Life of lies

Chapter 22 - Ignited Love

Aria's POV
After I leave office, I called Everly to ask if she's free and fortunately, she is.

I walk into her apartment as she opens the door. I sit on one of the green couches.

"Aria what's wrong?" She softly asks.

"I don't know...I just don't know." I sigh and run my fingers through my now messy pony tail.

"Tell me, I will listen, I promise." She needs in front of me.

"Its Alex" I sigh.

"What did he do? Did he hurt you? I swear if he did-" she gets to her feet, but I take ahold of her hand.

"You promised to listen" I reminded her.

"I'm sorry" she sits beside me. " I just think he deserves to get his ass whipped if he hurt you." She jokes and I smile.

"I....I don't know how to put this but.....I think he's seeing another woman" I let out a shaky sigh.

"He's been so distant lately and it's killing me. I don't know what to do Eve" I try to hold back my tears, but I fail miserably.
"He...he no longer eats my food, I hardly see him, he's always too busy for me. He always has one complain or the other" I sigh.

"The other day, I tried to talk to him, like, if it is something I'm doing wrong, he should just tell me. I tried to know what's going on but he talked rudely to me. Tell me Everly, is it me? Is it that I'm no longer beautiful?"She shakes her head in disagreement. "No...I....I really wanna know. Am I so ugly now that my own husband has refused to talk to me" my voice cracks.

"Aria please calm down. I know you're hurt but just calm down." she rubs my back. "If Alex is really cheating on you, you have to just quietly observe. I swear if he is, we'll make his life a living hell."

"Just keep being nice to him. If he's doing something wrong, he'll feel uncomfortable and uneasy. He will keep asking to know if you are okay, but if he's not, he will not feel weird if you are being nice" she advises me.

"Eve" I call.

"Yes?"

"Promise me one thing"

"Anything for you. What is it?"

"Please don't let Mark find out I've been having marital issues.

"I wasn't planning on telling him. I promise I will not let him know"

I nod my head and thank her for her patience and understanding.

I stayed at Everly's apartment for some hours, she cheered me up.
I leave her house by 7:30 pm.
Throughout the drive home, I keep thinking about what I will do when I arrive home.

The lights from the sitting room was on.
"I wonder if he's already at home" I mutter to my self as I get down from my car and make my way to the front door.

I push it open and walk in, only to be invited by the sweet aroma of food.
Just then, Alex walks out of the kitchen, with an apron around his waist.

"Aria, Honey" he smiles.
"What's all these about Alex" I ask, with a straight face.
"I'm sorry." I open my mouth to reply, but he places a finger on my lips, silencing me.
"I know, I've been acting up lately, I know I've been distant and I apologize. I'm really sorry Honey. Just that...." He lets out a heavy sigh. "I'm so sorry for hurting you Aria" he finishes.

I don't even know what to say. I am so speechless.
Eve told me to be nice to him, not the other way round. What do I do now?
I take in a deep breath.
"Alex"
"Please honey, let me make it up to you. Please" he gently holds my hands