Chapter Five

The next morning, Ayva couldn't help but be confronted by the harsh reality staring back at her in the mirror. Her once bright and lively brown eyes were now overshadowed by the presence of dark circles. The weight of her sleepless night and the tears shed had left their mark.

When Zion entered the room the night before, she had feigned sleep, not wanting to reveal the turmoil she was going through. The mere act of sharing the same space with him felt like an unconquerable challenge. Her gaze kept shifting back and forth between the small knife that lay innocently on the bedside table and Zion, who slumbered peacefully beside her. The knife had been used by him to peel an apple earlier, but in Ayva's troubled state, her mind wandered to darker possibilities. She found herself fixated on the glint of the blade, contemplating the potential it held, as her eyes lingered on his vulnerable throat.

"Good morning, honey." Zion greeted, his voice breaking the silence as he leaned down to place a tender kiss on Ayva's temple.

Their eyes met in the reflection of the mirror, and at that moment, Ayva summoned every ounce of strength within her to muster a small, fleeting smile. She couldn't let Zion know that she had discovered his infidelity, not when she was still grappling with the overwhelming question of who the other woman could be.

The room seemed to hold its breath as Ayva maintained her facade, concealing her pain behind that fragile smile.

"You're all dressed up for work?" Ayva asked, her tone tinged with skepticism as she put the finishing touches on her makeup. Her eyes bore into Zion, waiting for his response, fully aware that she was about to be subjected to yet another lie.

Zion let out a groan, feigning exasperation. "Yeah, I've got a ton of work piled up at the office. Three months' worth, actually," he replied, attempting to sound convincing.

Internally, Ayva couldn't help but scoff at his predictable lie. Her gaze once filled with distrust, quickly transformed into a facade of affection as their eyes met in the mirror once again.

But Zion, trying to lighten the mood, changed his tone and playfully brushed a strand of hair away from Ayva's face. "Hey, I made omelette for breakfast. Your favorite." he said in a singsong.

With a smile that concealed her true feelings, she responded, "Aw, you're the best. And as much as I love your omelets, I can't this morning. I'm late for work."

Ayva smoothed out the crease on her pants as she rose to her feet. A sense of unease lingered in the air as she walked out of the room, her steps slightly hesitant.

Zion, ever attentive, followed closely behind, his concern evident in his voice. "Will you like me to pack it in a lunchbox then?"

She paused for a moment, her handbag held tightly in her grasp. Her knuckles turned white as she clutched onto it, a physical expression of the turmoil within. "No, no. I'm fine." she replied. "I'll get something to eat if I'm hungry."

Zion's eyes searched her face, noting the distress that clouded her expression. His voice softened with genuine concern as he asked, "Are you sure? Is something bothering you, honey? Do you want me to drop you off before leaving for work? Yes, perhaps I should just do that. I'll drop you off at work."

He was nervous and couldn't help but think that he was the cause of her distress.

"No, I'm fine. I can drive myself to work," Ayva replied, subtly pulling her hand out of Zion's hold.

With a sense of urgency, she walked ahead of him, wanting to escape his presence and the emotions swirling within her.

"Honey, did I do something wrong?" Zion suddenly asked, his voice filled with confusion and concern.

Ayva stopped abruptly, turning around to face him with a blank stare. The mask of her fake happiness cracked, revealing the rage beneath. Her gaze was piercing, almost accusing, as she responded, "Why? Do you think you've done something wrong?" Her voice carried a hint of anger, her emotions threatening to overwhelm her.

Zion, taken aback by Ayva's sudden change, stammered, "W-what could I have possibly done wrong?" His anxiety grew as he sensed that something was truly wrong, yet he couldn't quite grasp the source of her distress.

Closing the distance between them, Ayva smoothed out an invisible crease on his shirt, her touch gentle yet distant. "Then," she feigned a smile, her voice strained. "You shouldn't be worried about anything."

Stepping away from him, she added, "I'll be home late," before walking towards her car, leaving Zion with a mix of confusion and concern.

As Ayva got into the car, her mask of composure crumbled, and she found it hard to catch her breath. The weight of her husband's infidelity pressed heavily on her, making it difficult to pretend that everything was normal.

"Bastard, bastard!" Ayva cried out, her frustration and anger echoing in the confined space of the car. She pounded the steering wheel repeatedly, channeling her emotions into each forceful hit. The once-perfect life she had built with her husband now felt like a distant memory, overshadowed by the approaching scandal of his betrayal.

"You lying scum. I hate you!" she cried, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and hurt. Her hands shook uncontrollably, and her eyes twitched with the strain of holding back tears. Her hair disheveled as a result of the countless times she had run her fingers through it, an indication of her nervous breakdown.

Amid her turmoil, Ayva reached into her bag and retrieved two pills. With a shaky hand, she tossed them into her mouth and swallowed them dry, seeking solace in the temporary relief they might offer.

Just then, her phone began to ring, interrupting the chaos of her thoughts. It was a call from her best friend, Amanda, a ray of hope in the darkness that surrounded her. She thought.

********

"Are you alright?" Justin gently tapped on Ayva's desk, trying to grab her attention. He had stopped by her office to get her signature on some documents, but as he entered, he noticed a shift in the atmosphere. Ayva seemed completely lost in her thoughts, oblivious to his presence. He called out her name, but she didn't respond, as if she had fled into her own world.

Startled by the sudden noise, Ayva jolted in her seat. "J-Justin, what are you doing here?" she stammered, attempting to regain her composure. The worry lines on her forehead and the slight tremor in her voice betrayed her true emotions. Without missing a beat, Ayva picked up her pen and began signing the papers he had presented to her, her actions mechanical and detached.

Concern etched across his face, Justin couldn't help but ask again, his voice filled with genuine care, "Is something wrong, Ayva? Are you okay?" He had noticed her distant behavior lately, the way she had avoided him and kept their conversations brief. He couldn't understand the reason for the sudden change nor could he tell if he had done something to wrong her.

Ayva replied, her voice strained, "Yes, why wouldn't I be?" Attempting to brush off his concern.

"Ayva, you know you can talk to me, right? Whatever it is, I'm here for you. You don't have to face it alone." He hoped that his words would break through the walls she had built around herself, allowing her to open up and share her burdens.

Ayva's gaze met his, a mix of vulnerability and gratitude shining in her eyes. She sighed. "Justin, I appreciate your concern. It's just...I'm fine. Nothing is wrong, I was just...I was thinking about this design I'm working on." She explained, pulling out her notepad from the desk drawers.

Flipping to the middle page, Ayva handed it to him. "What do you think?" she asked, her voice distant, her mind still far away, unable to fully hear his honest review of her latest design.

"What fabric do you have in mind?" He took a step closer to her desk, and Ayva couldn't help but notice the minimal space between them. Her hands trembled with fear, and she discreetly hid them under the desk, hoping he wouldn't come any closer.

Her voice trembled slightly as she asked, "Chiffon? Or what do you think?" Deep down, doubts about him lingered, wondering if he could be her stalker. He was the most suspicious person at her workplace, and despite her efforts to conceal her suspicions, she couldn't help but feel like she was failing.

"I'm not sure. I think silk would work better for this. It looks like a dress meant for formal occasions, and silk would add that elegant touch," he explained. She nodded, though her enthusiasm was half-hearted.

Ayva left her office shortly after Justin walked out. She knew she would be restless all day if she didn't address what she had recently discovered - Zion's infidelity. She pondered Amanda's words and was momentarily swayed by them, but the nagging feeling that something was amiss with him persisted. His excessive affection and care seemed like an attempt to overcompensate for something troubling.

"Zion loves you, Ayva. He's obsessed with you. Cheating is the last thing he would ever do." Amanda had insisted during their earlier phone call. Ayva listened intently, her mind filled with doubt and insecurity. "Remember, you mentioned that he had braces in the video so it most definitely happened before you two got together. It's an old video, it's all in the past so stop letting it trouble you." Despite Amanda's reassurances, Ayva couldn't fully convince herself.

"I think you need a break from work," Amanda suggested, her voice filled with concern. "This evening, we're going on a spa date, just the two of us. I've already booked everything, so there's no way you're getting out of this."

Ayva stepped into the store with a sense of purpose. She walked through the aisles, carefully selecting an item that would grant her a glimpse into the truth she so desperately sought. With the package securely in her hands, she made her way back to her car, her mind racing with a mix of anticipation and anxiety.

As she drove home, her heart pounded in her chest, each beat echoing the weight of her suspicions. The empty house greeted her, providing a momentary relief from the chaos swirling within her mind. Yet, the absence of Zion only fueled her doubts.

Was he truly out visiting his mistress?

With a determined resolve, she unwrapped the package, revealing five mini security cameras. Each device held the promise of uncovering the truth that lay hidden within the walls of their home. Carefully, she placed the cameras in inconspicuous corners, ensuring that every angle was covered. The bedroom, the living room, and even the most unsuspecting nooks were now under the watchful eye of her newfound surveillance.

She read through the manual, absorbing every detail, determined to connect the cameras to her phone. Step by step, she followed the instructions and as each camera successfully synced with her device, a sense of accomplishment washed over her.

A bittersweet smile formed on Ayva's lips as she surveyed her handiwork.

"Now," she whispered to herself, "we'll see if you're truly that much of a jerk to bring that woman into my house."