That One Night Stand

55.

2 Years Later

I gripped the chair in front of me as I felt the laces in my dress tighten.

"Suck it in, Maya!" The designer, Rosie, encouraged as I tried to do as she said.

It's been two years since I gave birth to my daughter, Evangeline and I still had a bit of fat floating around my stomach.

The pretty white dress was getting tighter and I found it harder to breathe.

"Quickly now, do it up!" Rosie snapped at the people on my dress. "Hurry, come on!"

As soon as they were done, I was pushed towards the catwalk and I composed myself, stepping out in to the crowd.

Milan is a magical place and I love it. The fashion, the people and the atmosphere.

But I also can't wait for it to be over so I can go back home to my darling girl.

I posed at the end of the catwalk, hoping that I'll make it back in time to the curtain as I couldn't breath properly. The corset on the dress was too tight, I felt like I was being crushed to death.

With a shaky step, my vision getting blurry and little dots appeared, I walked faster than I was supposed to and as soon as I went behind the curtain, everything went black.

When I woke, my chest was hurting and I wasn't where I had passed out.

"What were you thinking, Maya?" Were the first words I heard and my eyes went to the voice and groaned.

"They called you?"

"Yes!" Conrad snapped at me, making me wince. "What were you thinking? A dress that's two sizes too small, suffocating yourself? All for your damned denial?"

I didn't say anything but pouted with my arms crossed.

"Are you trying to kill yourself? You haven't squeezed into an American size four since before Evangeline. What was going through your head?"

At the mention of my daughter, I sat up. She is supposed to be with Conrad. "Where is she?" I demanded.

"Back home."

"With whom?" Please say Patty, please say your mum, I chanted in my head.

"With the nanny."

I squeezed my eyes shut, groaning.

"This needs to stop, Maya. You need to come home. Ang, she misses you."

My eyes snapped back to Conrad. "Who's fault is that? You wouldn't let her come."

"Because I don't want her exposed to all this. What if she saw you faint? What then?"

I didn't answer Conrad. He was right, as usual and I hated it.

"Milan still has a couple days to go." I squeaked out, my fingers playing with the two bands on my finger.

"I don't care. You are coming home. I've had enough of this gallivanting while you are here."

I went to protest but Conrad glared at me.

"That's final, Maya."

I nodded my head, casting my eyes down.

"I'll get the discharge papers and then we are going." Was Conrad's softer tone.

The tears started flowing. "You promised." I whispered to him, making Conrad pause in his footsteps. "You promised me when we got married, you'll support me. I've been so supportive towards you, your business, your company trips, your decisions. Yet, you haven't been doing the same for me." My voice got louder with each sentence, anger building up inside of me.

"That's enough, Maya." Conrad told me, his voice calm and low.

"No!" I cried out, wiping the tears from my face. "I'm finishing my job, my contract, Conrad. I have to. You should know what happens if someone breaks their contract."

I saw how angry Conrad was, his face red. "Do it, Maya and that's it. Our marriage, your daughter, gone."

I gasped at him, placing a hand over my mouth. "You aren't serious, are you?" Was my stuttered question as my heart beat erratically. "Conrad..."

"Yes, Maya, I'm serious. You partying all the time, clubbing, the string of affairs. When are you going to stop and think of your daughter?"

My eyebrows rose up. "Affairs? What affairs? I didn't do anything wrong there! I have not nor would I ever cheat on you!"

Conrad didn't want to listen. Instead, he fixed his jacket, his eyes cold at me. They held no compassion, no love, not anymore and I don't know where it went or how it came to leave.

"The private plane will be leaving in three hours, if you aren't on it by then, I know what your decision is."

With wide eyes, I watched Conrad's back as he left my room, tears chocking me as I suppressed the sobs.

I had to chose between my career and my marriage and family.

I could sense Conrad hasn't been happy for a few months now and I didn't know why. I gave him everything I could. I tried my hardest to keep him happy and fulfilled. I stayed honest and faithful. I have no idea where all those accusations were coming from.

Drawing my knees up, I cuddled in to them, crying about my distress.

*********

The flight back to New York was tedious.

I didn't fly home with Conrad. I stayed the last three days of Milan, filling out my contract before going home.

I tried ringing home, but Conrad never answered and I just wanted to hear my baby girls voice again.

Stepping out of the cab, I took out my suitcase from the trunk and looked up at the large building we live in together.

I was anxious and nervous, unsure what will happen. My stomach was in knots and taking a deep breathe, I went inside, heading to the elevators.

While waiting, I played with the two gold bands on my finger, looking at the numbers change on the screen.

The elevator stopped and chimed, the doors opening and I hesitated before stepping out, rolling my suitcase behind me.

I was just in front of my door when my phone vibrated in my pocket and I pulled it out, reading the text.

Conrad. I was so angry at him, but also relieved he was communicating with me but so scared to read the text.

I noticed my phone shaking in my hand as I started panting for air. Shaking my head, I decided not to look at the message and opened the front door.

I know our marriage has been declining since our second wedding anniversary three months ago.

I looked around our apartment, but if felt so empty. Biting on my lip, I headed to the bedroom, my hand on the door knob, slowly turning it.

I didn't know what to expect. Maybe an empty bedroom. But not what I saw.

Wide eyed, I saw the naked back of a female, on top of someone whom I presumed to be Conrad. They were having sex, in the bed Conrad shares with me.

My eyes misted over immediately and I placed a hand over my mouth to muffle any noise. It was a Saturday and I didn't know where Evangeline was. Pressing my lips together, I gently closed the door to the bedroom, leaving my suitcase behind.

It didn't make sense. How could Conrad send me a message if he was in the middle of sex. Then a thought appeared in my mind. What if the message was a picture message? Of him and his lover?

I went to the front door to leave, when it opened and the next words broke me completely.

"MUMMY!"