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But then, I remember he’s my best friend.
If I asked for space, and he respected my request, I need to trust him and not get caught up in my own insecurities.
But for now, sleep is imminent, and tomorrow is a new day.
* * *
A week later, I officially moved my things out of the house. Benedict is away for work, but I make sure to inform him rather than him come home to my wardrobe being empty. He doesn’t say much because there’s nothing left to say. After the funeral, he buried himself into work, never spending time at home or with Bentley.
He’s constantly on his phone, taking calls or messages in private. But it’s no longer my place to question him, though I suspected he’d gone back to his bachelor ways since he wore only his best suits.
My suspicions were confirmed when he left his phone in the closet while showering, and I happened to walk past when a message went off.
It was a normal instinct to glance at the screen until the nameAnastasiacaught my attention. I didn’t know the pin number to unlock his phone so could only read what was on the screen.
Anastasia:You know I’m a bad girl. Just like our first night when you fucked me while your wife was away.
I was shocked, speechless, but not in the way of a wife hurting because her husband was cheating. The night they first met was at our dinner. I didn’t even know they’d exchanged numbers. This must have happened when I was in LA. Yet it didn’t make sense. What excuse did Andy give to Anastasia of his absence? Surely, if she knew he was in LA, she would have said something to Benedict. Unless, Andy lied which is not out of the question.
But even with this revelation, there was no point questioning Benedict. He’s not so innocent, and the truth is, he probably strayed before. The constant business trips and late nights added up. Our sex life dwindled, which I thought was because of my post-partum body.
Our marriage was a convenience for him. After all, according to Rosemarie, Benedict being single at thirty was a big disappointment to their family. It only really sinks in now just how arranged our marriage was for him.
I only wish Benedict stopped thinking about his dick and his newly found freedom to fuck around, to spend more time with Bentley, especially after voicing his desire to be more of a father. When I spoke to Mom, she suggested he may be grieving, and men do stupid things when they’re not thinking straight.
Nevertheless, Dad and Kate were more than happy for me to stay at the flat. Dad is worried it’s not big enough for Bentley, offering to buy a bigger place. I tell him to calm the hell down. This is temporary until we figure out how it will all work out.
My boxes are strewn all over the living room, and I’ll need to unpack at some point. They keep Bentley entertained as he plays around them with his toy truck, enough, so I can check my email.
A few days ago, I decided to email my resume to some of London’s smaller newspapers and presses. I didn’t expect a response so quickly, but I received an email from a company that promotes lifestyle products for women. They’re pretty well-known with a vast following. If I got the job, I’d be writing articles for the working mom’s sectors. Ironic since I haven’t started working yet, so it feels out of my element.
The interview will be held via video stream because the CEO is currently in Singapore. I made sure to organize the time for when Bentley takes his afternoon nap, not wanting to call Eliza into the city to take care of him for only one hour.
Everything is going according to plan, despite my nerves. But I try to calm myself down when the video connects, and Brooke introduces herself. She’s nice enough and down to earth, considering the position she holds.
She asks routine questions about my previous work, my studies back home, all of which I answer professionally. We converse well and have similar interests, laughing at the same things we both find humorous. By the end of the interview, she offers me the job.
I’m gobsmacked, not sure how to react since interviews rarely result in being offered a job on the spot. Brooke goes over the details, then advises me she’ll get contracts sent over. By the end of the call, I’ve thanked her repeatedly.
Bentley continues to sleep, so I use the opportunity to call my dad. Within the first few rings, he answers the call.
“Hey, Dad!”
“And a hello to you too. Why so chirpy?”
“I have some good news. I got a job!”
“Jessa,” Dad says with a smile in his voice. “I’m so proud of you, sweetheart. Tell me exactly what you’ll be doing?”
I begin to tell him the ins and outs, plus how I’ll manage with Bentley on my own. Of course, Dad worries, offering to fly over if needed to help, but I know he has his own work to do.
“I promise, if I need help, I’ll ask. Okay?”
“I know, I know. I was thinking, though, why don’t I fly over with Kate when you start. So that you can concentrate and not worry about Bentley. It’s only a week, Jessa. Plus, your dear old father misses you.”
“Old?” I snort, then laugh. “Ava sent me a link to some video online in which you and Uncle Lex feature as, let’s just say, eye candy.”
Dad laughs. “Oh, that video.”
