STEEL CITY

Chapter 1

In a dimly lit restaurant with a huge signboard that spelled out Melody, there was a couple at the far end of the restaurant. At first glance they looked liked a typical happy couple but on closer inspection it was obvious that the woman was using every trick in the book to get the man's attention but he couldn't care less.

"Is this your great idea for a date, you've been on your phone since we got here," Daphne said.

"What do you want Daphne? you said we didn't spend enough time together anymore and now I'm with you, it still isn't enough," Ethan responded.

"We aren't spending time together, you've been on your phone since we got here. You have barely even said five words to me and we haven't had a proper conversation in a long time, it's been bothering me, she said.

"It's always something with you," Ethan said in a strained voice as he placed his phone on the table harshly.

"It's always something with you," he repeated in a louder voice and this garnered attention from the other customers.

Daphne looked down feeling slightly embarrassed as she felt the curious stares of onlookers, she and Ethan were well known figures in Steel city which made her more conscious of their prying eyes and whispers.

"We don't talk anymore, we don't go out anymore, we don't this and that and I am just tired of constantly being blamed for everything", Ethan said.

"We aren't married Daphne, it's high time you realized we can't spend every waking moment together. I have a pile of files waiting to be attended to on my desk yet i'm here, why don't you talk about my sacrifices as much as you talk about my mistake"

Before Daphne could retort the phone on the table started to ring and a name flashed on the screen.

Ethan snatched the phone from the table as fast as he could, mumbled an excuse, and left the table.

Daphne's eyes followed him until he was out of sight and her heart clenched as she recalled the name the number that called was saved as.

"Magic" Who was magic, she mumbled in deep thought but was soon interrupted by Ethan's voice.

"There is an emergency at the office I have to be there, let's do this some other time, I'll call an Uber to pick you up,",he said calling on a waiter to pay the bills.

"An Uber, is it that serious that you can't drop me off? I just want to spend a little more time with you," Daphne said with a playful pout, standing up to meet him.

"Be reasonable and stop being clingy it's irritating, I thought you were better than this," he replied harshly.

"O-oh okay," she said slightly stuttering as she was taken aback by his sudden harshness. Can you send a driver? I'm not comfortable with using an Uber," she said turning around to get her purse but got no response.

"Be safe," she added turning back for a goodbye kiss or a hug at least but he was long gone.

.............

Daphne groggily woke up from a deep slumber and stared blankly at her white ceiling, after what felt like hours but was actually only five minutes, she got up from her bed and walked towards the large window in her bedroom and pulled open the drapes.

She instinctively covered her eyes as the blinding sunlight hit her eyes, she turned away from the window and walked to her bedside table.

She stared at her phone and was disappointed when there were no missed calls from Ethan, then she suddenly remembered the strange call Ethan received yesterday.

He said it was a work emergency but why did he save his work associate's name as "MAGIC", is he seeing another woman? Daphne questioned but quickly dispelled the thought.

"He loves me....he tells me..... I trust him," she whispered to herself.

"When was the last time he said it to you," her subconscious whispered.

She immediately called him, it kept on ringing and he eventually picked on the final ring. Her racing heart calmed down a bit.

"Where are you?" she immediately asked.

"I'm still at the office", he responded in a strained voice.

"It's past eight and you're still at the office, you've been there since last night," Daphne replied shocked whilst checking the time on her phone.

"Daphne you were there yesterday when my personal assistant called me to come in to work to handle an emergency, I'll see you later," he said ending the call abruptly or so he thought and staring down at the woman clinging to him drawing circles on his chest and smiled.

"Ethan you have no idea how jealous I feel when you indulge that woman, I've been with you for four years and we still have to meet in secret," the woman in Ethan's arms said pouting.

"Don't worry my love, it's only a matter time till I convince Daphne to sign over her shares to me and I'll be done with her," Ethan said with a smile.

On the other side of the phone Daphne's heart was torn into pieces as Ethan's words echoed in her ears.

The man she gave her entire youth too, consulted for his company and worked overtime most nights was busy fooling around with some "MAGIC" woman.

She felt her blood boil as she picked up her phone and called her best friend. There was no response, she called six more times and the seventh time the other party picked up almost immediately.

"Hello," a deep voice resounded through the phone.

" Hello," Daphne responded. "Who are you and why are you with Mira's phone," she asked sharply.

"The phone kept on ringing and I should be asking you, who you are and why you're bothering my sister...." but the voice was cut short by Mira's high pitched scream.

"Why are you with my phone," Mira asked. Snatching it out of her brother's hand.

Instead of responding to her question, he just walked away.

"Always brooding," Mira muttered under her breath.

She then returned her attention to her phone and a broad grin appeared on her face when she saw who the caller was.

"Daph, I've missed you so much you didn't call to tell me about your date with Ethan," she whined pouting.

"Can we meet at Daisies?" Daphne asked ignoring Mira's question.