*Nicole's POV*
I'm looking in the mirror at my red cheek. It's not as noticeable as the bruised arm or black eye. Yet to me it's a huge mark. I add a ton of green primer to my cheek and continue putting make up on. Where did it all go wrong? How did we get to this place where I'm hiding bruises, and lying to everyone I consider my friends? Lying was something I've never done. Yet here I am coming up with excuses faster than id imagine I could. Who am I protecting, myself? My families image? Matthew?
Once I look every angle over to make sure no signs of a red mark or bruise is showing I leave the house. I'm going to meet the girls at the boutique to find outfits for the engagement party that's in a couple weeks. As I'm driving there going over every scenario in my head about what's happening to my marriage I question why Becky wants to get married, would she want to get married if she knew what I'm dealing with. She already watched Laura's marriage fall apart.
My head is spinning when I park the car. As I approach the store doors two women step out. I've seen them before a blonde and brunette.
"He always gives me the money to shop, pay bills whatever I want. I think he's falling in love with me. Soon he will be mine completely!" The brunette is telling the blonde.
"You are so lucky to have such an easy romance. It's like the books a fairy tale even. I can't get my Jackson to txt me back after we spend a night together. He only txts me to fuck!" The blonde replies.
As they pass me they both smile.
Oh my fucking god it's her she's the one calling him Matty. Spending our money.
I turn so fast and say " excuse me, weren't you at the nightclub with the firms group a while back ?" The blonde giggles and answers we are always with the firm we are employed there, who are you?"
I put on a fake smile and said "oh I was a client there and a cocktail waitress at the club I remember you both because you were upset in the club and I couldn't imagine why, I nod to the brunette !" I mean really if someone said that to me I would never believe they remembered me from over a month ago, I chewed on my lip waiting for one of them to call me out on that bullshit. Instead It's the brunette who replies. "Oh me and my boyfriend had a disagreement but all is well now as she lifts 4 bags of clothing up smiling."
"Aww that's good !" I reply not meaning a damn fucking word of it.
The blonde then says "Let's go Jessica I'm sure your man is dying to get you on his desk again!" As she laughs.
They turn and walk out.
My stomach rolls. Jessica. Jessica. Jessica is her name. I say it to myself over and over. I'm shocked that I'm not dropping on the floor crying. I mean isn't that what the world says should happen when a woman's world is crashing in all around. After all we are suppose to be the weak ones in society. Yet here I am standing staring and seething. I've got to focus. Ducks. Ducks Ducks I remind myself. I'm getting them in a row, so I'm not going to snatch a bitch by her hair and beat her ass. Not because my husband is clearly cheating, but because she clearly knows he's married and is still being a cunt. My issue is with him more so, he's the one with the anger placed at me and the one betraying the promises we made to each other. I realized it just then the blonde said she's fucking someone named Jackson. Could it be Jack, I ponder.
Just then Becky squeals out my name I jump and turn around putting on a big smile. Oh my fucking god the pain in my cheek comes back. I stiffen and shake it off.
Never let them see when you are broken.
The words I've heard all my life. I decide to go in for her hug and show the enthusiasm she expects from her friend.
Two hours later and four dresses of satin in colors of fall, we are walking to grab lunch.
My phone dings from an incoming message.
"Babe, sorry about last night. You're my everything and I want to be the one to give it all to you. What kind of husband would I be if my wife provided for herself. Forgive me please I'll never lay hands on you again. I think I had a moment of insecurity. I love you. Forever and always babe. Let's go have dinner and drinks and you can grind on me on the dance floor? I. Love. You.
After reading it I ran to the nearest garbage and vomitted. I couldn't hold it in I couldn't ignore it. It came out like a fountain from the bottom of my stomach. The girls grabbed me and panicked " are you okay oh my god Nikki what happened?"
"I'm fine," I said as I grab the water Becky is holding out for me and rinse my mouth out, "I don't know it came on sudden maybe its the muffin I had that caused it. I feel better. Sorry though I think I'm going to skip lunch !"
That is the sixth lie I've told me friends.
Have I mentioned my friends are amazing? They offer to drive me to a doctor or home. But I honestly feel fine. Well as fine as I can portray.
"I am okay, I'm just going to go lay down."
I see Laura's eyes she's focused on my face, hmm maybe there's something on it, ewww.
Laura insists on driving me home, so I surrender to her absolute insistence, I know I won't win this war.
When we get to my house she comes inside with me. I go up brush my teeth and as I go to wash my face. I see what she saw. I had wiped half my make up off after that fiasco. Was it noticeable? Did she see it? She didn't speak of it in the car so maybe I'm being dramatic. I replace the primer and fix my face a bit so it's not noticeable any more. I love her but I hope she leaves soon so I can mope around and Lick my wounds and I don't mean just the physical ones.
As I return downstairs she's made some herbal tea and is sitting on the couch. I grab a seat on the sofa and thank her as I sip my tea. The rooms weighing heavy right now.
"When were you going to tell me Nikki? Why wouldn't you talk to me? What's happening here?"
I almost spit my tea out. Giving her a tilted look
"What do you mean?"
"I see your fucking face. I remember your bruised arm. What's going on and why are you covering it up?"
"Omg It's me being clumsy. Maybe it's a neurological condition, stop assuming anything's going on or that you're not in on a secret. Just because your marriage failed, doesn't mean you get to bud into mine!"
Add another lie on to the books.
I sulk and look down. My lies to my best friends are piling up. Now I'm angry she's realizing the lies I've told. Now I'm behaving like a narcissist and flipping it around to make her feel bad. This day can't get any worse.
Never assume it can't get worse.
Laura hugs me even after my horrible comments to her. "I will always be here for you, no judgment, no expectation. Please don't be mad about me caring for you!"
As she leaves I promise to call her later.
My guilt gets to me. I'm lying to my best friend and saying hurtful things to her. This isn't me this is the reaction from Matt's doing and like any narcissist I'm focusing on fixating it on to someone else.
Matt gets home around 7pm. Straight to the shower... again! Seems this is his new habit. It's not like he goes to the gym after work or is working in some inclimated weather. I see the pieces of the puzzle coming together all the signs pointing for me to react. The things I've failed to give attention to these past months.
"I can't believe you don't want to go out. I made reservations and invited my friends to meet us. You always have to ruin plans I make. How am I going to look showing up without you?"
"I'm sorry I have a horrible sour stomach. I don't want to embarrass you by being sick in front of your friends and public eye. We can both stay in and watch tv together?"
"That's it isn't it. You don't want me to have any freedom or social life. Do you not care how important networking is for my career? You're so damn selfish and needy, Fuck. I'm leaving I'm not sitting at home like some 60 year old. You're not going to ruin my future because you can't accept yours."
He slams the door on his way out. What the fuck did he say, "I can't accept my future?"What does that even mean. Oh well whatever. I'm making plans and to his surprise it's not with him.
I wake up on the couch. It's 4:30 am. Oh shit I can't believe I fell asleep and why didn't he wake me up when he came home. I have to giggle with the thought I just had, seriously I still think like we are in some perfect marriage. I get to the bedroom and it's empty. I look around the house hes nowhere. I hope nothing happened to him. I still care that he's my kids father.
YOU ARE READING
Counting The Lies. Book 1 in The Betrayed Saga
General Fiction(1/4 of the Liar Series) When she was alone she began playing back almost every scenario in her brain that got her to where she is today. Regrets some. Mistakes many. Achievements were few but it's what got her to where she is now. He was pretty c...
