Chapter 25: The Finesse

Barbara Brown's POV

I breathed out as I was leaning against Brad on the floor. The food was there and we were in the glow of our orgasms. It was one of the best sex that I ever had, even if I don't have anyone to compare with.

"Brad?"

"Hmm?" He asked as I was looking up into his eyes. They were looking at me with adoration and warmth, and dare I say love as well.

"I think we have forgotten the real reason why I was here," I said as I was laughing before he smirked at me.

"And what is your reason?" He asked me as I was pondering in my head.

"To take a look at the notes and papers on the mineral," I said before Brad smirked at me as his fingers were trailing on my back. I shivered but in a good as he was nuzzling my neck. I angled my throat so that he can kiss it if he wanted to.

"Maybe my reasoning was not that after all," he whispered as I felt the heat was pooling inside me. I think I can go for another round again.

"Make love to me," I said as Brad lifted his head and smiled at me, so sweetly that I was aching even more for him.

"With pleasure, wife," he said as he was moving on top of me again and slid inside me. I sighed as I know it was nice and we're in the moment.

I realized that it was too good to be true.

After that night encounter in Brad's office, I was anticipating him to call and maybe ask me about it…well, anything. I felt like we have some connection, that was beyond the site and the reason why he was asking me to be his wife. I felt like we're in a real marriage after all.

But, my dream was shattered when I saw my notes and papers were in front of my house when I came back from the campus. I smiled before I saw the note that stated:

I'm sorry to have taken your virtue in the office. I have returned your paper and from this moment, we have no debt to settle with each other. ~Brad

I was shocked beyond anything as I was sliding down on the floor in front of my apartment before I wept. I was crying so hard that I felt my heart has been shattered to pieces. Curse him! I have given everything that I hold dear and now, he regretted it.

I sighed before I wiped my tears and anger was coming inside me. I can feel it was threatening to cut down anyone was coming in my way before I took the notes and papers as I was making my way inside the apartment.

I settled it down on the counter before my phone rang. I hoped it was not Brad because I was feeling so damn angry with him right now. I looked at the caller ID and it was Lea. I sighed before I answered the phone and pulled my sweetest voice for my best friend.

"Hey, Lea! I never heard from you now that you have a husband. So how is it going?" I asked as I heard Lea's laughter on the other side of the phone.

"Well, frankly, I was happy, I guess. We sorted out what was happening in our marriage and right now, I think Alex was adored with me," she said before I felt something was tugging at me. I smiled before I was gripping the edge of the countertop.

"So, why do you call me when you were happy?" I teased her. She laughed.

"I was calling for Amber's wedding. We wanted you to be there and I think the party would be nice to you,"

"Thanks, babe, for thinking of me when you know I like to party," I said as I was walking around the apartment before I was settling my gaze on the window. The city was glistening in the distance of my apartment.

"It will be held in New Jersey. If you don't want to drive, we can arrange for you—"

"No, I will drive there myself. I have a car for god sake. I don't want to burden you guys even more," I said as I chuckled at her.

"Okay, I will send the location. You will need to move in the morning if you want to be their fore rehearsal," she said. I chuckled. Maybe time away from the city will do me good.

"I will be there," I said as I hung up on her and I looked around the apartment. Yup, away from the city will do me good.

So, on Friday, I was on my road trip to New Jersey in my old Toyota Camry. I was setting my sunglasses to conceal my eyes from the harsh sunlight that was coming into the car. I let my hair down and they were running wild. I listened to music, mostly Taylor Swift, as I sang to the lyrics as well.

always want back,

the love they gave away,

and people like me,

wanna believe you,

when you say you changed.

The more I think about it now,

The less I know,

All I know is that you drove us,

Off the road.

Stay

Hey, all you had to do was stay,

Come and held me in your hands,

When what you had to go

When you locked me up

When I let you in.

Stay, hey,

Now, you say you want it back,

Now that I guess it just too late,

Well, could've been easy,

All you had to do was stay.

I was singing and losing myself in the song as I was remembering what Brad told me on the notes. I felt angry and disappointed but never regret giving my virtue to my husband. But he was no longer my husband at that time when the divorce papers came to me later.

I sighed as I was turning right at the fork as I was gazing at the luxurious hotel. I know that Amber was marrying a successful professor and I was happy for her. I cannot believe I was failing my marriage when I was looking at the hotel.

I went out of the car before I took my backpack and I locked the car. We will be having some bachelorette party later but I don't feel like I want to join in. I sighed before I went to the receptionist and checked in.

They gave me a hotel room that was decent enough since Lea and Amber thought I was single when in reality, I was married. I wanted to laugh when I was married and later I will be recently divorced. I should be happy.

No more Brandon Cornwall.

No more his demanding attitude.

I should feel relief when I thought of those but right now, they left aching hollow in my chest before I slammed myself on the bed as I was closing my eyes.

Our hot breaths mingled.

I was looking at his handsome face.

His groans when he peaked and I came with him.

I opened my eyes before I sit right up. I was flushing with heat before I groaned and I was covering my face inside the pillow.

I really should get laid with someone else. Damn it!

I went to the rehearsal as nothing happened. We were doing something and the ceremony that we need to do and of course hoping that it will run smoothly tomorrow when I know I wanted to do was to drown in champagne and numbed my feelings.

I guess I have to wait for the party then.

But apparently, the bachelorette party was the same. People were talking as I was drowning myself in alcohol. I never have done this before but it felt right and I think I was able to not feel anything at all. At least for tonight.

I was a miserable hot mess.