I didn’t think I was going to be getting angry today. At this rate, I was not capable of anger because of the immense happiness I was feeling. Last night’s event had my head so far in there, that I was blinded to anger.
Even when Atticus was silent at breakfast this morning and didn’t answer most of my questions, I didn’t mind. I think my new favourite position was in his arms. It was a place I never wanted to leave.
The day flew by in a blur and before I knew it, it was evening. Recently, the preparation for the gallery has taken my mind off a lot of things and kept me busy.
I was excited at the thought of opening a gallery but at the same time, I was nervous. I had been painting as much as I could about different things. I didn't have anything exactly planned but I had been painting based on my emotions and feelings on various days.
Today I completed the painting of a man who was standing above a black sea under the full moon. He was staring at his reflection in the water, a reflection without scars, unlike his true face which was littered with scars like a broken bottle.
I didn’t know why I painted that but it spoke of a man who wishes to see himself without his imperfection. A man who dreamt of how his life would be if he had a face without scars.
Rather than just beautiful pictures, I wanted to paint something that everyone could relate to. I wanted someone to walk into my gallery and find a painting that told their story, their desires and their longings.
All the paintings I had made already were locked in my studio and I was making sure they stayed hidden even from my husband till it was time. Hence, no one was allowed to enter my studio to clean. I did the cleaning by myself because I didn’t want any excuses.
I stood up from the chair I had been sitting on and stretched like a cat while I let out a groan at the same time. It was such a hassle to sit for a long time without moving. My joints and back were so stiff.
The time was half past seven so Lorenzo would be halfway through with dinner and Atticus was due home by 9 pm if I judged by the regular time.
My stomach grumbled at the thought of food. I hadn't eaten anything since breakfast because I was too busy in the studio and now my stomach was crying in protest.
I pulled the paper from the canvas and made sure it was properly stored before I left the studio, making sure to lock the door behind me.
Knowing there was nothing I could do downstairs again, I made my way towards my room so I could freshen up before dinner. I made a mental note to call Danielle out for a massage date tomorrow, my muscles were in dire need of one.
I almost drifted off in the bath. It was that comfortable. I went through my closet looking for something nice to wear. Surprisingly, I had not been putting much effort into what I wore but today I was compelled to make an effort.
I spent more time than I normally would doing my make-up and hair. The no-makeup look took me about thirty minutes and I just put my hair in a ponytail to get it out of my face.
Since it was evening, I picked a long flowing satin gown. It was a bit big but the perfect fit. It was handless and had a V-neck that showed sufficient cleavage.
All in all, I looked like a meal ready to be devoured. Okay maybe I was exaggerating a little but still, I looked good and that was what mattered.
It was past nine when I checked my phone. I didn’t hear Atticus' car come in so I walked to my window to see if his car was parked outside. Imagine my surprise to find it parked there. How had I not heard him drive in?
I hurried out of my room, rushing down the stairs and wondering why no one called me if my husband was back. I doubt he went straight to his office.
I heard laughter when I was almost at the bottom of the stairs. I felt my chest constrict and my palms start to sweat as I recognized the voice I could hear in the living room.
My legs that were in a hurry became slow all of a sudden, hesitant to take me towards Samantha and Atticus. I clenched my shaking hands but internally my heart trembled in fear or rather anger and disappointment.
I took a deep breath and pulled myself together before entering the living room. I held myself together as intensely as I could to make sure they didn’t see the emotions they made me feel.
I was going to throw her out. I would not let her humiliate me in my home. I would die before I let her get away with thinking she could come to my house with my husband. I would not stand for such disrespect especially if it’s from someone like her.
I squared my shoulders and entered the living room. I was going to show her that love or not, he was MY husband and would never be hers.
They were both sitting on the couch but she was practically on his lap as if they were glued together. He had his hands around her waist and she was leaning into him, whispering
something that was supposed to be funny but he wasn’t smiling.
She noticed me first but she didn’t move. Instead, her brows rose challengingly, mocking me but I ignored her and turned to my husband instead.
“I didn’t know you were back. What time did you arrive?” I asked Atticus and Samantha looked a bit taken aback by the reaction she was getting.
Atticus turned to me and had a little surprise on his face “About ten minutes ago” He had a strange look on his face and Samantha did not like that his attention was taken away from her. If only she knew, more than that would be taken by me.
“It’s time for dinner.” He raised a brow in confusion and I was a little hurt because I thought he would understand that breakfast and dinner were OUR time. I guess I should help him understand.
“Your mistress or whatever you call her, tell her to leave. I have a sensitive stomach and she isn’t very appealing” I told him with a straight face.
Samantha gasped in shock “What did you just say about me?” She turned to Atticus with rage on her face while I just stood there with my hands on my face “Atty, are you just going to sit there and watch her talk to me like that?”
She was shaking him but he didn’t take his eyes off me. Frustrated that she was not getting the response she wanted, she stood up and came to stand in front of me.
“You think because you are the one with the last name you can act above me? Reality check boo, I was here first and he is still with me even though he is married to you because you mean nothing to him” She smirked at me. I bet she was feeling high and mighty, thinking she just said something
“Point of correction, I am better and above you, since I am the one with the last name and the ring” I raised my hand to wave my finger at her face but she tried to smack my hands away but I was quicker.
“Secondly, I did say he could fuck you when he wants to release some tension but he should use you somewhere that is not my home. Like I said, you are not very attractive to look at.” That wasn’t true. Samantha was insanely beautiful but I would never tell her that.
“Are you insinuating that I am being used just for sex? Well..”
“That’s your business. I don’t care how you see it. I just want your disgusting face out of my house. How is that hard to understand?”
I think she got fed up with me. I swear her face turned red and I could see the fumes escaping her ears. I had to bite my lips so I wouldn’t laugh at how funny she looked.
She raised her hands to hit me and I flinched in shock. I took a step back out of instinct but the slap never came.
“It would be wise to drop that hand” Atticus spoke and Samantha took a step back as if she had been burned.
She looked at him in shock and betrayal which was funny. Did she expect my husband to take her side instead of mine? Well, I also thought the same.
“But Atty, didn’t you hear the horrible things she was saying to me?” She whined and wanted to cling to him but he stepped away and her eyes widened again. I cannot count how many times she had been shocked today. I pitied her.
“You don’t have the right to hit my wife, especially in our home. Get out” He spoke in a cool tone but it still sent a chill down my bones.
“You don’t mean that. You can’t do this to me” She stuttered with her mouth gaping wide. I was shocked. I didn’t actually think he would throw her out. My stomach was filled with butterflies at the action.
“Don’t let me repeat myself” he told her. He didn’t wait for her to leave but walked out of the sitting room and headed into the dining room.
I turned to Samantha with a smirk “Told you” I left her standing with her mouth open wide
When I entered the dining room, he was already seated and the table had been set. I don’t know what came over me but my legs carried me towards him and I bent down to give him a peck on his cheek.
“Thank you” I sat in my seat and didn’t dare to look up for the rest of the dinner.