Chapter 14: IN CIRCLES

“Thank you, Anna, for giving me a ride home to get my dress and most of my work stuff. I don't really know what I would have done without you.”

“I'm glad I could help; it's a good thing it's the weekend; at least I won't have my boss around my neck trying to choke me with work.” She said this as we exited the house. It's a good thing Seth wasn't around.

“At least you have enough space on weekends. I have to work even at weekends, and to make matters worse, my dad just sent me an invitation to a business gathering.”

“That's unfair; you shouldn't go if you don't feel like going.”

“I wish I could just reject the invitation, but I can't; there was this business proposal he brought my way. He wants me to do a collaboration with M & J Suit Up, and I am supposed to be meeting up with their CEO today.”

“Wait, that means you are meeting Xender Armstrong. Wow, can I tag along?” Anna asked with a pleading voice.

“My invite doesn't say I can come with a plus one, which means only those with an invite can get a pass key.” I replied to her and watched as the little excitement on her face vanished.

“So there is no other way?”

“I will see what I can do; maybe I will just ask my dad to see if he can get you another invite.”

“Thank you, Alda. Yes! I am meeting Xender Armstrong today; I feel so happy I could scream.”

“Is he really worth all this happiness?”

“Yes, don't tell me you don't know about Xender Armstrong.”

“I know about his company, but I don't know him in person.”

"Well, he is one of the youngest, handsome, and gentle souls who has established his company to be such a success. He even has many lands and houses; oh, how I adore him,” Anna said with a dreamy look on her face.

“Okay, if I were able to get you an invitation, I would introduce you to him later on.” 

“Oh my God!!” Anna screamed out before jumping up and down in excitement, after which she hugged me.

“Let's just go.” I said this to her when I finally pulled myself away from her arms. Anna loves rich, cute, handsome, and, most of all, successful men.

She goes crazy over them. They were like this little drug that made her go crazy. I shook my head as I watched her giggle over and over again.

“At this point, someone will think you are crazy in love.” I said to her as she drove us to my parents house.

“Well, I am crazy in love with Xender.”

“Is he that handsome?”

"Oh, Alda, he is breath-taking. His beautiful grey eyes are very enchanting when you stare deep into them. The first time I did, I didn't breathe for seconds.” I was confused by her words.

“Have you guys met before?”

“No, I meant when I first saw him on TV. He is a model, you know.” I felt like I was being stroked by a thunderstorm. Did she just describe someone she met a couple times on TV so dreamily?

"Oh, Anna, you are completely going crazy for this guy.”

“You wouldn't understand Alda; you won't." I raised my hands, indicating I gave up before an argument would break between us.

Anna is handsomely sick at the moment. And as long as that remains, she won't be thinking properly.

“We are here,” Anna announced, and that snapped me out of my thoughts. I have been pondering inside myself about how to get her to come with me to the gathering.

"Aaah, Alda, aren't you getting down?” 

“Oh, I was thinking about a way to get you to the gathering just in case my dad couldn't provide an invite for you.”

“So, did you manage to come up with something?”

“Not yet, but I think I have an idea that might work.” 

“Which is?” Anna asked, looking at me with curious eyes while giving me her full attention. I couldn't help giggling at the expression on her face.

“This is not the right time to laugh at me, Alda. This girl right here is desperate, so tell me the idea right away.”

“Fine, I will have you hold on to this file. It might be needed at the party since we need to discuss and pick out the couple attire we are working on, and that book contains most of the selling couple dresses and items.

I will pretend like I left it behind so I can get an invite for you. Once I have it, I will forward it to you by email.”

“Wow, how can you be this smart, Alda?” Anna asked with amazement on her face.

“There is nothing smart about the idea; it is just common sense.” I told her, but she frowned, like she was about to cry.

“I love you, Alda,” she said, hugging me tightly.

“I love you too, Anna. Now let me go. I can't breathe properly.” I said this to her as I struggled to breathe with Anna's arm around me.

“Sorry, I'm just happy. Now get down; I need to go shopping. I don't even know what to wear.” She said as the frown on her face disappeared and was replaced with panic.

I shook my head unbelievably at her fixed emotions. I picked up my bags and luggage before waving her off.

I hope she is not going to spend all her money at the store only to end up wearing just one out of all the dresses.

I waited until she was gone before heading inside the house. I know I'm going to have a lot of questions to answer. I never called Dad or Mum back, even after seeing their missed call.

I took a deep breath and rang the doorbell. My mum was the one who opened the door.

“Hey Mum, good morning.” I said this to her and got a sigh as a response to my greeting.

“Come in; your dad has been waiting for you.” She is mad at me; I could tell from her tone.

“I'm sorry, mum. I know not picking up your calls yesterday was very inappropriate of me. Please forgive me and don't be mad.” I would rather beg for her forgiveness now, or she will never hear me out later.

“I'm not angry at you, Alda.” 

“You are not.” I was really surprised to hear that she wasn't angry at me. But that made me take a deep breath of relief.

“I wasn't mad at you; I was just sad because I know you are going through a lot. And that husband of yours deserves to be beaten up.” 

Just when I thought I was free of any suspicion. Does she know about Seth and his secretary? How? Who told her?”

“Mum, what do you mean?” I asked in a shaky voice.

“I know you had a fight with Seth yesterday; that's why you slept over at Anna's place.” 

“Oh, who told you that?” I asked as a wave of relief washed over me. Thank God she doesn't know the cause of the fight or how I got myself drunk and ended up in a messier situation.

“Alda! Alda! Alda!” I snapped out of my thoughts when I felt my mum hitting my shoulder slightly. I looked up at her with questioning eyes.

“Why are you so out of yourself? Did Seth do something out of character? Wait a minute, did he dare to raise his hand on you?”

“What? Hell no, mum, Seth wouldn't dare to hit me. We just had a normal couple fight.”

“Are you sure, because I feel like you are covering up for him again?”

“Why did you say so?”

“Because you are fond of avoiding my glance whenever you are lying about something. Sweetie, you need to stop defending that husband of yours. If he did something to you, please be open to us, your parents.

Your dad has been angry since he called Seth and demanded to see him, but Seth refused to see your dad and even told him he doesn't know and doesn't care about you.

It's okay to get a divorce when things aren't working between couples. I know I shouldn't be giving you such advice as to separate from Seth, but this guy is not worth fighting for.

You deserve to be happy. I want my happy Alda back; since you married Seth, a lot has changed about you.

I don't want you to end your life in regret.” 

Her words brought tears to my eyes. I never knew this was how cruel life can be. I thought my marriage would be as perfect as my parents.

They have their ups and downs, but their love always conquers them. They always come back stronger and closer to each other.

But yet again, life is just throwing me in circles.