The Last Wife

twelve

• the big party •

I strut down the flight of stairs, the golden purse in my hand.

Erik quickly shifts his attention from the enormous painting to me. He stares at me for a moment, standing in a green gown then turns his attention back to the painting.

"Your husband had taste in paintings it seems..."

I chuckle and correct him.

"I'm actually the one who did the painting a few years back. It lived in my bedroom for the longest time before I moved it to this house."

I've always loved the painting but never thought it's that good. It's just a mess of colours and different paints. I was just having fun with colours when I made it at the time.

He looks at me in surprise.

"It's quite something."

"Thankyou."

"Maybe you should consider painting after the contract is over."

"I'll put that in mind."

The contract will be over in a year. I won't work for him as his secretary anymore. I'll get back my thirty percent when it's done.

"The dress looks better on you," he says as he takes my hand.

I look at him in confusion.

"I guess I'll take that as a compliment."

"It is."

It feels strange walking beside him, my hand tucked in his arm as we step out into the night.

"Don't you feel like this house is a little too big for one person to live in?"

"It is."

"Maybe you should let your family from Russia move in with you."

I chuckle.

"Or maybe I should get married and fill up the empty rooms with kids."

He looks disgusted by the comment.

"Your husband just died the other day. Don't you think it's a little disrespectful to bring another man two seconds after his death?"

"Does it bother you?"

"Why should it bother me?" He scoffs. "I don't give a f**k. Nothing about you surprises me anymore, Ruby."

He sounds bitter and angry beneath his voice. I decide to stay silent through the entire ride.

Just before the car pulls up in his house, he grins at me.

"I hope you enjoy the night."

There's no way in hell I'll enjoy the night. He will obviously make it a living nightmare for me. And the worst part is that I have to be his date the entire time.

He doesn't hold my hand when we step out of the limousine. Not that I wanted him to. But I thought since I'm his date, he could atleast pretend to care.

The mansion is magnificent and it takes my breathe away every time I see it. We stride to the front porch and meet dozens of guests in the livingroom. They are all familiar faces. Most of them are colleagues. A few of them are investors and others, clients.

It's very embarrassing and humiliating to be in the same room with investors and clients. I literally went from a ceo to some stupid secretary.

"It's such a pity," I hear someone whisper to his friend.

"Poor thing."

I grit my teeth and ignore the two gossips. Their pitiful looks and plastic smiles make me sick.

I hold on to Erik's arm as he speaks to one of the investors, Mr. Parker. He's one of the oldest and most important investors the company has.

"Yes." Erik nods. "The merge will bring great profits and benefits to the company. That's why I thought it would be a great idea to make it one big company, rather than two."

"That's genius," Mr. Parker comments. "Both Harvey and Garvin must be smiling in their graves. I'm sure they would be so proud of you."

"Thanks, Peter."

"It must be great working with Mrs. Ford here." He turns to look at me. "I heard you are also one of the owners now."

"Actually," Erik corrects. "She's my secretary now."

"Oh."

His face goes from shocked to confused to sympathetic. It's then that it dawns on me why Erik brought me here. He wants embarrass and humiliate me.

I turn to glare at Erik after Mr. Parker is gone.

"Was that necessary?," I ask sharply.

"What?"

"Telling him that I'm your secretary?"

"Peter thought that you're one of the owners. I had to clear up the misunderstanding."

"I really hate you." I say coldly. "You know that, right?"

He grins broadly.

"The feeling is mutual, babe."

It's a relief when Erik is called aside by his assistant, Stephanie, to talk about something urgent. He leaves me sipping a glass of wine, staring at the busy guests buzzing around.

"Now this is what a stupid party looks like."

I'm shocked when Alex joins me a few seconds after Erik leaves.

"I didn't know you were coming."

"I'm one of your dumb boyfriend's employees now, remember?"

"He's not my boyfriend." I roll my eyes. "I thought you were mad at me."

"I still am."

"You wouldn't be here if you were."

He rolls his eyes.

"The only reason I'm here is because of the free booze and buffet."

"You missed me," I chuckle.

He sighs, a warm smile touching his lips.

"Sorry for what I said yesterday. That was not cool. I didn't mean it..."

"People say things they don't mean when they are angry all the time. You're not special."

"Ouch." He feigns a frown.

"Is Miles still mad at you?"

"Yeah. He blocked me on every app. Even i********:. Can you believe it!"

"Welcome to the twenty-first century relationships."

"I think he's done with me for real."

"Give him some time. He'll come around."

I might try to talk to Miles and see if I can make the situation better. I really hope they patch things up. They make such a cute couple and I've never seen my psycho-ass brother give a f**k about someone this much.

"Have you talked to Tony since the party?" I ask nervously.

"No, why?"

"Just asking..."

"I had classes the whole day. I was so tired I took a nap in the evening before getting ready for this party," he explains.

I know he's going to be so furious when she tells him what I said. I'm a little scared.

A few minutes later, Erik takes me away from Alex with a big grin on his face.

"I want you to meet someone."

"Who?"

It's a beautiful woman with beautiful dark hair in a gorgeous green gown. The same exact gown that I'm wearing. The same exact gown that he sent me this morning and forced me to wear. What the f**k is going on?

"Ruby, meet Danielle Green." He takes her hand. "My girlfriend."

"Oh, Ruby!" She gushes with a big smile. "I've heard a lot about you."

"I've never heard a thing about you."

She giggles, playing with his tie.

"That's because Erik and I have been keeping things lowkey for a while now. We wanted to keep our relationship private but I guess our love for each other is too loud. We can't hide it anymore."

I scan her from head to toe. It's hard to deny that she's gorgeous. A gorgeous woman with an incredible height. Erik sure has a thing for tall women.

"The two of you make a lovely couple." I comment with a smile.

"My friends say that all the time." She giggles. "Erik is literally my prince charming. And my hero. His exes were stupid to let him go..."

"Maybe he was the one stupid to let them go..." I scowl at Erik.

"Maybe that's true." She nods. "But he's more mature now. He's grown into a man. You can't judge people with their past."

"You're such a sweetheart." He kisses her lightly on the lips.

I turn to leave when she starts playing with his hair. She's all over him and it's disgusting to watch. She suddenly stops me.

"Ruby?"

"What?" I respond in annoyance.

"Sorry to bother you but I have a little tea party at my house. Was wondering if you could join us."

"Why would you invite me?"

"Because my boyfriend says a lot of nice things about you. You seem like a nice girl. I'd love to hang out with you."

"I'll think about it."

"Take your time."

"Nice to meet you, Danielle."

"Oh, dear! Call me Dani."

I strut to the balcony, a lump burning in my throat. Strangely, it breaks my heart that Erik has moved on. It's been a few months since our break up and he's already inlove with another woman? A woman that seems like a nice and decent human with a lovely face. I find myself wishing that she was some ugly bimbo with zero brains. Maybe it would have hurt a little less...

I gulp down the wine when Erik suddenly joins me.

"So, what do you think about my new girlfriend?"

"I think she's too good for you. She deserves better."

"Ouch."

I glare at him, tempted to throw the glass at his stupid face.

"When is it ever going to stop, Erik?"

"What?"

"The stupid games?" I ask bitterly. "When are you ever going to stop punishing me and hurting me and breaking my heart! When!"

He goes silent when he sees the tears in my eyes.

"Because I can't take it anymore!" I cry. "You f****d me at my wedding, then you turned around and acted like it was nothing! You gave me up to the cops! You tricked me into signing the stupid contract that made me your stupid secretary! The only reason you brought me here is to humiliate me infront of all the investors and clients! And as if that's not enough, you ask me to be your date just for you to introduce me to your new girlfriend! A girlfriend that's wearing the same dress as me! What a f*****g coincidence!"

I hate myself for crying my eyes out infront of him like this.

"When are you going to stop, Erik! I'm miserable and tired and heartbroken! That's what you wanted, right? You have won, Erik! So can you please stop! Just stop!"

With a frown on his face, he stares at me coldly.

"You know, it's interesting how you act like the victim here." He scoffs. "If you remember very well, it's you who hurt me. It's you who broke my heart. It's you who knew my best friend was dying and never bothered to tell me. It's you who cheated on me and blamed it on my best friend's death. It's you who deceived me and got married to another man. You literally punished me for loving you, Ruby."

Silence stretches between us for a moment, the air filled with tension.

"Instead of blaming me for your misery, maybe you should start accusing karma." He pauses. "I heard she's a bitch."

****

Hey guys, I had a school project that I've been working on. Sorry that I wasn't able to post for the past few days. Glad to be back. I'll be posting daily from now on. I missed you guys. Please don't forget to follow this story. Love y'all