EMILY POVThe crowd applauded after I made my speech and I got compliments from various women who commented on my oratory skills. While some were pleased to meet me, few of them destested me."What is she wearing?" one of the ladies said as I passed by their table."Leo Robbins must have gone blind," another said and hissed.I pretended not to hear them as I walked briskly to my chair."That was a great one," Annabel commended me."Thanks for the support," I replied and the waitresses and waiters began to serve a course meal.While I ate, I heard someone else whisper, "the wife and side chick in one place. What a duo." I felt uneasy as I stole glances at Annabel who concentrated on her food. I admire her audacity which I emulated and continued eating my food as well.Unknown to me that Annabel had staged the whole thing just to humiliate me. She had all Leo's girlfriends at the event and also made me wear the wrong dress to get back at me for taking Leo away from her.She even went a
EMILY POV"He's leaving? Where is he going? Does he want to leave me now?" I shouted."Not that kind of leaving. He's traveling to France for a business project," Jude said and laughed."He didn't even bother to tell me. Not even a text message," I sighed. "When will he be back?" I asked."I can't tell but he might be back in a month or more," he replied."A month or more?" I screamed and held my head in my arms. "It's fine. I'm fine. I'll be fine. Thanks for your prompt response to my call and for being a friend," I said."I'll always be willing to help. You can always call me when you need a listening ear," he said as he stood up and bowed. Seeing him exit the door slapped me with the realization that I was truly alone in New York City with no one to listen to me. I didn't want to call Annabel so I wouldn't burden her with my problems and Jude who I could call, was also traveling with Leo.I went to my room and wet my bed with tears. "I wish you were here, Max. Or I could just join
LEO POVMy trip to France was the necessary distraction I needed to forget about Emily whom I had grown fond of. I knew I had been harsh but I was never a nice guy.Jude had deliberately told me about his meeting with her the night before my trip but I poured all he said into a trash can. I was not a guy who would feel pity for any woman but Emily was different.I felt pity for her when I was supposed to ignore her tears or complain. I denied and rejected having feelings for her with my body and soul which was the reason I took the trip. The business project was just a pretense to get away from it all.I and Jude had a fun time touring Paris. It wasn't our first time but we did unwind and reminisce about high school and college.It was evening when we got back to my house in the state after a fun-filled tour for international cuisines. "It's a surprise to have you call Martha. I hope all is well," Jude spoke to her over the phone. She had suddenly called around 8pm which was unusual.
EMILY POV I removed my gaze from Leo whose eyes held mine for a moment. “You’ve got a week to plan everything,” Jude said and giggled. “You don’t have to if you don’t want to. A birthday party is unnecessary,” Leo said and shrugged. “Do you think your father would see it that way? You have a wife now,” Jude said. “Then I should get to work,” I said and pushed myself up. “I don’t want to hear anyone complaining about a stressed body. I need peace of mind,” Leo said without looking away from his laptop screen. “I can take care of myself,” I replied and smiled. I felt a surge of emotions like there were butterflies in my belly as I went into the kitchen. My mind recapped my conversation with both men and I felt on cloud nine because Leo left France for me. He was extremely compassionate and caring than I imagined. He simply had a rotten personality on the outside but he was an angel inside. I giggled as I thought about Leo. I was so shy and cheerful like a 16 years old in love.
EMILY POVMy eyes followed the movement of the gatecrashers as they walked in. I moved my attention to Leo who was about to hold his glass to his mouth but stopped mid-way as they entered.When one of them noticed me, she gestured to the others and they approached me. Every step they took made me jittery but I found my confidence soon.I was Leo's wife and from what I could deduce, he might have feelings for me. And even if he didn't have feelings for me, I was ready to take a stand and show them who the boss is. I walked elegantly to Leo and held his arm."Honey, can we go grab a drink?" I asked him in a bid to steal him away from the guests he was speaking with."Of course, excuse me," he said to the guests and followed me. One of his ex-girlfriends followed in our direction and we met at the small bar put in place for the event."Hey boy! Won't you even say hello? I came all the way to celebrate you today even though someone decided not to send me an invite," she said."I guess you
LEO POV I had never felt so excited about my birthday until Emily planned my 32nd birthday party. I was extremely glad to see how she poured so much energy into planning the event and I ensured she had everything she needed. Jude was the mastermind of the whole thing owing to his desire to bring me and Emily close. While she was over the place to ensure a successful party, I kept my eyes on her. She had managed to charm me and I was captivated by her beauty, intelligence and confidence. The way she stood up to my ex-girlfriends was impressive. The ladies were only good at one thing and that was sleeping with me. I spent millions on them since they were majorly glamorous and classy models, presenters, actresses. Fortunately, Emily was a welcome distraction from my flirty and messy lifestyle. My joy was short-lived when I saw Kay at my party. I expected to see him since I sent him an invitation card but his presence still bothered me. Then he provoked me when he held Emily's hand
EMILY POVI suddenly felt guilty after I made out with Leo in public. I had searched for Annabel's face after in the crowd and when I found it, my mind was disheartened.From their previous encounter at the entrance of the party, I got a positive feeling that there was something between them before I crashed in. That was how I viewed it.I had crashed into someone else's relationship and ruined it. I imagined how she must have felt while he kissed me and after he made that heartfelt speech.Guilt ate me up when she grew silent while we spoke at the party. Then she apologized for staying for a short while and left the party. I was restless all through the drive home. I felt like I had stabbed my friend at the back. A friend who had been nothing but good to me.Then I made up my mind to asked him about their relationship. The clarity would assist me in controlling my feelings and withdrawing from any foolish thoughts I had about my future with Leo.If she was meant to be with him in th
EMILY POV"Leo!!! You're being rude. You don't even know what we were discussing," I said calmly so as not to draw other people's attention."I'm not dumb and not stupid like you think I am. I clearly know what you were discussing and the fact that he is asking my wife to dinner?" Leo said."Let it go, Leo. It's just dinner and I…" I tried to explain but Leo cut in abruptly."Just dinner?! Did you just say it's just dinner?! I'm terribly disappointed in you and how you've stooped so low," Leo slammed me."Calm down, man. You don't need to yell before you pass a message. That's a disregard for your wife," the stranger said.Leo's eyes saw red as he held the man's collar while the other held his hand to release his grip. "Don't you ever dare teach me how to treat my woman. She's mine and I know how to make her happy," Leo yelled and it got the attention of other guests."She's not a thing to be possessed. She's a living and breathing human like you," the stranger replied. My legs were s