, no wonder he made those faces.

All because of Aaron.

I sat my ass on the couch, anticipating the content in the envelope.

“The high court of Greenfield.” It read. Court?

I ran my eyes through everything that was penned. I felt my heart shatter into crumbs.

“Petition for dissolution of marriage.” He really meant this. I thought it was all part of the empty threats he made.

I slowly fell off the couch, to get my head together. He had signed, and mine was demanded.

No,no. It's impossible I'll be signing this. I love him too dearly.

My eyes became frozen. I could barely see anything but mustered tears.

I heard the door knob twist and open. I slowly turned to see him. Out of the blue, the man decided to break my heart.

But he wasn't the only one; another was with him. His mistress perhaps. Her face didn't ring a bell.

“Aaron?” I stood to meet him. The fool was intoxicated already.

“You…” he said, pointing his unstable index finger at me.

“Aaron? What's this?” I asked, with the divorce papers hanging in my hand, not having time for the other lady.

“It is what it is, love.” He said, and smacked my face slightly.

The other lady majestically walked her ass to my settee. “Why are you doing this? I'm sorry if I've done anything…we can resolve this like two adults but not like this-” he interrupted me midway.

“Save that for someone else…”

This was real. My eyes twitch as he grabs the other lady by the waist, romantically leading her to our bedroom.

OUR bedroom.

That was what he did to me on our wedding night, and now for her…

They came out again, and he whispered. ”We'll be needing the room to ourselves the whole night.”

“If you don't mind…” the lady said, and I just stood there, staring and amazed at how stupid they looked.

“Like she has a choice.” Aaron said and they both poured out laughter.

Their lips interlocked, deeply, which made tears fall.

I wasn't interested in seeing them do their shit. I ran upstairs and grabbed a coat. By the time I was back down, no one was there. I leaned my ear to the door only to hear the intense mourning of the lady.

“Should I put it in?” Aaron asked, in a breath that was filled with pleasure.

“Yes…”

I couldn't hold the tears any longer. I ran out of the house, shutting the door behind. So soon? I had just been married for three months.

I strengthened my face, and dialed my mom's number. It rang, but she didn't answer.

I damn needed someone to talk to. She's the only person that could lend a listening ear to me now.

I put on my coat and walked in silence to the park, holding my grief at heart. Hoping nobody notices.

The cold was strong enough to dry up my fears, but not the sorrow in my heart. Shrubs were swept away by the breeze, then I sighted a bench. It had no companion, just like me.

I gently walked to it and sat. My heart grew heavier.

It was as if my heart was being beaten with a whip that had blades at its corners.

Then a thick flawless voice spoke. Perhaps it wasn't to me.

“ How saddening it is to know angels cry” he said. I looked around and realized I was the only one,so he was referring to me.

Oh my, my tears were visible.

“ Excuse me?” I said and wiped off my tears, as if nothing happened.

“I saw an angel crying and decided to come over. Is anything the matter? I'd be glad to lend a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on.”

I paused and looked into his eyes and was weak knowing someone noticed my tears; I couldn't help but break down again.

I saw empathy and wonder in his eyes. It was obvious he didn't know what to do when he gently held my feeble hands. Before I knew it, I hugged him.. tighter than I could ever have imagined, even to the extent of leaving tears on his coat.

I felt his strong hands pat my hair.

“ Everything will be okay, don't worry.” He said. The cold worsened and I was still crying.

Probably he didn't know how to tell me to stop hugging him so we could find shelter.

“ Hey,” he said.

“ Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry for… I should just leave.” I said,

“ No, you shouldn't leave. I'd love to help. You know a lot of people have fallen into depression and even died because they didn't have a listening ear and I wouldn't have that happen to you.” he said. Tears dropped down my cheeks and I sniffed, cleaning my face with the back of my hand.

“ I'm Scarlett” I said

“ Silas,” He said. “ Would you like to have something to eat? There's a restaurant nearby.”

“Oh no, I'm fine.”

“Are you?”

I nodded. “All I wanted was a shoulder to cry on.”

That was all I ever wanted at that moment. I felt better, at least a little better than before.

We exchanged numbers, in case of a next time. My eyes dimmed as I saw him disappear into a dot in the street.

I woke up the next morning to honking vehicles,and busy pedestrians trailing down the street. Where was I?

It was open. I could see the sky, roadside sellers…

My eyes finally gaped open to realize I was in the park. Did I sleep here?

I didn't need an answer to that. People's glare boldly answered for me.