Chapter 139 Glowing Today
MELISSA'S POV
"I don’t understand, so the rule applies for you but not for me?” I said, folding my arms across my chest as I stared at him.
Eric leaned back against the headboard, completely relaxed, like we weren’t even having a serious conversation. The sheet was loosely wrapped around his waist, his chest exposed, his expression calm in a way that annoyed me even more.
“No, don’t think of it that way,” he said calmly. “The thing is, I’m a responsible man with a family. I can’t just leave everything I’ve worked for years behind just like that. People would start talking, and it would ruin my businesses.”
I let out a short laugh, sharp and bitter, shaking my head slowly. “Right. But people wouldn’t say a word when it involves me, right?” I replied, my voice dripping with sarcasm and venom.
Eric frowned slightly, clearly not liking my tone, but he didn’t make any effort to explain himself better. Instead, he stretched his arm toward me, as if trying to pull me closer.
“Come on, babe,” he said softly. “Forget all this and actually think about what I said. Being my side chick wouldn’t be bad. It comes with a lot of perks, which you’re already experiencing.”
I took a slow breath, refusing to let his words distract me. “I no longer have feelings for James,” I said firmly. “But I can’t just jump out of the marriage like that. I have my reasons. This should be enough for you. When you need me, I do show up. That should be okay.”
I turned away from him and stood up, grabbing my purse from the chair beside the bed. My movements were deliberate, slow, controlled. I wasn’t storming out, but I wasn’t staying either.
“So you’re going to leave here angry with me?” Eric asked, a small smile tugging at his lips, like he found the whole situation amusing.
I paused, rolled my eyes, then climbed back onto the bed briefly and leaned down to kiss him. It wasn’t soft or lingering, just enough to make a point.
“I’ll see you next week,” I said before turning and walking out of the room.
The hallway was quiet as I made my way out, the early morning light filtering in through the windows. Once I was outside, I ordered an Uber and climbed into the back seat, resting my head against the window.
As the car moved, I kept scanning the streets for any available pharmacy. My eyes darted from sign to sign, hoping to see one open. I needed birth control pills, and I needed them today.
My irritation grew with every minute that passed. Some of the pharmacies weren’t open yet, even though it was well overdue for them to be. And the two pharmacies I found that were open didn’t have any birth control pills at all.
None.
I stared at the shelves in disbelief in the second store, my patience thinning. How could they not have something so basic?
I didn’t know if it was because it was still morning, or just bad luck, or something else entirely. All I knew was that it made no sense. How do you tell me I can’t find something as simple as birth control pills?
By the time I got back into the Uber, my mood had soured completely. I didn’t find any other pharmacy on my way back, so I decided I’d probably come back out in the evening and try again. For now, I just wanted to get home and hear what Isabel had to say.
When I finally arrived at the house, I perceived the faint smell of food the moment I stepped inside. I shut the door behind me and dropped my shoes by the entrance.
Isabel was already in the kitchen, standing by the stove, frying eggs, wasting no time to make herself feel at home, well I mean this isn’t the first time she’s been here so it’s nothing new.
“I see you wasted no time,” I said, placing my purse on the shelf.
“Don’t mind me,” she replied casually. “I felt hungry while waiting for you.”
I glanced around, scanning the living room. “I didn’t see your luggage. You’re not moving in today?” I asked.
“I am,” she said, flipping the eggs with ease. “But I got tired of wearing my previous dresses, so I left them. I’m going shopping for new ones tomorrow.”
I smirked. “Buy new ones? I can see you’re enjoying the perks of being with Austin. He’s really taking care of you.”
She let out a small scoff, picked up her plate, and walked toward the living room. “Whatever I’m getting for myself is my money. I no longer need Austin,” she said as she sat down.
That caught my attention.
“What happened?” I asked, following her into the living room.
She took a bite of her egg before answering. “He wasn’t as useful as I imagined he would be. He was only useful for accommodation.”
“Okay,” I said slowly, “then whose money are you using to go shopping? Because last I remember, Austin was funding all your needs.”
She smiled faintly. “Remember I told you I met up with my mom today? Before I left, she found out I wasn’t staying in a very… luxurious place. So she sent me ten thousand dollars.”
“Hmmm,” I murmured. “Not bad. But I thought you weren’t talking to your mom.”
“She reached out to me,” Isabel said. “I didn’t expect money from her, but I wasn’t going to reject it either.”
I shrugged, unimpressed. “Alright then. You’re very much welcome to stay as long as you want.”
“Thanks, babes,” she said. “By the way, don’t think I haven’t noticed how you’re glowing today.”
A smile slowly spread across my face. So she noticed.
“I guess life has been good to me lately,” I replied lightly.
I hoped James hadn’t noticed the glow too, because if he did, he’d start asking questions. And the last thing I needed was him digging into things that were better left untouched.