Memory

Chapter 9

Back to the present time

Jennifer P.O.V

I was going to work when my phone suddenly started ringing repeatedly.

Since I did not want to get into a car accident just to see who was blowing up my phone, I drove into a nearby parking lot to check my notification.

I retrieved my phone from my purse and checked the contact name to see that it was Manolo.

Manolo: Jeni

Manolo: Jeni

Manolo: Jeni

Manolo: Jennifer!!!

Jennifer: Yes Manolo 😐

Manolo: I have some good news that I want to tell you now because if I don't, I just might fucking explode.

Jennifer: Ok, what is it?

Manolo: Okay, I will just send it all in one text. Read it once you get to work because you're driving now.

Jennifer: Alright

I was too filled with anticipation and curiosity to go back on the road. My mind would be too distracted wanting to read his text, so I sat there patiently waiting for him to text me this good news.

Manolo: Ok, so you know every morning I go to the gym as usual, well today I spotted David and a friend of his, so I kind of did something to raise your chances of dating him higher (I'm not going to tell you what I did because I know for a fact you're going to kill me) so his friend said to me that David has feelings for you and wants to ask you out so I may have....spoke on your situation but not the whole story, I told him he has to ask you about that himself but besides all of that let's just say David's behavior is going to be quite different today

My eyes were wide open and filled with disbelief as my jaw dropped to the floor of my car.

Jennifer: wait....WHAT?!

Jennifer: Manolo?

Jennifer: Manolo??

Jennifer: MANOLO?!

I reread the message for the sixth time, still unable to believe what I saw.

"David has feelings for me," I whispered, feeling my face heat up as butterflies dance around in my stomach.

Those butterflies soon died, along with the happiness I felt the moment I came crashing back down to reality, remembering I was still married.

Even though Nicolas could be voted one of the top ten worst husbands, it would still be wrong of me to cheat on him.

Wouldn't it?

Three red lights and a very slow-driving old lady later, I finally reached work, parking in my usual spot.

"Jeni, you're finally here. I thought you would be late," Manolo smiled brightly, approaching my car.

I swiftly turned off my car, grabbed my keys and purse, opening the door when I "accidentally" hit Monolo on the legs.

"Dammit, Jennifer, what did I do now" he groaned, leaning against my car and rubbing his legs.

"Tell me you're lying," I demanded, ignoring his question.

"What"?

"Tell.me.you're. Lying," I repeated, stepping in front of him.

"I'm not going to tell you that because it's not a lie, it's the truth," he stated, sitting up straight and crossing his arms.

"When he drops off Isa, pay attention to his behavior toward you, it will be different than before."

"Fine, but even if this is all true, one, it is tough to believe a man as kind and sweet as David has romantic feelings towards me, and two, if he were to ask me out on a date, Nicolas is still in my life, and I'm not a cheater."

"We will find a way for you to get rid of that bastard, but for now, worry about getting closer to the man who will clearly treat you like the beautiful woman you are," he assured me, giving me that warm smile that cheers me up every time. "Besides, don't see it as cheating, see it as," he pauses, thinking of what to say," running towards your dreams so you can escape the nightmare."

"Yeah, that's a good way to look at it. We have to figure out only one more problem, though." I hesitantly brought it to his attention, scared of how he would react to the news I was about to tell him.

"And that would be?" he asked, showing clear signs of irritation already.

"He put a tracking device in my phone so he always knows where I'm at," I said, fidgeting with my wedding ring.

Monolo sat there frozen, so I couldn't tell if he was upset, irritated, pissed off, or just all of the above.

"What kind of sick fucker is that fucking insecure that he has to know where his wife is at all the damn time"!

I already knew that Monolo hated Nicolas, but I'm sure the hatred dug deeper after revealing that truth.

"A fucker that believes that if he can't keep tabs on me all the time, I'll sneak out to go cheat and leave him eventually," I clarified, letting out a slight chuckle.

He laughed in response, and I agree with him now that I say that out loud. He does sound insecure. The thing is, why?

"I have an idea that might work," I mentioned.

"Ok, what is it?" he asked, tilting his head.

"I have two phones, one that Nicolas knows about, obviously, and another I use to text you on. He doesn't know about the other one, so I was thinking, what if I gave you the phone that has the tracker in it, and you do my after-school routine depending on the day? That way, he won't become suspicious."

An enormous smile grew on his face, and I guessed my idea would be good if it had him looking like that.

"That's perfect," he grabbed my shoulder, slightly shaking me. Okay, on break, write down your routine and give it to me so that whenever he asks you on the date, I'll already know what to do."

I nodded, feeling that familiar feeling I had earlier in the car rushing back to me.

Finishing the last bit of our conversation, we walked inside the school, but I couldn't help containing my excitement to see the difference in David's behavior.

"You're smiling." Manolo nudged my arm, giving me a teaseful grin.

"Shut it".