CHAPTER THREE: Wedding Bells?

Zara's face fell for a second. A glint of hurt flashed in her rheumy eyes. Under Mia's intense gaze, she coughed and shrugged again. "What has that got to do with me? He's free to buy any kind of clothes."

After sighing deeply, Mia said in a low tone, "He was actually in the company of Cora. When she saw me, she rubbed her belly. I think she's pregnant for Scott."

This bombshell was even heavier than the first. Zara's lashes fluttered uncontrollably this time. A pang of pain traveled from her heart to her head. When her eyes met Mia's, she looked away and stared at the flower vase nearby. 

"Ermm..." She stood up abruptly. "I have many important things to do. Actually, I'll be resuming work at my family's firm in two days. I have to shop for clothes and also get my hair and nails done. Wanna come?"

Mia sighed again and then nodded, deciding not to talk about Scott anymore since the topic wasn't welcome. "Go get changed. I know of the best store in town for professional and casual wear."

Without hesitation, Zara ran to her bedroom. Once she shut the door, she leaned her back against it and slowly sank to the floor. There was a painful lump in her throat now. She could no longer hold back the tears.

All the hurt she kept buried in the last year came rushing to the surface like molten magma. Scott impregnated Cora! How could he? He always denied having anything to do with her, but it was all a lie!

Despite everything Zara did for him, he refused to make love to her. All her efforts to seduce him and make him fall for her failed. Cora was always the third person in their marriage and even their friendship when they were younger.

Again, Scott chose Cora over her. Again, she was relegated to the background! 

Enough is enough! Zara wiped the warm tears from her face and sniffed hard. She vowed with all seriousness, "I'm not going to cry over that man again! He was stupid enough to have taken my love for granted, but I won't be stupid anymore to continue giving him my love. Since he wants to be with Cora, then good luck to him. He had better grant me that divorce now that I'm back!"

*****

Scott walked into the elevator with his assistant, Andrew Parker. He looked at his watch and asked, "Any news from Keystone?"

"Nothing yet, sir. I spoke to the secretary, but she asked me to send the brief and some details about the company. The way I see it, we have an edge in getting the contract."

"That's what I think too, but let's not celebrate too early. I hear their CEO, Jordan Keystone is not a straightforward man," Scott said with a slight look of worry.

Leaning against the handrail, he said, "I want you to look into the other companies that will be lobbying for—"

Scott stopped midway. He took out his buzzing phone from his pocket and looked at the screen. When he saw the caller ID, he clenched his jaw and stared blankly before hitting the green icon angrily. "What is it?"

"Come on, baby. Is that how you say hello to the love of your life and mother to your unborn child?" A female voice came from the other end of the line.

"What do you want, Cora?" Scott asked impatiently.

"Humph!" Cora huffed before saying, "Well, I FaceTimed you earlier, but you didn't answer—"

Scott interrupted, "I was in a meeting. You do know that some of us work, right?"

Cora cried, "Are you mad at me, honey? I didn't mean to disturb your work, but I was just feeling feverish earlier. The baby is really making me uncomfortable."

Hearing this, Scott couldn't help letting out a deep sigh. He held his forehead and asked, "How do you feel now? Do you need me to take you to the hospital? Where are you?"

"Aww! I actually feel much better now. Most of my clothes are becoming a little tighter, so I went shopping with Brenda. I'm not sure what clothes to pick. How about I video call you so you could help?"

"That won't be possible. I have some important business to attend to. Call me when you get to your parents'," Scott said and then hung up, not sparing her another second.

Somewhere in Beecroft, Cora Anderson stamped her foot as soon as she heard the disconnect tone. This was one of the many times Scott was refusing to spare time out for her. What should she do to soften that hardened heart of his?

"Look, Cora. This might look good on you," Brenda Francis called out, walking over with a yellow dress.

"No, it's ugly!" Cora shouted, "How can you even suggest that?"

Brenda, although a little appalled by the shout, didn't show it. She just smiled and went away to pick out something else.

Just as Cora was staring at her phone and contemplating whether to call Scott again, the door of the clothing shop was opened from outside. Two gorgeous women walked. 

"Welcome, ladies. How may I help you today?" a shop attendant said, walking up to them.

"Hello, can you direct us to your professional wear section? I want to shop for some suits and official dresses."

At the sound of the familiar voice, Cora turned to the side and craned her neck. Her eyes widened when she saw Zara, her long-time rival. Jealousy flashed in her eyes as they narrowed. "Gosh, so this bitch is really back. She looks more... Argh!"

Pained by Zara's gorgeous look, Cora decided to make trouble. She primped in front of the mirror nearby before walking over. "Well, well, well! Look who we have here!"

Zara's face fell for the second time today. When she saw Cora, she bit her lower lip in regret. She then glanced at Mia who was standing by her side. Rising to the occasion, Mia held her friend's hand and walked forward. She then mimicked, "Look who we have here!"

"I didn't think I'd bump into you again, Cora. It's as if you are everywhere these days," she added sarcastically.

With an eye roll, Cora ignored her and looked at Zara. "I didn't know you were in town, Zara. You disappeared for a whole year. Why didn't you stay in touch?"

"Why should she?" Mia fired.

Cora smirked and shrugged. "Zara, we were friends, remember?"

"Keyword, were! Good friends don't break their friend's marriage!" Mia retorted once again as Zara stood speechlessly.

"Oh, come on!" Cora waved her hand. "I didn't break anyone's marriage. Things just didn't work out between Scott and Zara. He has only had eyes for me, and Zara is well aware of that."

Rubbing her belly, she continued, "It's such a pity that their grandmothers forced them to get married. But it's all good now, right?   Zara needs to move on with her life while Scott and I move on with ours."

Mia frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Oh, you haven't heard?" Cora waved with a smile as she looked at their faces one after the other. "I'm pregnant with Scott's child. And we are getting married soon!"