Chapter 2 Becoming the other woman 1

The motion light lit up as she stepped into her apartment and flinged her bag onto the couch.

Everything freaking echoes around here, she thought.

She looked at the night view of Coral city , wondering how she could get into the world of the man named 'Chris Donovan'. Apparently, the aggrieved wife employed the services of Madison Teal to plant some cheating dirt on her husband. Not that she wanted to use it as a scandal to ruin his reputation, because she had been hurt by him. At first glance, a novice in the situation would have directed her actions to that but after Rita had picked up the folder and proceeded to read through its detailed pages she was moved by the clever scam of a greedy woman.

Rita's eyes drifted to her silver laptop on the kitchen counter, its screen saying 'You have to get to work.' She settled into her chair, her posture relaxed as she prepared to dive into her task. Her fingers danced across the keyboard, and the name "Donovan" materialized on the screen - the billionaire healthcare tycoon and owner of the nation's leading pharmaceutical company. As Rita clicked on his Google search result, Donovan's images filled the screen. His piercing blue eyes seemed to lock onto hers, a charismatic smile spreading across his face.

Scanning through his other photos, Rita was willing to bet that the biggest struggle in his life apart from picking complimenting colors of suits for different occasions was the inability to frown. It did not matter who he was with in the picture; he always had a smile on. A fortunate man.

'Did he know what his wife was planning on doing to him?' 'Would he still smile, if he knew?'

Of course he wouldn't. Why would he? After all, it was his idea.

He had presented his wife with a prenuptial agreement that outlined specific terms and conditions in the event of marital infidelity. Article III, Section 2, explicitly stated that the party found to have committed adultery would forfeit forty percent (40%) of their combined marital assets.' Which solely benefited one person- Mrs Donovan as it was completely ridiculous for Chris Donovan to want any of his wife's pitifully small assets.

'So, did he do it to earn her trust?'

Rita believed that Chris's actions were motivated by the need for trust in his marriage. Although, rita's judgment of character was questionable, Madison Teal's humiliating display at the office today must have been a revealing indicator of Mrs. Donovan's distrust.

"How do I know she won't compromise the job?" Mrs Donovan must have said in her distinctive Russian accent.

"No, this one's head is in the game. She won't get personal feelings.", Madison Teal reassured her. Leaning in, Madison would add, "She has a vendetta against men."

Then Mrs. Donovan's interest was piqued. "Really?" she would say, inviting Madison to share more. The two women would exchange knowing glances, their laughter based on Rita's vile memories.

Hours passed, the only sound echoing through her apartment was the clinking of keys and the occasional rustle of papers. Rita learned about his business ventures, his philanthropic efforts, and his high-society connections. But it was the personal details that truly fascinated her-the whispered rumors of his ruthless ambition, the hints of a troubled past, and the glimpses of a life shrouded in mystery.

Rita relaxed in her chair, scrolling through comments about Donovan. Her eyes fixed on the screen, scrolling and jotting. But her investigation was interrupted by a knock at the door. Rita's expression darkened into a frown as she glanced at the clock. It was late, and she hadn't expected any visitors. With a sense of unease, Rita rose from her chair and made her way cautiously to the door. She looked through the peephole and saw Peter, her godfather and her mom's old friend.

Since their last awkward conversation, they hadn't seen each other. She felt guilty, anxious, and a little resentful. Rita took a deep breath, opened the door, and allowed him in. "Peter, what are you doing here?", She said, heading back to her workspace.

Peter came in, closed the door, and held out a brown paper bag. His eyes beaming with sincere concern. "I brought you dinner, RI RI . Thought you might need it."

Rita's heart skipped a beat when Peter used his old nickname for her. Suddenly, she felt like a vulnerable child again, starved of love. Lost in the feeling of worthiness. Dependent on Peter's acts of kindness to feel warm.

You don't need him, she said to herself. You don't need him anymore.

Rita's childhood was marked by an intimate bond with Peter, her sole caregiver. For a time, their duo was enough. However, everything changed when she transitioned from homeschooling to traditional school at age six. It was then that she discovered the significance of the word "mom" - a term that highlighted her own maternal absence.

Unlike her peers, Rita never experienced the tender touch of a mother's kiss on school mornings. She never felt the gentle hands of a mother adjusting her hair bow, which frequently came undone despite Peter's best efforts. The words "I love you" were never spoken by a mother's loving voice.

Yet, behind the imaginary vision of what her mother might have been like, Peter stood steadfast. No matter how many times Rita's bow fell off, Peter patiently re-tied it, perfecting his hairstyling skills with each attempt. His unwavering dedication provided a temporary bliss.

But Peter, like everyone Rita had ever loved, eventually left and that pain lingered until she met Xender, her first fiancé, who brought life and color to her cheeks.

She stayed still, steeling herself against the emotions that threatened to surface and then she turned to face him, nothing of her feelings showing on her face.

"What's this supposed to be? A peace offering?"

Peter's gaze wandered around the apartment, taking in the cluttered counter and the scattered papers. "You're working late again, I see," he said, his voice tinged with worry. "You need to take care of yourself, Rita."

"Worry about yourself"

"I need to talk"

"I don't have time"

"Five minutes, just give me five minutes"

Peter's persistence raked at her nerves. She tapped on her laptop, appealing to herself to calm down. "I'm going to be completely honest here. I don't want you bringing me food. I don't want you coming here-"

"I'm sorry I can't do that?" he said, setting the bag on the counter, next to her. "I care about you and I want to always make sure you're okay. I can't leave you alone because you won't survive!, I don't want you running off to marry the next man who makes-"

"Shut up!!!!" she yelled, afraid of what he would say next. Scared that it may be the truth. All those years ago, falling in and out of love, maybe Xender and Liam were attracted to her at the thrill of the moment. Maybe they realized later that they could no longer be the emotional support of the pathetic woman who was undeserving of love.

The silence that followed was oppressive, heavy with unspoken words and unresolved tensions. Peter's gaze rested on Rita, seeking a glimpse of the girl he once knew. His eyes searched for the sparkle that had once shone brightly even with a heart filled with pain.

In the blink of an eye, Rita's composure crumbled. Her mouth trembled, and the depths of her anguish poured forth in tears. She bowed her head, hiding her face behind her keyboard.

Her voice barely above a whisper, Rita muttered, "I am not a pity case."

"I have never seen you as a pity case" he said, his tone hesitant. "I should go. Just wanted to make sure you're eating."

As the door clicked shut, Rita lifted her gaze. She turned her attention to the brown bag he had left behind. With a swift motion, she picked it up and tossed it into the dust bin. An action so satisfying that she laughed. Its echo bounced off the apartment walls.

"I don't need him. I don't need anyone." She declared, applauding herself.

With renewed focus, Rita was ready to prove to everyone that she could stand on her own and she zeroed her mind on the task at hand. Chris Donovan, was her first real case and now her top priority. Personal feelings should not be allowed to screw it up.

As Rita delved back into her research, a plan began to unfold in her mind. There is an upcoming fundraising event at Donovan's mansion.

A perfect opportunity, she thought.

She would attend the event, get to know her mark and his world.

Her gaze intensified.

The old step-up way of using a prostitute to get photos taken was too easy. She needed a real challenge. She would become the evidence. She would become the other woman, weaving a web of deceit to entangle Chris Donovan.