no body, no crime

Chapter 1 : Smells Like Infidelity

Rosalie was walking briskly towards Olive Garden. Her boss had kept her to finish some urgent paperwork ; thanks to that, she was running slightly late. She sighed. Her work was so boring. Her entire life was boring. Was it even worth living ? But, she corrected herself, thankfully, Esme was there. Her best friend was her only light in this dull, gray existence. However, they could only see each other once a week because their jobs occupied them a lot.

Finally, Rosalie arrived at the restaurant.

"Rose !"

Esme jumped out of her seat and wrapped her arms around Rosalie. Rose hugged her back fiercely.

"Hi, Es !" she exclaimed.

They sat at the small table where Esme had been before Rosalie arrived. Now that the initial rush of seeing each other had worn off, Rose anxiously noticed the large bags beneath Esme's eyes.

"You good ?" Rosalie enquired.

"I'm okay," Esme said, but it wasn"t convincing.

"What's going on ?" Rosalie asked, almost alarmed now.

"It's not very important," Esme dismissed.

"Esme, tell me, please."

"Let's order first," Esme said.

The waiter came, and they both ordered the usual. They didn't have to look at the menu, as eating there had become a habit of theirs.

"So," Rosalie began, "what is it ?"

"I think Charles is cheating on me," Esme said.

Rosalie bit back a groan. Charles Evenson was Esme's husband, and he was a catastrophe. He liked drinking, smoking, and gambling. Unfortunately, he wasn't good at it and lost an enormous amount of money through it. It wasn't even his money (though he had plenty). He had inherited a small fortune at the death of his grandfather, but he used Esme's savings for his gambles. Esme had to work to get enough money to sustain them, and he spoiled at least half of it.

Rosalie had never understood why Esme loved him. He wasn't even handsome ! But then Esme wasn't a superficial person. Anyway, she had clung to him even though he was an asshole, undeserving of her care. And now he had the nerve to cheat on her ?

"That bastard," Rosalie hissed. "What does that little shit think ? That he's good enough to go looking somewhere else ? After all you've done for him ?"

"Rose, calm down," Esme whispered, looking anxiously around her. Rose's voice was becoming louder, and people on the tables next to them were starting to look at them.

"I'm not even sure," Esme said. "I've just noticed...things."

"Like what ?"

"Well, for example, I've checked our bank account and he has recently got a lot of money out of it. The only thing I can say is it isn't my jewelry."

Rosalie scoffed. That bitch had never given Esme anything, not even for Christmas. Esme had bought herself the few things she owned, always putting her husband's needs before hers.

"Also, a few times, when I kissed him, he'd got wine on the mouth, and you know he only drinks beer. Plus, it wasn't the taste of the merlot I drink. And then suddenly he spends so much time at work. I heard that a new secretary had arrived. Lauren Mallory, I think her name is."

"Smells like infidelity," Rose concluded, before adding, "Well, it seems clear enough to me. You gotta divorce him."

"I can't. I haven't got the money. And like I said, I'm not really sure he is cheating on me."

"Stop trying to make excuses for him, Es. After all he's done to you, you continue to support him in his bullshit ?" Rose grumbled.

Esme looked down.

The waiter came and retrieved their empty plates. As usual, they ordered a glass of merlot.

"So," Rose began, "what are you going to do ?"

"Now that I said it aloud, I think it's obvious he's having sex with someone else. I'd bet it's that new girl, Lauren Mallory. So I think I'll confront him. Point out to him all the weird things I've noticed. And then we'll see if I was right or not. "

"Sounds good to me," Rosalie approved.

"I think he did it but I just can't prove it," Esme explained.

"Can't hurt to try anyway."

"You're right."

She seemed to have regained her confidence. A new determination shined in her eyes.

"I'm not letting up until the day I die."