A Husband Like You (ON HOLD)

Chapter Three

Time flew quickly as Irene kept up the routine. Eat. Work. Sleep. Not much happened since Lizzie and James went on a vacation last week. It had become a habit, meeting them every weekend that she felt even more lonely without them. She had been living like a zombie. Cassie had made her meet a few guys at the local bar, but Irene wasn't interested. Even though she was no longer married, she felt like she was cheating on her ex-husband whenever she tried to flirt with someone. She didn't know how to stop feeling this way towards a man that hadn't trusted her, hadn't supported her. It was stupid really to be so deep into it that she couldn't move on, no matter how hard she tried. And then one day she realised, that she didn't want to move on. She wanted to cherish their moments together as long as she could, everyone else and their opinion could go to hell. If they believed that she was living in the past, she damn well is and she'd move on the day she'd stop feeling this way. Irene knew that day wasn't coming any sooner.

'What are you doing this weekend?' Cassied asked her after their shift.

Irene shrugged 'No idea, rest maybe? This week's been tyring.'

Cassie rolled her eyes at Irene. 'No you're not, you're coming with me to this charity ball.'

'And why would I want to come with you?' Irene asked, her brow raised.

'Because it's a masquerade ball!' Cassie chirped as if that explained everything.

'And?'

Cassie blew out a breath. 'And you're going to love it, seriously Irene, I know Lizzie and James aren't home this weekend and you're going to be all alone in your boring apartment with nothing to do than watch Netflix, you should go with me.'

Irene bit her lip at Cassie's words knowing it was true. She couldn't help but feel embarrassed that everyone knew how truly boring she had become.

'Why don't you take Jenna with you?' She asked, referring to the other co-worker.

Cassie raised her eyebrows and gave Irene 'are you kidding me?' look.

'Don't even start on Jenna.' Cassie replied with a grimace.

Irene's eyebrows shot up. Everyone knew Jenna liked attention. She practically throws herself whenever a guy comes to this restaurant. She flirts with everyone but Irene couldn't help but wonder what made Cassie react that way when Jenna's name was mentioned.

'Why, what did she do?' Irene asked Cassie who shook her head.

'I'll tell you about it later, just promise me you'll be ready when I come to pick you?'

Irene sighed knowing she couldn't escape this. 'I'll be ready.' She replied reluctantly.

Cassie beamed. 'Great! Finally! Whew! That was a lot of hardwork.'

Irene narrowed her eyes at ber friend and colleague. 'I don't find that amusing.'

Cassie laughed. 'Of course you wouldn't, anyway be ready at eight.'

With that Cassie walked off leaving Irene confused and sad.

After taking a shower, Irene draped a towel around her as she walked into her closet and searched for something to wear. After a while of searching she found a midnight blue gown that Lizzie had gifted her a month ago. It was the only dress she owned apart from the red dress that was given to her by her ex-husband. Irene kept that in a box and stuffed it deep inside the closet. She couldn't bring herself to put it away like she did the remaining things when Lizzie had asked her too. The dress was too much dear to her to just put it away.

Irene put on the gown and twirled in front of the mirror. The mirror showed a beautiful girl with long brown hair that came down her waist. The gown hugged her in just the right places. Irene knew the dress made her feel sexy and admirable, but when she searched for her eyes in the mirror, all they showed was a deep sense of loss. A loss that could not be replaced.

Just then the doorbell rand and Irene rushed towards it knowing Cassie didn't like waiting for more than a few seconds.

'Hey, woah! You look amazing girl!' Cassie spoke with wide eyes as Irene ushered her inside.

'Thankyou, you look great too.' Irene replied as she brushed her hair seperating the tangled strains.

'Not as good as you though, wow! I haven't seen you like this since...' Cassie stopped talking and gave Irene an apologetic smile.

'I know.' Irene replied softly. 'Why don't you come over here and help me with my hair?'

Cassie nodded and jumped to help her get ready.

Thirty minutes later, both of them made their way inside the building.

'Wow, isn't this place amazing?' Cassie asked looking around with awe.

Irene nodded glancing up at the huge chandeliers. 'Where exactly are we and why?'

'There's this company my cousin works for and the boss goes to this charity auction once in a while taking my cousin and a few other employs with him.' Cassie replied as she picked up a glass of wine from the tray a servant held up.

'But why are we here? We're not even invited nor do we have the money to give.' Irene asked again, fear growing inside of her.

The last time she had been to a charity ball was when she was with Lucas. Being in between these rich people after so much time was starting to make her feel suffocated. She only hoped that no one would recognise her over here. With a relief she sighed hoping that the mask she had on would prevent from showing her face to the world.

'Because my cousin invited me knowing I love such parties and I invited you, so stop with the questions and just enjoy.' Cassie returned and looked around for her cousin.

Irene hugged herself feeling a bit lost. This place filled with people with heavy suits and designer dresses made ber chest rise and fall with panic.

What if Lucas was here? What if he sees me here? The thoughts of her ex-husband present somewhere around here made her heart beat wildly.

'Oh, there she is!' Cassie gasped. 'My, she looks amazing!'

Irene followed her friends gaze towards a beautiful girl in a purple dress. Her hair were pinned up and the girl smiled meeting Cassie's gaze. Irene thought the girl was beautiful enough to turn heads.

'I knew you would come, couldn't resist could you?' The girl smiled, approaching us.

Cassie rolled her eyes 'Obviously.'

The girls eyes turned towards me. 'So, you're the girl my cousin mentioned to me about? My name's Alex, and you are?'

'Irene.'

I'm glad you came Irene, if you'll excuse me I have people to attend to or else my boss would kill me for leaving his side, he's too dependent on me.' Alex said with a laugh before walking towards a group of men.

'She's so lucky.' Cassie said from beside her making Irene frown.

'What do you mean?' Irene asked.

'It's just she gets to live this lifestyle and I'm sometimes so jealous of her.' Cassie replied with a sigh.

Irene shook her head. 'There's nothing great about this at all.' She muttered in a low voice.

Cassie then handed her glass of wine to Irene. 'I've got to go to the wahsroom, I'll be real quick!'

'We just got here! You can't leave me here all alone!' Irene whined.

'Oh shush! Look around you, you're not alone.' With that Cassie walked off towards the direction of the restrooms.

With a sigh, Irene put away the glass of wine and headed outside towards the balcony, feeling a need to escape from the suffocation.

The fresh air fanned her face, leaving her a little bit at ease. She looked up at the starry night then felt someone's presense behind her.

'Hello darling, good to see you again.' The familiar voice spoke, making the  hair on her neck stand up.