Chapter 2 .

By evening, I was bored almost to death. Mike had ran off to his office at home as soon as he woke up, saying he has a zoom meeting with clients, whatever that means.

I tried reading but I have read all the books in my library, probably twice or so. More so, they're all romance novels and all it does is remind of the romance I so much yearn for but don't have in my life.

A heavy sigh left my lips as I stood up from the bed and began walking to the bathroom. I stopped as my eyes caught sight of something poking out from underneath a bunch of papers on Mike's study table. I know I'm not supposed to be peeking at his things but curiousity got the better part of me and I reached for it.

It was an invitation card to a birthday party, precisely. It was drafted to Mike and me, from one of his business friends that I have heard of but never met. The date was today.

Why didn't Mike tell me about this?

Without even thinking about it, I left the room to Mike's office and knocked on it. He didn't respond but I entered anyway.

He was on his phone and smiling, when he saw me, however, he quickly pushed it aside.

" What are you doing here?" he asked.

I chose to ignore his actions which was clearly very suspicious, just like I always do. Closing the distance between us, I dropped the card in front of him.

" You didn't tell me we have an event to attend today?" I said.

The confusion played on Mike's face as he picked the paper.

" Where did you find this?"

" Lying on the floor carelessly" I lied to avoid the anger I saw in his eyes.

" What? Were you trying to keep it from me?" I quickly turned the tables.

" No, not at all. I just... didn't remember at all" Mike stuttered.

" We're lucky I found it then. I'll get dressed, it's almost time for the party" I said.

" Babe, I didn't want to attend the party actually " Mike began to say.

" Why not?"

" I... I'm a bit tired, you see. I just want to rest tonight "

" But babe... you can't ditch the party after accepting the invitation. That's not right. You could lose your partnership with him" I wasn't ready to give up.

" Baby..."

" We can just let our presence known and we'll leave afterwards. Babe, I've been stuck in this house for days and I just need some new air, let's just go for my sake" I insisted.

Mike heaved and I smiled, knowing he had realized I wasn't giving up.

" I'll go get dressed and meet you in ten minutes " I said, not giving him a chance to refuse it any further.

I left to my room and hurriedly freshened up. I don't know why Mike is hesitant about the party but I guess, I'm going to find out.

I met Mike in the living room with a frown on his face. I ignored it and slipped my hand around his with a smile of my own.

Mike was grumbling to himself the entire ride to the party, I acted like I didn't notice. I'm sick of him trying to always have his way, I'm going to care about myself tonight. Maybe I can apologize to him tomorrow!

We got to the party and Mike led me inside, finally accepting that there was nothing he could do. The host was shocked to see us, I couldn't tell why. Mike awkwardly introduced me with me smiling widely.

After the introduction, Mike and I sat down at a corner and sipped on the drink that had been given to us.

" See, it's not that bad" I said.

He didn't respond making me roll my eyes. Few minutes later, some men walked up to us, a lady with them. Mike suddenly got tense on seeing them.

" Mike, you didn't tell us you were coming" One of them said.

They shook hands and talked lightly. The lady was staring keenly at me and it made me feel awkward, but I tried to retain my smile.

" Who's the pretty lady beside you?" she suddenly asked.

One of the men nudged her lightly and said,

" That's his wife"

I watched the shock register in her eyes as they darted to Mike. He looked away immediately. She turned back to me, her mouth slightly opening as if she wanted to say something but she didn't. Instead, she turned and walked away.

Her actions got me confused. I turned to Mike to ask about it but he was already speaking,

" I'll be back. I need to say hi to some people" he immediately walked away with the men leaving me there alone.

Mike didn't return for almost an hour and getting tired of waiting, I had to go search for him myself. It didn't take me long to find him. He was in the midst of the same people he left with but, drunk.

I tried to talk to him but he could barely recognize me in his drunken state. Frustrated, I picked up the car keys beside him and walked away. I picked up my bag and left to the car.

He can find his way home for all I care!

I drove home, heaving angrily the entire journey. He told me he didn't want to go the party yet he got drunk so fast. He's going to have a lot to explain to me when he gets home.

I kicked my shoes off on entering the room and tossed my bag to the bed. As I did, a brown package fell out of it. A frown appeared on my face as I picked it up.

Where did this come from?

My heart began pounding as I opened the envelope, I didn't know why. As my eyes fell on what was inside, my heart completely stopped.