CHAPTER FIVE - D-DAY

Thirty minutes after nine the next day,  I checked my watch for the nth time before consulting my phone for any messages from Caleb. 

A feeling of apprehension spreads all over my body because for the first time, Caleb was late for an appointment and he was never late. As in never. 

"Do you think he was suddenly struck by conscience and changed his mind?" It was Tory. 

We were talking on the phone when I mentioned Caleb's unusual tardiness to her. 

A shot of excitement rolled over my body when I heard the suggestion, but I dispelled the thought immediately.  

"I lived with the man for three years, and if there is anything I learned from him, Caleb never changes his mind once he makes a decision about something." 

We both became silent after that. 

Another minute passed before I saw a familiar black BMW parked outside the building. The door to the passenger side opened, and Caleb got out.   As usual, he was dressed smartly in his olive green three-piece suit. 

I looked at my own attire. It took me a while before deciding on a black body-hugging a-line dress topped with a mustard coat and partnered with a pair of black flats. 

I hurriedly bid Tory goodbye when I saw Caleb's eyes sweep over the crowd for me. 

Squaring my shoulders, I waved my hand to get his attention, and when our eyes met, his usual frosty glare of late greeted me. 

He walked in my direction, stopping a few feet away to hand me a folder.  

"What is this?" I asked, receiving the folder. 

"Just read it." He said in a clipped tone. 

I read it and could not believe my eyes.  

Caleb set up a monthly allowance for me for the rest of my life.  But there was one stipulation - the agreement will be null and void when I remarry.

When I read the contents, I could not help but snort.  I put the documents back in the folder and returned them to him. 

"You do not like it? You think the amount is too small?" He sneered. 

"It was actually generous, but I could not accept your generosity. I am sorry." I told him before walking ahead of Caleb but not before seeing the confused look on his face. 

A small smile formed on my lips as I relished the idea that I was probably the first person who rejected his offer of money. 

I stopped at the reception area to state our purpose. By this time, Caleb has caught up with me.  The receptionist promptly showed us to our intended office. 

"Why?" Caleb asked while we were walking to the divorce personnel's office. 

His tone held a hint of surprise and annoyance. 

I sighed when I realized we were not done with the agreement yet.  My rejection must be a sore issue for Caleb, so I proceeded to explain. 

"I do not need your money, Caleb." 

Now, it was his turn to snort.  

“It’s the truth. I really do not need your money.”  

"Just take it." He said, pressing the folder to my arm. I refused to take it, so the folder landed on the floor. 

By this time, Caleb's face turns a shade darker.  He was clearly pi*sed off.

But he was not the only one.  I never liked it when someone foisted their wants on me.  

"You do not have to relieve your guilty conscience with money.  I do not need it." I said before sauntering off, leaving him behind to pick up the wretched folder from the floor where it landed. 

When he arrived at the divorce office, Caleb was sporting a full-blown scowl. 

After a brief preliminary introduction, we settled down and discussed our divorce. The officer then took the application form from us to peruse its contents. Then, he took another certificate from a pedestal drawer, stamped our names into it, and handed each of us a copy.

Caleb took his copy, folded it in half, and put it inside the inner pocket of his suit jacket.  I, on the other hand, put the certificate inside my bag. 

“Congratulations on becoming single once again!” Our divorce officer offered awkwardly, but my ex-husband took it as his cue to leave.  

Ignoring the salutation, Caleb pushed his chair back, rose to his feet, and without a backward glance in my direction, sauntered off. 

I, on the other hand,  remained where I sat and took the congratulatory handshake offered by our divorce officer before rising to my feet. 

“Thank you,” I told him. 

Our divorce officer grimaced.  “I think my offer of congratulations suits you better than him.  Happy divorce day!” He added. This time, the smile he bestowed on me was more relaxed. 

I returned the smile and walked briskly to the exit, where I found Caleb talking on his phone. 

Squaring my shoulders, I walked past him.

I could feel the weight of his stare boring into my back, but I refused to turn my head around and look back.  

Yesterday, I already resolved to accept my defeat, let him go, and move forward. 

Today, I was set to reclaim what I relinquished three years ago when I decided to give in to my capricious heart to be close to him. 

As I stepped out of the large entryway, a red sports car screeched to a stop in front of me.

My eyes widened in surprise when  Dr. Tony Richardson came out to open the side passenger door. 

I got in, clipped my seatbelt and took a deep breath. 

“Are you ready to leave?”  He asked. 

“Yes.”

“No looking back?” He probed as if to test my resolve.

I smacked him hard on the chest and mimicked him, “No looking back.” 

“Your billionaire ex is looking at us.” He said, eyes twinkling in mischief.  

Knowing him, I knew that it was just one of his ploys to make me retract my words, but I was determined to leave the past behind, so I replied rather saucily, “Then, Let him look.” 

“Wow!  You’ve grown some b*lls!”There was admiration in Tony’s voice.

To think that just yesterday, I was a mess and was on the brink of becoming a murderer. 

Now, I realize that divorce is not the end of my world.  It is my liberation.  

I flipped my hair back, tilted my chin up, and ordered Tony to press on the accelerator.

Today, I am going to celebrate my divorce day!