I almost deleted the message before I heard it. I didn't want to revisit what happened two weeks back. But something made me want to listen to him.

Maybe I just missed him.

Lilly he breathed. How are you doing? I hope you are taking care of yourself. Why do you care so much, Richard? You left me remember? I wanted to personally share you the message. I spoke to the judge yesterday; he agreed to speed up the divorce process. We don't have to wait too long. I managed to change the date to two days from now, that is on Wednesday. Cute, he can't wait to get rid of me. Hope you have a nice day. Hope you rot in hell.

With that I deleted the message not bothering to reply to him that I got it.

I filled the tub with some bubbles and slipped into the warm water, letting it relax me. It's been two weeks since I slept peacefully. I am not used to sleeping alone, and it gets hard to sleep alone.

I decided, while I relax, I could do some research on Matthews' Publications. I knew a lot about them, but that doesn't mean I shouldn't search for more information.

Archer Matthews was one of the youngest CEO Matthews' publications ever had. His grandfather started the publishing house which he passed it down to his son, Oliver Matthews.

Oliver Matthews kept it floating, even though there were many losses for the house and the company almost closed when he was running it, he managed to keep it going.

He then handed it down to his son, Archer Matthews. He was just thirty years old, and youngest CEO Matthews' publications ever had. He took over when he was twenty four and the developments he did in the past six years, was spectacular. It is now one of the most prestigious publication houses in the country. It featured the first books of many of the now famous writers.

Seems like Archer Matthews was proud of his work too; the article featured him saying how he was the top most successful men in the country; he was the most eligible bachelor and he had connections with many other successful companies in the country.

There was a picture of him in the article; he was with a read head; who has her arms wrapped around him as they smiled at the picture. They seemed intimate, she was probably his girlfriend.

I have to agree, Archer Matthews was hot. He had dark brown hair, which was long enough to run your fingers through. And it was curly. His sharp cheekbone was probably my most favourite feature in his face, along with his eyes which were the palest of blue.

Working under him is going to be a challenge, especially if what the internet says about him is true. He was what they call a womanizer. He was apparently very charming; but he changes women faster than you change clothes.

I sighed and closed my phone and put it away. I cannot judge someone from what the internet shows.

I cleaned myself fast before my skin wrinkles and got out of the bath. I quickly dressed myself in a large tee shirt that did not belong to Rick and a pair of shorts.

I dialled my sister Jenna, wanting to know why she wanted to talk to me so badly.

"Lilly" she breathed, picking up the call on first ring "How are you doing?"

"I'm fine Jenna. I'm just tired of you guys checking in on me all the time. I'm a big girl, I can handle a divorce" I told her. She already called me thrice in the past two weeks and it really was tiring me out.

"So what's up?" I asked her, not wanting to keep the previous conversation going on.

"I did something terrible" she whispered. "Can we meet? I don't want to say this over phone"

Dread settled in my stomach. What did she do? It was going to eat me alive till she tells me.

"Sure, when are you free?" I asked her. My sister was six years younger than me, and she graduated college last month. She is having fun living the luxurious life until she was going to find a job. I have no idea when that will be.

"Sometime this Friday?" she asked me. I was fine with Friday, I had nothing to do.

"Sure. See you then"

"Bye" She hung up the call.

I tried to sleep that night, but all I did was toss and turn in bed trying to find a comfortable spot to sleep in.

I was dreading about Wednesday. I didn't want to see Rick. I was not ready.

Wednesday came too soon. I was dressed in a black dress which was formal enough to go to the court. I am not sure what is going to happen there. I had to visit by ten and I was there a bit early.

All the feelings rushed when I saw Rick. He was dressed in a suit, as he did everyday for work. He looked handsome as ever. At least one of us is happy about the divorce

The process was fast. I got out before lunch as Lilly Adler again. I no longer had to go with his last name anymore.

I didn't waste a second lingering around. I didn't want to see or talk to him any longer.

That evening I got a reply from Archer's assistant, Denise. She emailed me the details of the job I had to do and that I was more than welcome to start this Monday; which left me with four days to pack and move from the place I lived all my life.

My parents were a bit sad when I broke them the news, but dad's face lightened up when I mentioned the Matthews' name.

"Oliver is a good friend of mine" dad told me, referring to Archer's father. I wasn't even surprised dad was friends with the man. "I'll pull in the favor he owes me and I'll arrange a place for you to live in the city and someone to be there with you"

I didn't argue with my dad because I didn't want to be alone in a new place. And I also didn't want to go through all the available apartments and get one on lease. I'm not sure I can do that in four days time.

I was now ready to start a new life and I sure hope it's going to bring me happiness.

~*~

10.05.20