Chapter 4

4

Rosemary was living it up on Maxwell’s dime, but as for her own , no need to splash that on a fancy hotel stay.

She hit up Yolanda with a call and found out she was chilling at home, so she just hopped in the car headed over.-

Jason was tailing her the whole damn way, but Rosemary paid him zero mind. When she got out of the car to grab her bag from the trunk, she nicked her hand on some decoration – It bled a bit, but nothing to write home about.

Yolanda’s pad was up on the 17th floor, and knowing she was coming, she left the door wide open.

When Rosemary waltzed in with her luggage, Yolanda was taken aback – the phone convo didn’t mention anything about baggage. Looked like a runaway situation alright.

Yolanda couldn’t even bother with her face mask; she just reached out to take Rosemary’s suitcase, “Should’ve told me you had bags; I would’ve come down to help. Oh no, you hurt your hand?

Seeing Yolanda all worked up and about to fetch the first aid kit, Rosemary pulled her back, “Chill, it’s practically healing already.”

“Girl, your hands are like solid gold; can’t you treat ‘em a bit better? Look at those pianists, they’d lock their hands in safe if they could, just to avoid a scratch.”

Rosemary couldn’t help but crack up at her dramatics, and it blew away some of the clouds hanging over her lately, “This little scrape won’t mess with my mojo.”

Yolanda paused, and as she got to this point, she couldn’t help but bring up the past “So, about what I mentioned before, have you given it any thought?”

Rosemary didn’t say a word; she was still on the fence inside.

“Oswald’s been by a few times, you know? His workshop’s like the cream of the crop in the country for artifact restoration. Only the best get in there! For Oswald to personally scout you girl, you’re in high demand! If you weren’t so keen on keeping a low profile, I’d have passed your contact to him ages ago!”

Artifact restoration was Rosemary’s gig, and she was damn good at it. She learned the craft from her mom since she was knee high, her skills were unique, and she even majored in it at college. The plan was to work at a museum after graduation, but then all that crap happened, and she ended up hitched to Maxwell.

These last few years, she could only pick up some side gigs through Yolanda, working freelance restorer.

But now, things were different. She was getting a divorce, and it was time for a fresh start. Thinking it over, Rosemary nodded, “Hook it up for me, will ya?”

“You’re down for it?” Yolanda didn’t see that coming – Rosemary had always shot it down before.

“Let’s give it a shot. I’m ready to roll whenever.

“Anytime?” Yolanda was floored again, “What about that caregiver gig at the Templeton Group?”

“Yup, I quit,” Rosemary said it so cool and casual as if she wasn’t the one involved.

Yolanda clicked her tongue, her mind racing with the morning’s trending gossip. She let loose, “It’s about time you split! Maxwell, that jerk, clearly ain’t into what you’re serving, yet he makes you go through the motions. Guys like him should be locked away with Victoria and not mess with anyone else. You should just ditch the marriage too, with only three months left save yourself the headache.”

Rosemary sank into the sofa, worn out from the night’s drama, “I brought up divorce, but he won’t have it, insists on waiting till the contract’s up.”

Yolanda could only laugh, “Such a poser! Back when Victoria turned down his proposal to hit the global stage,

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he sure won’t make it easy to divorce you now and then get with her. It’d make him look cheap! He’s gotta show he’s a hot commodity, or Victoria might ditch him again!”

Rosemary hadn’t considered that angle, but Yolanda’s words were like a revelation. Maxwell, that sneaky devil, was crafting his image!

“My two cents you shouldn’t save his face. Slap that marriage certificate online before the official split, let the righteous netizens tear them a new one. Pin Victoria to the wall of shame as the home–wrecker!”

Rosemar, tilted her head, not thinking it was the best idea. “Let’s not do that. Better they trap themselves. If it blows up, it’ll only backfire on me if I’m gonna see someone else someday”

Saw someone else? Yolanda’s eyes lit up, giving Rosemary the once–over. Looked like she was seriously done with Maxwell

This called for a celebration! Yolanda snagged a case of beer from the fridge, popped one open, and handed it over. “Here’s to you finally escaping the mire!”

Just as Rosemary was about to grab it, the doorbell rang

“Who’s that?” Yolanda muttered, heading to the door.

It was Jason on the other side, looking like a sad puppy, different from earlier. He poked his head in. addressing Rosemary in the living room, “Mrs. Rosemary Templeton, Mr. Maxwell Templeton’s waiting downstairs for you, says you gotta come down now.”

Rosemary frowned, not even glancing back, a touch of irritation in her voice, “If he wants to wait, let him wait.”

She was indoors, with a bed and booze the ready, he was in the car, comfy as it might be, couldn’t stretch out. Bring it on. With that, she downed her beer in one gulp.

No way was Jason going to relay that message – not if he valued his life! Jason, feeling helpless, added, “Earlier in the car, Mrs. Pearl Templeton called Mr. Maxwell Templeton; seemed like she wasn’t feeling great.”

Before he could finish, Rosemary’s phone buzzed. It was a call from Maxwell’s mom – Pearl Floris Templeton.

Rosemary could blow off Maxwell, but she couldn’t ignore a call from Pearl. In the three years they were married, Pearl treated her better than her own son, showering her with goodies. And whenever they fought, no matter whose fault it was, Maxwell got the earful.

“Pearl”

“Rosemary, I called Maxwell and he said you’re not there. Did he skip out again?” She always checked if he was home every time she called.

“No, I’m at a friend’s tonight, she’s throwing a birthday bash.”

Rosemary kept mum about the fight and the divorce talk, not wanting to set Pearl off. Pearl nearly bled out giving birth to Maxwell, leaving her with a bunch of health issues that plagued her over the years.

Forced to celebrate her birthday, Yolanda watched her BFF lie through her teeth without batting an eye and couldn’t help but roll her eyes in response!

Pearl’s voice came through the phone again, “After the birthday bash, don’t you crash at the old house tonight? His dad is out of town on business, and I’m feeling a bit under the weather.”

Rosemary was concerned about her health, “What’s bothering you? Have you seen a doctor?

“Nope, it’s nothing serious. I just snagged a piece of jade at an auction and had it made into a little charm. Your should check it out when you’re back, see if it’s your cup of tea. I know you young folks aren’t really into bracelets and stuff.”

After a brief silence, Rosemary replied, “Okay.”

Rosemary would have bailed on just picking something up, considering she was about to divorce Maxwell, but Pearl mentioned she wasn’t feeling well.

15:58

Chapter 4

Knowing she couldn’t change Rosemary’s mind, Yolanda could only escort her downstairs, muttering, “Bet you anything, your mother–in–law is faking it.”

That familiar car was parked at the entrance of the apartment building, with Maxwell leaning against the door, puffing on a cigarette. Hearing footsteps, he looked up to see who it was, his eyes brooding.