Brianna:

Seeing Tessa's car parked next to mine had my heart racing, my nerves acting wild, and my stomach turning in knots. "Drop me off over there," I pointed, pointing to the other side of the building. "I'm guessing she came back to question me on why your stuff was in my apartment," I sighed.

"Maybe I should park and walk in with you."

I shook my head. "That's okay. I can handle her."

"If she's here to question you about me. I think it would be best for me to be with you. It's time she knows."

I reached and cupped the side of his face and smiled. "I'll be fine. I'm sure Tessa's here about work, anyway. Otherwise, your phone would have been blowing up with her phone calls and texts. If I need you, I'll call."

"You can't do this alone. This is my fault. Not yours," Nick said, removing my hand and kissing my fingers. "I'm the one who got us in this mess, and I should be the one to fix it."

I opened the door, stepped one foot out, then leaned to him and pressed my lips to his. "I'll call you if I need your help."

"Shut the door," he ordered.

"Why?"

"Just get in and close the door."

I did what he asked, then he drove off and parked in the next parking lot across the street. He turned off the car, then turned to me. "Tessa wasn't there to ask you to come back. She went there to snoop. Tessa was sniffing around, trying to find what she was looking for. She's a bloodhound. I'm telling you she saw our reactions that night at the event. After you quit, she gave me the insinuating stink eye look, as if I was the reason you quit. In which I was," he added. "But my phone and briefcase case was out in the open, and I'm sure she saw it. She's putting two and two together. I can't let you face her alone. Not now. You're pregnant."

"Just bring me back to my place. Let me see what Tessa has to say. I'll call you if I need to. I promise," I demanded, crossing my arms. "This may be your mess that you got me in, but with the way, my hormones are acting right now. I'm positive I can handle her."

After him protesting me going to my apartment alone, he finally gave in and drove me back to my place. Before I exited his car, he pulled me to him. "Call if you need my help. I mean it."

I nodded, kissed his lips, then hurriedly exited his car, and took deep breaths, trying to calm myself while walking into my apartment building. First, I checked and grabbed my mail, then as I headed to my place, I kept my eyes and ears on alert, waiting for Tessa to come from behind and attack me.

As I walked down the hallway, I noticed Tessa sitting on the ground, with her back against my door and her head lowered in her hands.

Here we go...

"Tessa?" I quietly questioned as I neared her.

She lifted and turned her head my way, then pushed herself to stand, brushing debris off her clothes. "Hi, Brianna," she quietly said. But I noticed with the way she said my name; she sounded nervous.

"What are you doing here? And how long have you been here?" I asked, sticking my key in the lock and looking her way.

"I've been here for a little while. I really need to talk to you. Do you have a few minutes?"

"Yeah. Sure," I said, unlocking and opening the door. "Come in."

I had her follow me in, and knowing Nick took all his belongings with him, I walked her over to my dining room table and pulled a chair out for her; then, wanting to be out of her reach, I sat across from her. The only thing blocking us was the table and the roses from Nick.

My eyes widened after realizing the card was against the vase; I quickly reached for the vase and card, sliding the roses to the side, then quickly took the card before she noticed and placed it underneath my leg.

"So, Tessa," I said, trying not to act nervous. "What did you need to talk about?"

She looked around the room, then stopped when she got to me. "I've been doing a lot of thinking. And there has been something on my mind since the night of the event."

I looked down and squirmed. "Look. Tessa," I started saying until she cut me off, surprising me with her blunt question.

Well, I wasn't surprised, really. I knew this question would come up soon.

"Did you know my husband before the event?"

My heart picked up a little speed. Then, looked away from my hands and up to her, furrowing my brows, asking, "What do you mean?" I had an inkling where she was going with this, but to be sure, I needed to hear what she had to say first before I admitted to something completely different from what she wanted to know.

"I called my husband's work earlier and talked with his assistant. She mentioned he had called, saying she wouldn't be in for a few days since he had to go out of town."

"And what does this have to do with me?"

She scratched her head with a confused look on her face, then folded her hands together. "I asked her right out if she thought he was cheating on me. Her answer was not that she knew of. And then I asked if he had any women coming there to see him. Again, her answer was he has many women who come and see him, but she then went on to say there was one in particular that had recently been coming in. A beautiful woman with long brown curly hair with big brown eyes."

Shit.

I slowly and very discreetly gulped. "And?"

"The description reminded me of you. And then it came to me. When I introduced you to my husband the night of the event, you both looked surprised to see each other. So my question is. Do you know my husband? And if you do, how long have you known him?"

So this is why Nick said he had to talk with Anna. Tessa is the reason he wants to fire her. Damn it!

"I had no clue he was your husband until you introduced us that night, as for the description of me seeing him at the office. I was there. Twice."

She cleared her throat, sat straight, then shook her head, trying to get her hair behind her. "Excuse me? You went to see my husband?"

"I didn't go there knowing he was your husband. I went to the realty office looking for a realtor. I want out of this tiny apartment and into something much bigger, so he took me to a couple of showings," I said, knowing I had to admit something. Without knowing everything Anna said to Tessa, and since I hate lies, I had to spill something close to the truth. And that was admitting I was there to see Nick.

She looked hurt and shook her head. "I don't know what to think or do anymore. He refuses to talk to me, he's never around, and when he does come home, it's late and after I'm in bed. I know he's out there sleeping around. With who? That I don't know," she sighed, resting her chin on her fist as her elbow rested on the table.

She looked at me and raised a brow. "Can I ask why you looked surprised to see Nick that night?"

"I just wasn't expecting to see my realtor," I somewhat lied.

"He followed you to the restroom that night, didn't he?"

I shook my head. Crap, now my heart is really pumping. And now I feel as if I'm about to be sick. Maybe Nick should have come up with me. "Not that I know of. Why?"

She frowned, spaced off, then quietly said, "I just remember him rushing away from the table not long after you excused yourself, informing Shyla you were going to be sick."

"I'm sorry, Tessa. The person you need to talk to isn't here. And the answers you would like to know you need to get from him. Not me."

I was starting to feel a little relieved since Tessa never brought up seeing Nick's briefcase by my couch or brought up seeing his phone. But with Nick, not here, I didn't want to say anything more. I also didn't want to throw him under the bus and reminded Tessa once again that she needed to talk to Nick.

Nick is the one who got himself where he is, and I'm not going to be the one to get him out. Although, I will say, if it weren't for my pregnancy, I'd sit here and admit to Tessa everything she wanted to know.

I saw the expression on her face. She didn't believe everything I said, but she stood, anyway, and left her fingertips resting on the table. "I guess I better get going. I just had to come to see what you had to say about my husband," she said, emphasizing husband and looking upset she didn't get the answers she was looking for.

I followed her to the door, opened the door, and as she was stepping out, she stopped and turned around. "Monday? I'll see you Monday?"

I nodded, "Yes. I'll see you, Monday..." maybe.

My heart was still pounding, with a little anger roaming within me. I know Tessa knows and was waiting for me to admit it; And now I wonder if that's why she has been confiding in me all this time?

******

Nick:

Anna had me so hot that she wasn't at her desk when I walked into the office and yelled, "Anna!"

She never did respond or come to me, so I reached across her desk, grabbed her post-it notes, and wrote a message, sticking it on the computer screen for her to see, then I headed to my office, slamming the door behind me.

I noticed a stack of folders sitting on the top of my desk, walked over to my desk, sat in my chair, and picked up a folder. Just as I opened the file and started looking through the photographs, there was a knock at the door. Assuming it was Anna, I answered loudly, "Come in!"

"You wanted to see me?" Anna asked as she stood in the doorway.

"Yes. Please come in, shut the door, and sit," I ordered, sounding upset while extending my hand towards the empty chair in front of my desk.

She looked nervous.

And I was pissed.

I rested my forearms on the top of the desk, then folded my hands, showing her I wasn't happy, as I looked at her. "Anna... I don't know what you were thinking when you spoke with Tessa, telling her private things you had no authority to do, and if you weren't such a good employee, I'd fire you."

"Let me explain," she quietly stuttered.

"I don't know what you were thinking of telling Tessa about Brianna. What Brianna was doing here is confidential and nothing you needed to involve yourself in. Brianna and Tessa are my business. Not yours."

"But..."

"Lastly. Clients are not to be discussed with Tessa, or anyone else for that matter. We deal with wealthy clients daily, and I don't need their information getting out to anybody. You know better than that," I groaned, shaking my head in disappointment.

"Can I speak now?"

"Yes. You can explain yourself."

"Thank you for not firing me. But Tessa repeatedly called here and was freaking out on me. Then, she showed up here and refused to leave until I talked," she admitted, then I noticed her eyes getting glossy and looked down at the folders in front of me.

"She threatened me, Nick... She fucking scared the crap out of me. That woman is the devil. I could have sworn when she was looking at me, waiting for me to respond, I saw horns poking out the top of her head."

I shook my head and sighed. I know what she's talking about. I could have sworn I've seen those at one time too. "I apologize to you for that. But you still mentioned Brianna to Tessa. That's a big no-no."

"When she got in my face and refused to back away, that's when I described her. I didn't say her name, only mentioned she was pretty. Then she asked what I knew about her, and all I told her I knew was that she was a client.

"Well, for one, you shouldn't have explained anything to her about Brianna. Two, I understand how scary Tessa can be. And three, Brianna's pregnant and doesn't need to be harassed by Tessa."

"Yours?" She hissed.

My brows arched high.

"I was only asking."

I leaned back in my chair, folded my hands against my chest, and sighed, "Yes. It's mine."

"I knew it," she muttered, then disappointingly pointed her finger at me. "I told you Tessa would kill you if you were sleeping around on her."

"I'm going to ask that you respect Brianna. She's innocent in all of this," I said, then explained the situation to her, with Anna getting on my case for what I've done, then added, "Brianna doesn't need any stress from Tessa. So please, don't say anything more to Tessa. Let me handle her. Okay?"

"That's fine with me. Just try to keep Tessa away from here."

"Hopefully soon, you won't have to deal with her anymore, and if she calls or comes here again, immediately direct her to me."

"Okay."

"You can go now," I instructed while standing from my chair. I watched Anna leave, then sat down when I heard my phone alerting me. I received a text message and picked up my phone.

Brianna: Tessa just left, finally. She questioned me about knowing you before the event, amongst some other things.

Nick: What did she say?

Brianna: That she knows I went to your work. So, I explained I went there looking to buy a home, and you took me to a couple of showings. I also mentioned I didn't know you were her husband. (Which was true) She said again; she knows you're cheating... Nick, I don't need this shit. I never asked for this, and I told her that she needed to talk to you if she had any questions. So please, talk to her. I don't need Tessa coming to my place anymore, questioning me about you.

Nick: I'm sorry. I talked with Anna. Tessa called and came here threatening her too. I'll speak with Tessa tonight. And I can promise you; this will all end soon. I love you.

******

Tessa:

After pulling into the driveway, I sat in my car, thinking for the longest time. Somehow, I need to get Nick to admit to his infidelities. I'm not stupid, and if he thinks I'm going down without a fight? He's wrong. Dead fucking wrong...

I finally went into the house, then headed to his den and began searching through his desk, filing cabinet, mail, and all his paperwork sitting on the desk, looking for clues to bust him in all his lies. Finding nothing, I went to our bedroom, then dug through the closet and his dresser drawers.

I still wasn't finding anything, so I sat on the bed, logged into my laptop, and logged into all of our credit card and bank accounts, figuring that was the best way to prove he's lying.

Only, I found nothing again.

What the fuck?

I opened the drawer next to my side of the bed, pulled out my notebook, looked at the dates and times when Nick didn't come home, or he had come home in the middle of the night, then looked at the records again.

I still found nothing. 

That just means one thing.

You fucking asshole. You're paying cash for everything...

I heard the front door open and close and knew Nick was home. I shut the laptop, shoved the notebook back into my drawer, then cleaned up my mess before Nick came in and saw I had been digging through his things.

Too late.

I turned around, and he was standing in the doorway, glaring at me with his hands resting on his hips. "Looking for something specific?"

"No," I nonchalantly lied.

"Liar. You're not going to find anything."

"You're a fucking asshole!" I yelled, lunging at him, then shoving him up against the bedroom door.

Nick laughed and leaned forward, with his face only inches away from mine. Then he smiled and proudly said, "I know. You keep telling me I'm a fucking asshole. But the one who should be considered anything but their birth-given name is you. You're one heartless bitch. A title you have owned since we fucking married," he said, grabbing hold of my hands and shoving me away from him. "But I'm a fucking asshole. That's a laugh," he mocked, walking away from me.

"I'm only a heartless bitch because of you! You made me this way!" I screamed.

Nick stormed back into the room, pointing his finger at me. "No, Tessa. You were like this before we married. I still don't know why we married!" He yelled. "And what the fuck did you think you would accomplish calling and going to my work to harass Anna? You scared the poor girl! Just like you scare everyone else who has to deal with you!"

"Fuck you!"

"No, thanks."

"You're fucking her, aren't you?" I snapped.

"Who? Anna?"

I rushed to Nick and shoved him, groaning, "You know who."

"I'm sorry, I don't know who you're referring to."

"Asshole. You know damn well who."

"Say. Her. Name!" He yelled loudly.

"Brianna! You're fucking Brianna!

******

Nick:

On my way home, I called my attorney to see if he had finished with the divorce papers and if they would be served to Tessa tomorrow as he promised earlier in the week. Apparently, there was an issue and got held up with them now not serving Tessa until sometime on Monday. The day Brianna is supposed to go back and work for her.

I'm now hoping Brianna thinks long and hard about what she's doing and will change her mind about going back and working for Tessa.

Come Monday evening; I'll either be a happy man or a dead man.

As I walked into the house, an instant feeling came over me that something wasn't right. Tessa was way too quiet. Usually, when she's upset or angry about something with me, it's always the moment I walk in the door, she'll greet me with a fist, or her mouth is yelling.

I slowly and quietly walked towards the bedroom, and just as I suspected, she was in there, digging in my things, trying to find something she'll never see, and stood in the doorway with my hands on my hips, watching her pick up papers scattered all over the bed.

"Looking for something specific?"

"No," she said with a scowled look on her face, also acting like it was no big deal with what she was doing.

Arguing with Tessa is like talking to a brick wall. She never listens, and it's always about her. For years I've tried talking to her and have tried telling her that she and I aren't meant to be and how it was a mistake for us to marry. This marriage was something she wanted; for reasons, I still have not figured out. And each time I broke it off with her, she came crying back to me, giving me the I'm sorry, I'll change talk. With my brother also butting in our lives, insisting I give Tessa a chance to show and prove to everyone we were meant to be.

I should never have listened to my brother. And I never should have taken him on with that bet. That bet. That fucking bet. He's the entire reason I'm in this mess, and that bet has proved nothing. All it's proven was that she's still the same evil woman who shows her two-faced ways. Just to get what she wants.

I couldn't fight with this woman any longer, and when she asked if I was fucking Brianna, my answer was a big fat no. The reason? Because that's not entirely what I am doing with Brianna. And she will soon find out why my answer was no, right after she's served papers.

I hope you enjoyed the chapter!!👌👌