Chapter 7: chapter 7

AMELIA’S POVI drank the fourth decaffeinated drink of the day and I was nowhere near completing my works within the deadline. It had been four days since I have seen Zach for at least two hours in full other than sleeping next to him. One, he was always late home and most of the time he was bone tired and would eat and go to sleep immediately. Sometimes it was frustrating and sometimes I wanted to walk into his office and scream at everyone who overworks him. My tried brain just wanted to curl up on the sofa and sleep rather than drinking another scalding decaf. It was already nine and I just put the kids to sleep and I looked out the big window through the living room. It was pitch dark outside apart from the lone street light. The whole neighborhood was quiet, everyone carrying on their business. I looked at the time again in the wall clock and it was already nine-thirty. Zach was late again. I felt drained and angry and emotional in all. And I had a doubt that if I could be pregnant again but chalked it up as I just got my period. Sometimes I think about how I came here. To this. The person I am today.This Amelia was so much more patient and adjustable. Kids do that. I sighed and went upstairs to check on the kids, sometimes Theo had the habit of jumping from the crib and playing with his toys until he felt sleepy and he would just proceed to sleep on the carpet. But both Gia and Theo were fast asleep. Riya was just a little fuzzy but I fed her and rocked her to sleep. My mind whirred with thoughts about how to wind up the contract.It was an important contract and I cannot be found slacking so after I put Riya in her crib, I went downstairs and sat on the couch comfortably with the laptop balanced in my legs while I placed my legs atop of the coffee table. I cleared my mind of any stray thoughts and went into work before putting an alarm at eleven so that even if I fell asleep, I would wake up and complete the papers. I compared the contract with a well-finished one and felt like there were many loopholes. Fucking corporate tactics. I cleaned the one I was typing according to our company rules and regulation and to protect the company from future attacks. I gave a print and even though I couldn’t hear my printer going off in my office, I know they would be ready for me to collect them in the morning while I go deliver them in person and negotiate.I mailed a copy to my secretary and both the companies. Tomorrow is a big day. I watched as the big document loaded while I canceled my alarm. It was nearly eleven anyway. It didn’t leave my mind that Zach was still not home.After the long-ass loading, I sent it and switched off my laptop. I rested my head back at the cushion and felt my eyes sting and to my horror, I started crying. I couldn’t stop the sob which left my mouth and I buried my head in my hands and fell sideways on the couch and curled myself into a fetal position. I didn’t even know for what I was crying but every little thing I bottled up just busted. My silent tears didn’t stop even though I managed to not cry out loud. My mind was a funny thing it knew something was wrong and mainly it was the insecurity rearing its ugly head. But to my knowledge, Zach had never been this late to come home.He always called or texted if he was stuck at work but that day, he didn’t even reply to my text about asking where he was.The dinner time he has with the kids went non-existent these last two months. And honestly, what do you think when your husband spends more time outside rather than being home.It’s not like I don’t trust Zach, just the opposite, I trust him too much and I often felt like that, it was going to be my demise. I bury further into the cushion and blow out my breath. I didn’t know when I fell asleep but I woke up to a hand stroking my head. I slowly opened my crusty eyes and came face to face with Zach who was kneeling on the floor in front of me. He gave me a smile and I took him in. He was still in his office attire but had his coat in his hand and his bag was slung across his shoulder, he didn’t even take that out. I straightened up on the couch and Zach sat next to me and pulled me to him. I enjoyed the brief warmth of him and pulled away. “You got your leave tomorrow, right?” I mumbled and inconspicuously wiped my cheeks. I glanced at the wall clock and saw it was nearly twelve. He would have gone out of the house probably at six in the morning that day. So, he was home for like six hours. I clenched my jaw and waited for his answer. “Yeah.” He paused. “Come here.” He tried to grab me back to the original position but I got up from the sofa and picked up my laptop. “Good night, Zach,” I said not looking at him, and went towards one of the many guest rooms on the ground floor. I didn’t know what I would have done if he had said he had to go to work the next day too. Because the only time I go out is for important works like this and I want him to watch the kids and not some strangers. That was our agreement. And I was sure that he would somehow tell me that he forgot that I had to go out and I would have no other choice but to leave the kids with their aunt. “Hey, where are you going?” Zach asked trying to catch up with me. “I am going to sleep,” I said and wrenched open the nearest bedroom. “Alone.” I closed the door on Zach’s face and locked it promptly. “Amelia?” He asked and turned the knob to find it closed and knocked on the door. “Baby, open the door. Don’t play games.”“I am not playing games, Zach. I want to be alone tonight.” I said thickly.I heard a light thud like he was leaning against the door, heavily. My eyes stung and my throat closed up. I hated to do this but I want him to feel what I have been going through. Ignoring the churning in my stomach, I turned around and dropped my laptop on the nightstand before falling on the bed. It was too soft and too cold. Crushing my face in the pillow, I fell into pitiful sleep. ……My morning alarm rang against my stomach, I groaned and turned to my back before taking my phone from my hoodie pocket. The phone light seemed too bright against the darkroom and my eyes took a little while to focus on the time. It was five in the morning. I yawned and considered going back to sleep but then I remembered where I was, in a guest bedroom. Fighting with Zach always makes me feel like the worst person alive but today I wanted to sling away before he woke up.Giving a taste of his own medicine. I sighed. This all seemed so childish and I wanted nothing more than going up there and curling up against Zach but my stupid pride was against it. With a huge yawn, I got up from the bed and padded to the en suite bathroom. I flinched when I saw myself in the mirror. It looked like a raccoon attacked me. I blew out a big breath and splashed some cold water against my face and patted with a towel while I crouched down and looked for an extra set of toothbrushes.I swiftly brushed my teeth and took a deep shower to wake myself up. After toweling myself dry, I put on a robe and opened the door to go to the kitchen. I started boiling water for coffee and took out the pumping machine and attached them to my breast and it started to pump milk. I carefully moved around the kitchen to not wake up anyone and started meal prepping. I already prepped for lunch, the day before so I just had to start for breakfast. Zach would do the extra sides so I just decided to make a pancake batter and some boiled green beans. I prepared my coffee in a go-to cup and drank the extra while I took out eggs and bacon for Zach. He would do it himself so I just kept it on the counter with the kids’ cereal and some bread. After I was okay with everything. I made myself some scrambled eggs and ate chips while my milk got fully pumped. And within fifteen minutes I ate my eggs and stashed all the dishes in the sink and went upstairs to get changed. I was careful in opening our bedroom because I wanted to slip away unnoticed and when I saw that he was still sleeping I tip-toed towards the walk-in closet. In my formal hang-ups, I chose a navy blue, low V cut pencil skirt which reached just above my knees, it was quite a tight fitting but I managed. I took a grey blazer while going out. Moving to the bathroom, I silently took the knots out of my hair and straightened it. Wearing minimal makeup, I checked my attire again and took the black strap heels in my hand, and exited the bathroom. I froze when there was a sound and turned my neck silently as if I could disappear in thin air but when I saw Zach just turned positions, I carefully started towards the door. But when I looked at him again, I felt my heart break a little.He was hugging my pillow close to his face and his eyelashes brushed against his cheeks in an innocent look. His hand kept twitching to my side like he was missing my warmth. My scent. Fuck, if I didn’t get out now, I would seriously consider waking him up and apologizing. I swiftly turned on my heels and ran downstairs. I directly went into my office and collected my laptop which I put in charge after I woke up, and arranged the printed materials on a cover, and stashed it all in my bag with a Pendrive. I took a sticky note from one of the drawers and wrote a note and pasted it on the fridge on my way outside. Hell, this is going to be a long day.…… “Thank you for doing this.” My client said as we left the conference room. “It's my job,” I said and shook his hand. “Still, thank you for the way you stuck with our terms.”“Sure, I would have never left someone to loophole us that bad and it is always nice working with you.”“Pleasure is mine.” He said and opened the door for me. I thanked him and started walking while he caught up to me. “Laura wanted to meet with you. She was hogging on about it for weeks.” He said with a smile and nodded to the few of his employees while they walked by him.“Yeah, she texted me the first thing in the morning.” I laughed. “I am sure she did.” We both walked towards the elevator. “You know I have a partner who is stuck in a predicament with his wife while divorcing her. I know you got your plate full but I would be happy if you look into it.” He said while we waited for the elevator. “Greg,” I paused and gave him a knowing smile. “You know I am neither an expert nor a very good person to concentrate on the clients. I will tell Nicholas to look into it, alright?” I asked.“Yeah, sure. Worth a try right.” He said with a wink.I laughed. “Keep it up, old man, and one day I might take a case for one of your partners alright.” I patted his belly jokingly and got on the elevator.“Ah, Jokester. Be safe, Amelia.” He said with a parting wave and I watched the doors close on him.My phone in my hand pinged. Again. “Laura, I am literally coming down. Wait for a few seconds.” I said exasperated into the phone. “I can’t. Now c’mon gal, be fast on your feet.”“That eager to get drunk?” I said dryly and exited the elevator and looked around to see for a bouncy redhead. And I found her waving both of her hands above her head while facing me and with a big grin on her face. I jogged towards her and hugged her to her shriek of happiness in my ears. I squeezed my eyes and ignored the long looks thrown our way. “Hey, girl.” “Mamma Mia, you look good.” She said and made me turn around for a spin and smacked my ass for good measure. “We should get out of here before we get kicked out.” I hissed and grabbed her hand and we both ran in our heels to the lot.With a lot of smack talk, gossips, and laughter, we finally quieted down and enjoyed the silence. I looked around the city and felt nostalgic, god it felt like somehow this city got approved by my mom. “So where is this bar?” I asked as she started winding down lanes in her car. It was good that she could drive this efficiently in the dark. “Bar? Did I say bar?” She said in a mock tone and I knew I was in a lot of trouble because of her expression. ……And I was probably right because it has been two hours of dancing and drinking, I drank coke but still, it was fun. She drove to a fucking fancy club and I thought it would be okay but I was sorely wrong because inside it looked like a rowdy crowd.I threw my hands up in the air and grooved to the upbeat.  My dress got even sweatier and I felt hot. I felt hot enough to just remove my dress. I paused. It's not like me.  I don’t act reckless and I fucking didn’t drink one drop.  Then why was I feeling drunk?Shit, did I get roofied?  Shit.  Shit. Shit.…….- VV 🖤💫Don’t forget to comment and to give your ratings and do follow me! Check out my Instagram for upcoming chapter’s sneak peek.