TRASH HUSBAND TO TRILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND

Chapter seven: Show off

Meanwhile in  another restaurant which was no different from Velvet Ember where crystal chandeliers flaunt rainbow over patrons and expensive dishes, Hannah and three of her friends sat around a table nestled with expensive desserts and wines. Each of them wore designer outfits that seemed to compete for the costliest.

 Amara, dressed in the latest Fendi gown leaned forward, an intricate silver strap watch with authentic sapphire crystal as the centre piece catching the light on her wrist. She wriggled her hand as she flaunted it.

 "Ladies. Guess who gave me the latest Sapphire Crystal watch for my birthday gift. Custom label. $1 million dollars. Imported from Geneva." She said with flourish that overrated designer watch. She paused for effect that came with impressive nods from people accustomed with wealth. "Mr. Johnson. Chairman of X Enterprise. My new man. He's spoiling me."

 "I'm happy for you, Amara." Lizzy said. She was dressed in a silk burgundy gown embroidered with diamond stone round the neck curve that probably cost more than some people's net worth. 

 Her smile was a crystalline thing. "Tech mogul proposed to me last night." She fanned herself with her palm as though heating up from the romance of everything. The table let out a controlled gasp. She stretched out her fingers, a diamond ring caught the light and threw it across their faces.

 Amara clasped palm over her mouth in excitement. "Aww.. congratulations babe."

 "I'm so happy for you, Lizzy." Rosalie crooned.

 "Congratulations, Lizzy." Hannah responded quieter without much interest, swirling flute glass of brandy and sipping it down while controlling anger churning inside her from the morning exchange with Benjamin.

 "That's not all, ladies." Lizzy shifted slightly on her seat, swirling a key in her finger. "He gifted me the latest Genesis GV80 coupe. He said it was just a token. Token of love."

 Gasps!

 "You mean the ride outside belonged to you?" Amara gasped with eyes wide.

 Lizzy nodded casually.

 "You lucky b*tch!" Amara gushed, snatching the car key from her.  "That's one hell of an expensive car." 

 "She deserves it. We all deserve to be spoilt like this by our men." Rosalie said, sipping from her glass before she set it down. "Nothing much happened over the week." She  said casually, swirling her glass of champagne. "My husband secured a $100 million worth contract with the biggest oil industry in China."

 "That's massive, baby."

 "That's a real man." 

 Silence slowly returned to the table. They looked at Hannah who had been quiet all along for her own contribution.

 "Hannah," Lizzy called quietly, setting her glass down. "Do you have something to say?" 

 "How's Benjamin?" Amara chipped in. "You know you really deserve someone who really gets how these things works. Someone who can actually handle your bills."

 "That dude is dragging your star down, babe." Rosalie contributed, shaking her head with her lips twisted in disgust. "He's still into... delivery service?" 

 Hannah's jaw clenched under the table.

 Lizzy snickered with casually, swirling her glass of wine. "Still hunting employment, maybe. Always."

 Hannah tightened her finger on her thigh as their words washed over her.

 "He signed divorce papers." She said, anger restrained in her voice. The words tasted bitter and the table silenced immediately. Benjamin wasn't supposed to be the one to call the shot— She should. The fact that he initiated the divorce before she did was a big blow to her pride.

She was going to sever the marriage. But not soon. 

 "He did what?!" Lizzy's eyes widened in genuine shock.

 "You can't be serious, babe." Amara set her glass down on the table, her expression turning serious. "That trash actually filed for divorce?"

 Hannah nodded stiffly, sipping down champagne that couldn't wash away broken pride.

 "After everything you did for him?!" 

 "He's an ingrate!" 

 "I told you, Hannah." Amara who had divorced three men in a year added. "Men like him are just there to feast on you and walk away when they're full."

 But Hannah knew that wasn't true about Benjamin.

 He'd always handled responsibilities without seeking her help even though his salary was just meager. He was trying. But trying wasn't enough.

Trying means failing.

 "Babe, don't tell me you're granting him divorce settlement." Lizzy leaned forward, her voice hardening.

 "Don't give him a dime." Amara hissed. "I have a friend in Legal. She specializes in complex divorce related issues. One call and that trash will vomit everything he ate from your purse."

 "You deserve a better man, Babe." Lizzy's voice shifted in concern. "Someone who really gets it. A man like Richard Carlson. He is rich, famous, global star. He's everything you need in a man you actually deserve."

 They nodded in agreement.

 Lizzy leaned in.

 "Benjamin. I know men like him. They always come back— He's going to come back begging on his knee for you to accept him back. He's the one going to lose. Cut the tie clean with him now."

 "Good riddance to trash." Rosalie sneered.

 As the conversation was going on, Margaret burst into the restaurant appearing like a woman who'd passed through storm to arrive there. Her make-up smudged, designer gown wrinkled with slit torn beyond limit that suggested madness rather than fashion.

 She stumbled across the room.

The conversation around the table instantly stopped.

 She pulled out the chair under the table and dropped heavily into it. Her chest rose and fell with heavy and shallow breath as anger ate up the remain of her pride. 

 The ladies looked at her, bemused.

 Lizzy turned to her with wide eyes.

 Amara's gaze fixed on her like she'd seen a ghost.

 Hannah's gaze lingered on her in curiosity.

 "Margaret," Lizzy spoke up first, "Did you get into a fight?"

 "Hell I didn't!" Margaret slammed her palm against the table so hard champagne bottles rattled. "It's that trash!"

 "Who?" 

 "Benjamin!"

 "Benjamin???" 

 They Chorused.