9

2 and a half months...

2 and half months were left before I could end this marriage. In the previous months, I didn't see much of him. Dylan had recently gone on a business trip. He had been gone for over a month now and hadn't still returned.

"Hey, Tiffany boss wanted that report on The Willow project. He wants to meet you." Sean said while peeking into my cubicle.   

"Oh yes."  

I got up from my seat with the file in my hand and approached the elevator. Pressing the button to the 20 floors I waited. In between people came in went and took me longer than 2 minutes to reach 20 floors. I walk towards the door imprinted with golden bold words Spencer Knight. I knocked at the door and a heavy voice ordered me to come in.  

"I have got the Willow report."  

Spencer stopped typing on his computer and glanced towards me. He was about Edward's age or maybe older than that. The corners of his eyes always wrinkled at any slight movement. He half smiled and extended his hand. I handed him the file.  

After 5 minutes or so he ran his hand over his bald head and then said.  

"Not bad. A little delayed but not bad."  

"I am sorry sir it was a little tricky."  

"It's okay it's done not to worry. Good job on the report."  

"Thank you, sir." He nodded and it was my cue to leave.  

Later in the evening I came home and went to the kitchen and got a bottle of water. I saw Martha organizing the washed plates.  

"Hey, Martha."  

"Tessa how was your day?"  

"Fine. Any idea when Dylan is going to come back?"  

"I don't know." She paused and spoke again. "It's unusual that he would stay so long for a business trip. He usually wraps it up in days." I just nodded at that and left the kitchen.  

As I was passing through the hall I saw a couple of papers at the table but what mostly grabbed my attention was a photo posted on the front page. A photo of him with some lady. And they looked like they were quite "busy".

The headline said, 'AND OUR DEAR DYLAN IS BACK.'

The article beautifully described his 'earlier conquests' and my 'sorry state' but the last line irritated me when I saw my name underlined. 

Tessa Gray, what do you have to say about this?  

"Who is the damn writer?" I muttered and flipped the page.  

I was expecting Glendora but it was some other writer. I threw the paper into the wastebasket and marched towards my room.  

What do I have to say? Well by how much will they raise your pay by writing this article?  

But then the photograph. The photograph was flashing again and again. One thing the writer surely predicted right that I would go for a divorce.  

Yeah, good news to you too girl we are in a couple of months. But not because of this.  

I don't know why I was getting angry because of a silly article but it still agitated me. Now I know about the business trip what kind of business he had to attend to. One month that means they would have been going out for a month mostly. I scolded myself for being so carried away by a small article.  

Why are you even thinking about this? This marriage was a business deal anyway. You don't have to be bothered about it. Silly Silly.  

My phone flashed with Ria's name on it I inhaled and took the call.  

"Tessa, did you see today's newspaper? "  

"Yes, I did," I replied in a very cool manner. I think I did my best.  There was a short pause from the other end until she said.  

"You are not angry about this?"  

"No."  

"Are you sure? "  

"Yes, I am sure," I replied in the same cool tone.  

"How can you be?" She murmured softly. I think she forgot I was still on the call.  

"I am fine Ria. Tell me about you. How's Jason?". I quickly switched to the topic.  

"Oh, we are fine. More than fine actually." She giggled.  

"Glad to know that you broke your own record. "  

"What record?"  

"I think for you dating a guy for 6 months is a huge deal. I assume it's serious?"  

"I really like him, Tess."  

"I hope he does the same."  

"Yes, he does." She sighed in content.  

And then she ranted about him in an excited manner which I responded with 'hmmm'. But seriously I was not paying attention to her at all. I was still wondering about that lady and him. And then finally Ria excused herself which I didn't mind at all.  

He hasn't even called yet to explain himself. I shook my head lay on the bed.

"You need to sleep Tessa you are tired," I told myself.

The next morning I woke up late and thanked the Lord for it was Sunday. Freshening up I decided to tour the penthouse today. I had no work to do anyway. I was in his office room his huge wooden desk was neat with a few pen cases and a computer. There were huge rows of shelves and cupboards and in the corner of the room, there was a printer. The room had no light at all as the huge red curtains blocked it. I went and sat his chair leaning back. It was quite comfortable.  

Oh, I need one of these.

I softly tapped his desk and finally got up.  

Later on, I found myself in front of the door which clearly said 'Do not enter'. No, it wasn't written but I think one would advise you not to go. The only who had the license to enter freely was Martha.  

Go on seriously he is not here it's not like it's possessed or something.  

I finally opened the door and entered the room. For a room, it was quite small. More like it just started and then stopped. All I could see was a wooden table cum drawer and a huge painting just above it. One thing I noticed that he had a fetish for collecting paintings. For a second I thought I had entered the wrong room but when I turned to my right I was wrong.

It was a huge room. I think I saw the hugest bed ever made. It was draped in white and light grey sheets with pillows that covered half of the bed. I ventured further in and saw another door. I went and opened I searched for the switch and switched it on. And behold his closet. Racks of suits of same black and blue with different shades of them. Rows of shoes. In the front, there was a full-length mirror in which when I viewed myself I looked much out of the world in my pajamas. There was another glass shelve which contained the widest range of colognes. The other shelve beside it contained watches of all the known brands. They looked too expensive and maybe my one paycheck wouldn't be able to compete with its cost. After spending more time I arrived at the conclusion that he might have bought an entire mall.  

The next thing I explored was his bathroom. Well if we are touring then why leave this? His bathroom resembled a hotel's bathroom. The mirror was too long in breadth and there we too many lights around it. To the side, I saw the shower. This is where he showered naked.  

Well duh, he does everybody do even you do too. May I remind him you might have showered with how many numerous 'conquests' of his.?  

Thank you very much and I got out of the bathroom as fast as possible but my eyes wonders to that neatly made bed.  

Forgot the bed dear?  

Okay, the silly idea of touring the house. I silently went back to my room casually checking my phone I saw a missed call and a text from Selena. I was prepared to hear a sympathetic lecture but the text made me have second thoughts.  

Call me back when you are free. Urgent.

-Sel.  

I immediately called her up. She didn't delay it.  

"Hey what's the matter?"  

"Skype now. Robbie and I want to talk to you." And with that, she cut the call.  

What's going on?  

I immediately switched on the laptop and logged into Skype already there were calls from her. I called her and she picked up.  

"Hey Sel, do you mind if you move a bit away from the camera?"  

"Yeah sure I thought the camera wasn't working," Robbie shouted from the background.  

"Hey, Tessie!!!"  

"Hey, Robbie!"  

"Okay okay, now Robbie" Sel started whispering into Robbie ear. 

"Seriously I think you had to talk to me, not with each other-"  

"1 2 3..ta-da!!!"  

I saw Selena's hand flashing on the screen but what caught my attention was the diamond ring.  

"What's that? "  

"Oh, you stupid girl I am engaged!!! And I am getting married in two months!!!!!" She squealed.  

"Oh hey, congratulations! When did he propose?"  

"Last night! But Tess."  

"Yeah?" She took a deep breath and said.

"Would you be my Maid of Honour?"  

I paused for a second be a for answering her. She is not even asking you to marry some random guy. It's safe to say yes. Right?  

"I think I can? I will yeah."

I was more like convincing myself while answering her.  

"Oh my god, I am so excited!" She squealed and winced at that.

 Let's hope she doesn't turn into a bridezilla.  

After a while, I finally switched off my laptop name and rested myself on the bed. I suddenly jerked myself up and opened my laptop back again. I googled "how to be the best maid of honor."  

You are seriously crazy for doing this. Well hell, I am not a qualified wedding planner Selena won't even hire one.  

I bookmarked a couple of sites and then switched it off back. I was thinking about Selena and I had to admit I was a bit jealous of her. But her asking me being her maid of honor took me by surprise. I thought she would ask one of her office associates or somebody. I knew I had to squeeze some time in between. This didn't really bother me but what really did was the photograph on the cover page of the newspaper.  

What will he be doing now? Probably with that lady. In his hotel room and...  

I woke up again texted Sel and then slept back. But I still couldn't sleep.