Chapter 18: They Can Only Hide
Marceline's POV
I let out a laugh at what Celesta said. We were now back inside the hall, sitting at a corner, talking as we watched people walking around. I was back to my usual self because Mr. Halvourne was nowhere to be seen, and I could finally breathe.
“Was it not just now that Philip left through that door?” Celesta suddenly asked, looking toward the direction of the restroom. We could see Anastasia walking through the door, glancing around nervously as if afraid of being seen.
I let out a scornful laugh and looked away.
“She’s going to meet him there,” Celesta said in disgust. “She is really shameless.”
“Philip too,” I added bitterly.
Anastasia should not be the only one cursed. Philip was the architect of it. If he had known his boundaries and not crossed them, we wouldn’t be here talking about this. I wouldn’t have gotten myself involved with Mr. Halvourne while trying to experience what betrayal feels like.
“Are you going to let them?” Celesta asked sadly. She was hurt about how my marriage was going lately. She knew how much I had endured and sacrificed, only for it to break. Yes, I considered my marriage broken...even though I would never divorce Philip, it had ended.
"Of course,” I replied, my voice sharp. “That’s all they can do...hide. As long as I’m still standing strong, their relationship will forever remain an affair. They’ll never show themselves in public. They’ll never walk proudly as a couple. They’ll always sneak around like thieves.”
“This decision you have made, Marc… it won’t be easy on you. It involves emotions and your mental well-being. I don’t know if it’s safe, and I don’t know if I should support you in it,” Celesta said worriedly.
I understood what she meant, but I had already decided, and nothing would change my mind.
“It’s safe to consider me as a scorned wife, Celesta,” I said with a laugh. But she didn’t laugh with me. She only looked at me, her face filled with sadness and worry. I gently lifted my glass of wine and clicked it against hers.
“Marc, it’s not funny. Your mental health is at stake,” Celesta said with a sigh.
“My mental health would have been at stake if I still cared. But no...I don’t. I’m better than ever before,” I said, taking a sip of my drink.
“Alright… so will you return to the company? You can’t just continue sitting at home,” she asked calmly.
“I’m thinking about it. It’s right I do,” I said. I had thought about returning to work, but I was still contemplating whether to return to Valemont Corporation or to Stanmore Global.
......
Anastasia POV
I followed Philip into the men’s restroom, but not without first looking around to make sure Marceline wasn’t in sight. I had seen him going there, and I needed to talk to him. He had to explain why he came with Marceline when we had agreed to come together tonight.
I knew it wasn’t right to follow him here, let alone talk about our relationship in this place...someone might see us or even hear us.. but I didn’t care. My body trembled with anger, frustration, and envy. My head would explode if I didn’t let it out.
I pushed open the door to the stall where he was, startling him. His eyes widened, shock flashing across his face before quickly turning into anger.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Philip barked in a low, sharp tone as he buckled his trousers. His voice vibrated with fury, yet quiet...he couldn’t risk being overheard.
“How could you do this to me, Philip? How can you come here with her when we agreed to be together tonight?” I cried, my voice breaking. I was losing control.
From the moment I saw Marceline with him, I had held it in.
Tonight was supposed to be our night. Tonight I was supposed to be seen beside him..not her. I was supposed to shine with him. For two years we had been together in secret, always hiding. Tonight I thought it would finally change. But he came with her, and she stole everything from me again.
“Is that why you’re here?” Philip asked coldly.
“Yes! I need to hear the reason why you had to bring her when you promised me tonight,” I said, my heart trembling.
“You’ve lost it. And what was that at the entrance? Do you want to expose our affair to her?” Philip snapped. His face looked like he would strangle me if Marceline ever found out what we had.
His angry voice didn’t shake me, but his word did. Affair. Again. This was the second time tonight he had called what we had an affair.
I never saw it as that. To me, we were two people deeply in love, but fate had given us the wrong partners. Now fate was changing. .we were defeating it. I was divorced, free to be with him, and he was supposed to divorce her too.
"Affair every time! You always call what we have an affair. When exactly will you divorce her? Because I can’t continue like this. We can’t keep hiding!" I burst out, my voice rising before I could stop myself. The pain inside me was too much...I needed him to understand.
"Mind how you talk to me, Anastasia. Don’t you ever raise your voice at me. You don’t get to call the shots here...I do," he warned coldly, his eyes sharp. My back stiffened at his tone.
I had thought he would soften like before, that he would understand my hurt and comfort me the way he used to whenever I said it pained me to see him with Marceline. But this time, he only warned me. He seemed serious, distant.
A chill of fear ran through me. Was he tired of me? My heart slammed hard against my chest at the thought. No, no, it couldn’t be. He loved me. Maybe he was just tired of my constant nagging, tired of me pressuring him about the divorce. Yes, that had to be it.
"I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to raise my voice," I whispered, swallowing down the bitterness burning in my throat. I couldn’t let him grow tired of me. I had come too far for that.
He only hissed in response, refusing to look at me, and brushed past to leave the toilet.
Panic struck me. I rushed after him and wrapped my arms around him from behind, holding him tightly. I couldn’t let him walk away like this, not in anger. Who knew what could happen if he did?
"I'm very sorry, Philip. Please don’t be angry," I whispered, hugging him tightly as though my life depended on him. I forced out a few tears, knowing men like him adored women who bowed their heads, who looked fragile before them. That was how I won him the first time...by giving him what he wanted to see.
I heard him breathe out heavily, and I smiled inside because I knew it worked. He turned back to me, cupping my face gently. His thumb brushed away the tears on my cheek, his eyes softening.
"Ana, I don’t like being angry with you," he said calmly, "but you always find ways to test my patience. I’ve told you many times...just wait. All of this will be over soon, and then we’ll finally be together."
I nodded quickly, lowering my head like an obedient child. "I’m sorry… it won’t happen again."
He sighed and straightened his jacket. "Let’s head back to the hall. I’ll leave first, and then you come out after a few minutes."
He turned, ready to walk away, but I wasn’t finished. I caught his wrist and pulled him back, pressing my lips to his. If my apology had softened him, then a kiss would seal it completely.
At first, he was stiff, but then he gave in, deepening the kiss. His lips moved roughly against mine, the taste of his longing spilling into me. I hooked my arms around his neck, pressing closer. My hand slid down, bold and knowing exactly what I was doing. He tensed, catching my wrist.
"Stop," he breathed, his voice low and strained. "This isn’t the place."
But I smiled against his lips, my hand refusing to let go. "No one saw me come in. No one will see us," I murmured, brushing my fingers over his already heated member straining against his trousers. His sharp intake of breath told me I had him exactly where I wanted.
Before he could protest again, I unbuckled his belt with quick fingers. He hissed, torn between stopping me and giving in, but desire won as always. I dropped to my knees, looking up at him with a sly smile, and freed him from the restraint of his clothing and took him immediately into my mouth.
He groaned, while trying not to make a sound. My eyes on him as I sucked him, and pride filled me. He had always told me how good I was, how I gave him what Marceline never could.
So what if she still bears his name? I thought. I am the one in his heart. I am the one he truly loves.
I sucked him until he finally exploded into my mouth. I swallowed everything, smiling with satisfaction.
Let Marceline enjoy the title of wife for now. Soon, that title would be mine.