My classes with Ives were so confusing with new languages to learn and so many people to recognize. There were business partners from different continents and I had to know all and at least how to greet them, the basics at the very least.
Ives was fluent in Spanish, Mandarin, French, and Swahili. She also knew the basics of other languages as well and could set up meetings with them. Although Jesse had only approved for me to learn French and Spanish, I wanted to push myself to do more. We had been learning for almost two weeks and with every passing week, I got better at least to Mira and Jesse.
Jesse asked that I take a break and visit Sandra and Robert who had just returned from their trip which ended up going for one month. With Jesse taking over his father's company, he was barely at home. I had to settle for Mira's meals which were not nearly as good as Jesse's and the days he stayed home, he slept all through.
I started feeling somewhat useless. And Mira seemed to have observed it which was why she suggested to Jesse to let me go to Sandra.
After classes with Ives, the driver dropped me off at Sandra's house which had been remodeled because of the attack, luckily nothing happened to her babies. They thrived in the chaos.
"Amy," Sandra yelled as soon as she saw me. "I'm so happy to see you." She wrapped her hands around me and pulled me into a tight hug.
"Me too. I missed you so much." We did fake cries and finally broke the hug. "How about Robert?"
"Went to buy new plants." She pointed to the place the plants stayed "They added extra spaces."
"I'm sorry about the house." I had practiced what to say in my head but when I got there that was all I could utter. I didn't know if it was guilt or sadness but I just knew I felt a little weak.
As we made our way in, the security that came with me rushed towards us "We'd be waiting outside ma'am." I nodded at him and we headed inside.
"So you're like his mistress," Sandra said after I detailed everything that happened since they traveled.
I searched my brain to see if mistress was the right word "No. He's not married remember?"
"Whatever." She waved "Well, did he say he loves you?"
"Why does it matter if he loves me?" Did she not listen to everything I said?
She shrugged "Then that would mean there are chances of becoming the wife later."
She didn't listen "He still loves his ex-wife. Are you even listening?"
"I'm trying to find the positive side to things here." She leaned in "Do you want to continue?" I looked at her confused. "You know, being his...what are you?" She laughed and I couldn't help but join in.
"I have a good job, or at least I think I do. And aside from the fact that I miss him, I feel great being treated like this..."
"Exactly. You should be ecstatic." She took my hand in hers. "I just hope you're happy."
"I'm good, I guess," I replied and grabbed the glass of wine on the table. I downed it in a go and felt a rush of adrenaline. "We should go to the club tonight."
Sandra grabbed the glass from me "I think you've had enough."
"I need the distraction. A lot is going on." I pleaded with my eyes.
She shook her head "I mean, don't you have to study or something."
"Sandra... please."
"Fine but you're paying." I didn't have a problem with that so I gave her a thumbs up.
By 6 pm, Sandra did her finishing touches, let down my hair and we were off. I was dressed in a black sleeveless mini gown that only managed to cover my thighs paired with my heels.
I told the driver our destination and he went to talk with the security who then went on to make some calls before we could finally leave. Sandra found it weird and I thought it was embarrassing but they didn't work for me, so we didn't have much of a choice.
At the club, I realized sooner than I expected that it wasn't for me. The music was too loud and the dance floor was occupied with sweaty bodies rubbing against each other. One time I tried dancing, a guy smacked my ass and winked at me. That was enough to scare me off. I returned to my seat by the corner and continued with my drinks.
Robert had joined us somewhere around 7 pm that evening and I was left alone with him and Sandra merging bodies.
"You look too pretty to be alone." Some guy yelled over the loud music. There was no way I was yelling back at him, so I simply smiled and continued sipping on my drink hoping he'd go away.
At some point, he got my attention and managed to make me yell as well. We kept talking in loud voices and he offered for us to dance. "No. I'm good."
But he was persistent. He grabbed my hand and walked towards the crowd but I pulled back suddenly, dragging my hand away. It was a text from Jesse. "Come home now."
Maybe it was the wine talking or just me being free with my mind but I replied. "I'd come home when the party ends." Little dancing emojis followed and I felt boosted.
"As you wish." Was his reply.
When we stepped into the crowd, the music went off and the owner of the club announced that they had closed for the night due to unforeseen circumstances. Jesse. I clutched my fist and stomped as the security walked towards me.
"It's time to go ma'am."
I threw my shoes at them and walked out barefoot. "I hate you." I texted Jesse.
"Come home and say that to my face, pumpkin."
"I will."
"I won't go easy on you, sweet."
"Did you ever? Jerk!!"
I didn't receive a reply from him anymore and I felt somewhat relieved to have lashed out. A dark figure pinned me against the car, his breathe against my neck felt hot.
"Now, say it to my face, Bourbon."