Angela licked her lips nervously, and her eyes flitted back and forth between us. "Um, he said that he was leaving you as soon as you returned from your spa trip." She squeaked out.
I started laughing, and Ben winced. "Oh really? So, Benji," I emphasised the nickname she had given him, "told you I was at the spa for the last four days, huh?" I tilted my head and watched as his mind desperately searched desperately for an escape. "That's interesting, cause I thought I was burying my grandmother... a trip that you said you couldn't join me on,despite having been a member of our family for the past two decades... because an important client was coming to town."
I glanced at the woman. "Tell me, Angela, what is it you do for work?"
I'm the secretary for Benji's boss..." she mumbled.
"Ah, so not an important client then." I nodded and tsked my husband. The memory of meeting her briefly in my husband's office about a month ago assaulted me, and I rolled my eyes.
Such a fucking cliché.
"Well, Ben, let's have it... I want to hear this brilliant breakup speech. You can skip the 'It's not you, it's me' part because it's definitely you."
1-Melanie
one month earlier
“What time will you be home?” I handed Ben his travel cup and briefcase.
“I think it will be an early night for once… how about you meet me in the city, and we can go out tonight?” Ben shrugged on his coat and gave me a hopeful look.
“That sounds lovely. I’ll Uber to your work and we can ride home together.” I gave him a quick kiss. “Does around 5 work for you?”
“Perfect.” He pulled me close to his body and gave me a second, deeper kiss. “I love you more today, Mrs. Landon.”
“And I’ll love you more tomorrow,” I finished with a little smile.
Even though we had been married for five years and together for ten, he never failed to remind me just how much he loved me. Ben and I grew up on the same street. He was friends with my brother and two years ahead of me, but by the time I was entering my sophomore year of high school, and he was entering his senior year, he had declared to anyone that would listen that I was his forever. We even survived the two years oflong distance, and he proposed the day I graduated from high school.
Our parents were absolutely livid when I moved in with him right after high school, just to skip college and practice being a stay-at-home wife. I had wanted to go to college, but Ben explained we needed to wait until he finished his degree so he could afford to send me to school. He always pointed out just how helpful having me home was for his education and how all his peers were so jealous that he had someone to help him carry his stress.
Two years ago, I asked him about pursuing a degree at the community college, but he said it wasn’t the right time yet because he was just starting to build his wealth and hoped we’d be ready to start a family soon.
It all made sense to me, even if part of me thought that he secretly liked being able to brag about being such a good provider. Honestly, I loved being a stay-at-home wife, and I was very sensible about purchases, so I barely cost him anything.
Benjamin was what you might call a “finance bro” and worked for a big hedge fund company in L.A., and three years ago, he started landing some of the big clients. It turned out he had a sixth sense when it came to investing money, and they jokingly called him Midas at work. From what he told me, he was on track to have a net worth of almost five million dollars by the end of the year.
It was a typical Friday for me: I went for my morning walk with a few of the wives from Ben’s country club, picked up his drycleaning, went shopping for our weekend meals, cleaned the house, and did a bit of gardening. By the time it was 3 p.m. I was already worn out, but excited to go on a date with my husband.
I pulled up to his work at 4:55 wearing a bodycon-style dress in a dark green that brought out the green in my eyes, two-inch nude kitten heels, and a stylish gold blazer. My hair was down in soft curls, and I had gone a little darker and sexier than usual with my makeup. The best part of the outfit was hidden under the dress: a matching dark green lace bra and panty-set that I knew Ben was going to love.
When I got to his office, I wasn’t surprised that he wasn’t alone. His boss and two women were seated around his desk and discussing a client.
“Hello!” I said cheerfully as I stepped into the room.
“Mrs. Landon! I’m sorry I wasn’t out there to greet you!” Sydney, Ben’s secretary, said with an apologetic grimace. Sydney was old enough to be my mother and had been with Ben from day one. We had always joked that she wasn’t actually Ben’s secretary because she came with the office itself.
“Not to worry, Ben knew I was coming.” I assured her and walked around the desk to stand next to my husband.
I didn’t recognize the second woman, and we eyed each other briefly with neutral expressions before Ben’s boss spoke up.
“Melanie, you look more beautiful every time I see you.” Peter said and reached over the desk for my hand. Ben pretended to growl and pulled me into his lap.
“Eyes to yourself, Mr. Nunley!” Ben joked, and then we all laughed.
“Melanie, this is Ms. Reed, my secretary.” Peter said and waved a hand toward the other woman.
“It’s nice to meet you.” I said pleasantly. She offered a thin smile and returned the sentiment.
