*Nora*
I slipped into the Jacuzzi in the bathroom with a wine glass in one hand and my phone in the other. I let out a soft sigh as the warm water cascaded through my body and loosened my tense muscles.
This was how life with Alejandro had been before the divorce. Well, that was a long time ago, I thought as I dialed Eunice on the phone.
She picked up after the first ring. “Nora… how have you been?” Her excited voice rang out in the silent bathroom.
“Oh, I’m fine. How are you? It’s been a while,” I replied to her, sinking further into the tub.
“I’ve been okay. Just here and there, you know? What’s going on with you anyway? We barely talk these days.”
I laughed and my body tingled with the need I was about to tell her, knowing how excited she would be.
“Guess where I am right now,” I teased.
“Oh, come on. You know I’m bad at guessing. Just tell me.”
“I’m at Alejandro’s house,” I whispered like it was a secret. Well, it was. But if my plan works, it won’t be for long.
“Your ex-husband’s house? How did that happen? How long are you staying there? Oh my God, this is going to be juicy.”
I laughed again as I replied, “My son brought me here because of my health, sweet boy.”
“Oh my God, are you okay?”
“Oh, it’s nothing. I’m actually home but I had a car accident and Lucas brought me here to look after me after I was discharged. You know he had always wanted us to get back together.”
“Oh, that’s good news. So what’s the plan now? Do you have some seductive moves planned to get him to fall in love with you again?” She was excited and I carefully placed the glass of wine in my hands on the floor next to the tub as I planned how to break the news to her.
“To be honest with you, Eunice, I just want to get my share of his properties. You know how messy our divorce was, and I didn’t get what I wanted because of that.”
She was quiet over the phone and I continued. “But now that you mention it, I don’t mind pulling some seductive moves to get what I want. After all, Alejandro was always good in bed. But first things first, I will reinstate myself in his life. Business dinners and like that, you know?” I chuckled and she laughed along with me.
“That’s what I’m talking about. But I’ve been hearing rumors, Nora.” She paused. I stiffened and sat up as my ears perked. This wasn’t sounding good at all.
“Tell me,” I demanded.
“Well, it might just be hearsay but I heard Alejandro has a close relationship with his personal assistant.” I almost laughed at that.
“Believe me, darling, Alejandro is a businessman to the core. He would never do something like that. Isn’t his personal assistant almost Lucas’s age?”
“Well, I’m sure it’s nothing. I’ll send you some pictures of them together that I saw on the internet.”
The conversation eased from then on and I relaxed into the bath. After the call, I quickly got out of the tub as a result of my body already getting pruned.
As I toweled down my body, I heard a ping on my phone. I quickly checked it and saw the pictures Eunice sent to me.
Carefully opening each of them, I scanned them thoroughly but it was just like I thought. There were no incriminating gestures in all, nothing scandalous.
Still, my heart wasn’t completely at ease. A seed of doubt has been planted there and it will only fester and grow if I don’t see for myself.
Making up my mind, I dug into my closet and selected a red wrap-around dress that was casual enough so I don’t look overdressed but sexy enough to draw attention.
I was going to the company. I smiled at the thought as I got to work on my makeup.
I ordered an Uber to the company, not wanting to take one of Alejandro’s drivers or cars. I don’t want him to be aware of my visit, so he won’t find an excuse to turn me away.
When I got to the building, I quickly retouched my makeup before climbing out of the car with confidence.
I clutched my purse tightly out of nervousness before putting on an air of confidence as I strode to the entrance, my stilettos clacking against the marble pavement.
I couldn’t help my surprise, however, when I was denied entrance by the security. Alejandro had really thought ahead but I won’t let him win.
“What do you mean you can’t let me in? Do you know who I am?” I almost couldn’t contain my anger.
I was being denied entrance?
“I’m sorry ma’am, but I really can’t let you in. Please leave before you create a scene.”
I couldn’t believe I was being embarrassed right in front of Alejandro’s company.
“Listen to me, you bald-headed pig. I am Alejandro’s wife, So if you want to keep this pathetic job of yours, you will let me in. It’s your choice really, let me in or face my husband’s wrath. I’m sure he would love to hear how you embarrassed his wife in front of everyone.”
I refuse to leave until I get an audience with Alejandro. I saw the uncertainty in the man’s eyes and he subtly gestured to one of his men, whispering in his ear before he left.
Good, run along like a good puppy and tell your boss that his wife is here.
It was a gamble though. Alejandro may just decide to ignore me and have the security remove me from the premises or he can let me in to talk and stop me from making a scene. His choice.
Although I hoped he would choose the latter. My pride would be really hurt if he had security remove me from the premises.
I shrugged my shoulder when the security man that was sent to Alejandroat least that’s what I guessedreturned and whispered in the ear of the man who had sent him.
I almost held my breath as I waited in anticipation. If Alejandro’s decision wasn’t favorable, I would just look for another way to get to him. That would be a setback though, but nothing was impossible.
Soon, the security called out to me. “Ma’am, please come in. We’re sorry for the delay.”
I smirked as I passed them. It seemed Alejandro had done the right thing. He was always a practical man.
I stepped into the elevator as I made my way to the highest floor where Alejandro’s office was located. The ding of the elevator sounded a little too soon and I took a deep breath as I stepped out.
Alejandro’s personal assistant was the first person I saw, her eyes widened as she saw me before they scrunched in confusion.
She got up and I knew what she was going to say next, “I’m sorry. You don’t have an appointment…”
I was already tired of everyone trying to keep me away from him and I just hoped Alejandro would intervene so I won’t take my frustration out on her.
Luckily for her, before she said a word, Alejandro stepped out of his office. “Anna, it’s okay. I’m expecting her. Please cancel any meeting scheduled for the next hour.”
I was watching Alejandro’s assistant closely and I could see as she tried to mask the shock on her face. It could be because my appointment wasn’t scheduled and it could be because of something else entirely.
Before I had the chance to pry further, Alejandro addressed me. “Nora, please come in. We need to talk.”
I’m sure the politeness in his tone was just a mask for his secretary, and I suspected that he’ll drop the polite tone when we get into his office but I relished in it nonetheless.
“What are you doing here, Nora?” Alejandro asked immediately after we stepped into the privacy of his office. His voice had taken a hard edge just like I suspected. But at least, he didn’t turn me back at the entrance so this was progress.
I took in the beautiful interior of his office and sat down calmly before I answered. “Well, I came to see how you’re faring at work.”
“Cut the bullshit. What are you doing here?” I frowned slightly at his tone.
“Well, you forgot some important documents at home and I brought them for you.” My hands dug into my purse as I spoke and I provided the documents I had brought along with me.
He merely glanced at it and then his face became dangerous. “First, these documents are dated back to months ago, so it’s obvious I don’t need them. Besides, if I actually needed them, my driver could have brought them for me or I could just use the digital files at my disposal.”
“Well, forgive me for caring about you,” I said in an offended tone as I softened my face, trying to get his sympathy.
“Another thing, Nora. Did you snoop around my study?”
I averted my eyes at that moment. Alejandro was angry and I hoped I hadn’t made the matter worse.
“Remember this. You’re an unwanted guest in my house. I let you stay because of Lucas and you still have the boldness to enter into my private study and snoop around?”
I didn’t know what to say after that, because everything was true. Before he could say anything further, I got up quickly.
“Can I use the restroom?” I didn’t wait for a response as I left his office. His personal assistant wasn’t at her desk and I took a deep breath, tears stinging my eyes.
After taking a moment to gather myself, I went to the restroom. I heard the toilet being flushed when I got in and I stayed by the sink as I dug my hands into my purse to get my phone. Considering Alejandro and his secretary were the only ones on this floor, I knew exactly who was in. Time to settle my doubts.
Making a fake call, I put my phone to my ear and spoke in a high-pitched voice. “Oh hey, Eunice. You wouldn’t believe what just happened.”
I paused for a moment so that it would seem like someone was responding on the other end.
“So I came to visit Alejandro in his office. I was scared at first that he would turn me away but didn’t. And something happened.”
I paused again.
“You wouldn’t believe it. We made out, girl. In fact, I’m currently in the restroom trying to fix my makeup.”
I knew the assistant was listening to me but because she was being one with closed doors, she couldn’t see me and that was the perfect attack.
“Girl, I tell you. The man still has it in him. Anyway, he wants to take it slow but that’s fine with me. At least this is progress.”
One of the doors swung open at that moment and I smiled to myself as I applied more lipstick to my lips and smacked them together to give the impression that I was fixing it like I said.
I had gotten the lipstick from my purse earlier, suspecting she’d want to come out and see for herself. And I was right.
She came to the sink beside me to wash her hands and she avoided looking at me. But our eyes met in the mirror and I smiled at her before removing my gaze and laughing as if I heard something funny on the phone.
“Oh girl, stop it. I’m not going to start telling you about our sexual activities. Go and meet your husband.” I laughed again for effect and I didn’t miss the way the lady beside me stiffened.
“I’ll talk with you later, dear. I need to go.” I removed the phone from my ear, taking my time to arrange it in my purse and I watched as she turned to leave.
I smiled at her again and she tensed as she exited the restroom, slamming the door behind her. I dropped the fake smile immediately after she left. It seems her relationship with Alejandro wasn’t as innocent as I thought.