FIVE : Vivian

New York City. I am finally in New York City.

At the exit, I search for Alice in the crowd. I see her by the exit door, with wandering eyes searching for me. She waves towards me as soon as her eyes fall upon me.

It's been months since I had seen my best friend Alice, although we call each other on a daily basis.

"Oh my God, Vee! What the hell happened to you?" Alice asks as soon as I walk over to her. Her shoulders slumps and her eyes beams with so much concern as she see me. "What on earth happened to your forehead?"

"Alice, not here please."

She keeps quiets and carries my suitcase when she notices the pain in my voice. I knew she had a thousand and one question to ask due to her inquisitive nature , but I was grateful for her understanding.

We walk side by side towards the exit, and the world around us faded into the background. The air was thick with unspoken emotions, but we didn't need words to understand each other. Our connection had always been deeper than any conversation we could express.

Once we reached her car, I opened the door and settle into the passenger seat. The weight and pain of what happened with Tristan and Trisha weighs heavily on me, burning like hot liquor down my throat.

She places my suitcase in the backseat and settle in the driver's seat. Taking one last look at me, she heaves a sigh before starting the ignition and sets the vehicle in motion.

As we drove away from the airport towards her apartment, she places her hand on mine, giving it a little squeeze. It was her way of telling me that everything will be alright.

I nod and force a smile to my face which looked so pale before turning away to look at the city.

Few minutes later, we drive into her driveway and alight from the car.

Alice brings out my suitcase from the car and carries it to her apartment while I tag along.

Once inside, she sets down my suitcase and places her keys on the rear end of the tv console before sliding her feet out of her black boots.

I also pull off my bunny slippers before slumping down on one of the sofas in the living room.

Alice goes towards the kitchen and fetches two glasses and a pack of orange juice which she sets before me.

"Thanks Allie" I say to her before pouring a reasonable quantity of the juice into my glass and gulping it down.

"Tell me what happened". Alice says as soon as she notices that I have calmed down a bit.

I say nothing as I reach for my purse. I pull out the divorce papers and hand it over to her.

Her face drops. She looks from the paper to me and back at the paper.

"Tristan wants a divorce. Is he mad?!. How would he this to you on your birthday?. I swear I will kill him with my two hands for this."

She is now standing. Her eyes emitting so much rage. I have seen an angry Alice, but never a face red angry ,kill the guy Alice. And I'm sure that Tristan would be a dead man if she had laid her eyes on him at that very moment.

"He wants to divorce you after everything you have done for him?! You made him the man he is today after throwing away everything, Vee". She says before seating on the sofa opposite me when she notices the tears in my eyes.

"Vee, talk to me."

"Trisha is back." I say in between sobs.

"So what if she is back?, What does that have to do with this?" She asks while waving the divorce papers in her hands.

"Everything Allie, everything." I say as I stand and walk over to the window.

"The asshole have been cheating on me with his ex. I can't believe I have been so stupid, He was so good at pretending that what we had was special.

"But Vee. . . ." Alice tries to argue.

"They are getting married and she is having his baby, plus I saw them having the sex of their lives Allie!" I say on the top of my voice laying emphasis on the 'married' and 'baby' words.

"Tristan can nev….

"Allie, I saw it ok, I wasn't told." I take the words from her mouth, My voice breaking with each word.

A dumbfounded Alice walks over to me and pulls me in for an embrace.

I allow to myself to fall apart in her arms and she pats my back like a little child consoled by his mommy.

"That's enough crying for today, everything will be fine, Vee. Now let's get you settled in". She touches the wound on my forehead and I wince " we better take care of that wound before it leaves a scar, I can't have anything ruining your face."

She drags me by the hand and leads me to a room which is going to be my bedroom.

"Thanks Allie, what can I do without you?"

"A lot, babe, you can do so much. You are strong, smart and most of all my best friend, so better get your shit on because we are doing N*****x tonight and you bitch ain't ruining my movie vibe". She says before shutting the door.

I smile for the very first time since I woke up this morning. Trust Alice to make you laugh when you are going through a rough day.

I reach for my suitcase and began to unpack my clothes into the wardrobe. Damm I forgot to pack my costmetics and panties, it seems I will be going shopping tomorrow. Good thing I flew business class, meaning I still got a little cash with me.

My bedroom is cozy and I could not help falling on my bed. I take a look around the room, everything is still the same.

I lived Alice and Nate while in college. I had to leave because my dad insisted that I returned home.

After putting my room in order. I quickly take a shower before heading to the living room where Alice is waiting for me with a bowl of popcorn ready for a movie night.

"I haven't seen Nate around, is he ok?"

"Yes, he just travelled home but don't worry he will be back, next week. Now sit down, movie is about to start."

After the movies, I bid her goodnight and retire to my room.

I lay on the bed, covering myself with the covers. I tried so much to sleep but I could not. Anytime I close my eyes, images of what happened to today flashes through my mind. I lay on my bed praying that the angels of sleep will favor me tonight but it seems they grew deaf to my prayers.

I stand and walk over to the drawer where I placed the divorce papers. I take out the papers and grab a pen from the table.

I stare at the A4 papers. A4 papers that may gain the power to bear witness of the end of my marriage with Tristan. The pen in my trembling hands quiver as I continue staring at the papers, still debating in my mind if I should end my marriage.

Tristan loved me. Or so I thought. I loved him too, but I guess it wasn't enough to keep him with me.

He is a liar. A cheating bastard, and I regret ever wasting my love and time on him.

I suck in a breath. My hand removes the cover of the pen, and without blinking twice, I scribble down my signature on the damn papers.

I close back the pen and blow on the papers. Tristan and his beloved Trisha can burn in hell. I am going to pick up the pieces of my life and just like Alice said, I am strong, and I can get my shit together.

A kind of relief wahes through me. A kind that feels cold and free. I can't believe I am now a divorcee, but I can live with it.

I place back the papers in the drawer. I will mail the damn papers to him tomorrow, but right now, I need to catch my beauty sleep.