Chapter 1

At the centre of the Blue and Rain hotel, a shy, 5,6 inch man stood, dressed in black over black suit, with his hands loosely folded behind his back. He had kept that position in the last ten minutes, waiting for the most important guest of the day.

The man in black was none other than Mark Gustave, the most despicable son-in-law of the Carter family, who was assigned a task.

He had his adrenaline pumping with deep pressure when his father-in-law had asked him to join him in his office through a phone call which lasted only a few seconds.

The young man had done nothing wrong apart from welcoming the richest family at the hotel login.

“Father, you requested my presence,” With his voice trailing off, Mark made sure to bow before his in-law. His hands were straight, his head focused like someone who was before an officer.

“Who gave you the audacity to welcome Mr Woodward and his son? Do you think you were up to the task?” He finally raised his head, leaving his everly scattered files on his desk and said deep into Mark’s soul.

“Father…” His words got suspended in the air,

“Enough young man,” He yelled, “I see you couldn’t complete the simple task assigned to you. Go home, when I’ll be ready to face your annoying face, I’ll let you know.” When he was done with his speech, the young man dashed out of the office as if he had been waiting for that statement.

Out of the hotel, he reached the bus stop where he checked himself and later discovered he had no penny with him. He had spent his last dollar on getting Hailey some muffins.

“I’m just gonna keep walking till I reach home, I have no money, but I’m glad I was able to get this for Hailey. I’m sure she’s gonna love them.” He shook his head and sped off.

Reaching the house, he was soaked in sweat but that was the least of his problems. All he wanted was to meet his wife at home so he presented the gift he had for her.

He got into the big mansion and could spot her red Mercedes-Benz packed by the corner. A smile showed up on his face but it quickly vanished away when another black Lincoln was packed to it. After a moment of observation, he brushed off the idea and started walking to the door.

As soon as he stepped into the majestic living room, a sharp voice echoed from upstairs. It quickly caught his attention, but what had him wondering was when Hailey’s headscarf and pink crop top laid on the floor.

“Damn, my wife’s clothes have never littered around…” He had not finished talking when another voice echoed. This time around, the voice was husky and deep, belonging to a man.

“Have got to go see what is happening there.” Holding the box of muffins tight to his hand, he quickened in his steps.

The more he approached, the more the voices echoed. Each step he took left a resounding rise in his blood pressure. If he was right, there was something not normal going on in his room.

Just as he expected, he met his wife and an unknown figure on their bed. The young man was basically pumping in and out of her.

“What’s going on here?” The words escaped his lips without him knowing.

Hailey gasped, covering herself with the duvet. Her jaws dropped and her face displayed emotions that left her feeling exposed and embarrassed.

“Hailey, I just asked a question. What’s this man doing in our room? His voice was harsh and loud, waiting for a response.

The man got down from the bed and wore his shirt. He then cleared his throat, calling Mark’s attention.

“Hailey, what’s this piece of trash doing here? Is he the godDamn ass you are married to?” Dave Woodward asked in annoyance, his forehead creasing.

“Hum,” Mark let out a faint smile before straightening his face. “Who is this one talking to? Do you realise that you are addressing Hailey’s husband?” With bitterness dominating his countenance, he stepped forward for a fight.

“Enough,” Hailey’s voice called their attention. “What are you doing here, Mark? I thought you were supposed to be at work? Does my father know you are here?” She asked, as if she didn’t care about what he just saw.

Mark’s jaws dropped when his wife made that statement , “Is that the only thing you can say after all that I just witnessed?”

“Of course, I have to protect my family’s integrity. Do you know how many years it took us to build a reputation? You were assigned a job, and you are only supposed to come home when the task is completed.”

“As for this,” She air-coated, “What were you expecting? That I’ll stay loyal to a broke damn ass like you?”

Shock, devastation and disappointment were an understatement compared to all that he resented at this moment. He had given his all for this marriage to work, but it seems like as the days went by, it was becoming impossible for them to arrange things.

“What’s that you have in hand?” Hailey questioned as soon as she spotted a black plastic in his hands.

He looked at his hands and right there he remembered that he was home most specifically for the surprise. “I brought this for you, I had in mind to surprise you,” He said, his voice trailing off.

“You couldn’t even put it in a clean package, is that how you surprise the daughter of an Influential businessman? You are quite a joker!” Dave chirped in, not withholding himself from smirking.

His few words left Mark in a bitter situation. His eyes became red like that of someone who had inhaled cocaine. The worst part of it was that his father-in-law had sent him home because of his family. Little did he know that he was again going to have an encounter with him.

“You are the one who is supposed to be ashamed of yourself. For having an affair with a married lady. Don’t you feel you tarnish your reputation? The one you are trying so hard to brag about?”

“I can recall your face now, you should be the guy at the hotel login. The nasty dude who dared laid his filthy hands on my luggage. I see that you want to drag my woman with me.”

“There’ll be no need for that Dave.” Hailey said from his back. “I already prepared our divorce papers. There will be no need for us to drag things. Mark and I are going to divorce this minute.” She brought out a file, where she ran her signature in between the lines and handed over the file to Mark.

“My lawyers prepared them this morning. After signing the papers, make sure to liberate my house.” Hailey said with an authoritative tone, leaving no room for her husband to contradict her.

“But…” He started panicking. Goosebumps were felt all over his body when Hailey interrupted him.

“But what? Don’t you see that this marriage isn’t working? Do you think I’m happy to be called the wife of an usher?”

“I know you aren’t happy, please give me some time, I promise that I’m gonna get a decent job.” Mark explained, his voice growing softer.

“Hahaha,” She clasped her hands while letting out a loud laugh. It's been three years already and you haven’t done anything about it. Well, it’s no longer important, as you can see, have got a new man who will take care of all my needs.” She wrapped her hands over Dave’s neck and said.

“But you can’t throw me out of the house. Your dad gave us this house as our marriage gift.” He said, with a very upset facial expression.

“I’m glad you said my father, and not yours. It means the house belongs to me and I can kick you out anytime I feel to.” She mentioned it clearly.