Behind Closed Doors

Chapter 51: Some Truth

Michael has really hurt me... i get enough pain from Marcus, and then he goes and speaks to me like that, and treats me like that. I thought Michael was different... i didn't think Michael could upset me like this.

"Why is Auntie Layla upset?" Zack asks Hayley.

"We watched a sad film today.... Jake could you take Zack to play out in the garden please?" Hayley calls over to him.

"Its ok Auntie Layla." Zack hugs me.

I chuckle and hug him close. Jake smiles at me.

"Ok Zack let's go play ball."

Zack let's go of me and runs out in to the garden. Jake walks out after him. Hayley grabs a bottle of wine and pours out a glass.

"Ugh, yes please." I moan.

"That's another thing you need to get used to Lay." She smirks. "No alcohol for 9 months. I think I fucking deserve this though, after all the shock."

I roll my eyes.

"You're having coffee." She chuckles and sips her wine.

I sit and watch her make the coffee. She hands me the mug and sits next to me at the kitchen table. I stay quiet, staring at my coffee.

"You wanna talk about it?" She asks softly.

I shake my head.

"Michael hates me." I feel myself want to cry again.

I clear my throat and sip my drink.

"I um..." She clears her throat. "Saw that woman walk out of his house..."

"Yep. He's already fucking someone else."

"Oh Lay.." She pulls a face and rubs my arm. "I don't understand any of this though. One minute you're holding hands with Michael, telling me you're going to leave Marcus, and then the next Michael is fired and you're still with Marcus? You aren't telling me the full story are you?"

I sigh, and avoid her question.

"He doesn't want to be a dad." A tear rolls down my face. "I really liked him Hayley... I still do."

"I don't understand why you think he hates you? What have you done?" She asks, rubbing my back.

"If I tell you something... don't repeat this to anyone."

"No of course I won't." She shakes her head.

"Michael... He has a problem... with drink and drugs."

Her jaw drops. She raises her eyebrows and sips her wine, going quiet. I sigh.

"I know what you're thinking... but anyway, Marcus found out about me and Michael, and he found out about Michaels problem. He told me if I didn't fire him he would call the police, and get Michael locked up... I couldn't let that happen. I care about him too much. So I had to make out I told Marcus everything, and I fired him."

"Oh my god..." She says looking shocked.

"Today is the first time I've seen Michael since I fired him. He was worse this time. I've made him worse." I cry. "He said some horrible things."

Hayley sighs.

"Well... maybe he feels a bit betrayed? I mean, he likes you and you told him you were going to leave Marcus? Then you fire him."

"I tried to leave Marcus! But-"

I stop myself.

"But what?" She asks.