An Unusual Affair

Chapter 15

Despite his efforts over the past week to refrain from using his map, Richard found himself unable to resist any longer. With a sense of urgency, he opened his laptop to see what Vanessa was up to, especially now that she had called Charles to meet her at a house she hadn't visited in a long time.

What he saw next left him horrified and in utter disgust. "I can't believe I married this woman out of love once. She is sick to the core," Richard muttered to himself. "How could she stoop so low? Was Robert, not enough? Now she's cheating on him as well again." His mind was a frenzy of unanswered questions as he stood there, looking at the laptop screen with clenched fists.

Vanessa greeted Charles at the door, her demeanor instantly changing to one of seduction. She guided him inside, and soon they were in the bedroom. Richard's horror deepened as he watched the two of them together.

Vanessa's attraction to Charles wasn't purely about destroying Emily's happiness and making Richard suffer. It was also about her own desires. As they lay in bed afterward, Vanessa couldn't help but express her admiration for Charles.

'I see what Emily saw in you when she married you. You are handsome, I must say,' Vanessa said, drumming her fingers on Charles' chest.

'How do you know Emily?' Charles asked, sitting up on the bed, his fingers entwined in Vanessa's hair.

'Your daughter and my son are friends. So now that we are done making love, let's discuss our business deal,' Vanessa said, getting off the bed to dress.

'You are a beautiful woman, Georgia.' Charles said, his eyes following her as she dressed.

A smile appeared on Vanessa's face. 'Thank you. I appreciate it. Not everyone could handle this beauty, though,' she said with a small laugh.

They moved to the sitting area. Now fully dressed, Vanessa took a seat opposite Charles, who was still somewhat bewildered by the encounter.

'So, what's this business deal you mentioned?' Charles asked, trying to focus.

'My husband Richard is interested in your wife. Maybe he wants to marry her. I want you to return to your wife and daughter, win their trust so Richard knows he doesn't stand a chance.' Vanessa said coming straight to the point. 

Charles nodded slowly, understanding the gravity of what she was asking. 'And in return, I get the money?'

'Exactly. But you will not get it all at once. We will meet here every week. You will satisfy me and I will satisfy you.' Vanessa replied, a seductive smile on her face. 'I don't believe you are still in love with Emily so there won't be any problem for you to cheat on her once again.'

'Hahaha, you are not only beautiful but clever as well. I never loved Emily. Maybe I was attracted to her because she was pretty, but she was too plain for me. I like women who have brains along with beauty.' Charles replied with a smirk.

Richard, watching all of this from his laptop, felt a wave of nausea. He couldn't believe the extent of Vanessa's malice and manipulation. This wasn't just about revenge; it was about destroying lives for her own twisted satisfaction. He couldn't fathom the extent of Vanessa's schemes and Charles's willingness to betray Emily once again.

He picked up his mobile and dialed Jake's number, but before Jake could answer, Richard hung up. He was dumbfounded, struggling to comprehend everything unraveling in his life and the impact it now had on Emily. 'I should tell Emily everything,' Richard muttered to himself.

He was about to leave his study when a thought struck him. 'But how will she believe me? How will I explain where I found out about all this?' Frustration washed over him. 'I'm trapped from all sides, and Vanessa is going to win everything.'

A surge of helplessness overtook him, and he slid down against a wall, sitting on the floor. For the first time in his life, he felt tears rolling down his cheeks. He banged the back of his head against the wall, his mind in turmoil.

Mrs. Swan was coming to ask Richard if he would pick Hayden up from school or if she should send Peter, but she stopped at the door. She could hear crying and thudding sounds coming from the study. She opened the door quietly and peeked in. The scene inside made her heart stop. She had never seen Richard in such a vulnerable state before.

Even when he found out about Vanessa cheating on him, he had been strong. He didn't get hurt easily; it was anger he had felt at that time. But today, she was witnessing a very different side of her employer, which broke her heart.

Mrs. Swan closed the door and silently went downstairs to get her mobile. First, she asked Peter to pick Hayden up from school. 'Ask Hayden to bring Lily with him.'

Then she dialed Emily's number.

Emily was closing her bakery for a lunch break to pick Lily up from school when she saw Mrs. Swan's number on her mobile. She answered it in a surprised tone. 'Hello, Mrs. Swan. Is everything alright? You don't usually call at this time,' she said, walking towards the bus stop to catch her bus.

'Emily, can I ask you for a favor? It is very personal, and I don't know how Master Richard will react later on, but can you do me this favor?' Mrs. Swan said, her heart beating fast and her tone anxious.

'What happened, Mrs. Swan? You sound worried. I was going to pick Lily up,' Emily replied. She could see the bus approaching.

'Don't get on the bus yet, Emily,' Mrs. Swan said quickly. 'Can you come over to our place right now? I will send you the address. Don't worry about Lily. She will come here with Hayden.'

Emily was beyond confused. 'Nothing is making sense, Mrs. Swan. I don't understand anything you're saying,' she replied as the bus arrived.

'Please, just trust me this once. I couldn't think of anyone else in this situation. You were the only one who came to mind. Please, I need you here urgently,' Mrs. Swan pleaded, almost breaking into tears. Richard was like a son to her, and she couldn't bear to see him like this. She knew Emily could provide the support that no one else could.

'Okay, okay, send me the address. I'll come over. But are you sure Lily will come with Hayden? Should I inform Miss Ava about it first?' Emily asked as the bus left.

'You can inform Miss Ava. I've told Peter to bring Lily along with Hayden. I'll send you the address. Come as quickly as possible,' Mrs. Swan said and hung up.

Emily looked at her mobile screen, perplexed. 'What was all that about?' she wondered. In her heart, she knew Mrs. Swan was a good lady, so she didn't doubt her. As soon as she received the address, she hailed a taxi and got in.

The map showed that the place was 15 minutes away from her location.

On the other side of town, Vanessa arrived home to find Robert waiting for her. 'You took so long today,' he said.

'Yeah, my friends didn't want me to leave early. We caught up after a long time,' Vanessa replied, sliding onto his lap. She knew exactly how to manipulate Robert.

'I hope you had a good time,' Robert said, kissing her.

'The best one in a long time,' Vanessa murmured between kisses.

Robert never doubted Vanessa; he loved her deeply.

'Have you changed your perfume? It smells different today,' Robert asked, kissing her neck.

Vanessa felt herself getting turned on again. 'I tested a few perfumes at a shop,' she said moaning while unbuttoning his shirt.

'You sure have needs to be met, darling.' Robert said, sliding the straps of her dress off and letting it fall to the floor, laying her down on the sofa.

Meanwhile, Charles returned to his town. He had asked Vanessa to give him a week to sort things out where he was living. He planned to ask his friend Daniel to come along with him to Rivertide. 'Maybe Vanessa will have some work for him,' Charles thought.