An Unusual Affair

Chapter 6

Getting back home Richard went straight to his study. He had a few meetings to attend. But even while going through his work, he constantly followed Emily's and Lily's names on his laptop's screen. 

Their visit to the doctor, then to the pharmacy, and then back to their home. 

What am I doing? Richard thought to himself. I shouldn't be intruding on their privacy like this. But I should keep an eye on them to see how often they meet Vanessa. But if they found out that they had been under my surveillance, it would not turn out to be good. 

It was one of his business secrets that only he was aware of. The extent to which all the houses in Rivertide were under his watchful eye, only he knew about it. If he wanted he would even be able to see people taking a bath through his laptop screen. 

Vanessa was sitting in darkness in her living room. The sun had set but she did not get up to turn on the lights. Looking out of the window she got flashbacks of how her life had been. 

As much as I am going to get if Richard decides to divorce me someday, I still feel empty inside. Vanessa thought to herself.

She had gone to see Hayden at school but couldn't meet him and she saw Richard standing there waiting to pick Hayden up. She knew that Richard hated her and he would be divorcing her sooner or later and since most of his property was kept under her name, she would be receiving all of that, other than the share in his other assets. 

Her goal was to gain Hayden's custody too somehow so she could get his share of the money as well. But it was not an easy task. Richard had evidence of her cheating on him with his childhood best friend and neighbor, Robert. 

They had been madly in love since their high school but since Vanessa wanted to live a luxurious lifestyle, which Robert couldn't give her, she was ready to go to any extent for it. 

She was beautiful and had a good body, so secretly, she had started to offer herself in return for huge payments every night. She started to earn well in just a few months. When asked by Robert or her family, where she was getting all the money from, she would always lie about doing several part-time jobs. In a short time, she became famous and her demand started to increase among the elite men. 

But she started to get sick because of changing partners every week. One day, after six months into this business, she found out that she was pregnant. Her soul left her body. She didn't even know whose baby it was. In a panicked state, she told Robert about it. 

No matter how heartbroken he was finding out about her work, he helped her go through abortion out of his love for her. After that, she swore she would not do this business again. 

Once they entered college, Vanessa met Richard. He was smart, intelligent, and handsome and to top it all off, he was rich. So she decided to lure him towards her. 

She made a plan with Robert to trap Richard somehow to make him spend his money on Vanessa. No matter how much money she asked for, Richard would give it to her or spend it on her without question. Little did she know that Richard fell in love with her in real. 

Robert and Vanessa's family, which included only her brother, as her parents had passed away when she was in middle school, took advantage of Richard's money for quite some time. 

He wanted to give her his everything. Slowly, Vanessa started to cut her ties with Robert because she was getting everything that she wanted from Richard. 

What was more, Richard never initiated physical touch towards Vanessa without her permission. He was always of the view to be intimate after marriage. To the point that the first kiss they shared was also on the day of their wedding. 

Vanessa was happy this way. She was getting what she wanted without having to be intimate with anyone. 

Sitting by the window looking at the cold and starry sky outside, Vanessa remembered how much Richard had loved her back then. He had even bought several houses for her in her name so she could come out of the slum area where she had dwelled and live a comfortable life.  She was still using Richard's card. 

'Stupid thing it is. Love.' Vanessa laughed to herself.  'Poor Richard.' Her laughter echoed in the dark room.

All I have to do now is to catch him in an illicit relationship with someone, so Hayden's custody will be transferred over to me. I'll have to be quick and careful. Before Richard initiates the divorce. And Emily is exactly the right one for this. I have to plan something to bring them together. 

The next day, Hayden went to school but Lily stayed at home to rest. Since Emily had not opened the Bakery the previous day, She was making efforts to somehow make double sales today so yesterday's loss could be met. Lily spent the day in the living room, watching TV and helping her mother whenever she could. 

Richard wanting to keep a close eye on Vanessa hired a private detective to give him reports of whom Vanessa was meeting and why. Although it wasn't hard for him to keep track of her, his growing business demands kept him excessively occupied. 

With Richard's permission, Mrs. Swan took Hayden to meet Lily once more.

A few days passed by and everything seemed tranquil on the surface. One evening, Richard came back from his office to find the detective waiting for him outside his house.

'Sir I needed to see you but couldn't call in case I was being followed.' The detective said as Richard came out of his car. 

They were standing beside the gate of the house under a tree. Since the night was approaching, darkness was enveloping them slowly. 

'What do you mean by being followed? Who is being followed?' Richard said a little confused.

'Sir this past week I observed Madam Vanessa and she was seen meeting some lawyers. Mostly they met in cafes so I was able to get a whim of what they were discussing.' The detective hesitated for a while, not sure how to disclose what he had found out.

'Go on. I want to know everything.' Richard gestured for him to get in his car so they could sit and talk more privately. 

'Sir, Madam met a man named Robert and erm she met him mostly in a hotel room. So I don't know what kind of discussions they had had.' 

Richard clenched his fists but did not show any emotion as yet. 

'Furthermore, she met a lawyer two days ago. He is a very famous lawyer, I took his picture as well when they were having a meeting.' He took out his mobile and showed the picture to Richard. 

Blood drained from his face. Sitting with Vanessa was Mr Stener, his lawyer. He took the mobile from the detective's hand, his expression of utter shock. 

'They seemed more than just a lawyer and a client Sir. He held her hand occasionally and their conversation was not entirely professional as well. But one thing that I got to know was that they are planning to file a case against you somehow to gain Hayden's custody.'

Richard could hear Mr. Stener's voice in his ears, asking him not to file for divorce as yet. 'So this was the reason behind the delay.' Richard thought to himself handing the mobile back to the detective.  

'You have been very helpful Nile. Keep on following her. I need more information. See if she has any connection with Tranquil Treats, the Bakery on the other side of the town. Its owner is Emily. I want to know if she and Vanessa are somehow related to each other in any way. Richard said to the detective, his mind racing. 

'Emily? I have heard this name.' Nile said and then jumped up in his seat remembering, 'Yes I heard Madam Vanessa saying to Robert that she will make good use of Emily since she doesn't know anything about her past. They were waiting for the elevator when she said that.' 

'Hmm.' So Emily seems to be a target of hers as well. Then suddenly he remembered, 'What did you mean by being followed?' Richard asked Nile. 

'Sir Madam told the lawyer that she has learned some tricks from you and she can track who is where and when. I did not exactly understand what she meant but I just wanted to be cautious.' The detective said.

Richard was now met with another surprise. If it meant what he thought it meant then it could cause him some great trouble in the future.