Never to look back

Emile sat by the windowsill hugging her knees and looking at the endless night with a desolate expression trying to filter out the annoying sounds coming from the master bedroom. She let out a soft sigh thought about her miserable existence. Eight years of infatuated love and 3 years of marriage with absolute devotion left her with nothing but endless shame and an empty house. In the three years of marriage, there was not a day that the newspapers and entertainment world did not have a news of the colorful scandals for her husband. Emile rested her chin on her knees as she thought back to the folly of her youth. She met Daniel during her first year of university at a gathering of family friends. If at first, she was mesmerized by his handsome face and his domineering aura, later she fell in love with his brilliance and character. Emile was an outstanding bubbly and beautiful girl. She was the goddess in the hearts of almost all the young men at her university, but she had eyes only

Daniel got in his car in irritation and flung the divorce agreement application copy in annoyance onto the passenger seat and drove away. He hit the steering wheel in annoyance a few times to get rid of his anger. He had no idea why he was angry. This was what he wanted for the last three years…. Now that he had got it without even having to ask for it…. why was he annoyed?He calmed himself down by the time he reached Michelle’s apartment. He rationalized his anger was due to Emile’s arrogance and nothing more. He put the divorce agreement in the dashboard before walking up to pick her.The banquet was for celebrating the fiftieth birthday of one of his business partners who was also his father’s friend. Normally people would bring their spouses to such events; but Daniel never bought Emile… not even once. Either it was Michelle or one of the models he was having an affair with while Michelle went away. Initially this was the joke of the event and Emile’s status would be the butt of

Daniel didn’t stay long at Grandpa Holston’s place as he was in low spirits with the blow that the news of Emile’s departure brought him.Ronald drove while Daniel sat lost in thought on the way back.“Why did she leave just like that?” Daniel mumbled as he sat in a daze. “Why would she stay?” Ronald retorted rudely “Did you ever give her a reason to stay in these 3 years?”“Huh?” Daniel turned to look at Ronald feeling lost. He couldn’t explain his current state of mind. He should be happy but why did he feel lost?“Where to?” Ronald drummed his fingers on the steering wheel. He didn’t want to pursue this topic. Although he never agreed with what Daniel did over the last three years; he didn’t want him to delve into it, especially now that there was no point.“Your apartment or house?” Ronald asked again, since he didn’t get a response.“House??” Daniel repeated regretfully before asking “Drop me off at my office.”The “house” Ronald referred to, was the wedding present Grandpa Hols

Emile and Abbey reached their first destination, Mauritius around midday. Having no plan was the best plan. The two best friends decided to chill at the world class hotel they booked into on the first day before getting into touristy mode and booked themselves into an indulgent beauty saloon for a relaxing massage after a sumptuous feast. The next five days were jam-packed with activities starting a luxurious catamaran cruise of the northern islands. Abbey’s camera lens snapped away at the breath-taking views while Emile immersed herself in the experience. This was her first time travelling away from home, away from comfort zone; She had always lived a protected life with her grandfather and cousins where university was the furthest, she travelled away from home. Every experience was new and invigorating, opening a whole new world, whether it was admiring the vibrant colors of the ocean or the magnificent mountain views or snorkeling at one of the beaches, diving with Emperor Angelf

Daniel reached back at the villa around 6pm; The chat with Ron helped resolve his dilemma. He managed to convince himself that he knew what he wanted and there was no need to be confused.Michelle was watching television in the lounge room when he arrived.“Your back.” Michelle smiled happily as she saw him and hopped into his embrace but soon wrinkled her nose “You drank?”“Just a social meet.” Daniel smiled as he hugged her “Were you bor…” He didn’t complete what he was about to say as he was shocked by the interior. It had totally changed.“Do you like it?” Michelle smiled mischievously as she looked at his face waiting for his approval. Sadly, the approval never lit up on his face. What Michelle didn’t know was that although this was the wedding house that Grandpa Holston gifted Daniel and Emile, Daniel had personally designed it as it was always meant to be his and Michelle’s house in his mind. The only place he asked Emile’s input was the guest bedroom, even the kitchen was desi