The Woman He Married

03. A Night Out

Before she went to bed last night, Mae checked her email to realize that she has a job interview to attend the following day. She almost lost the chance to land a job from being too busy to check her emails. She ended up spending the night planning her outfit and getting her documents ready.

"Kate?"

Mae reached for her phone and sighed. She still has five minutes before her first alarm. She rolled over and curled under the bedsheet.

"Kate," the voice called again, this time followed by distant mumbling.

Mae opened her eyes and pondered for a while. Kate sounded familiar. Kate? Kaitlyn. "Oh, fuck! Fucking hell, Kate," she gasped as she jumped out of bed. Mae pulled her hair up into a ponytail and rushed out. "Sorry. I'm sorry!" She whisper yelled as she slid into the kitchen.

Zane was there in his signature businessman on a business call pose, a little frown between his brows and nodding at her. He was already in his suit and ready to leave for work. Mae quickly made him a breakfast burrito and a cup of coffee, seeing him off to the door. She watched as the man who told her she didn't have to cook for him or the one who wanted salad instead of her filling breakfast left the house for work. He could have just leave if he really meant what he said about her being responsible for Mae and not for his wellbeing.

Mae then got ready for her interview. She tied her hair back into a neat ballerina bun, put on her lilac dress shirt and a black pencil skirt. Mae took out her phone with the thought of sending Zane a text to let him know she's leaving for a bit. It was only then did she realize that they never exchanged number. It was her safest option to not share too much with Zane because she is Mae Westbrook, not Kate whom he was already comfortable with. It was quite fascinating to hear him changing his tone from comfort to hatred whenever it involves the woman he married.

Mae decided that she would be home before Zane and he probably wouldn't be looking for her in the meantime. She stopped at the door for a moment, praying she would get the job and stop lying to Zane for too long. She took a deep breath and exhaled before she left home.

It was an interview for a position as a clerk at a small newspaper company. Mae had the slightest confidence on her way there, until she realized that there were people who are educationally and skillfully better than her. Her confidence dropped, as well as her mood and her face. She left the company feeling down and just had to call Alaia who should be on lunch break at the time.

"I'm fucked," Mae sighed, stirring her iced coffee pointlessly.

"It's not the end of the world, baby." Alaia cooed, pinching her cheek gently. "We can't even tell yet if you made it or not."

"Oh, I can," Mae scoffed. She drank her coffee to cool down and sighed again.

"There's actually a vacancy at the company I'm with. I'll check it out and let you know. I can't help with anything much since I just started working there last month," Alaia pointed out, "Clerk. Just like the one you interviewed for today."

"Please, I'll try everything I can at this rate," Mae told her.

"Ugh, I just can't believe Ellie did this to you. What an asshole," Alaia rolled her eyes. She looked at the damsel in distress and then suggested, "You haven't been partying in a while, Mae. I think landing a job isn't the only thing stressing you out."

True, Mae thought. Not only did she get in the way of Zane's personal life goals by marrying him, she also lied to him about her own identity. She hasn't said a word about it to anybody else and she's afraid she will lose her mind if she keeps it to herself.

"How about a girls' night out? Just the two of us," Alaia grabbed her hand, "Please, say yes. I just broke up with my boyfriend last night and I really need a drink."