Chapter 23 You miserable woman

Chapter 23 You miserable woman
Chapter 24

Seven months after

Elena’s POV

I was in front of the mirror in the women’s section, hoisting up a navy-blue dress against my chest. It wasn’t pricey, just a little something tidy I could throw on for work. The store had a faint smell of new fabric and perfume. A few shoppers drifted around, subdued music wafting through the store from ceiling speakers.

I was looking at the tag when I heard some whispers. When the camera clicks came. I didn’t have to turn around to know what for.

Melissa had just walked in.

In the mirror, her reflection stood alongside mine. Perfect hair, big sunglasses on top of her head, a tiny designer bag in her hand. Even the shop manager came rushing out from behind the counter, grinning too much.

"Miss Melissa! It’s so wonderful to welcome you once again," he said, almost bowing.

She smiled as if she owned the place. “It’s always lovely to shop where they treat me nicely.”

Then her eyes locked with mine in the mirror. The smilebank happiness transformed into something, smug, mocking.

“Well, well,” she said, coming closer. “If it isn’t Elena.”

I shifted a little and gave a faint nod. “Melissa. ”

She let out a small laugh, a kind that people use when they want you to feel less.  “Oh, Elena, what is a poor woman like you doing here? I thought people like you buy clothes from discount stores or… online?”

The manager shifted uncomfortably, but no one spoke up. A few of the patrons pivoted to watch.

“I’m just shopping,” I told her. “Everyone here is doing the same.”

“Shopping?” She glanced around with an air of disbelief. “With what money? Oh, wait—don’t tell me that you’re already spending the little allowance your ex-husband gives you?”

I exhaled slowly. “You don’t need to know where my money is from.”

She laughed again, this time her laughter was louder. “You’re right. I don’t. But it’s amusing, isn’t it? Looking at YOU, acting like you can buy what I buy IN BULK.”

The manager made a polite bid to interpose. “Miss Melissa, should I —”

“No, no,” she said interrupting him. “I’m talking to somebody.” She turned to me again. “What are you buying, Elena? Something to wear to your… secretary job?”

“I earn my living,” I said decisively. “Nothing wrong with that.”

She rolled her eyes. “You always were good at pretending wearing dignity-like-feeling.”

Her words hurt, but I kept my chin up. “I’m not here to fight with you.”

“Oh, but I am,” she said, folding her arms. “Because I don’t like to share a room with people who don’t belong in it.” She glanced back over her shoulder. “Manager!” 

The man came running. “Yes, ma’am?”

“Why is she here?” Melissa said, gesturing towards me as though I were dirt. “I don’t want her shopping in my vicinity. Tell her to go.”

The manager hesitated. “Miss Melissa, she’s a paying customer—”

“Then un-pay her,” she said sharply. “If she’s bought anything, I refuse to accept anything from her. And if she tries to pay now, I’ll leave and tell everyone how rude your store is to celebrities.”

The man’s face went white. “Miss Elena, please—perhaps you could come back another  day—”

I took a step back, confused and embarrassed. “What? I didn’t do anything wrong. I’ve got my own money to spend, and I’ve already decided what I want to buy.”

Melissa smirked. “Oh, come on, Elena. Don’t make a scene.”

“I’m not making a scene,” I said, my voice quivering a little. “You are.”

But it didn’t matter. The manager indicated to the security guard, who approached, evidently at a loss as to what to do.

“I’m sorry, ma’am,” the guard said softly. “Can you please step outside for a moment?”

I shook my head in disbelief, thinking what a blow this was. “You’re really doing this because she said so?”

Melissa smiled wider. “You heard him. Step outside.” 

I felt people’s eyes on me — some were whispering, others just staring as if it was some kind of spectacle.  I put the dress down slowly as if I was trying to cling to whatever dignity I had left.

As I was making my way out, Melissa came after me to the door. She drew closer, speaking softly but loud enough for those nearby to hear.

“You know what’s funny?” she asked as she drew her hand out of the bag. “This.”

A big diamond ring sparkled in the light of the shop. “Williams bought this for me. Out of the cash you gave him in the divorce? I suppose I owe you my thanks."

I was looking at it pretty intently but I didn’t say anything.

“Oh, don’t be so shocked,” she added. “He told me everything. Alimony you didn’t take because you wanted to be ‘independent,’” she said, getting off the luxury car in the rear of the bus. “Look where that independence got you — working as a secretary, wearing cheap clothes, and living with his stepbrother.”

“It’s none of your business,” I muttered.

“But that’s when everybody is mentioning it?” she said, cocking her head. “Poor Elena, cannot bring herself to leave the family, so she moved in with Kai. Just how far down the drain can you go?”

I clenched my fists. “You don’t know anything about me or Kai.”

“Oh please,” she sneered. “I know enough. You always looked like the type of woman who would settle for a handful of crumbs just to feel wanted.” 

The guard shifted awkwardly next to us. “Miss, we should maybe move—”

“Not yet,” Melissa snapped. Then she glanced down at her ring again, beaming like she was in a commercial. “Frankly, that’s not even the best part.”

I frowned. “What else do you want to show me?”

She placed a hand on her stomach and beamed. “Pregnant for six months. Williams and I are expecting a baby.”

The words hit me like a punch. I blinked, my throat tight.

She slipped closer, putting her lips to my ear and whispering, “Imagine that — you’re only six months in, and already expecting. You were married to him for five years and couldn’t give him one.”

I looked down, trying not to let her see the tears forming. “You should go inside and shop, Melissa. You’ve made your point.”

“My point,” she added with a grin, “is that I win. I’m the show, Elena. I always win.”

She spun around and waved at the manager in a queenly gesture toward her subject.

I stood there for a few seconds, my heart racing. The guard cleared his throat softly. “Ma’am, are you okay?”

I nodded, forcing a small smile. “Yes. I’m fine, thank God. ”

But I wasn’t.

I stepped outside the store and headed down the mall hallway, gulping for air. I could still feel my hands trembling, and I could still hear her voice reverberating in my head. 

“Williams got this for me…”

“Six months pregnant…”

People rushed past me, cradling their shopping bags, laughing, living their lives. I found a vacant seat by the fountain and took a seat. For a second, I just looked at the water, how it glistened in the lights.

I didn’t cry, but my eyes burned. I pulled out my phone, went to my notes app, and jotted down the sum of what I intended to buy the dress, a pair of shoes, and perhaps a small bag. I would get them elsewhere. Somewhere she wouldn’t ever think to go.

As I sat there, I heard a small voice beside me, a little girl tugging her mother’s hand. “Mommy, that’s the actress from the movie!”

I looked up and saw Melissa taking a selfie with some fans, laughing as if nothing had happened. She even turned her head in my direction and smirked once more before facing the camera again.

I swallowed and got up and left.

I didn’t need to fight her. Not here. Not like this.

But deep down I made one promise to myself I wouldn’t let her walk all over me. Not again.