17. Old Stranger, New Home
seventeen
Old Stranger, New Home
Emma
Since Dean went out to meet his friends, I felt a little relieved. First, we went on the boat and had loads of fun, and now he was more open to enjoying himself away from work functions, social obligations, and community commitments. He was finally beginning to go back to normal.
Although that meant that the clock was ticking on our little adventure together, I genuinely wanted him to get better. That was why I chose to take some ‘me time’ and called my friends.
“My God, the billionaire bride has emerged!” My cousin Sara laughed through the phone. “I thought the patriarchy had you locked up in some tower with no phone line.” She laughed.
“What are you talking about?” I giggled. “Come on, you know we lost my mother-in-law, and it’s been a difficult time.”
“I know, I know. Now, are you just calling to see how I’m doing? Or are you craving some fun times with the old gang?”
“It’s only been a month. Don’t be so dramatic.”
“ More than a month. Anyways, Sydney and Maude were just talking about going out sometime this week. I know tomorrow’s a work day—for all of us—but how often does Mrs. Allen resurface?”
“I’m up for it if you are!”
“I can even tell Chloe. Did you know she’s in town?”
“No way! Of course, tell her!”
“Alright. I’ll set it up and text you the deets.”
“Deal.”
It wasn’t easy to convince everyone to come out so late on a Sunday night, but Sara was persuasive, and they all wanted to see me. We agreed on meeting at Chloe’s favorite bar, since she was the one who now worked and lived in Los Angeles and barely came to visit.
At the bar, we were shocked to see that everything had changed. The only thing that remained the same was the name of the place—Shotz—but the décor, the team, and even the music had been modernized. Now, an entire generation of youngsters filled the place, and the dance space became so much bigger.
With fewer tables scattered along the walls and in the corners, it took us a while to find a place to sit at. We used that time hanging out by the bar, catching up and drinking colorful, sweet cocktails.
“So, what’s it like being married to a billionaire?” In her eyes, I saw the jealousy Chloe didn’t try to hide. When she had moved to L.A., her dream was to become a big-time band manager and hopefully, marry a successful musician. Instead, she wound up working at one of the celebrity clubs there, booking live numbers for the weekends.
Shrugging, I didn’t want her to think that my life was that much better than hers. “Marriage is marriage, no matter who the man is. It’s still hard work.”
Rolling her eyes, she toyed with the cherry in her glass, sucking on it with her lips. “Come on, Em. You can’t possibly tell me that you work as hard as your ordinary Jane Doe who lives in a studio downtown with a smelly, shared laundry room in the basement.”
I laughed. “Oh, if we’re talking housework … no, that’s taken care of.”
“And the other work?” Her eyes ludicrously crawled down to my crotch, and the others laughed. “I hope Mr. Allen lives up to the reputation of Billionaire Playboy.”
“Hey!” I playfully aimed to smack her arm, but she quickly recoiled, laughing.
“What? Those guys know everything there is to know about the realms of pleasure. Even more than actors, because some actors are just losers. Your guy’s hot, from what I’ve seen in the pictures… and he’s got all the dough! He’s not some creepy virgin, is he?”
Tilting my head, I pressed my lips into a line and watched my friends laugh at Chloe’s usual humor. “I missed you. We all did,” I admitted.
“Ladies, your table is ready,” a hostess announced, and we quickly grabbed our purses, rushing over to the promise of comfort as the bar got crowded.
As soon as we sat down and placed our order for the next round of drinks, Maude gave me a coy look from under her eyebrows. “So… what does Mr. Perfect have planned for Valentine’s Day?”
Sydney let out a sharp laugh. “It’s got to be a surprise! It’s their first one as husband and wife.” She turned to me. “Right, Em? Please tell me he didn’t make you plan it like you’re still his assistant!”
Having not thought about Valentine’s Day in the slightest, I felt my eyes turn into perfect circles while my mind raced to come up with an answer. “No, he didn’t. But honestly? Wouldn’t you rather plan your perfect day yourself? ”
Chloe quickly shook her head, pulling out the straw from her drink and biting it until it bent. “Nope! Of course not. I’d want to see what the man I chose to spend the rest of my life with will conjure up!”
Maude giggled, her eyes beaming. “I’m sure it’s something wonderful. He’s not young and silly. At his age and with those resources, I’m sure he has learned a thing or two about reaching a woman’s heart.”
Rolling her eyes again—as it was her habit—Chloe snorted. “Hell, tell me about it. The last one I thought would get married suddenly like that was Em here! Dude’s got to be a sorcerer.”
Once again, they all laughed. But then I saw Sara’s face change as she stretched her neck slightly, looking over my shoulder before she gave me an apologetic look. “Shit, Em. You’re going to hate me for this.”
“What?” I quickly glanced over my shoulder but saw nothing but the dancing bodies behind. “What happened?”
“I sort of told Kyle that we’re coming here tonight… and… he’s here—”
“ What? ” Slightly panicking, I shouted over the music. “ Why? ”
“Well, he owes Chloe some cash and—”
Chloe clicked her tongue, slowly shaking her head. “I’ve been here a week. You couldn’t find a better time?”
“I wasn’t thinking!” Sara defended herself.
“Hello, Emmie!” Kyle’s voice came from over my head, shattering all hopes of an impromptu escape. “Hey, Chloe. Long time no see!” He hugged Chloe before turning to Sara, Maude, and Sydney. “Hey ladies. I won’t be long.” Pulling a thick envelope from the inside of his jacket, he handed it to Chloe. “I was this close to making a transfer, but then Sara here told me that you’re all meeting.” Turning to me, he grinned, leaning closer as he placed his hand on the chair backrest behind me. “Which is perfect because… can I have a minute? ”
Tossing a glare in my cousin’s direction, I gritted my teeth and grabbed my glass with only a couple of sips remaining in it. Standing up, I hissed, “Sure. Why not?” We stepped outside, away from the noise, and Kyle lit up a cigarette. It was freezing, so I crossed my arms and rubbed them with my hands. “Can you make it quick?”
“Leave him.”
“Okay?” I furrowed my eyebrows. “Couple of steps back, please?”
“I know why you married him—actually, I know about the whole thing.”
“Excuse me?”
“It all adds up now! Big boss with millions to spare. Loving mother, dying. But you did a good number on me back there, making me feel like I ruined your best chance at love. But you know what’s really hurting you, Emmie? You still love me … and you know that I never stopped wanting you.”
In utter disbelief of what I was hearing, I parted my lips, scandalized by the mere thought of him believing all of it. “First of all, the nerve on you! The ego! God! Whoever fed you this nonsense?”
“Doesn’t matter who my sources are, darling. What matters is that you and I both know that you’re in a loveless marriage with an expiry date on it. The mom’s gone, you’re getting whatever it was that he promised you. Why not make it on Valentine’s Day? I got a new apartment waiting for your beautifying touch—”
Squeezing my eyes shut, I lifted a hand, secretly praying that it was all a nightmare from which I would soon wake. “Just—Stop! Stop.” I allowed a titter to escape my lips, my mind stalling. “I can’t believe you can be so delusional after all this talk of therapy and recovery —”
“Those are the very things that revealed to me; you were the best thing that ever happened in my life!”
“And that was a phase. A part of the past that’s not coming back. ”
“That guy doesn’t love you—he doesn’t even know you! You’re nothing but a tool to him. Those rich guys, how do you think they get that way? By using people. Regular people, unassuming victims like you—”
“That’s enough!” I shouted. “That’s my husband you’re talking about! And I will not stand here and let you insult me like this.”
“You know what’s insulting? That after I told you I know everything, you still insist on playing this pathetic little part.” His face was now practically crimson as he pointed a threatening finger in my face. “And just like you cared enough to want to protect me from my stupid actions back then… I’m going to do the same for you, Emmie. If you don’t agree to ending this marriage by the fourteenth, I promise you… I will expose your perfect husband to the world.”
“Don’t you see how this will be hurting me?”
He smirked. “So, you’re admitting it’s true.”
“I’m saying that a rumor like that will destroy my career , you idiot! Who else will hire me if people say that I marry wealthy men for money?”
“You won’t need to look for another job, because once we rekindle our love this Valentine’s Day, baby… I’ll take good care of you.”
“Oh my God!” I couldn’t hide my disgust.
“No, you don’t understand. My uncle left me his store! I’m a business owner now!”
Feeling my stomach turn, I placed the back of my hand under my nose, suddenly smelling a whiff of urine that the wind brought on. Shaking my head, I took a step toward the bar door. “Please, leave.”
“Emma! Emma!” I heard him shout.
Running inside, I barged over toward the table and snatched my purse, throwing a fiery glare at Sara.
“Em, I’m so sorry— she pleaded.
“Save it!” I lifted a hand between us, grinding my jaws. “I’m leaving.”
“Oh, come on! ” Chloe objected, while the others spoke similar words of protest.
Shrugging, I grabbed my thick scarf, wrapping it around my neck. “Suddenly, I’m not in a very festive, cocktail mood, alright? I’m sorry. Let’s make it another night.”
When I bolted back out, I found Kyle still standing there. He tossed his cigarette as soon as he saw me, and shifted quickly so that our shoulders bumped. With me avoiding eye contact, I marched toward the parking lot where I knew the driver was waiting. Kyle kept following me, saying things like, “You know I’m right, Emma! You know what we had was special!” and “You wouldn’t have tolerated all that if you didn’t love me! It was real love, Emma!”
As soon as I saw the driver see me and get out of the car, I was given the push I needed to turn around and face Kyle. In the middle of the parking lot, I shouted, “It was, Kyle. Was . Past tense! And now I love Dean , and it’s real and good , and I’d rather go home to him right now than listen to one more word from you!”
“Mrs. Allen, is that man bothering you?” the driver asked.
“He can’t bother me anymore,” I sternly said after watching Kyle’s face turn pale. Turning around, I let the driver hold the door car open for me as I slid into the backseat. “Is Dean home yet?”
“No. He said he’ll text me when he needs me to pick him up.”
“Good.” I noticed that Kyle had turned around and started walking away before saying, “Take me home, please.”