Chapter twenty-four

I noticed him tense but that didn't stop me. "Such a bastard, he's married yet cheats on his wife. If he's not in love with his wife, why marry her in the first place. Whoever posted this pictures should've showed his face also."

The hair stylist agreed with me by nodding her head. "He should be caught and castrated. In my next fast, I'll pray for his doom."

Alex shifted uncomfortably in his seat his expression grim just as he opened his mouth to speak the host poked her head through the door and told me the show was about to start.

When the hairstylist finished, I looked at my reflection in the mirror smiling in satisfaction and triumph. By the time I walked out of the dressing room. Alex had already gone to take his place amongst the audience.

The show began shortly after. 

I heaved a sigh, adjusting my posture as I prepared to walk the runway. One of the attendant, a young girl gave me water then wished me lucked.

The audience chanted my name the moment I walked out.

"It's Ayanna

She alive and well thankful.

Ayanna, Ayanna, yes girl, you're absolutely stunning.

I waved gracefully at the audience with a smile nevertheless my smile fell as soon as I spotted Alex. Beside him was a woman who's face was completely covered with a mask yet I knew who she was_Kate.

Shameless.

The audacity to bring her here regardless of the scandal. The audacity to bring her before me. I adverted my gaze keeping my expression calm even though my mood was ruined. 

The show was finally over after an hour, I walked into my dressing room, pausing at the door_Rain Blackwell sat on the couch his legs wide open like he owned the place. He looked up from his phone screen his gaze racking over my body before returning to my face.

"Ethereal,"  he mumbled slowly standing up with a bouquet of lilies. he stepped forward holding it out for me with a charming smile and I regained myself, scowling at him.

"What the hell are you doing here?" I half yelled, looking around even though it was just the two of us. I quickly shut the door behind me and locked it with the key to prevent anyone from entering.

"You know you should avoid coming to see me at places like this we could get caught. My husband is out there."

His expression turned stoic at the mention of my husband and his gaze darkened. Scoffing, he stepped closer leaving a little gap between us.

"Obviously not alone but with his mistress. Will he even care about you, or he's too busy consoling his mistress who feels mistreated after losing the leading role to you not like it was hers in the first place. Yet who knows the miles he's willing to go just to see her smile again."

There was a hint of mockery in his voice and I scowled anger surging through me. "How dare you mock me!" I poked his chest with my finger. 

Though I knew he was right, I needed someone to bare the brunt of the humiliation I felt seeing Kate sit beside Alex. He didn't even respect me at all.

"We only have a secret affair with benefits nothing more. I hope you always keep that in mind and stop acting like there's something more between us."

I saw hurt and rage flash through his gaze. His hand which held the flower out to me slowly fell to his side whilst clutching the bouquet tightly until the petals began to crumpled and fall.

Gradually he stepped forward, closing the little gap between us. he leaned downward using his other hand to lift my chin up so I was staring directly into his eyes. "Is that what you think? Don't forget Ayanna it was you who offered yourself to me. It was you who asked me to ruin the same man you're getting angry over_ it's just a secret affair with benefits ...ha

He scoffed, letting go of my chin as though it burnt him. He tossed the crumpled flower in his hands onto the floor and without another word turn to leave. I watched his retreating figure, a heavy feeling building inside my chest. Perhaps I should've said that. Yet I was too shaken to take it back at that moment...

I didn't call or look for Alex after I was done changing. Olivia called asking me to meet her at the Taste-bud restaurant/bar so I took a cab to meet her.

"Love," Olivia called out, running toward me, arms wide open with a smile on her face.

"I wanted to see you walk, but my grumpy boss wouldn't let me leave before my closing time. I'll treat you to dinner as a way of atonement."

Olivia held my hand as we walked into the restaurant, taking our usual spot at the far end of the restaurant which had a window view overlooking their beautiful garden.

"Order whatever you want, bills on me," she was speaking but I was absent-minded.

"Aya, Ayanna..." She emphasized finally pulling me out of my trance. My gaze moved from her face to the menu she handed out to me, slowly stretching forth my hand to take it from her.

"I want alcohol. Very strong alcohol. I want to forget about my worries for now."

Olivia's face twisted in concern. 

"You're not alright Ayanna, tell me everything."

I smiled faintly resting the menu back on the table with a long sigh. 

Telling her might unburden me a little nonetheless I didn't want to talk about Alex or Rain or anyone else right now.

"Let's just have our meal and drink," I said but Olivia wasn't paying attention she was looking behind me. I also turn to look at what got her attention, scowling as soon as I spotted Alex by the door, with Kate who still had her mask on.  He was holding her hand but quickly let go as soon as we locked gaze. I'm certain he would've left discreetly if he'd noticed me first however leaving now would only seem suspicious. So he hesitated for a while before walking toward us.

"You disappeared suddenly and I couldn't find you. I called but it wasn't connecting. I thought maybe you've gone home already I wanted getting your favorites spicy chicken from here but here you are. Why didn't you tell me you were leaving," he didn't bother explaining why he was with Kate and I did like I didn't notice her standing beside him either.

"Oh... Olivia practically dragged me out so it skipped my mind. Sorry hubby," I stood and hug him briefly before pulling him into the empty chair beside me while still acting like Kate didn't exist.

Then Olivia spoke. "So who's the chick you came with, your mistress..."

Alex frozen for a second then let out an awkward laughter though his gaze turned malicious.

"What the f*ck Olivia. You know I'd never cheat on my wife. That's her cousin Kate we coincidentally met at the entrance."

"Hi cousin, Hi Olivia, may I join you," Kate spoke at last going to take the empty spot beside Olivia who gave her a side glare before looking at me.

"What the actual f*ck!" She mouthed silently then her gaze shifted to Alex who seem to have regained himself after the accusation Olivia threw at him. 

"You know Alex, you're one of the few men who doesn't cheat on their wife, such an ideal man, no wonder you have some women pursuing you,"she acted so sincere others would not notice the sarcasm in her tone but I knew her too well.

"Hmmm.."Alex shifted uncomfortably in his chair his eyes looking everywhere except mine or Olivia's.

"Cousin Ayanna, Alex adores you so much," Kate chipped in though I noticed a hint of mockery in her tone but chose to ignore it. She opened her mouth to speak again but was rudely cut off by Olivia.

"Alex, you initially wanted to get Aya chicken, I guess I'd leave you to settle the bills then_ Aya, order anything you want I will also order."

Kate looked irritated but didn't speak again. 

Olivia took the menu and everything she ordered were the most expensive. By the time she was done, only her order almost covered the entire table.

I ordered too, ditching the alcohol since Alex was here. I didn't want to go about blabbering what I wasn't supposed to after getting drunk.

So I ordered chicken and non acholic wine. Kate ordered too. I noticed she acted coil and reluctant all the casting secret flirtatious glances at Alex.

"Cousin Ayanna, thanks for having me," she said and I almost rolled my eyes at her.

"You should thank Alex instead," I said with hidden sarcasm giving Alex a fake smile. 

He returned the smile and said nothing.

 Once we began to eat Olivia turn to Kate her gaze glimmering with mischief.

"Oh I almost forgot. Kate I saw the news, they say you're a mistress. What married man are you hooking up with. He must be rich and handsome since you're willing to be a mistress."

I almost choked on my food. Kate on the other hand wasn't so lucky. She choked on the juice she was drinking and began to cough. Alex who has been pretending to only care about me quickly poured her a glass of water, then handed her his personal handkerchief to whip her mouth. I did like I didn't notice.

"Oh my God Kate, take it easy. I wasn't even judging I was just curious. After all I'm sure we all have our own skeletons in our closet, right Alex?"

"Olivia," I mouthed silently, kicking her feet under the table but she just smile wickedly and took a huge bit from her chicken.

"Hmmm, this is delicious, have a taste Aya," she pushed the meat in my mouth before I could object then went on.

"As I was saying we all have skeletons. I could remember going after a boy who had a girlfriend back in college."

'You liar.'

I kicked her again and she giggled soon her laughter caught in her throat a frightened expression replacing her amusement as she looked past me toward the door again. The meat in her hand slowly drop onto the plate.

"Gi...go...Rain Blackwell and Redflag. What are they doing together and why are they here."