The Other Woman

Chapter VII

Crysta threw in the bin the flowers she had received over a week ago. They were flaring white roses then, now they were nothing but a bunch of brown withered things.

She did keep the vase, though, deciding it would always be filled with flowers for they had given her office a more joyous vibe. Unfortunately, the office spaces had to be standardised, there wasn't much Crystal could do about it but buy some flowers and have some photos spread.

In that morning she had talked to her mom. Her father and she had gone to Sout America, where it was Summer now, and cruised around Brazil, Chile, Peru and Argentina. They were very tanned and said they missed her. 

She also missed them, Crystal thought ,feeling sad. Gradually the monotony of her life in London was letting her in blue moods and she wondered if she had made the right choice.

What was the point of having a job if she wasn't happy? Crystal wanted the opportunity at a firm like that to prove something to herself and to others, especially Ethan, but now it seemed plain stupidity.

Another person was also unhappy on that Wednesday. William was on the phone with Kate.

— You're travelling again? – he complained sadly. — I want to be with them at some point, Kate. 

— I know, I know. And I'm sorry, but it's the twins' birthday and we're all going to Disneyland Paris. – his ex-wife explained and a tone so genuine of someone who was really sorry. 

William felt even worse. He was dying to take them to Disneyland for quite some time now.

— I don't have a choice. – he mumbled disappointedly.

— Don't be mad. We will do that arrangement to leave them for a week at your house, ok? You and George will have fun. He's looking forward to Summer, he said you are going on a trip with uncle Harry. I was wondering if Charlotte should stay with me so you can make it a boy's trip. 

— No, I want her there. — William said supporting his chin on his hand and looking at the new photograph on his desk. 

There used to be one of the whole family, but now it was one of his three kids in front of a snowman they had built on their last trip. That made him feel awful. Kate was moving on with her life and showing a bit more strength for their kids, making him feel even worse. 

Sometimes he was angry at Catherine. Why had she walked away?

— Ok then. Thank you for understanding, William. The children will be very happy and I'll make sure to drop them to stay for the whole week and weekend. You are going to have loads of fun. 

Sighing and giving in, knowing she had good intentions and that she didn't do that to hurt him. The problem is that now William was the first one in line to the throne and although he said, over and over again, that he was never too busy for them, he knew things didn't really work like that. 

He wanted to be part of his kids' lives. Before he knew it, George would be off to Eton, Charlotte to Marlborough and then Arthur would follow his brother. Soon all kids would leave the nest, so William wanted to enjoy as much time he had left with them.

A knock on the door was heard and he granted access. Harry was the one there.

— Meghan is getting married! – he announced as if it was the end of the world. 

— You're surprised? – he mumbled bitterly.

— I can't believe she's getting married. – Harry kept going, sitting on the chair in front of his desk.  — It hasn't even been a year yet that we separated. Do you reckon she was seeing him then?