Buying Love

“He’s going to meet you there. He doesn’t want you to be late. It’s lucky that you’re already married. It’ll be hard for her to break you two up,” she offers. She sounds like a jealous bitch, but not as much as me. I want to claw her eyes out. She’s obviously been involved with him. How can he do this to me? He never told me that he and his assistant were a couple. Shit. Maybe that’s the reason for the late hours.

“Are you still sleeping with my husband?” It’s a question I don’t want to ask, but I need to know.

She smirks widely, lifting one of her brows and answers, “It’s only once every morning this week, but then again you two are only together for a baby. He still loves me. As soon as you give him an heir, he’ll be getting that divorce he needs, and I’ll be raising the baby as my own.”

“Get out. Get out now,” I roar, feeling angry enough to launch at her, but I won’t give her the satisfaction. I know she wants to break me.

“That’s fine. I’ll go and see him again. He’s going to be really late tonight.” She waltzes out of the condo with an air of smugness. Immediately, I run into the bedroom and pack my things because I can’t stay here anymore. My heart breaks into a million pieces. One of the painful thoughts comes to my mind, making it hard to breathe.

Is that why he doesn’t kiss me before he leaves to work?

I’m out of the condo with only one of my suitcases packed of clothes. Taking the elevator down, I try to avoid all contact with anyone until I dart outside of the building. I don’t even know where I’m going, but I have to get out of here before he comes home. I have my last check to use, but that’s pretty much it. First, I need to call Angie.

I talked to her on Monday, explaining the whole incident at the banquet and all about my rash decision. She told me if it didn’t work out to give her a call. I hoped I wouldn’t have to, but here I am. I desperately need her to pick me up at the airport and let me stay with her.

She picks up on the second ring. “Hey, girl. How’s the married life treating you?”

Her words open the damn, I cry hard for a few seconds before I ask through tears, “Is it okay if I crash on your couch for a while?”

“Oh, no. Of course, you can. What happened?”

I stop on the corner where there are a bench and a large flower bed, and then I break down completely. “He only wants me for the baby. He has a lover who can’t get pregnant. He fed me lies so I could carry his baby. The contract makes a lot more sense now than it did. He doesn’t kiss me goodbye or anything.”

“Bastard. I’ll meet you at the airport. Let me know when your flight gets in,” she says. “I love you, girl. I’m so sorry.”

“Thanks. I message you as soon as I have more info.” I hang up and do my best to look for a flight through my tears. Unable to get an affordable flight, I close my phone and figure out my next move.

I get up to start walking away from the building just in case Jake shows up. I don’t want to hear what he has to say. A beautiful, sleek, black SUV pulls up alongside me, and the passenger lowers her window. “Dear, do you need a ride?” I can see an older couple in their forties or so.

“No, I’m okay.”

“Are you sure? It’s starting to rain.” I had had been crying so much, I didn’t notice that it began raining. “We’re on our way back home from a quick trip to Vegas, but look I swear I’m a car service owner. Driving people around is what I do for a living,” the man says.

She gives me his identification. Something about her face is familiar as she smiles at me. “Whoever he is, he doesn’t deserve you. Some men are bastards, and some are great.” She pats the thigh of the driver. His name is Daniel Bennington. Owner and Operator of Bennington Car Service.

“Where are you headed?” she asks.

“Back to Vegas,” I answer with a disbelieving chuckle.

“Hop in, and we’ll take you to the airport,” she offers.

“I really shouldn’t.”

“Do you have anyone to message?”

“Yes.”

“Call or message them, so they know who you’re with.” I nod and do it. the man gets out of the car and helps me with my things. He then holds the door open for me to jump in the back. I shouldn’t be doing this, but I’m desperate, but at least I sent Angie his information.