Deadbeat Mother

Overheard

~Natalia~

I barely slept last night. Steven and I were on ‘go’ from the moment we got to my place. We both had a lot of frustrations to work out, and we did work them out. Regardless of how he may be to his wife, Steven has always been a great lay, so I can’t really complain.

I tried to prep myself this morning because I knew I’d have to work with her all day. I still have that animosity toward her, fair or not. I feel how I feel, and I know that won’t really change anytime soon, if at all.

When I arrived at the pier, I had a meeting with Nokio. It was hard to keep my comments to myself because Steven had a lot to say about him last night. I’m not sure exactly what’s going on between Nokio and Neela, but whatever it looks like has Steven irked. I told Steven that I’d keep an eye out and let him know anything that seems noteworthy. He also wanted me to keep tabs on that little assistant of hers, but I’m not really sure why.

I knew the moment Neela arrived because everyone started to buzz around. It was like this growing up, and nothing has changed. Everyone always wants to be around Neela and will break their necks just to be in her presence. It’s really sickening if you ask me.

I watched her walk into the tent; her little assistant was beside her. She starts going through the rack to pull out her outfits, and I see the makeup artists ready their tools. I guess I have to go deal with her. I take a deep breath and start to walk over to her. “Neela……” When she looks at me, it isn’t the same friendly look I’ve always gotten from her. It’s a bit darker, but I choose not to dwell on it.

Suddenly, anger breaks out on her face, and I’m momentarily confused. I follow her eyes, and they’re glued to my neck. Realization hits me, and I want to laugh. I place a smirk on my face and cross my arms over my chest. “Is everything okay?” I make sure my voice is as sweet as possible. I know she sees the hickey on my neck, but I wish she knew who it was from. I bet if she did, she’d be a crying mess right now. I’m so tempted to tell her, but I know that would cause too many issues.

“Everything is fine.” Neela’s voice is tight, and her words are clipped. Is she mad because someone wants me? She seems so angry, and I can’t figure out why that may be. Neela sits down in a chair, and they start on her makeup. I take the time to give her some particulars regarding how the day should go. Neela’s not responding to me, but I have to assume that she’s listening.

The makeup artists excuse themselves, having to go to the van for something they need—the assistant excuses herself, looking for a restroom. I finish up with Neela, planning to go check on the rest of the shoot. “You should be ashamed of yourself.”

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me. You should be ashamed of yourself. How could you do that?” What the hell is she talking about? Is she stressing because I have a hickey? What is she, some kind of nun or something?

“I don’t think I understand.” Neela stands and walks in front of me. She has her hands on her hips, and there’s a fire in her eyes that I’ve never seen before.

“You have such an amazing man by your side, and this is what you do? You go and spend the night with someone else? How are you going to explain that love bite to him?” I’m completely f**king lost. I have no idea what or who she’s talking about. “Do you even feel guilty? Do you feel guilty about cheating on Evan?”

~Evan~

I stayed home as long as I could, and it wasn’t long enough. I do still need to work because I have a child to care for. They needed me to deliver a few things to the pier for the fashion shoot. I really didn’t want to take the job because I didn’t want to risk running into her. I guess I can’t avoid the world forever.

I spent about an hour unloading the truck. We had to make sure nothing was damaged in the process of taking it off the back of the truck. I was ready to drive away when I was asked to help set some things up. I would have said no, but they don’t really have anyone here who could help.

I saw Natalia a few times, but we didn’t speak. To be honest, I don’t know what to say to her at this point. It seems like everything is going crazy and becoming too much. I noticed that she had a hickey on her neck. I’m glad that she was able to find some comfort last night. She’s my friend, and I hate for her to hurt.

I knew she was here because I could hear everyone talking. They were commenting on how beautiful she is and how nice she seems. I feel my heart beating out of my chest, and my skin is getting clammy. I need to finish this and get out of here. I’m not sure I can take seeing her.

I work quickly, keeping my head down. It doesn’t take long for someone to tap me on my shoulder and ask me to find Natalia for a final inspection. I’m directed to a tent up ahead and make my way over. “You have such an amazing man by your side, and this is what you do? You go and spend the night with someone else? How are you going to explain that love bite to him?” Oh my god! I haven’t heard her voice in so long. I used to replay a video on my phone just to hear her voice, but the real thing pales in comparison. The voice is just ahead of me, coming out of the tent they said Natalia was in. “Do you even feel guilty? Do you feel guilty cheating on Evan?” Evan…..as in me, Evan? What the hell is going on?

“What I do or don’t do is none of your business, actually. Worry about your own situation and not mine.” That’s definitely Natalia, but what does any of this have to do with me?

“Evan’s been through enough. He doesn’t need you treating him like trash.”

“You would know, huh? He’s been through what he has because of you. You had him, then you tossed him aside all so you could have fame and fortune. Now you want to lecture me on how to treat him? F**k off!” A pain blooms in my chest. No matter how long it’s been, there’s still pain when I think of what happened between Neela and me. I don’t think I will ever fully heal.

“You have no idea what you’re talking about. You have no idea what I had to do or why I had to do it. Yeah, I caused him pain, but it wasn’t because I wanted to. I would have rather died than hurt him. Here you are though. You know what he’s been through and yet you are with another man.” She didn’t want to hurt me? Neela crushed me, literally. To hear her now say that she didn’t want to, didn’t mean to, I’m so lost. What did she think would happen when she chose to leave me?

“You are so pathetic! I’m out of here.”

“Yeah, go. Go and f**k my husband some more. You both seem to be good at screwing people you aren’t committed to. I really don’t care what you do to him, but you need to stop hurting Evan. He doesn’t deserve your callousness.” WTF?! Did Neela just say what I thought she said? Natalia is screwing Neela’s husband? That brings up so many other questions. How does Natalia even know her husband? When did they meet? How long has this been going on?

My mind is swirling with so many questions and thoughts. I know a headache will form soon enough, and I can’t take it. I start to stumble backward, trying to get out of the area. “You are such a b***h! I hope you get everything you have coming to you.” I hear movement, but my feet are stuck to the ground. The clicking of heels tells me that one of those women is approaching me, but I can’t move. I drop my head, willing my body to cooperate. “Evan?”