I hated how I was unable to stay away from these settings without hurting Danielle or being seen as a coward and someone who couldn’t bear to face her husband’s mistress.
I sat down in another fancy restaurant at a table in an enclosed space, listening to Danielle talk about the update on the school project.
I kept my eyes on Danielle and listened to her talk about the work that had been done and what was yet to be done at the school.
Hopefully, the project would be done in about three weeks and I could tell that the ladies were excited about it just as I was.
“So ladies, I know we have done a lot already and I won’t ask for more but I want to just tell you that Hazel has decided to give 10 students scholarships along with the project. Mind you, this is coming from her pocket” Danielle gestured to me and she had such a proud smile on her face.
That little snitch. I told her I wanted it to be a secret but she went ahead to announce it and with the look she was giving Samantha, I knew it was to make her envious and her plan was working. Samantha’s eyes were wide with disbelief.
The ladies at the table were all clapping and were giving me encouraging smiles. Well, all except Samantha, Miranda and Jessica. Of course, I couldn’t say I was surprised. It’s so stupid that they were treating me badly without knowing the first thing about me.
“That is so noble and nice of you Hazel, I wish I could support you as well but I have a lot of ongoing projects so I am in a bit of a tight spot” Manny, another member of the club spoke. We didn’t talk much but she has never been anything but nice to me.
“I always knew you didn’t belong here. How can you not be able to afford even a single scholarship?” Jessica asked and if stupid was a person, It would have been here.
“I understand Manny but I bet you that people who never have to work a day in their life would know nothing about the process of making money. I doubt they ever got to head an important project before” I told Manny but my eyes were set on Jessica, daring her to make another foolish comment.
“I don’t have to get my hands dirty. My husband takes care of that so I can look flawless all day” She screeched out and I felt pity for her. Even her so-called friends looked pained by her reply. I knew I didn’t have to bother telling her anything.
“Ladies, please let’s focus on the task at hand,” Danielle called out and Jessica huffed before turning to look at Danielle. I also faced her and mouthed her a little I’m sorry to which she just smiled before speaking.
“If there is anyone that would like to do something for the kids except the group project, please let me know and we can include it in the re-opening event which will be held at the month’s end”
“I would like to support two kids by providing an all-expense paid trip to a country of their choice” Samantha spoke up and I was surprised that she was going to be doing something. I looked and her and was surprised to see her looking at me with a smirk.
I had to do a double take to make sure that she was looking at me. Wait? Was she doing this because of me? Well, I was pretty amazing to the point people were doing things just to compete with me.
I looked towards Danielle and she too had an expression that said she was thinking the same thing I was.
“Thank you, Samantha. I’m sure the kids would love it. Anyone else?” Danielle asked and a couple of women offered to do something. I was so happy because a lot of kids were going to go home with something. This was the only thing I was proud of doing in this group.
“Wow, Sammy, you are so awesome. Sending two kids on an all-expense paid trip is no joke” Jessica suddenly spoke up and it startled a couple of us because we thought we were done with that subject.
“I know right? You are pretty amazing girl. No wonder he can’t take his eyes and hands off you” Now that got my interest and had me looking towards their direction which I regretted as soon as I did.
The three of them were looking at me which meant they were trying to get a reaction out of me and I almost gave them what they wanted. I was not going to reply to her today. I wouldn’t give her that satisfaction.
The other women were getting uncomfortable with their actions and you could tell by how they moved uncomfortably on their seats or how they tried to keep from looking at me.
“You should control your mouth, Jessica. We did not come here for this”
“Oh shut up Manny and get your cheap self-righteous ass out of my business” Jessica snapped at her and Manny folded into herself in fear.
“You either control your mouth or get the hell out” Danielle spat and she flinched.
Jessica finally seemed to take control of herself and sat back with a pout because she wouldn’t dare cross Danielle.
Some people snickered in their seats and Jessica just sat there fuming in her seats but I knew this was far from over. The heat in her stares was enough to tell me that she would come for me again.
I couldn’t help but wonder what it was that Samantha gave them or told them that they were willing to fight for her.
They literally did her dirty work while she sat there looking all classy. I shook my head in pity for both of them. Samantha obviously didn’t see them as friends but as minions to do her dirty work.
I ignored the smirk Samantha was giving me and the dirty looks her minions were also giving me and concentrated on Danielle.
The meeting rounded up pretty quick and everybody was on their merry way. It was just me, Danielle, Samantha, Jessica and Miranda left. I wonder why they were not leaving. I was waiting for Dani since she would be dropping me home.
“Your necklace is so stunning. How many carats is it” I heard Miranda ask but I did not raise my head from my phone.
“I don’t know. Maybe 18. Atty won’t tell” She spoke with false glee. I forced my hands to continue typing because I knew that’s what they were watching out for.
“Atty? Mr Hayland? Oh my goodness, he spoils you silly, doesn’t he?” Jessica spoke with so much enthusiasm, you could tell it was forced and not genuine.
“What can I do? I guess I make him happy, “she said. My hands shook with anger and resentment but I willed myself to act as though I didn’t care. It was hard though.
I was torn between reaching across the table and wiping that smirk off their faces with my new nails.
“Are you not ashamed? You are so pathetic and it’s so sad you can’t see it” I whipped my head to see Danielle boiling with anger.
I held her dress and shook it a little to tell her not to reply to them but she shook my hands away.
“How dare you say that to me? I …” Miranda started but Danielle cut her off as soon as she started
“You’ll do what,Miranda? By the way, How is your husband doing? I hope he is coping well with the contract my husband gave him. Do I need to tell my husband something unpleasant that would make that contract fall through?”
It was no secret that Miranda’s husband, Ernest would have been bankrupt if James had not intervened and she knew that she could not do anything to piss Danielle off so she shrank into her seat instead and Danielle gave her a satisfied smile. The type you would give to a pet who did well to know her place and it was so satisfying to watch.
“And you Jessica, you look so stupid running your mouth. Do you think you are in a position to talk badly against Hazel when your husband works for hers? So what if he is the managing director of AXE cards? At the end of the day, she pays your bills”
Now, this was information I didn’t know. I never felt the need to get to know anything about these women and I didn’t pay enough attention to the introductions to know. I looked at her and she was looking at me with wide eyes and shame but I didn’t even comment on it. Now I knew how to get them both.
“Finally, Samantha, I thought you had more class than this. It’s such a pity to see you showing off the fact that a married man is the only one you can get. You are practically proving to everyone that you cannot get a man that’s solely yours. You aren’t just that attractive, are you?” Danielle mocked and I couldn’t stop myself from laughing.
“Danielle” she yelled and stood up almost turning her chair over.
“What? Are you mad? Then learn to know your place” She grabbed her bag and then turned to me “Let’s go, Hazel, this place stinks all of a sudden, something rotten must be close by”
I hurried after her and burst out laughing when we got outdoors and soon she joined me laughing too. After we had both calmed down, she gripped my hand and her face turned serious.
“You have to stand up for yourself. I hate that you keep letting these people talk to you like this. Atticus is your husband, she should not be allowed to flaunt him, especially In front of you” She was practically shaking me as she spoke.
“I am trying”
“Try harder. Please. What about the plan? Do better, and be more insistent. Don’t let that girl throw you out of your home because she would do it if she could”
“I know. I promise I’ll put her in her place next time” I assured her or myself. I wasn’t sure.
“Good. Now let’s go and get some massages. My joints are killing me”