Chapter One - Childhood Lover

Zaria sat on the left side of the bed staring out the window, There was really nothing to look at except the rows of houses opposite hers. The estate was as silent as a graveyard, as it always was; and even more so at night. She had no doubts that any of the houses could be throwing parties but no one would have any idea since all the houses were equipped with soundproof systems.

She turned and took another glance at the empty bed. Even though she already knew that he wouldn’t return that night, she was a little hopeful in her heart. She hoped that something would happen and he would come home. But as much as she hoped; she knew better.

Her phone buzzed on the bedside drawer and she stretched her arm to reach for it. Her eyebrows pulled together slowly when she realized that it was a message from an unknown number. She clicked the message open and upon seeing the picture in the message inbox, she gulped unconsciously.

Tears rushed to her eyes but Zaria pressed her lips together willing herself not to let a single tear fall.

She knew that she was back and that was why for the past month, her husband hadn’t visited or slept in his own house not more than two times. She knew that while he stayed away from his home, he spent ample time with her but she was too scared to bring it up in case he got angry and asked for a divorce. The thought made cold sweat form on her back. For what it was, she couldn’t afford to lose him.

She sniffed quietly while dialing his number and pressing the phone to her ears and just as she expected, her call went to voicemail. Pursing her lips again, she summoned up courage and called his assistant. The latter picked up the call at the second ring.

“Hello,” Zaria greeted quietly.

“Good evening Mrs. McConnell” the assistant's polite yet distant voice retracted into Zaria’s ears and Zaria debated whether to ask her question or not.

She didn’t know what Logan must have told his secretary but each and every time they came into contact, the latter always treated her with a very polite but distant attitude that never failed to make her feel awkward.

“Mrs. McConnell?” the assistant called when Zaria didn’t say anything and Zaria was immediately jolted back to the present.

“Err…. Er…. I called Logan a few minutes ago and my calls went to voicemail. I wanted to ask if he was working late” Zaria replied and there was a moment of silence.

“Mr. McConnell is at the hospital” the assistant replied and Zaria swallowed her saliva.

“Hospital? Is someone ill?” Zaria asked despite knowing the answer.

“Miss Peterson is ill and Mr. President is accompanying her” the assistant replied.

“Oh,” Zaria muttered quietly, fighting every urge in her not to let any of her tears spill down her cheeks.

“Could I get the name of the hospital? I'd like to send Miss Peterson some fruits and if possible check up on her too” Zaria added; dropping the call as soon as the assistant said she would text her the address.

Sick? Accompanying her? How dumb did they think she was?

The phone in her hand buzzed again and Zaria glanced at it to see that it was a message from the assistant. It was the address of the hospital, She quickly texted the secretary a thank you and dropped the phone on the bed. She sniffed and got up from the bed, walking towards her wardrobe while changing into a simple blouse and pants. She picked up her coat and walked out of the room towards the kitchen.

Opening the fridge, she was able to collate a small basket of fruits. A glance at the desolate kitchen once again reminded Zaria of how pathetic she was. She loved cooking, she enjoyed it and she loved cooking for him but not even once, had he tasted her food. Every single time she thought he would come home and make a huge dinner; he either came home too late or didn’t even come home at all.

Zaria pushed her thoughts aside while walking out of the house. She got into the car and put the basket of fruits in the passenger seat she hadn’t gotten to start the car when her phone started buzzing loudly in her pockets once again. She brought out her phone and immediately gulped upon seeing the caller ID. She picked up the call and pressed her phone to her ears.

“Zaria” a deep male voice drifted into her ears and for some reason; Zaria wanted to burst into tears right there and then.

“Hey, Theodore” Zaria greeted, trying to sound as cheerful as possible.

“Don’t give me that tone Zaria. I know what’s going on with you. Just because I am not in the country doesn’t mean I am oblivious to everything that’s going on okay?” Theodore replied and Zaria pursed her lips.

“I’ll be back in three days. They are making a move again; I have to be there” Theodore added and Zaria kept quiet, refusing to say the words that her elder brother wanted to hear.

“Zaria” Theodore called quietly and softer this time.

“I’ll call you back Theodore,” Zaria said, cutting off whatever Theodore wanted to say.

“Stay safe Za,” Theodore said after a moment of silence and ended the call. Dropping her phone on the seat beside her; Zaria started the car and drove out of the house.

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The moment Zaria stepped into the ward, she already that the fact that she was ill was a total lie. No one would be ill with rosy cheeks and energetic yells. The lady sitting on the bed finished her video call and turned to the door to find Zaria standing there. A flash of surprise ran through her eyes but it was soon replaced with a bright smile.

“Don’t tell me Logan asked you to bring me fruits? He already bought a lot yesterday” she started and Zaria unconsciously clenched her fists while the lady continued relaxing in her bed.

“When Logan comes back from the washroom you really have to thank him for me. He’s been a real sweetheart these days. He moved me to a VIP ward the moment I said the noise from other patients was making me unable to sleep. I woke up in the middle of the night and was craving ice cream, he drove out in the middle of the night to get it for me. He even paid my hospital bills!” the lady continued with a huge smile on her face.

“I don’t know where else I would have seen such a sweet childhood friend you know” she added; playing with her fingers while watching Zaria’s reaction.

“When he heard that I caught a cold, he was really worried and left a meeting to run all the way here just to check up on me. C’mon, there’s no sweeter childhood friend anywhere” she continued maintaining a bright smile on her face. She knew everything she was saying would annoy and irritate her, no woman would want her husband fawning over another woman and being at her beck and call while he ignored her.

Zaria hadn’t even noticed that she was clenching her fists so hard that her nails were digging into her palms and they were already becoming bloodied. As much as she hated to admit it; she knew that she was right. Logan had barely sent two glances at her when she fainted but just because his childhood sweetheart had gotten cold, he had left an important meeting and stayed with her for so long. She used to think that maybe Logan wasn’t affectionate to anyone but here was the evidence that he was affectionate but it was only for one person.

“At the end of the day, you are just a mistress. I am his legal wife, there’s nothing you can do” Zaria said firmly, trying to hide her shaky voice behind her straight face. She wasn’t going to let this bitch know that her words had gotten so much to her that her heart was in pieces. The lady on the bed sneered and chuckled.

“Don’t worry too much Zaria; that title will soon be taken away from you and it will be mine” she replied and Zaria staggered slightly. She knew it. She knew that as long as she had come back, it wouldn’t take so long but she had tried to ignore it and pretend that it wouldn’t happen. She hoped and wished that it would come so much later than she thought. But here it was smashing her right back in the face.