Chapter Twelve.
Alicia
“Are you okay?” Oceane asked as I entered the private club where we met every Wednesday. This was now a ritual. We had lunch, gossiped for an hour or so, and then discussed business. We often helped each other out, no insider trading, but if we heard rumours about something, we shared.
“Yes, thanks.” I smiled, but it was fake.
I was anything but fine. Things were bad at home.
My marriage was on the rocks, and I was unsure whether to sign a new contract.
Oh, I was also a laughingstock on social media.
Oliver’s actions at the fundraiser had made the rounds, and everyone was gossiping.
There were memes and everything. Other than being Mystique, I didn’t leave the house.
Oliver was still repeatedly photographed with Eve and didn’t seem to care about the hurt and pain he caused. It was sickening. Oliver wasn’t even hiding shit anymore. Plus, the constant criticism was grinding me down. Was I really so bad?
“Alicia,” Winona said gently.
“No, I’m good. Please. Um, I’ve not eaten properly for a few days, finishing off the collection, but I’m craving prawns,” I murmured.
My friends nodded, and we ordered. Some of the members glanced over, but I wasn’t photographed or stared at.
Respect was enforced here; you showed it or were kicked out.
Membership was a privilege, not a given.
“Any news?” Saska asked.
“Well, I’ve heard something, and Dax is checking the rumour out. Wisemans, the company that does internet security, had a massive breach. Someone’s hacked in and downloaded loads of data. There’s allegedly mass panic over there,” Zinnia announced.
“Oh no. Eliganz uses Wisemans,” I said as worry descended.
“By all accounts, it was a substantial hack. Thousands of personal details got stolen and possible bank account numbers,” Zinnia elaborated.
“Oliver needs warning. Luckily, I went with Aaron’s security recommendation, and Mystique isn’t with Wisemans. Did any of you use them?” I asked.
“No, Cyber Safe for us, too. However, a lot of big businesses used Wisemans,” Winona agreed.
“Guess I’d better warn Oliver,” I said and patted my lips with the napkin. I didn’t particularly want to, but this could damage the company. This information might get me back into Oliver’s good books.
After lunch, I excused myself. I knew what the girls were hoping for, and I couldn’t stand disappointing them. They wanted me to give up on Oliver.
Not yet. I loved him. Distracted, I called an Uber and headed to Eliganz’s head office. Quickly passing through reception, I waved at the security guard who recognised me. He did get on the radio, so I guessed someone would be aware that I was in the building.
As I reached Oliver’s office, Heidi, his secretary, looked up with a strained smile. “Mrs Kensington.”
“Is Oliver in, Heidi? It’s urgent.”
“No. Mr Kensington’s in a meeting. Can I take a message?” Heidi asked, appearing on edge.
“No, it’s okay. I’ll leave a note.” I strolled past her desk and entered Oliver’s office.
It was ultra-modern and very much in line with his personality.
Professional and cold. I hurried over to the desk and grabbed a notepad.
Quickly, I began writing down what I’d heard about Wisemans’ underlining the security breach.
As I finished, I stood, and surprisingly, Eve walked in like she owned the place.
“Oh, hello. Can I help, Mrs Kensington?”
“No, thanks, Eve, I was leaving a note for Oliver.”
“Oh, I can pass it over,” Eve offered, staring. There was something I instinctively didn’t like about Eve.
“It’s fine,” I said, opened a drawer, and pulled out an envelope. Eve watched avidly, and I felt tingles down my spine. “Is something wrong, Eve?”
“No. I’ll see you out,” Eve offered.
“Eve, this is my husband’s office. I know the way out.” As I began to leave, Eve reached out and grabbed me.
“Oliver will be mine!” she hissed. With a hard shove, Eve pushed me backward, and I lost my balance and fell. My head cracked against Oliver’s desk, and I cried out in pain. Eve dashed around me and snatched the letter.
At the same time, the door opened. Eve shrieked and stumbled, going down close by.
“Oliver!” Eve wailed as my husband entered. “I’m sorry. I was trying to help Alicia, but she took offence!”
“What?” I gasped, holding a shaking hand to my forehead. I was horrified to see blood coating my fingers.
Oliver rushed over to Eve and helped her sit up. “What happened?” he demanded as Eve put a hand to her chest.
“Alicia tripped and fell, and I tried to help. She pushed me away, and I was only trying to help!”
“That’s a lie,” I stated as my hands shook.
Oliver turned, hatred on his face. “How dare you attack Eve? Eve’s done everything possible to ease my workload, and this is how you behave?” Oliver helped Eve stand up, then caught her in his arms as her legs miraculously gave out.
“Oh, I feel faint,” Eve murmured, and my eyes narrowed. Oliver swept her up, and I stared in sheer disbelief.
“Oliver, I’m bleeding and hurt,” I whispered.
“You deserve that!” he snarled and carried Eve out.
Heidi stood at her desk, looking horrified, then rushed in. “Mrs Kensington, are you okay?” Heidi exclaimed.
In horrendous pain, I tried pulling myself up, and dizziness swamped me, and I leaned forward and threw up.
“Oh!” Heidi cried.
“Heidi,” I murmured as I reached out for help.
“Mrs Kensington?”
“Get me the office footage. Please,” I begged and then passed out.
Winona
“Hey,” I said softly as Alicia blinked before opening her eyes.
“What happened?” she croaked, looking alarmed.
“Honey, you were badly injured. You fell and hit your head,” I explained as I saw awareness dawn on Alicia.
“I’m in the hospital?”
“Yes, darling.” I held a glass of water up with a straw, and Alicia drank.
“That’s better,” Alicia muttered with a grateful smile. Recollection dawned in her eyes. “Eve attacked me. Where’s Oliver?”
I tried to keep a neutral expression, but I was sure I failed.
“Winona?”
“We last saw Oliver with Eve. The bitch is claiming you attacked her and has hurt her wrist and ankle,” I said.
“No, Eve pushed me. Winona, I remember! Eve said she was going to steal Oliver and knocked me down. She stole the note I wrote concerning the Wiseman breach.”
“Bet that little whore claims credit for the discovery!” I exclaimed, furious.
“Let her. God, I can’t believe Oliver went to the hospital with her and left me bleeding on the floor. Oliver’s meant to be my husband, Winona,” Alicia whispered.
My heart bled for Alicia, who I believed was about to be in for a rough ride. Alicia deserved so much better. She wasn’t going to get over this betrayal easily. Inwardly, I sighed. Maybe this would be the wake-up call Alicia so desperately needed.
Alicia
Oliver didn’t even visit. My friends did, but not him. Oceane, never one to hold back, informed me gently: Oliver hadn’t left Eve’s side while at the hospital and had taken her home. Not once did Oliver come to find me.
That hurt badly. I was his wife, and he took that lying bitch’s word over mine?
The wound Eve had given me had eight stitches. It would be noticeable. The surgeons said they’d had a specialist do the stitches so the scar wouldn’t be ugly, but it would be visible.
The next day, Dax drove me home from the hospital, where doctors had kept me for observation. When we arrived, I was surprised to see Oliver’s car there.
“Come in and have coffee,” I offered, and Dax looked uncomfortable.
“Honey, I’m too angry at Oliver, and it’s not a good thing for me to be around him. How about Zinnia stays, and I’ll collect you both later and take you to dinner?” Dax offered.
“That would be great; I don’t feel comfortable leaving Alicia alone,” Zinnia agreed.
“Thanks for the ride home, Dax,” I muttered and led Zinnia into the house. We headed to the kitchen, and Zinnia took a seat at the table while I put the kettle on.
“About time you came slinking back,” Oliver sneered from the doorway. I looked up, shocked at his tone.
“What are you talking about?” I asked as the kettle began to boil.
“Did you hide out at a hotel? Stay with a friend? God, you’ve become such a bitch,” Oliver snapped.
“Me?” I gasped, turning around. “I have? Where were you when I needed you?”
Oliver’s eyes landed on the bandage on my head. “Jesus, Alicia. Are you so pathetic you’d even fake an injury to steal attention away from Eve?”
“What?”
“You spitefully hurt Eve. Fuck, I’m so ashamed! God knows why I loved you,” Oliver shouted.
“Loved? Hurt Eve?” My heart stuttered.
“Yes, Alicia. Honestly, I should smack that expression off your face. Now remove that bandage. We both know you’re not injured.”
“Oliver, I had stitches because Eve pushed me,” I replied, holding my hands out in beseechment.
“Lies! I’m tired of your constant jealousy and lies,” Oliver yelled.
“Oliver, what’s happening?” Eve demanded as she limped into the kitchen. Another gasp left me again. What on earth was that bitch doing here?
“Why is Eve here?” I asked, as I gripped the worktop to maintain my balance.
“Alicia, you harmed Eve on purpose. Did you expect me to send Eve home alone? And as you hurt Eve so maliciously, you’re going to care for her. Wait on Eve hand and foot; after all, that’s all you’re good for!” Oliver snarled.
Eve staggered, and Oliver reached out and secured her to his side. While Oliver glared, Eve sent me a smug glance.
“No, I won’t,” I replied weakly. Movement caught my attention, and I remembered Zinnia was still here.
“It’s okay, Oliver, I’m just an assistant, and Alicia is your wife. She needs looking after,” Eve said sweetly.
“No. My wife hurt you, and she’ll make amends.
Alicia is jealous and spiteful and needs to be taught a lesson on how to treat others.
It’s those damn women who have changed her into this nasty person.
Well, Alicia won’t be seeing them anymore.
Their interest has given Alicia ideas above her station.
Alicia, you will look after Eve, or there shall be repercussions! ” Oliver threatened.
Eve laid a hand on his chest. “Oliver, can I trust Alicia to look after me? She might hurt me again. I’m scared,” she simpered.
“Alicia won’t do anything. If she does, I’ll take everything away. Alicia will wait on you hand and foot; it won’t kill her. Maybe she’ll learn some humbleness,” Oliver stated, sneering.
“Okay, Oliver. Alicia, I’d like a sandwich, please,” Eve said. Her eyes gleamed with triumph.
“Go to hell!” I whispered as pain and anguish seeped into my bones. Oliver was treating me so coldly, and Eve was gloating one minute and the victim the next.
“Take that damn bandage off! Your feeble attempt at sympathy is ridiculous,” Oliver yelled.
Lost for words, I stared at the man whom I’d loved and sacrificed so much for, and in that moment, Oliver was a stranger.
“No. Let Alicia keep it on. Everyone can laugh at how pathetic she is,” Eve said quickly.
My eyes narrowed. I guessed why Eve didn’t want me to take it off. I reached up slowly and peeled the bandage off. Oliver’s eyes widened when he saw the wound and my stitches.
“What the fuck?” he gasped and stepped forward.
“Don’t touch me,” I hissed, moving away.
“Who did that?” Oliver demanded.
“Eve. When she assaulted me, but wait, she’ll lie again and claim I attacked first, and this is a result of her defending herself. That’s the next untruth out of your mouth, right, Eve?” I asked softly.
“Alicia, stop twisting things. You shoved me, and I pushed you in defence. That’s how you got hurt. Why are you making out I’m lying!” Eve exclaimed indignantly.
“Bingo! Oliver, when have I ever been violent?” I whispered. Desperately, I held Oliver’s eyes, needing him to see the truth. Would he take Eve’s side? Uncertainty flashed as Oliver studied my head wound. Then he glanced at Eve and the wilting flower impression she was portraying.
“You’re creating lies to cover your vile actions. You should be grovelling at Eve’s feet, Alicia,” Oliver snapped. “Get on your fucking knees and beg Eve for forgiveness.”
“Yeah, that won’t be fuckin’ happening. Alicia, Zinnia, come, now! Good job I returned because you forgot your purse, babe. What a total cunt you are, Oliver,” Dax snarled from behind.
Zinnia appeared and moved to my side. She wrapped an arm around my waist as Oliver was shocked into speechlessness. Oliver turned to face Dax as the blood drained from his face.
“What type of lowlife, asshole scum, takes the word of a whore over his wife? You don’t deserve Alicia, and one day this will come back to haunt you. Eve shoved Alicia. Your piece of cheap pussy harmed and scarred your wife. God, how can you call yourself a man?” Dax continued.
“Alicia is going nowhere! She needs to stay and look after Eve!” Oliver snapped. His narcissism was on full display.
“Nah, that’s not happening, and Oliver, you don’t want to upset me!” Dax threatened.
Oliver flinched.
“Oliver, you forgot one thing,” I said quietly as I moved towards Dax.
“What’s that?” he demanded snottily.
“And I thought you were clever—I wasn’t the only witness,” I replied and kept walking. Oliver should remember that his office was recorded. Eve blanched as Oliver frowned. It wasn’t my problem if he didn’t.