A Woman's Empire

LIV

CHAPTER FIFTY FOUR

"I'm not sure if he should be staying here." Ben whispered to Audrielle as they stood in the kitchen, watching over Leo who was playing with the monster trucks he had brought Orlando. Audrielle knew Ben was right. Leo shouldn't be sleeping on her couch.

"It's only for a couple of days." Audrielle sighed, running her hands through her hair before she rinsed out her tea cup.

"I better get to work. I'll see you later?" Ben asked, kissing Audrielle on the cheek.

"Um I'm meant to be going out for dinner with Leo." Audrielle mumbled and she couldn't help but feel Leo's piercing stare on her back.

"Oh, okay. Well I'll see you around I guess." Ben said, walking out of the house without another word. Audrielle was immediately flooded with the feeling of guilt. Ben was such a kind and caring guy and Audrielle just chose Leo over Ben.

But Ben shouldn't be upset, he hasn't asked you to be his girlfriend yet. One dinner with your son's father won't hurt...

Audrielle tried to agree with her inner voice but Leo's stare was just too strong and powerful that she felt like she was doing the wrong thing.

"Right, Orlando. Grab your bag, you have preschool now." Audrielle shouted as she shoved his lunchbox into his bag. Orlando ran into the kitchen and with the help of his mom, he put his bag on.

"Mommy, could daddy drop me off in that really fast car today?" Orlando asked as he hugged his mom's legs and stared up at her with puppy dog eyes.

"I'm sorry sweetie but daddy's probably got a very big day today and won't be able too." Audrielle muttered, ruffling her son's hair. Orlando pouted and Leo looked at Audrielle with a raised eyebrow.

"I might be busy today but I'm sure I can fit in taking my son to school." Leo commented with a smirk and Audrielle glared at him. Orlando jumped up and down in excitement and Leo grabbed the keys to his sports car.

"Have a good day!" Audrielle shouted as Orlando fled out of the door and Skip followed, barking in excitement.

—————

Rebecca, Audrielle's friend from down the street, was sprawled out on the bed as Audrielle rummaged through her dresses that hung up in her closet. "Ugh, I don't know why I'm caring about looking good tonight." Audrielle huffed.

"I hate to say it, but he's a hot catch. Dress up sexy. Show him what he's missing out on." Rebecca laughed, picking up the black dress that Leo had brought her as a gift before they got married.

"By the pictures in the magazine, he doesn't seem to be missing out on much at all. Her boobs were bigger than mine, even when I was pregnant!" Audrielle muttered and Rebecca chuckled.

"Ignore what the media has to say. Tonight you're going to show him who's boss."

"I still don't have anything to wear." Audrielle mumbled as she flopped onto the bed next to her friend.

"Let's go shopping then." Rebecca suggested, jumping off of the bed and grabbing her handbag that was chucked on the ground.

They went to shop after shop and yet Audrielle still couldn't find anything she liked. The dresses were either too revealing for a dinner with her husband who suddenly disappeared after the birth of their son, or they were too modest, like an elderly woman from the sixties.

They then hopped into Audrielle's car and headed further into the city. Maybe there will be better dresses. The shops in the city were more designer and they walked into the first one they saw. Rebecca's mouth dropped in awe as she took in the beauty of the store. A giant crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling and the maniquens seemed to have been made out of Italian marble. A man in his fifties came over to help the women with their dress shopping. He offered them a complementary glass of champagne and as he went off to get them a nice cold glass, Audrielle wandered around the store.