The words hit me harder than any other. Michael went out with whom? I had to ask the young lady to repeat herself. I was trying to be sure if I had heard right. She did, and it was confirmed that I had indeed heard her correctly. The thought of Michael having a woman was one thing that wasn't new to me anymore but a son. How come?
I was completely lost in thought that I did not know when the lunch pack I held in my hand came crashing. The contents spilled all over the place, creating a scene. Michael's secretary quickly called for the assistance of the maintenance staff to clean up the mess I had created. All eyes were suddenly fixed on me and I knew it was time to take my leave.
I staggered a few times, trying to find my balance. Immediately I got outside the building of Urban Holdings, I dashed for my car, opening the car door as fast as I could. Shame washed over me like a cold shower. The eyes that turned in my direction immediately after the lunch pack fell still haunted me.
Why me? Why did you choose to humiliate me like this, Michael? I asked, as though my husband was seated next to me. I knew I could never show my face in Urban Holdings again because word of what had happened would spread, and I would be the topic on everyone's lips a second time. I bent my head to the steering of my car and cried out everything in me.
Not again! I have missed the number of times I have cried just these past few weeks. Michael was hurting me in a way no one had done before. Does Michael have a son? I asked myself again. Unbelievable! All these years, I had been married to a man I never knew. I wish I had asked the young lady if she could describe what the lady looked like. No. That wouldn't make much sense, because even if she did, how would I know the person she was describing?
I thought about the so-called son and how old he might be. Maybe I should have found out that information instead of wishing I had gotten a description of Michael's lover. Of what good would any of these be? I would only get hurt the more. What about my dream? What about Becky? I did not see her at her desk. What if she was the one? Yes, she must be the one. That was what my dream had revealed to me.
I wiped my eyes and thought of the next thing to do. I contemplated going into Urban Holdings again or just driving home. I was still trying to come to a conclusion when I spotted Becky almost entering the company with a little boy! I gasped. It's true. I have found my husband's mistress. Of all the people to go to, it was my husband Becky chose.
I rushed out of my car before she entered the company's building. I wanted to make sure I confronted her outside, seeing that I had already caused enough drama inside Urban Holdings. "Becky!" I called. Becky turned and looked at me smiling. How dare she smile at me like she had done nothing wrong.
"Mrs Adams, it's good to see you again," Becky replied, still smiling. This was audacious! Becky was pretending to be happy seeing me. Really? I was going to put her in her place today. "How dare you, Becky?" I snapped. "You sure have balls, going for the only good thing in my life."
Becky looked at me confused, which irritated me the more. "You are trying to put up an act like you don't know what I'm talking about?" How can Becky be feigning ignorance? She wanted me to be more direct, so I continued, "Of all the marriages in Atlanta, you chose mine to destroy, huh?"
"Mrs. Adams, I still don't understand. But just to be clear, are you trying to accuse me of having something to do with your husband?" Becky inquired, raising an eyebrow. "Cut the crap, Becky. It all makes sense to me now. You have been the mystery lover to Michael, and I, on the other hand, have been too blind to see that it was you all along," I retorted, feeling like I had achieved a feat. I had found the secret mistress.
"Tell me, Becky," I continued. "Was it worth it, huh? Was it worth sleeping with my husband knowing you were causing another woman pain? If you had any conscience left you would hide your face from the shame and embarrassment of being a homewrecker!"
The more I spoke, the more Becky's eyes grew wide with shock. She must not have seen this coming or expected me to find out now. Well, newsflash, I have and there's no going back. I demanded every explanation from Becky, who looked at me with her mouth a-gap, not knowing what to say. I could see the embarrassment she felt, but I had only just begun.
I wasn't at all surprised, anyone in her shoes would feel humiliated. She was lucky I had not done this where she worked because I was only trying to maintain my dignity, seeing that I had caused a scene earlier. "Cat got your tongue?" I asked Becky, looking at her with utter disgust.
"Okay, that's enough! I would not have you continuously disrespect me in such a manner, especially in front of my little nephew!" Becky spoke finally.
Nephew? I looked at the little boy that had cowered behind Becky, his eyes had become teary and he looked very scared. There was no iota of resemblance between the little boy and my husband. It was then it all made sense. Oh God! What have I done?
"You think I am your husband's mistress? How ridiculous! It is so shameful of you to walk up to just anybody and accuse them of sabotaging your marriage. What made you think I would stoop so low to undermine my reputation by sleeping with my boss?"
Becky was furious, and she had every right to be. What was I thinking? I was looking for someone to take my frustration on and Becky seemed like the right person, especially when I saw her with the little boy I had thought was Michael's son. I regretted my actions and apologized to Becky, who wasn't having it at all.
Becky hissed at my apology and walked away. I was ashamed. I wished I could take back what I had said, but it was too late. I walked back to my car with my head covered in guilt. I called Tina to tell her what had ensued between Becky and me, but she didn't take any of my calls. I called Sophia next, but I couldn't get across to her.
I was getting frustrated. I needed to talk to someone, someone I could hide a little bit of my shame behind. I drove straight to Tina's. I got to her house, but she wasn't there. I decided to stop by her restaurant, but one of her workers said she had gone out on a date.
I tried Sophia's number again and this time, it went. Thank goodness! I asked Sophia if we could meet up and she agreed. She decided to come to my house and I told her to give me some minutes to get home. I called Sophia immediately after I was home, and she got to my place in no time.
"You wouldn't believe what I did today, Sophie," I began. I told Sophia all that transpired between Becky and me and how ashamed I felt afterward. "I cannot bring myself to face Becky ever again!" I said regrettably.
What I did to Becky was unforgivable and completely out of line. I had just spoiled any slim chance of getting my marriage working again, should Becky choose to tell Michael what I had done. I should have thought about the consequences of taking any action, and now I regret everything.
Sophia let out uncontrollable laughter. She laughed for so long that it made me wonder if I had made the right choice by asking to see her. I should have waited for Tina to be done with her date. Tina would never have made a mockery of my plight. Sophia felt sorry that she had laughed at the situation and called herself to order immediately.
"So what's going to happen now?" Sophia asked me. I looked at Sophia, telling her that if I knew what to do, I wouldn't have had to call her. Sophia advised me to call Michael to clear the air. I took her advice and called Michael, but he didn't take any of my calls. I looked at Sophia again, giving her a worried look.
"Don't worry, I'll be here until he returns from work. That way, he wouldn't get so mad at you while I'm around. Is that okay?" Sophia asked, leaning forward to hug me. "Yes, Sophie, I'd be grateful if you did that for me," I said, returning the hug. One more thing worried me. Michael had a son and a wife I knew nothing about, at least that was what his secretary had told me.
I let Sophia in on my worries. Sophia almost swore that that wasn't possible. "The secretary in question must have been mistaken. It could have been that she saw Michael with a friend and her son and just assumed that that was his wife and child," Sophia assured me. "There is nothing to be worried about, girl, trust me."
I wanted to take Sophia's word for it, but deep down, I knew I could not be completely wrong. There was a mistress, I was sure of that already, but a son, I wasn't completely sure. It seemed like Sophia still doubted her cousin's infidelity and it worried me. Does she take me for a liar? Sometimes I wished I had proof, maybe the video of Michael's car the other day while he dined with a strange woman or the video of him begging someone over the phone and promising to get me to sign the divorce papers.
If there was one thing that frustrated Michael, it was the fact that I had not given him what he wanted. He wanted a divorce, but I desperately wanted to fix my marriage. We were two worlds apart. I would not give him what he wanted because I could still see my marriage working. If it was that serious, then Michael would have moved out by now, but he had not.
Sophia's phone began to ring, and she excused herself to take the call. She came back minutes later to say that she had to leave, that there was something urgent she needed to take care of. My heart fell. I depended on Sophia for what could come next when Michael returned. I had no choice but to understand that she had more pressing matters to attend to.
After Sophia had gone, I went up to my room to take a quick nap, feeling exhausted from the day's drama. It wasn't long before Michael came home, thundering my name that brought me back from slumberland. I rose from my bed lazily, wondering why Michael would have to call my name in such a rude way. I knew I had done something wrong, but in all my three years of being married to him, he had never called me in that tone.
"Why are you calling my name like that babe," I asked Michael, who had just gotten into the bedroom. "Don't you dare feign ignorance, acting like you don't know what you did wrong," Michael said, raising his voice at me. "How dare you embarrass me like you did today, coming to my place of work and accusing my staff wrongly?"
"Tell me then, tell me if she's truly your mistress, Michael. Hell, yeah! I know you have been cheating on me. Is that the reason you want a divorce, to dump me after slaving for you, huh?" I asked my husband, suddenly finding my voice.
Michael looked away, refusing to answer my question. Maybe he was shocked I had found out that he had been unfaithful.
"I have had enough of your nonsense! Do not waste my time any minute and sign the damn papers!" Michael said instead.
"I will not, Michael. Never!"