I am at home very busy with cooking the dishes for my son's fifth birthday party. Many important guests from the hotel and restaurant industry and business associates of my husband Jospeh will be coming for the party.
"This looks more like a corporate party rather than a kid's party, Yvette." My best friend Michelle said. "You should just leave the cooking to me and the other chefs here. That is what is catering for, Yvs"
"I really appreciate you coming here and helping me Mich." I said with a smile. "But I would rather bake my son's cake myself."
"I know, I know…" Michelle said. "Nothing can compete with your chocolate mousse cake. And it is your son's favorite."
"Yes, and Shawn had specifically asked this for his birthday." I said with a smile.
Shawn, my beautiful baby boy. He is all in the world to me, knowing that my husband Joseph does not harbor any romantic feelings towards me.
I first met Joseph in my parent's wake. I was six years old while he was ten. His father, who was known as the CEO and owner of the Hamilton Hotel and Restaurant Inc., Ferdinand Hamilton, introduced himself as my parent's friend since college. He adopted me since I do not have any family left and was due to be under foster care after my parent's ' burial.
I lived a life as a princess. I was loved and pampered by both my stepfather and stepbrother. I did not get conceited with the riches and stayed humbled. I studied hard and followed the footsteps of my parents. My father was once a well known five star chef while my mother was a well renowned patissier. I became a chef and had a dream to get the five star rating like my father.
My peaceful and loving life all changed when my stepfather died of sickness and old age. The day came when the lawyer read my stepfather's last will and testament. It was the fateful day that changed everything for me and Joseph.
"Mama, mama…" Shawn was running inside the kitchen towards me. He hugged my legs and looked up at me with a smile. "I can smell the cake you made from upstairs and it made my mouth water."
"Well that cake is for your party little man, and not for eating." Michelle scolded.
"Awww, can't I just get a little piece, aunty Mich?" Shawn said with puppy dog eyes. "I promise I won't ask for more."
"Ugh, how can you resist that cuteness, Yvs?" Michelle felt defeated with my son's cuteness.
"You can't." I giggled. "Here my sweet boy, I made some chocolate cupcakes from the same mix. That would do for now, okay?" I said with my forefinger pointed to him firmly.
"Yes!" Shawn said with shining eyes.
"Here you go." I gave him one piece of cupcake.
"Thanks, mommy!" Shawn hugged me once again. "You are the best!"
"Now go back to your friends." I said. "I would ask the maid to bring this tray of cupcake to them so that you all could snack on them."
"Okay!" Shawn then ran back upstairs where he showed his friends his mountain of toys.
"You there…" I called a maid. "Please bring these to the children."
I handed the tray full of cupcakes to the maid.
"Yes, ma'am." The maid then bowed and went upstairs.
"That boy is really sweet." Michelle said. "Unlike his father, hmp."
"You know he wasn't always like that." I said with a sad voice. "It was because of me why he was forced to part with Dianne."
Michelle has been my best friend since high school and also knew Joseph.
"That is the problem!" Michelle roared. "It really was not your fault, it was that damn last will and testament's fault! What was your stepfather thinking giving you that hotel empire and having that clause forcing Joseph to marry you!"
"I really want to know as well." I replied "But I am at a loss as you are."
I also want to know what my stepfather was thinking making a will like that. He knew that Jospeh had Dianne as a girlfriend since high school. But I cannot complain since that clause made me happy internally. I had a crush on Joseph since high school. I thought that it was just a harmless crush and would die out since I admire him so much as a brother. But my feelings never really faded and it just deepen until I knew what I felt for him was romantically. I knew that Joseph only sees me as a sister and nothing more, and thus I buried this feelings deep in my heart. I was happy hearing that clause in the will made by my stepfather, but I never knew that it would change Joseph drastically.
"Your husband is a mother f*cker. You know that, right?" Michelle said. "Does he still come home late in the evening and goes out early in the morning?"
I just nodded, holding back my tears.
"That piece of sh*t is really something!" Michelle said. "And how about in weekends?"
"He is still at work on Saturdays, but at least on Sundays he spends it with Shawn." I replied.
"And when did you last… you know?" Michelle asked. I knew what she was asking was when Joseph and I last had sex.
It was question that really punched me in the gut. Because since we had Shawn, Joseph never touched me again.
I was about to answer Michelle when my phone sounded a notification. I opened it and was shocked with the pictures that I saw.
"I'm sorry Mich, could I leave you in charge here for a while?" I asked. "It is just an emergency."
"Sure, Yvs." Michelle complied to my request.
"I will be back as soon as I can." I said and rushed outside the kitchen.
I grabbed my bag and car keys and rushed out of the mansion. The picture was still running on my head while I was driving. It was the picture of Joseph together with Dianne. And there was a message
'Your husband is having an affair. Come to the Hamilton Hotel in city. Room 4302.'