Chapter 4: Ashley, Walter, Wine

“Who in the world was that?” Ashley stretched her words in a whisper and her eyes were beaming with excitement.

“I should be asking you. I’m the one that is new here” I responded with a straight face as I took a small bite of my cake.

“Well, I have been here and I don't think I have ever noticed that man before but he looks cute and rich”

“He sure does.”

We had an intense laugh about the moment and continued with our breakfast. I tried not to show so much excitement, even though some part of me felt elated. 

But I knew for a fact I didn't have the right to feel happy. 

At least that was what I believed. Mainly because the divorce isn't even finalized yet so why should even have such a positive feeling towards another man?

I had such a good moment with Ashley while I tried so hard not to get distracted by switching gazes between my friend and this stunning young man a few seats away from me.

Right in the middle of our conversation, the waiter walked down to our table with a full bottle of red wine. He pours a half-full glass of wine for me and the same for Ashley.

I turned quickly to look over at where he was seated but it seemed as though he had left.

Was this how he treated ladies whom he barely even knew? There was no way on earth I could have been that lucky.

“Thank you,” I said to the waiter just as he walked away from our table.

“It's barely 11 am and we are about to finish a whole bottle of wine?” Ashley asked with a laugh as she picked up her glass.

“Well, cheers to that. It's been a really crazy month for me so I think I deserve this bottle” I sipped mine as I tried to clear my throat a bit to tell Ashley the whole dark story of my life.

“Tell me about it. How has life been?”

My heartbeat picked up at the thought of opening up about this part of my life. I kept the glass on my lips as though I was taking a long sip.

I was scared and the thought of Ashley judging negatively me waved through my mind at that moment. I hadn't thought of that all along.

“Eric and I are divorced!” I blurted out and went mute almost immediately.

I stared at Ashley as she tried to digest the information.

She had shock written all over her face. Her forehead wrinkled a bit and her eyes were fixed on me as she searched through her mind for something to say.

“I know, I know, that was very unexpected” I tried to help her find some mental clarity.

“Emily.” her voice drowned in so much pity for me.

“I am so sorry! How did this happen, how long has it been?”

“Actually, I just signed the divorce papers last night before coming here.”

“What?” Ashley interjected before I could finish my sentence.

“You're in the middle of a divorce, and you are right here? That is such a good thing yet so unbelievable.” her eyes held back so much sadness. I could see it.

And I was comforted to see that she was this concerned about me.

“I know. Eric had been cheating on me right from the start but I had no idea. But the day I caught him, that was the day everything changed”

“I thought I could still be with him even though I knew he cheated almost every day.”

“I just needed that security from a man and I know deep down that he loved me back but I don't know why he became such a different person to me.”

“Emily listen, you did the best thing by accepting to leave. I know how badly you must have wanted him to show that he loved you back but that love just wasn't for you” 

Ashley’s voice was firm and confident and I know her aim was most likely to sound supportive and it was working.

“Thank you, Ashley. This is such a long story but we shouldn’t dwell on this right now. Let's not get our mood ruined” 

I stuffed my mouth with some bread just to make sure I didn't say anything more than what I had already said.

“Well, this might not be a good time to say this but I am looking to have an extra staff help out in the coffee shop,” Ashley said 

“Maybe coming down here may be a good thing for you.”

“I'm not sure if you have your job over there or anything to support you but I'm pretty sure it would be nice to have you work with me.”

I paused for a moment while I thought about Ashley’s offer. All along I was yet to think of how I was going to take care of myself moving forward.

Aunt Claudia actually could accommodate me enough till I regain myself but for how long?

I no longer have access to Eric’s money and for sure I would need mine if I really wanted a stable life. But all this seems too soon.

“Ashley, this is so nice of you. I really appreciate this.” I took a sip of wine just so my rejection of this offer could have a soft landing.

“But I think it's still too soon for me. I’m yet to return the papers to Eric and seal this whole thing. Hopefully, I could still reconsider it soon”

“Oh, of course, Emily. That’s okay”

The aura around us felt a bit awkward but I knew for a fact that I was happy to be here. 

Ashley happens to be the only friend I have but I didn't think this moment was going to be filled with the positive vibes I received.

Day drinking a bottle of wine with my friend was the highlight of my day. We caught up with old times and said our goodbyes. 

Shortly after, I was back in the car with Richard, alone with my thoughts again.

It was not long until I remembered how messy my life still is. The moment I had with Ashley made me feel like I had a normal life for a second.

I had such an intense desire for intimacy that I didn't mind if Eric cheated, as long as I convinced myself that he loved me.

I got back to an empty house. Aunt Claudia stepped out most likely. I laid down in bed with my eyes fixed on the ceiling. The feeling that came with knowing I was single again didn't feel quite right.

All along, my mom hadn't said a word to me. No calls, no text, nothing. I wondered for a minute if she was okay.

Growing up, I watched my mum emotionally manipulated a lot by my bad. It made her grow cold over the years and she barely challenged him neither could she ever say no to him.

She stayed sad in that marriage and I watched her lose herself as time went by each day.

Thoughts of my mom hovered through my mind but were suddenly interrupted by a weird text message I got.

“Your divorce was already a disaster waiting to happen. You deserve this.”

I stared at my phone for a minute as I felt shivers run down my spine. Fear got a firm grip on my thoughts and my breath began to shorten.

Who could this be?

Is this a threat? It can't be a threat because the divorce has already even happened. Why would a person even say something like this to somebody?

Getting scared and worried wouldn't help me right now. But for all that is worth, I need to return these signed papers as soon as I can.

My thoughts brought back a quick flash of the man I saw earlier today and my face released a reflex smirk almost immediately.

I couldn't wave off the feeling that my life probably had a lot more in store for me than I was thinking and maybe this was just the beginning.

But who could have sent this text that looks untraceable? It couldn't be Ashley, or could it?