Later that afternoon, I was standing inside my room and started pacing back and forth. I have been debating with myself if I should call Lucas right to ask him or tell him directly in the face.

Damn it, he could be cheating on me at this moment! But what else can I do? I am pregnant with our first child and how do I manage to do these things without worrying too much. Stress is bad for the baby and this thing with my husband is killing me.

Honestly, this is the least thing that I would worry about. I never thought I would come to the point that I am afraid that Lucas is cheating on me.

I want to slice his throat but at the back of my mind, I want to believe that he is not having an affair with Silvia. My hand is itching to take my phone and call him.

There was a sudden knock on my door that woke me back to my senses and break my deep thoughts. It opens and Nate’s head pops out on the corner. I scoffed and sat down at the edge of my bed. “What do you want now?”

“Dad is attending a party tonight, he wants you to accompany him and Mom.” He told me, stepping inside as his eyes roam around the room. “It’s been three years too since I last entered your room.”

“Jeez Nate, it is creepy for me to know that my older brother is inside my room.” I groaned and raised myself to stand. “And why should I come with him? If Mom is coming with him then I can refuse to go.”

Nate shrugged. “I don’t know, he just told me to inform you. And knowing Dad, he won’t take no for an answer.” He crossed his arms and studied my face. “You okay?”

I snorted and rolled my eyes while I throw my phone on my bed. “Well, thanks for asking me, Nate. I just find out that my husband is probably cheating on me with my arch nemesis. Yeah, I’m okay.” Sarcasm filled my tone.

“Well, just making some short conversation. I need to make up from the mistakes I had done to you. Guess, I want to regain your trust again and treat me like your older brother like before.” He smiled sweetly and chuckles. “You know, I am always on your side.”

I sigh and let out a small laugh. “Nate, what I am encountering right now is not like my teenage problems when I’m with you. This is serious and it is about my marriage with the man that I loved more than my life.”

It is really painful just to think of Lucas right now. What if’s are filling my mind. What if he is really cheating on me? What if those pictures are not true? What if those kisses meant nothing at all? What if they were just friends and…needs to kiss? Or…what if…what if this marriage means nothing to him anymore?

Crazy thoughts are coming in and one of them are probably true. “What if he is really cheating on me and he finds comfort more with her than me? Because my life has been really difficult, Nate. We have been hiding always and maybe he grew tired of me.”

Nate came closer to me and place a hand on top of my head. “What if he doesn’t?”

I raise my head to look at his gentle blue eyes. “Just go up to him and ask that it straight in the face? If it turns out that he is cheating on you, then break things with him.”

His statement made me scoff and punch his chest. “It’s not that easy, dumbass.” I groaned and crossed my arms. “What we had is something that you won’t understand, okay?” my voice raised a little. “I love him, Nate. I never been happier in my life when I’m at his side. He proved to me how fortunate I am and all he did…was show me the love and support that I always longed for. Marrying him is the best thing that happened to me. So knowing that he has another girl in his arms right now, is killing me, Nate. You understand that?! It’s painful and it’s killing me.” More tears falls down my cheeks and I am wailing.

Crying my heart out. Taking all that pain out of my chest.

Nate wrapped me in his arms and gently rubbed my back. “Everything is going to be okay. He must have a reason and you must hear it.”

“Hear him why he cheated on me?” I break through his hug.

“No, just his explanation. Look into his eyes when you ask him.” He advised. “Believe me in this one, Talia. Never trust someone unless you caught them with your own two eyes. That line is the one that saved me from misery.”

“Does that mean that your boyfriend cheated on you?” I arched a brow.

Nate cleared his throat and avoided gaze. “Whoa, look at the time. You must get ready for the party tonight with Dad and Mom. They are very excited to bring you there.”

“I am not going to stay long, Nate. I need to get back home before Lucas arrives.” I replied, trying to stop him from pushing me to the closet.

“Oh hush now.” Nate groaned and opened my closet. “Dad always has this room clean and your clothes washed every week so you have nothing to fear.” He told me and brings out some different sets of gowns on top of my bed.

Okay, so I have no choice but to be dragged in his party anyway.

Evening came and I arrived at this fancy event area with my parents. It seems like our family is the guest of honour because Dad was one of the committee. He has been pulled into some conversation while Mom does his job too while talking to some of her business friends too. Then me, well I have no one to talk to so I stayed at the corner and have some champagne.

This party took us 2 hours of drive and I almost fell asleep in the car. It is a tiring one and I could have just stayed at the penthouse than be here and gawk at other people. Yes, this party is for rich people but I have been out of the zone for so long so places like this makes me comfortable and too self-conscious.

Some of them are staring at me and probably recognizing or wondering who I am but I am not in the mood to make friends with them. I’m not interested in making friends in the first place so why bother waste my time on thinking about them. They should be at the least of my concern.

So, I was standing in the corner and almost curse to see Philip here.

“Wow, fancy seeing you here.” He came to me and gave me a friendly hug.

“Yeah, our paths keep on crossing.” I joked and it was too late before I realized the impact of my question is. I didn’t want him to think that it was destiny shit or anything.

Philip chuckles and looks down at the drink that his holding before raising his eyes back to me. “By the way, you look beautiful. Is your husband here? Or you are with your parents? I just had a small talk with your father over there.”

“I’m with my parents.” I told him. “I was dragged here out of my consent.”

“Well that is our parent’s job. Force us to come to their lame parties so their children can meet.” He murmured. “But I am really surprised to see you here. By the way, can I offer you some drink?”

“Nah” I rejected him. “I just had one and I am bad when it comes to alcohol.”

Philip just nodded and smiled at me.

A few minutes later, my parents came and I can see the light in my Dad’s eyes when he saw Philip and me talking. “Ah, seems like you two are getting along.”

“We get along pretty fine, Dad. Just don’t force us to be together because it is not going to be compatible.” I started off.

Philip talked to my Dad and Mom. They are just keeping each other informed of what is happening to their lives. Not too long, more people keeps on approaching us…I mean Dad and Philip. I just noticed something right now, Philip really became a successful businessman for being this famous he is in here. They kept on asking him how he manage his profession at such a young age.

“James!” Dad suddenly hugs the man who came to greet us. “Wow, how long has it been since the last time we saw each other?”

“A year, maybe?” James replied and chuckled. He looks familiar to me and I just can’t remember where we met. Suddenly, he turns to me and asked. “Is this your daughter, Natalia?” he asked.

I let out a small smile and nodded my head. “Yes, she is my one and only girl.” Dad replied happily. “And this is Philip, he is my daughter’s fiance.”

My what?! I was suddenly caught off guard there but I was going to cut it off when Philip played along and it made the situation harder. “Hello, Mr. Wellsburg. I saw the building that you are trying to build outside the city. I’m sure it will be a success.”

Wait, Wellsburg? This man couldn’t be the one that I think he is.

“Oh, it’s not really mine. My daughter is the one who will handle that branch.”

Shit.

This is Silvia’s father! What a small world to see him here to think that his daughter is the one who is messing with my life right now.

“Your daughter? Can I meet her?” Philip suddenly became so interested to meet her but I am very sure he knows who Silvia is. He is plotting something and the darkness in his eyes say it all.

We all know each other so I am very sure Silvia and Philip wil recognize each other.

What is he even planning to do?

“She is actually here with her boyfriend. Finally, my daughter met someone that has interests in producing more buildings” James announced and waved someone to come through the crowd.

B-boyfriend? That must not be Lucas, right?

I was about to step out but Philip blocked my way and hold me still. His grip on my arms are strong as if he is refusing me to walk away and see what is going to happen.

“What are you doing?” I hissed at him, removing his tight grip on me. “Let me go.”

“You need to see this, Talia. This is the only way to show you the truth about the man you think he is.” He whispered to me and in a swift, he turned me around and held me by the waist like we were a couple.

Dad and Mom was still here and my guts somehow tells me that they knew about this. They set a trap so I can witness this with my own eyes.

And then there…just as I feared.

Lucas and Silvia, holding each other’s hand as they made this way. My whole body freezes as my soul drifted away at the evidence finally spokes the truth in front of me.

The shock in Lucas’ eyes were as horrible as mine. He forgot to maintain his cool there and shock enveloped him while I hold the tears from coming out of my eyes. So it is true, he is cheating on me with Silvia.

I was unable to speak for a moment and so are the two. Silvia knows that he is my husband and still, they manage to pursue this bullshit that they are trying to show.

“Wow, Silvia! How are you?” I faked my grin.

“You two knew each other?” James asked, amused in his eyes. Tsk, let see how amuse will you get once you find out that, that is my husband. Your daughter is the whore here who keeps on sticking to him.

Silvia couldn’t speak so I butted in again. “Yes, we went to school together since we were kids and been classmates all the way to high school.” I replied, giving them the death look but smile is still here. “You two looks like a lovely couple. How wonderful.” I sarcastically chanted. My vision has darken with anger and all I want is to light them up with a torch.

Lucas couldn’t look directly at me and I know how badly he wants to pull me into a corner and explain to me.

Well, that’s not going to happen. What I saw is enough and I don’t want to speak to him again.

Is that even a bodyguard’s job? Escorting and introducing yourself as a boyfriend –what the hell is that?! I am not a fool and I can see that they have hiding this for a while now because those pictures that was shown to me are not lies. They are fucking real.

Lucas had his eyes glued on Philip’s arm around me and I am not in the mood to remove it. As if I wanted to do a revenge on him and show him how much it hurts to see your husband, being introduced as the boyfriend of someone else.

“This is the reason why I wanted you to come, my dear. So you can catch up with your old friend.” Dad broke the silence and glares down at Lucas. “Besides, you two knew each other pretty well already, right.”

I snorted. “Indeed we are.”

Playtime is over now. I can’t handle this anymore. I nudge them all out of my way and head outside the place. My chest tightens and it making me hard to breath. Tears are now rolling down from my cheeks as I try to run at the back garden of the even area. There are no one in here so I can cry with all my might. This is not happening…this is not happening.

Lucas doesn’t love me.

He doesn’t love me!

“Talia!” Oh, speaking of the devil.

I harshly faced him and slapped him across his cheek, very hard. “You liar.”

“Talia, kitten, I can explain –“

One more slap on the cheek echoed in this secluded place. “Explain what? How you cheated on me? How you lied to me! Damn it, Lucas. I believed you! I fucking believed you!”

“Yes, I lied to you but I am not cheating on you, Talia. Please, just let me explain. I am just doing my job”

“Oh bullshit!” I yelled, pushing him away from me. “Is being his boyfriend your job now?”

“Yes –I mean, no! Damn it, let me explain this…There is nothing really going on between us, Talia!” He continued to reason out. “I will explain to you but please calm down first. I don’t want to leave you angry like this.”

“Oh keep on lying, Lucas. I am not going to buy it anymore.” I snorted and walked a little farther from. “You asshole, I really fucking trusted you. When you told me the other week that you are working for Silvia, I never doubted you. The time that I caught you and Silvia flirting with each other at work, I let it passed because you told me that it is nothing and now…what kind of a lie are you going to tell me this time?!” I snapped, punching him with all my might. “What fucking lie is it?! Do it better, maybe I would listen and believe you this time.” I taunted.

Lucas was fighting not to burst out as he bites down his lip. “Okay, I am going to tell you the truth. And please believe me…we are not really a couple, we never kissed and we never slept together. Will that calm you down?”

Never kissed?! Come on, I saw the pictures, jack.

Wow, I don’t how much will this hurt? “Do a better one, Lucas. You can’t make me believe if you keep on telling me lies.”

“But what is this with you and that Philip guy? Why is he holding to you like that?” he turned it to me.

Oh no, this is not on me. “Do not turn the tables here, Lucas. You are still feeding me with those lies and you don’t know how it hurts me right now” I finally breaks down and cried. “You are the only one I trusted but how can you do this to me?”

“I-I’m sorry, Talia. You got this all wrong. Shit, it is so hard to explain right now but…that is the only way to assure you…We are really not together, believe me. I will explain everything to you once we are alone.”

I slapped him once again. “Do it better, Lucas. And if you finally made a good one, come to me and tell me the truth. You are horrible. I thought I can really trust that you will never hurt me.” I stormed out and let out a laugh. “Well, congratulations, Lucas. You will no longer be miserable if you are with Silvia. His family will accept you as you are. A garbage. You will always be a garbage. My parents are right all along.” I spat, without any thinking that it will hurt him. He hurt me and he just deserves to suffer as I am right now. I spin around to leave him but he grabbed my wrist tighter.

“This is not over, Talia. Let’s talk where we are in Gaffan. Let’s not talk here, please. Just wait for me. I am doing this for us –“

“Us? Which part of this relationship with Silvia  is about us being together? Lucas, I just saw you two together. His father knew that you two are dating, and he was so proud!” I shouted, but keeping my tone not too loud. I don’t want to cause a scene here with the other guests and make myself look a fool.

“You know what, Lucas…If you just told me the truth that you finally wanted a simple and peaceful life…maybe in that way, I will grew to understand and accept your reason. But with this, lying and making me still feel that you want this marriage to go stronger…tsk, you are awful.” I made a disgusted look while glaring at him, coldly.

“No, you don’t mean that.” His eyes are begging but he is still not letting my hand go. “You’re just angry and upset. I love you, okay? And, I want to keep this marriage and make it stronger”

I groaned and pushed him away with all of my strength. “Stop lying!”

“I’m not!”

“You are!” I cried, punching him on the chest. “You just did and you always do.”

“I am so sorry, Talia. I may be a big fat lair but my love is true. I am sorry –“

I just cried more and without wasting another second to run inside and looked for Philip. But then it turns out that he was just standing by the open door and waiting for me. He was looking at me apologetically but I didn’t care anymore if he knew about this cheating already. I just want to leave this place and calm myself down before going home.

“Take me out of here.” I told Philip which he quickly obliged and grab my arm, pulling out of the place but not harshly. Tears keep on sprouting out from me so my head was lowered down to avoid some stares and confusion for the people in the party.

Philip took me to his car once we left the place. He didn’t bother asking me or try to stop me from crying. He just lets me cry at my side and as the car gets flooded with my tears.

When the car stops a few minutes later, I noticed that he takes us to a pub.

“W-what are we doing here?”

“We are going to drink our hearts out.” He stated with a wink as he unbuckles his car seat then went around to open the car door for me. “Drinking is my way to deal with my problems for a while. At times when I feel so full and pressured in my work, I always go to the nearest pub or any club…then just drink. So come drink with me.”

We entered the pub and it is not filled with people, just a few. He sits us down at the bar and ordered two beers. Oh screw it, I want to get drunk.

I grab the bottle of beer and gulp everything down in my system.

“Whoa, I didn’t say that this is a speed drinking contest, slow it down.” He frowns as he was just about to take his bottle but I went ahead of him. Drinking it first and finishing it in one blow. “Hey…”

“How did you knew about them?” I questioned, my throat is still getting recover from the beer.

Philip took a deep breath and ordered more beer. “I didn’t knew about it until this morning.”

“This morning?” I got more confused.

“Yes, I was talking with some of my investors in a secluded restaurant when I saw them together…not just them but, they are with Silvia’s parents. When Lucas saw me, we had a talk at the restroom and he made me promise not to tell you.”

Tsk, take a look at that man. He still had a plan to keep it to me but the truth will always be senses. I drink more beer and listen to him. “So, he was not really just a ‘bodyguard’, isn’t he?” I murmured.

Philip stares at me for a few seconds before nodding his head. “Lucas was really Silvia’s boyfriend. They were dating and her parents approve of him.”

“Damn.” It really stings. As if I cannot breathe properly and my chest is tightening to explode in  a second. “So, they are having an affair behind my back while I just sit here and trusted him?”

“I guess so.” He shrugged his shoulders and drink in his own bottle. His eyes were on me but then it lowers down to my shaking hand, causing him to take it in his. “You don’t need a man like him, Talia. He is not worth it.”

I scoffed and more tears keeps rolling down. “It’s not that easy to forget the man I just loved more than my whole.”

“I know…” Philip gently wipes my tears using his handkerchief, leaning down a bit to look on my face. “You are so beautiful, Talia. You deserved to be loved and treated like a queen. Lucas might have loved you but a man like him only has his eyes on the crown.” 

“D-don’t talk about him like that.” I mumbled, sniffing and keeps on drinking my beer. It tasted bitter but I didn’t care anymore. “I love him so much.” Now, I sobbed even more as I bury my face in my hands.

Philip placed a hand on top of my head, as he gently rub my hands. “It hurts, I know but you have to be strong, Talia.”

Strong? How can be even strong after what I found out. These are all a big nightmare that I want to break from.

Can I just wake up from this nightmare? I already had enough.

“I will help you, Talia. I will help you get away from your pain. I promise you that.” He whispered in a hush voice. At a time like this, it just melts my heart and needed his care for me. “I love you…always had and always will.”

To be continued…

Yes, she is pregnant. And that is sad but I want to create a character right now. The reason why she forgot that she is pregnant is because she still hadn't truly accepted the fact that they are going to have a baby. So please don't hate her. She will make it up on the next chapters.

The next chapter will be a little shocking because we are about to reach the peak of the story. How everything will turn out will be read in the next few chapters. But I hope you loved it. Thank you for those who votes and comments. Please keep on doing that.

Anyways, God bless and have a great day everyone! Spread the love ❤️

Look forward for the next chapter where I will reveal who the characters playing Lucas, Talia, Philip and Silvia.