Ashley sat opposite Nathan in the study, her gaze, distant as she stared down at the pen on the desk. She held her hands together, lips pursed. The silence was somewhat overwhelming to her. "Did you inform your mother about your decision?" Ashley stiffened. She then replied, her voice, soft. "Yes."
Nathan closed his eyes and sighed deeply. He ran a hand through his brown hair before opening his eyes once again, his gaze towards her, expressionless. "What is wrong with you?" Ashley could sense frustration mixed with rage in his voice.
"There's nothing wrong with me." She spoke, almost in a whisper. "I just want to end this marriage." She saw him jolt. "Is there a reason to end this marriage?" His voice raised. Ashley shot up from her seat, trembling with anger.
"There are so many reasons, Nathan. One of them is not wanting to see that slut in our marital home." She voiced out, referring to Vanessa. Not only was she annoyed, she was also infuriated. "You don't love me. And I don't love you either. What's the point, Nathan? What's the point of maintaining this facade of a relationship!" Her voice reverberated throughout the entire room. There were tears in the corner of her eyes, her breaths noticeably rapid.
"You just don't understand, Nathan." Ashley wanted to curl up and bury her head in between her knees. Her hands were clenched into fists. Lowering her head, she whispered, her voice audible enough to his hearing. "None of you understand. I'm so tired of everything."
She raised her head, her grey eyes sparkling with tears. The man stared at her. Ashley seemed to see regret in his eyes but she soon dispelled that thought. Towards her, Nathan had absolutely no feelings. She turned her head, tearing her gaze off him. There was a loud, prickly silence around them which lasted for a few minutes before Ashley heard him sigh. "A month."
She turned her head to look back at him. "I'll give you a month to rethink your decision, Ashley." He paused, lowering his head before continuing. "If it remains the same, we will divorce as per your wishes." Ashley's eyes lit up. "You promise?" The joy in her tone was unconcealed.
He raised his head to look deeply into her eyes. "I never go back on my word, Ashley."
***
Ashley spent the rest of the evening in a happy mood. She even had a lot of inspiration to continue writing her new book. Ashley was busy typing away on her laptop when she received a call. "Hi, Isa."
"You seem to be in a good mood." A female voice, laced with a Mexican accent was heard from the other side of the phone. "Don't get me wrong. I'm not annoyed upon hearing you like this, I'm just..."
"-Surprised?" Ashley continued on her behalf, a chuckle escaped her lips. "Exactly." Ashley put the laptop away. "Well, I am in a good mood." She could feel the other person's curiosity increasing "Did something happen?"
"I'll tell you later." The female made an "oh" sound and then spoke. "Then you can tell me tonight." Ashley tilted her head. Her confusion did not last long when she heard the woman's next statement. "I called to tell you about a new club that just opened opposite our fave coffee shop. You need to come with me. Pleeeease." The woman was practically begging over the phone.
The word 'No' almost escaped her lips. However, Ashley remembered her pending divorce. In a month, she would no longer be tied to the 'Li' name. "Alright." The two talked for a while before the call was hung up. Ashley immediately got up to change into black ripped jeans, a sparkly dark blue halter top, and a pair of black stilletos. Her auburn hair was let loose with some light makeup on her face.
"Where are you going?" She heard a hoarse male voice ask from the sid once she got downstairs. She turned to see Nathan, Vanessa was nowhere in sight. "Out." She responded dryly. "Out where?" After a few strides, he was opposite her.
Ashley turned her head, staring into a corner of the room. "Isa called me to go out with her." She replied. His tall figure had towered over her. He looked down at her, his eyes staying on her exposed cleavage. "Like this?"
"What does my attire have to do with you?" She snapped at him, giving him an I-don't-care-what-you-think look."We're about to get a divorce, anyway." She grumbled, her arms folded. The man lowered his head, their faces only a few inches apart. "I'm still your husband. Remember that, Ashley."
He was too close. Ashley felt his hot breath on her face. Her face turned crimson. With her hands clenched into fists, she turned around. "I'm leaving." She whispered, patting her face to dispel the heat. Nathan's gaze followed her figure till she disappeared from his sight.
"I thought you wouldn't come." Isabelle Lockwood, Ashley's best friend said to her once Ashley arrived in front of the club. Isabelle had long hair dyed into a dark purple color, light brown eyes, and beautifully tanned skin which most girls would go crazy for.
Ashley took her arm. "There's no way I'm going to ditch you." She then turned in the direction of the club. "Shake it off? That's the name of the club?"
"The name may suck but I heard it's one of the best clubs in town." Ashley giggled at her statement. "It opened like two weeks ago." Isabelle gave her best friend a 'believe me' look. "We've not been here for two weeks. Besides, I got information on this club from a famous vlogger." Ashley shrugged. She was then pulled into the club. The music was loud and deafening to the ears. Ashley covered her ears, her head, hurting.
"Come on!"
She was led into a room by Isabelle. There, quietness prevailed. It was like they were completely cut off from the noise-filled world outside. "I got an exclusive pass here. Courtesy of having a perfect boyfriend. Ashley scoffed. "Your fling for the month?" Isabelle gave a laugh. "Exactly." The two both laughed, sitting on the large black sofa.
A young man came into the room, interrupting their hearty conversation. "What would you like to drink, beautiful misses?"
"Tequila," Isabelle replied straightaway. Ashley was quiet. She was not allowed to drink alcohol. Neither her mother nor Nathan allowed it. During social gatherings where everyone had a glass of wine in their hands, Ashley either had fruit juice or water in her hand. But this time, she was determined to change her life. Ashley concluded this to be her most impulsive decision in life.
"I'll have vodka." Isabelle turned to her in shock. The young man was long gone. "Are you serious?" Ashley nodded with a small smile. "Very."
Ashley soon regretted her decision. Everything around her was spinning even though she was sitting. She felt queasy and her head hurt. Annoyance was all over her face after seeing that Isabelle was still okay after two glasses of tequila, three glasses of beer, and a glass of vodka.
"Okay. I think it's about time you went home." Isabelle helped Ashley up. "I shouldn't have brought you here." Once they left the room, Ashley halted in her steps, her eyes glued to a certain figure in the corner of the club.
"Simon," she whispered.
YOU ARE READING
Deception
Romance"Let's get divorced." He doesn't love her, she doesn't love him. But when she suggests for them to end their five year long marriage, he refuses. Lies, deceit, misconception. That's all she sees between them. She wants freedom, he doesn't want t...
