Chapter 04

~JESSICA~

I don’t know why, but I closed my eyes as my lips waited for him. That's when he suddenly pulled away, and I shot my eyes open.

“I have to make a call; you know the bedroom. Make yourself comfortable; I’ll join you in a bit,” he said as he gave me his back. I knew where the bedroom was, so I seized the opportunity and rushed to it. 

As I locked the door behind me, I caught some breaths. Exhaling out loud. “Shit!” I cursed as I made my way to the bed and took my phone from my purse.

"Hi, what’s up?” Loren said as soon as she picked.

“Hi…” I was panting.

“Jess, are you okay? What’s wrong?”

“No, he kidnapped me.”

“What? How can your own husband kidnap you?” She joked, but I was not in the mood.

“Wait, did you give him my number?” 

“I’m kidnapped, and you’re here asking for his number?” She was truly shameless.

“You don’t want him; let me try my luck now.” 

"Okay, talk to you tomorrow,” I said and ended the call, ignoring her request. I sat on the bed still catching my breath when he started knocking.

“Love, can you please open the door? I'm sleepy,” he said while knocking on the door, but I was not going to share the room with him; that’s just unacceptable.

“No, make yourself comfortable on the couch; I’m not sharing the bed with you,” I said.

“What? But it’s my bed, and besides, it’s not like it’s our first time.” 

“Suit yourself, I’m sleepy!” I shouted to him as I made my way to the bathroom, disregarding his plea. 

I removed my clothes and walked to the shower. I washed my body, still thinking of ways I would deal with this situation. I didn’t want to take revenge on Jade anymore; he didn’t betray me; he fulfilled a dying girl's wish. I just prayed he would never find out that I slept with his uncle and, worse, married him. I needed to sort this out as soon as possible.

I was now done washing my body. After drying my hair and applying lotion to my body, I wrapped the towel around my body and walked back to the bedroom. Only to spot him sleeping on the bed in nothing but underwear.

“Of course he has a key,” I said to myself as I walked up to him. I was naked; I didn't wear anything under; there was no way I was going to sleep next to him and expect nothing to happen.

“Hello?!” I called out loud for his attention, which he successfully ignored as he just changed his sleeping position, “Great, just great,” I gave up and went to the bed and grabbed a pillow and pulled the blanket from him. He just continued groaning as if he didn’t hear anything. I went in the living room to the couch and made myself comfortable.

——-

I woke up to the sound of an alarm. I was shocked to find myself on the bed and naked.

“Fuck!” I cursed as I slammed the alarm on the table.

The mysterious man was nowhere near; my attention was caught by the file on the table and a ring on top of it. He must be a comedian to even think I’ll wear his ring. I grabbed the file, making the ring fall to the floor; I didn’t care. I just wanted to find this man’s name, as I had forgotten it last time.

“Clinton?” I read out loud in disbelief. 

I quickly searched for my phone and called my friend, who picked up the first ring.

“I was just about to call you; tell me what happened.” 

“I don’t know; I was on the couch and just woke up naked in the bed he slept in.” I panicked—did he perhaps take advantage of me?

“Wait what?”

“Yes.”

"Alright, calm down. Are you sure you don’t remember anything?”

“I don’t.”

“Okay fine, dress up, get your stuff, and come here; I’ve taught you how to manipulate a man; use your lessons,” she advised, and disconnected, after taking in a deep breath I went to the shower to get my clothes, only to find my bra and panties there.

“What? Where's my dress?” I asked myself as I put on my undies and went to his wardrobe. I found his silk pajamas, and I put them on. I made my way to the living room, and luckily his house help was not here. I made my way to the door only to find it locked. 

“Fuck!” I cursed and called out for his house help, but she wasn’t here; of course today is Saturday; she was off. Well, I guess I’m trapped here. I walked back to the couch and switched on the TV.

——

It’s been two days; I spent my weekend by force with Clinton. That Saturday, when Clinton came back, I talked to him about divorce but he still refused. I didn’t push it; he didn’t even let me go to work. I pretended to be sick, and Loren covered for me. 

I was now back in my apartment as he said he had a meeting outside the city. I honestly didn’t care; I even hoped he could stay there forever.

I took out my phone and found his text.

HUSBAND: Be good; don’t miss me too much. Love you.

He saved himself as my husband in my phone. I will fix that later for now, I just wanted to hear Jade’s voice, as he hasn't texted or called me since that day. “You better stay away from my husband, Jessica; you don’t want me to come after you.” It was Lucy who picked up and hanged. 

What?

Jade now lets her have his phone? I quickly called Loren for advice. “Spill,” she said as soon as she picked up.

"Jade, let’s her have his phone. I mean, why would he do that? And you know what’s funnier, he hasn't tried to contact me all this weekend. Now I call him, and this Lucy girl picks up. What does he take me for?…” I said all at once, I didn't even realise Loren was laughing.

“I’m lost; what’s funny?”

“You refused Clinton because of this Jade guy knowing fully well that the guy is married,” she sounded like she was scolding me.

“I see calling you was a mistake.”

“The truth hurts Jessie; can’t you see Jade is just playing you? He’s obviously laughing at you right now." Loren never liked Jade.

"Okay, I’m hanging up.”

“And what? Try Jade’s number so you get insulted by his wife again. Jessie, you’re smarter than that.”

“I don’t know what gave her the right to talk to me in that manner when I’m actually doing her a favor.”

“Are you sure that’s the same story Jade has told her?” Her question made sense.

“What do you want me to do?” I was desperate.

“I will come by the house later and will tell you what to do. Be good, okay,” she said before hanging. I knew she might be with her boyfriend or at work. 

I couldn’t even cry at this point. Instead, I just hit the shower, so I prepare for work. I'll clock in early today. Pretending to want to make up for the weekend when really I just wanted to ease my brain and I knew a couple of shots would do the trick.

———

It’s been days; I haven’t heard anything from Jade or Clinton. I was at my favorite grocery store with a trolley as I picked up groceries. 

My thoughts were on Jade; he hasn't been responding to my texts even when it shows that he had received them. Has he perhaps fallen for Lucy—impossible? I needed a way to remind him of how irreplaceable I was. I’ve sent him endless nudes but still no response. 

Maybe I should visit him. 

With that in mind, I hurriedly made my way to the fridge where they kept yogurt so I could get his favorite, and that’s when my trolley hit another customer's trolley.

“I’m so sorry I-” 

“Of course you are, prostitute,” my apology was cut short. It was Lucy, but how did I bump into Jade's sick wife?

“I’m surprised a prostitute also goes shopping." Her comment stirred something in me.

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me right, prostitute. So you thought what? Your fake body could make my husband cheat on me.” 

“Wait what?”

"Listen, I was very nice to you the time you showed up at my house because I thought you didn’t know about my marriage, but you seducing him after learning the truth is just ridiculous. Like I know you do it for money, but please leave the married man off your table,” she accused.

“Seducing your husband?” I was stunned and was about to throw it in her face that I knew Jade was only married to her because she was about to die, but luckily Jade showed up. He kissed her cheeks and asked what was happening.

“Jade, you told her I was seducing you?” I asked him as I disregarded their little chat.

“I mean those weird night texts and nudes; I guess that’s what they call them, right?” He turned to his wife, who had a huge smile on her face. I knew Jade was doing this not to hurt her, but it made my heart ache. I watched as he held her hands and led her away.

As they disappeared, I left the trolley there and rushed out of the shop—holding in tears. I stopped a cab, which drove me to my apartment.

After paying the cab driver, I rushed to my apartment. Maggie was waving at me in a way, asking me to go to her, but I ignored her this time. 

My door was unlocked; I knew it could only be Jade, so he rushed here after embarrassing me?

“Listen, Jade, I don’t think I can take this any longer you need to…" I stopped myself as I realized it wasn’t Jade, "Clinton?"

How did he get into my apartment?