Chapter 1 Turning Point
- (Bella)
- It's my two years anniversary this coming weekend and I've been ecstatic about it. My marriage to Dean has been blissful, peaceful and above all our love grew each passing day.
- For various reasons, I once was a stripper.
- I don't think it was something to be ashamed of, but people always used to look at this profession through colored glasses.
- Until I met my husband, Dean, who is truly a perfect man who loves me, respects me, and doesn't care about my past. I love him just as much. I said goodbye to my past long ago and have been a good wife ever since I got married.
- The doorbell rings, pulling me out of my thoughts, I smile knowing Ashley, my best friend is here, I applied my lipstick and take a quick glance at the mirror before hurrying downstairs.
- Dean's out on an important business trip and Ashley's inviting me for a girl's night out.
- Honestly, I'm in no mood for alcohol, I haven't been feeling too good but Ashley's insisting, and thinking about it now, she's right, it's been long we stepped out. So yeah.
- "Hi, darling," I say with a wide smile, giving Ashley a quick kiss on the cheeks. "How do I look?" I spread my arms, expecting her praises.
- Her eyes darts on me for a while and then a smile forms. "You look —stunning, as always." She says, her smile spreading across her face.
- "Thank you, boo. You look as stunning yourself," I reply and then I tilted my head. "Where are we going?" I ask.
- "It's a surprise, but a good time is assured," she says, her smile still in place.
- "Alright, but Ash I'm not drinking too much tonight, haven't been feeling too good lately," I say just in case. "Plus you know I'm not good with alcohol,"
- "Roger that, now after you," she winks as we exit my penthouse.
- ******
- My eyes slowly opens, adjusting to the light in the room, I'm in bed, and in a strange room.
- I straightened up quickly and turned to see Ashley sleeping beside me, and only then did I breath out in relief.
- God, last night was—-- I can barely even remember a thing, the only thing that I can remember was entering the club with Ashley, laughing and talking through the loud music and then me slowly sipping my first drink.
- Everything goes blank afterwards, like it's been erased from my memory or something. I guess I had too much of that amber liquid.
- My head hurts, my body feels like it's been hit by a freight train, I'm staying off alcohol for a long time.
- Ashley stirs beside me and slowly opens her eyes. "You're awake," she says with a yawn.
- I nod but then I ask. "How did I end up here?" I raise my brows, skeptical.
- Ashley shrug it off. "We both had much to drink, couldn't drive in that state, so I figured we should crash here,"
- I nod again, not remembering anything isn't even helpful at all but I'm grateful Ashley has us sorted out.
- "Thanks, Ash. We should wash up and leave, I need to pickup Dean's anniversary gift," a smile finds it's way to my face as I say this.
- Ashley gives me a tiny smile. "Right, we should."
- ********
- (Dean)
- I could barely even wait to get home to my wife, I've been gone for a week and it feels like pure torture staying away.
- Our anniversary is today, and I already have a perfect gift. I smile comes to my face.
- I had come back in time for our anniversary dinner, but then I ask Raymond to drive me to the office to pickup a file, I'll be taking a day off from work to spend time with my woman tomorrow.
- As I shuffle between the documents on my desk, a knock comes to my door and in walks Humphrey.
- "Welcome back sir," he says with a warm smile and then he extends his hand. "This parcel came in for you this morning, was hoping to have them over but since you're here,"
- My brows rose. "A parcel, for me?" I ask with a hint of skepticism. But with Humphrey's nod, I take it, dismissing him at once.
- I want to keep it and check what that is later but my curiosity won't let me.
- Sitting back down in my armchair, I tore the parcel open and nothing prepares me for what I saw.
- My jaw drops in an instant, my stomach tightens, my head spinning.
- I stared at 4 pictures of Bella with different men in a compromising position.
- My breath hitched as I try to process it all. But then my eyes lands at the note at the bottom of the bag. I pick it up.
- "She's been playing you all along, she has never loved you, being moving with different men, that is a proof, don't be fooled. If you don't believe me, then check your bedroom drawer for birth control pills,"
- I run a hand through my hair, my chest feels so heavy, like it's been rippled apart.
- How could —- how could Bella do this?
- My eyes darts to the photos again and my heart broke.
- I could barely catch my breath, each inhale shaper than the last.
- "So all of this has been a lie?" I say to myself. "She's been fooling me, deceived me into believing she left that life behind?"
- But then, the truth stares at me.
- The harsh reality a cold slap to my face.
- I've been a fool, a fool for love.