PAYBACK IS A BITCH

Chapter eight: His betrayal

Sexy stranger, imagine him wearing a suit.

"Hey, girlfriend!" Gloria screamed across the parking lot when I stepped down from my car at the supermarket. I took advantage of the kids and Billy's absence for a grocery run.

Guess Gloria had the same idea.

And no, it wasn't planned.

"Hey!" I greeted her more reservedly. I am not bold or confident like Gloria; I have a quieter, more introverted personality.

My less enthused greeting did nothing to dull Gloria's high energy as she threw her arms around me and nearly hugged all the air out of my lungs.

Anyone who doesn't know Gloria would think she is on crack all the time, but she is just a fun-loving person with a vibrant personality.

There is no dull moment with her.

I love our friendship because she doesn't make me feel bored. She talks for us both and has all the fun stories. And she doesn't mind that I listen.

"Look at us meeting for grocery at the same time. What next, being pregnant at the same time?" She made a funny gesture with her face, which brought a faint smile to my lips and a wince to my expression.

"Babe, what is with the expression?" Gloria asked as we headed towards the entrance of the supermarket.

"It is nothing. It's just that Billy and I have decided not to have any more kids."

"Oh."

"Sophie isn't going to be happy when she hears this," I grimaced again. Since the night she came to our room and Billy told her he was going to put a baby inside me, she has been questioning me nonstop when the baby is going to come out of me.

Gloria found the incident that night hilarious. When I told her about it, she guffawed so loudly to attract our attention.

"So when will you tell her there is no baby?" she asked with a smile as we perused the food-produce area.

I picked up some fresh tomatoes and other things for dinner tonight.

"I am hoping she forgets," I answered, pushing the trolley.

"And if she doesn't?"

"She will learn early in life that you don't always get what you want."

We moved on to the milk section, and I picked up two gallons before moving on to the baking side. It has been a while since I baked. The last time was Sophie's birthday, three weeks ago.

I was thinking of making apple pie. My kids love it, especially Sophie, who has a sweet tooth.

"How are things between you and Billy?" Gloria asked as we moved on to the fruits section.

I shrugged. "Good."

I didn't expound further because there isn't much to say.

His cheating is gradually becoming a thing of the past, even though I am often struck by a moment of insecurity.

What if it happens again?

Billy is doing his best to be the best husband and father he can be. He is showering me with so much attention and is back to making me feel like the first time we met.

Yeah, we are getting to know each other again. Since we started afresh, his late-night work has been minimal. Now, we can see him at the dinner table.

I am not the only one pleased with this. The kids are also happy.