CHAPTER TWO ~ "She Is Back"
1066 Words
Bethany couldn’t believe what she had just seen; tears streamed down her cheeks. Greg’s office was isolated on the top floor of the building, sparing her the embarrassment of anyone catching her seemingly sneaking up on her husband.
She tiptoed her way downstairs, her heart heavy with regret and pain. “I should have gone in to see who it was,” she thought as she walked away in her confused state, she left the Griffin Empire without taking account of what was happening around her. Lost in her thoughts, she felt her world crushing in front of her eyes.
As she walked towards her car, echoes of her name reached her from a distance: “Bethany… Beth… Beth.” She turned to see who was calling her. Perhaps Charlene was calling her back for something she might have left in the office.
“Bethany, I’ve been calling you for a while,” the voice stated.
As she drew closer, her teary eyes made it hard for her to recognize the person calling her from a distance and when the lady drew closer to Beth, she recognized her, and the memories of their high school days flashed before her.
“Michelle, is that you?” Bethany responded. “I could barely recognize you.”
“You’re still as charming as ever,” Bethany said, reaching out for a hug. But before she could embrace Michelle, she stretched out her hand for a handshake.
Awkwardly, Bethany went ahead with the hand shake. As they shook hands, Bethany couldn’t help but notice the jewelry on Michelle’s hands, it was the same as the woman’s hands that Greg had just been kissing.
Michelle noticed Bethany’s inquisitive stare. “What?” she asked teasingly.
“Nothing just admiring how you still look… as before,” Bethany replied, studying Michelle from the top of her head to her shoes.
Michelle and Beth hadn’t been the best of friends in high school, but they shared a common interest: Greg.
Michelle was the popular girl in school, the dream of every guy. Every step she took commanded attention, she had a sexy body, long legs, her blond hair and blue eyes complimented the beautiful shape of her face
She was a model who came from legacy money, just like Bethany and Greg did. Michelle dated Greg in high school before she decided to leave him for another college guy. Despite all this, Greg had always loved her, she was his ‘’perfect match’’
His family approved of her, they believed she was the right image for the Griffin Empire, but resorted to settle for Bethany after she left and was all around the world living her dream because of the good relationship their families shared.
“And there is no much change with you; still looking a bit scruffy as before, ‘Mrs. Griffin,’” she added with a sarcastic tone and chuckle.
“You know he always and will always just love me, Beth,” she continued. “He only just settled for you. There was no possibility of you two ever working out.”
“I mean, look at you: that skirt, shirt, and OMG, your hair… eww,” she laughed hysterically
“You are not fitting to be Mrs. Griffin, and you know it.”
“If he wanted to, he would have waited for you, Michelle, let alone followed you. But, well, I guess he ‘settled’ too,” Bethany responded in a mocking way.
Bethany was the one everyone stepped on in their old days ; her talking back at Michelle was something she didn’t expect, and it only made her angry, she was always used to bullying people around and every one danced to her tune, but now things had changed.
“What guts you have,” an angry Michelle said while trying to reach for Bethany’s arm.
Before she could do anything, Michelle dramatically threw herself to the ground, as if she had been pushed.
“Bethany!” she cried out. “Why did you have to do that? I was only trying to hug you!” Her loud cries attracted attention from people around.
Greg, who was heading out, saw Michelle on the floor. “Mich, are you okay?” he asked as he ran towards her. “What happened to you?” He didn’t even pay attention to Bethany’s presence standing there.
“I was only trying to greet Beth with a hug, and she instead threw me to the ground, warning me to stay away from you,” Michelle explained while crying.
“Bethany, what has gotten over you? Why did you even come here to embarrass me?” Greg yelled. “I…I didn’t do anything, Greg. I swear I was just…” Bethany stammered.
“Just leave me the hell alone, will you?” he exclaimed you ate just making things worse!
“I think I sprained my ankle,” Michelle said. “Please help me up.”
Greg helped Michelle get up. ‘’I can’t stand on it… my leg hurts,’’ she cried out.
‘’Let me rush you to the hospital,’’ Greg insisted
He carried Michelle to his car, lifting her as if she were his bride on their wedding day. Then he drove off, leaving Bethany standing alone in the parking lot. Everyone passing by watched and witnessed the scene, the shame Bethany had just endured, how her husband chose to go with his ex, leaving her there, drowning in sorrow.
She was hurt not only because Greg left her standing there alone, but because he believed she could do something like that to her after all these years he had known her.
So much had happened in a very short space of time, she felt her heart leave her body like her whole heart was being ripped off and thrown to the road to just be crushed. She held her tummy, as if trying to protect and feel her baby it was her only consolation.
She decided to quickly wipe off her tears, she was aware of the weight of people’s thoughts as they stared, suggesting judgment.
Taking her first step, she noticed a liquid flowing down her leg. Not sure what it was, she touched it, and there it was: her fingers stained red with blood.
‘I am bleeding,’ her eyes widened with worry and panic.
- Writer
