?Arranged Marriage?♀️
To
a
?complete ?
? stranger?♀️?
By: worthy stories
Chapter 20
Hailey’s pov ?
I was at the party at my law firm had thrown to celebrate the new merger.
Many of our high profile clients and big shots and people of the elite section of society were here.
I was dressed in a dark red, one shoulder dress that reached below my knees and had a slit that reached upto my mid thigh.
The dress perfectly hugged my body in the right places, showing off my curves but was yet very much professional.
The look was dancing between segzy and elegant and I loved it. My black hair was straightened and parted in the middle and diamond studs adorned my ears. Make-up on my face was minimal just as I preferred.
I was engaged in conversation with an old client of the firm when I caught Nathan entering with Hannah on his arm.
The hypocrisy of the man who was just days ago threw a tantrum accusing me of infidelity! Here he was at my workplace with his mistress at an event that meant a lot to me.
I was enraged by his behaviour. But along with the anger I also felt a pang of sadness.
Somehow when we were fighting, a fleeing thought crossed my mind, that he was so furious seeing me with other men because he was possessive of me.
That he cared, it affected him. It was ridiculous, I know but somehow it got caught in the back of my mind giving me a fuzzy feeling.
Now I know it was a foolish fantasy. Even if he was possessive it was because of his manly ego being hurt that I was not clinging to him like most women do.
Or perhaps he was telling the truth and he simply found it hard to work with people he thought I was having an affair with. Coming to think of it, even I would feel weird to work with someone who was sleeping with my husband.
I pushed all this thoughts in a box called “unwanted emotions and feelings: do not open” and closed it in there. ‘Get a grip of yourself Hailey!’ I mentally scolded myself. I was acting like someone desperate for love and longing for affection, two things I simply refused from anyone except my brother and grandparents. I’m not big on feelings and relationships, then why am I so affected by my husband and our failing marriage?
I was snapped out of my thoughts by a tap on my shoulder. I turned to see Mr Kane standing behind me with a worried look on his face.
“Are you alright Ms Anderson? I was calling out to you, you didn’t respond,” he said worried.
“Oh yes Mr Kane, I’m fine,” I said mentally kicking myself for zoning out like that. “Sorry for that.”
“As I had informed you earlier, I wanted you to meet with my client today, the one you’ll be representing,” he carried on.
I followed him as he led me to where two men were standing, deep in conversation. Suddenly I had an uneasy feeling at the pit of my stomach.
I chose to ignore it and listen to what my new boss was saying. We reached the men and Mr Kane cleared his throat and the two men turned towards us.
I froze in my place as he stood before me. The man who I spent so much time hating, the one who hurt me so badly, who broke me and caused me so much pain. He was the reason I didn’t believe in love. I had hoped I would never have to see the face of my ex fiancee ever again. And then the words that came out from Mr Kane’s mouth were the ones I was dreading to hear.
“Hailey meet Mr Roman Hunt, your new client.”
Hello Hailey,” said the deep voice belonging to the tall man infront of me.
“Mr Hunt,” I recovered and greeted him professionally. My face gave no sign of recognition.
“I’ll be the attorney representing you,” I informed him.
“I’m well aware of that as I arranged it with Mr Kane,” he said with a smirk, letting me know he had planned this.
“So do you’ll want to discuss the case?” Mr Kane asked. “Roman wanted to fill you in on the case himself.” He told me.
“No uncle,” Roman said. “It’s a beautiful evening and we best keep the tiresome work for later. We can discuss the case later in the office.”
“Monday morning in my office,” I told him, straight to the point. “I’ll have my secretary get in touch with yours to arrange a suitable time.”
“That would be wonderful, thank you.” He said.
“You two can talk, I need to get going,” Mr Kane said. “Don’t worry Roman, you’re in good hands.”
“Oh I know that,” Roman chuckled.
When Kane left, Roman turned to me.
“So, how have you been,” he asked casually.
I collected myself and put on a strong front. I would not let him get the better of me.
“Mr Hunt, if you don’t have business to discuss, I would like to excuse myself,” I told him.
“No Hailey wait,” he said. “Maybe we could go out for coffee sometime.”
It took all I of my self control not to slap him. How could he come back after all these years and just behave so casually?
“I’m sorry Mr Hunt,” I said instead. “I don’t indulge in such behaviour with my clients.”
“But I’m not just your client.” He protested.
“Yes, Mr Hunt. You are just my client. Nothing more.”
Hurt was written all over his face, but I didn’t care. It was nothing compared to what he put me through.
“Mr Hunt?” He asked me. “Now we’re on last name basis? I remember all the other names you had for me.”
I said nothing.
“Hailey please…I want to make things better.” He pleaded desperately but I was not having it. “I’m really sorry, Hailey. I-I…I made a dumb mistake and I really regret it. Please…g-give me a s-second chance.”
“It’s a bit too late for that now, don’t you think,” I said unnerved by his pleas.
“I meant to come back to you earlier,” he confessed.
“Then why didn’t you?” I asked.
“I never found the courage. I h@ťěd myself for letting you go. But please, if you give me another chance, I swear I’ll make it all better. I’ll never let you go.”
Once upon a time, that would have sent me running back into his arms. Once upon a time, I would have believed him. Once upon a time, I wanted him. But that was the old me. The new me, who was born as a result of his betrayal knew better. She didn’t believe in the promises of men.
“You fooled me once,” I told him. “And that was a shame on you. But if I let you fool me twice, it would be a shame on me.”
“Hailey…”
“You may have tricked your way into working with me, but you can’t trick your way back into my life.”
And with that, I left him there, looking like a hurt puppy.
I walked out of the crowded room and towards a quiet balcony, overlooking the city. I needed the quiet and solace.
Its wrong of him to come back now. Not when I was doing so well, when I was finally over him. After I had healed, he comes back only to open up old bruises.
I was deep in thought, trying to keep the past hurt at bay, when I heard a familiar friendly voice from behind me.
“A great party, isn’t it,” the thick Italian voice jolted me from my thoughts. “It makes me wonder, what a beautiful woman is doing here instead of enjoying the party.”
“Michael.” I greeted my companion. “It got a bit crowded in there.”
“Ah, that’s there,” he came and stood beside me. “Mind if I keep you company?”
“Actually, I’d really like that right now,” I told him honestly. I could really use a bit of distraction right now.
“Congratulations, on your promotion, though I must say, I saw that coming,”
“Thanks. I really loved the pastries you sent in. What exactly were they?” I asked him.
“There was the Cannoli, the tubular fried pastry dough with sweet ricotta filling and there was the Cassata which was the sponge cake soaked in fruit juice and liqueur. They are both of Sicily origin and I myself chose them for you.”
“Well then I must thank you for that wonderful treat. They were amazing, I never quite tasted anything like it.” I told him sincerely.
“Then I must invite you out to my Pasticceria,” he said nonchalantly. “I would walk you through all different sorts of wonderful Italian delights and I guarantee you, it’s the best you’ve ever tasted.”
(Pasticceria- Italian for pastry shop)
Incase your wondering, Michael’s business was owning a chain of Italian hotels, cafes, bakeries and restaurants, all over the world.
“That’s a very tempting offer,” I answered. “But I must let you know, I’m already married.”
I couldn’t keep it hidden and mislead him any longer. He was basically asking me on a date and I was playing him. A part of me felt guilty.
“Oh, I know that,” he chuckled.
“You did?” My eyes widened in shock.
“Yeah, you never did anything to hide the ring on your finger,” he said with humour.
“Oh,” I looked at the wedding band Nathan had slipped on my finger. I had never taken it off even though Nathan never wore his.
“And you still flirted with me?”I asked him.
“Well you never protested, or told me to back off,” he defended. “Moreover, I enjoyed your company too much.”
I just smiled at him.
“So who’s the lucky guy?” He asked the question I was dreading. “You still use your maiden name and I never heard anything about you being married which is strange considering you are always wearing a wedding ring.”
“We had a small secret wedding with only family present,” I confessed. “We didn’t want anyone to know so we didn’t announce it to the media and only very few people know about it. Which is why I must ask you to keep quiet about it.”
“Have no worries, my fair lady, your secret is safe with me,” and he gave a dramatic little bow for extra effect drawing a small laugh from me.
“Though I must admit I am curious as much as I am jealous of this lucky man who got to you before me.”
“I don’t think there is anything to be lucky about,” I told him honestly, for neither my ex nor my husband ever made me feel that way.
“I beg to differ,” he said. “You are a rare piece of jewel that is meant to be worshipped.”
God and goddesses are meant to be worshipped,” I countered.
“They are,” he agreed. “But not in bed.”
I blushed and he chuckled.
“My offer still stands,” he told me. “I would like to see your reaction to the different Italian dishes my new pastry shop in Madison Avenue has to offer. I’m thinking of adding some new dishes to the menu and could really use some help in the choosing process.”
“Hm, sounds interesting. I guess I’m going to take you up on your offer. But I must warn you, my knowledge of Italian dishes is quite poor.” I confessed to him.
“Don’t worry. When we’re done, you’ll be as thorough as one can be,”
“I can’t wait,”
“So, will you do me the honour of dancing this next dance with me,” he asked while stretching out his hand for me and bowing a little.
“It will be a pleasure,” I said taking is offered arm.
We headed out of the balcony door and stepped into the ballroom where the party was going on.
Suddenly out of nowhere, a waiter with a glass of champagne in a tray, came and collided with Michael, spilling the champagne over his expensive suit.+
“Sir I-I’m so s-sorry s-sir,” the waiter stammered in fear.
“Oh man! I really prefer champagne to drink, not bathe in,” Michael mummered.
“I’m extremely sorry sir, can I do anything to help you?” The scared waiter asked.
“No, I’ll be fine,” Michael said dismissing him.
“Are you ok?” I asked him
“Well I’m fine but I think I’ll have to use the restroom,” he said.
“Follow me,” I led him to the nearest men’s room in my office building.
I asked him to take of his suit coat and I would clean it for him as he took care of himself. As he went about washing himself, I cleaned his suit as best as I could with the help of paper towels. I was done wiping it dry and was holding the coat for Michael to coat back on when the door to the men’s room opened and in walked Nathan.
He seemed shocked seeing us and stared wide eyed. I quickly realised that given our previous conversation, this was not the ideal position for me to be seen in by him. I was in the men’s bathroom with a man he accused me of have an affair with, helping him put his coat back on. He was definitely going to come to a wrong conversation and berate me all the more.5
“Ah, Mr Rodriguez,” Michael greeted oblivious to the tension in the room.
“Mr Russo,” Nathan said still shocked.
“Ah, excuse me, gentlemen,” I said and quickly exited the bathroom.
————————-
”
After dancing with Michael for a while I excused myself and told him I had to leave. It was late now and I wanted to get back home and have a good night’s sleep after this eventful night.
Michael, ever the gentleman, walked me to my car and saw me off. I enjoyed tonight in his company and almost forgot the incident with Nathan in the bathroom.
All through the drive home, I was concentrated on my unfateful meeting with Roman Hunt. Michael had managed to distract me earlier but now, left alone I was again consumed in my thoughts about him, replaying everything that happened.
I didn’t even notice when I reached mansion. I opened the front door and entered the living room. I was so lost in thought, I didn’t see a furious and drunk Nathan sitting on the couch waiting for me.
“Your back early,” he said, snapping my attention towards him. I noticed that his eyes were red. “I’m surprised you didn’t slip out for a late night rendezvous.”
“What do you want, Nathan?” I asked annoyed and not wanting to have this conversation AGAIN!
“What do I want?” He asked getting up from his chair and walking towards me. “Last time we talked, you made me believe you weren’t seeing anyone, that you were a good little Saint, only for me to find you in the men’s bathroom with a man!”
“There’s a misunderstanding, Nathan. Michael and I-”
“Oh, so you call him by his first name? How very nice!” He spat. “And no need for some pathetic excuse. Of course it was a misunderstanding when I trusted what you said earlier.”
“If you have no intention of hearing me out, then I suggest you move,” I told him since he was standing in front of me. “I don’t want to waste another breath on having an useless argument with you.”
“No how can you! All your breath was wasted on him sucking it out of you, I’ll bet,” his breath reeked of alcohol.
“Nathan!” I warned. “Your crossing your limits. I will not have you talk to me like that.”
“Don’t talk to you like that?” He laughed without humour. “You didn’t mind doing all the nasty things with him, but are ashamed to talk about it? Stop with the good girl act now, Hailey. You’ve been caught.”
“For the last time Nathan, I didn’t f-__-k him. I don’t care what you believe, but it’s the truth!” I screamed in his face. “And don’t even dare talk to me about cheating and the other men in my life when you have a f-__-king MISTRESS!”
I lost my cool. I was tired of taking his $h|t every day. Who the hell does he think he is?
“Don’t you dare scream at me you f-__-king wh-_-re!” He yelled at me.
My head snapped towards him.
“What. Did. You. Call. Me?” I gritted out.
“Only what you are: a dirty little slut,” he sneered.
Crack
Before I could even comprehend what was happening, my hand flew out and hit him across the cheek.
The frustration that I had been holding from the beginning of this marriage combined with my stress from meeting my ex and the anger at Nathan for constantly pushing me over the edge, accusing me of vile things I hadn’t done had gotten the better of me.
I had just slapped my husband.
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TBC
????OMG I’M I DREAMING