Divorce

Chapter 2

Charlie stared at the divorce agreement in disbelief. Even though there was a clear meaning to it, he couldn't help but try to understand the situation.

“Sign the papers, and we're done” Alice's voice interrupted the silence that was swallowing them.

“Why?” were the only words that left Charlie's mouth.

“Isn't it obvious? We're clearly not in the same class” Alice's response was sharp, and immediate.

“What?”

Charlie's greatly dumbfounded by his wife's response because she knew he was poor when they started, but she had still loved him and promised to spend eternity with him.

“Are you listening to yourself right now? Baby, what happened to our promise? We promised to love each other, no matter what happens, are you going to throw all those promises away?”

Alice sighed tiredly.

“Yes, I've thrown them away because being with you isn't beneficial to me. My business needs growth, and I need people of high prestige for that to happen…" Alice looked at Charlie from head to toe and scoffed. “ And clearly, you're not one of them”

“What about our love? Doesn't it…"

“Hey, don't talk about love here” Alice cut him off rudely. “Just sign the papers and leave when you're done”

She collected the file and shoved it in Charlie's hands, then faced the man she came with earlier. “Come on, let's continue from where we stopped”

“Gladly” the man replied, and their lips crashed on each other's.

Charlie stared at his wife as she was deeply kissing another man, his heart twisted in great pain, and he didn't realize tears were already rushing down his face until a few dropped on the file. Alice broke the kiss and turned her head towards him.

“Right, don't forget to shut the door behind you when you leave” then she continued with her make out session.

Feeling disgusted and tired of watching a make out scene between his love and another man, Charlie quickly signed the papers, then rushed out of the house.

★★★

It was a bit breezy in the park, parents were scolding their kids and ordering them to put on cardigans before proceeding to play, while some parents were rushing to take their kids home since it's late already.

But Charlie cared less about the breezy weather, he simply sat on a bench in a corner and let his mind wander back to seven years ago when he had just clocked eighteen years old and his family decided to expel him.

To become the family heir, charlie had to pass the family trial first, so he had to live on his own, trying to make ends meet as a mere poor man who could barely feed himself if not the little money he could raise from doing menial job and the hundred dollars allowance his family could only spare for him.

Being a college student and trying to pull off with the hard time was difficult for Charlie, but with his goal set on his determination, knowing things would turn around for him, then giving up was the last thing that ever crossed his mind, even at his lowest.

Two years later, Charlie was able to start up a small company and, over the years, with his hard work and cleverness, Charlie managed to get the small company to the top ten companies in the city.

He met his wife Alice when he didn't have anything and although her family were against their union from the start because of his poor status, Alice stood by him.

Charlie secretly helped her with the connections he had to skyrocket her company to one of the top hundred companies in the country.

Wandering on the street through the cold night, his mind occupied with many thoughts, he breathed out. He was going to give her the best life now that he was going to become the heir of his family, just when he thought he'd gotten everything he ever prayed for, here he was, becoming a divorcee overnight.

The sound of Charlie's ringtone made him pause, and he checked to see that it was the butler. Even though he wasn't in the mood to talk to anyone as he was still heartbroken, he knew that the butler calling him meant that there was something important he'd want to discuss, so he hesitantly answered the phone.

“Hello,” Charlie said, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Young master, I hope you're well?” the butler asked from the other end, concern lacing his words.

“Yes, why did you call?” he replied, his attempt to sound composed reflecting his inner struggle.

“I wanted to inform you that there will be a party tomorrow night to welcome you back. You will be announced as the heir, so you need to come with your wife tonight,” the butler explained, his voice conveying a mix of formality and anticipation.

Charlie let out a sigh, the heaviness of his heart evident. With a wry smile that held traces of sorrow, he responded.

“I got a divorce today, I don't have a wife anymore,” Charlie replied.

“She divorced you?” the butler asked, surprise evident in his tone. Charlie nodded silently, but then quickly corrected himself when he realized the butler couldn't see him.

“Yes, she did,” he replied, his voice carrying a mix of resignation and sadness.

“I'm sorry to hear that, Master. Will you still be able to attend the party?” the butler inquired, his voice filled with genuine concern.

“Sure, I could use something to distract myself. Attending the party would be beneficial for me,” Charlie responded.

“That's the spirit, young master,” the butler said, his voice full of encouragement. “I'm sure the party will be a great way to celebrate your return and help you move on from the divorce.”

“Thank you,” Charlie said, feeling a little more hopeful. “I appreciate your support through all of this.”

“It's my pleasure, young master,” the butler replied. “I am always here to help you in any way I can. Now, I'll let you prepare for the party. Is there anything else you need?”

Charlie shook his head, even though the butler couldn't see him. “Alright, I will make all the necessary arrangements for the party then,” the butler said. “I'll see you tonight.”

“Thank you,” Charlie said again, ending the call. He sat there for a moment, lost in thought. The divorce was still fresh, and he wasn't sure how to move on from it. But the butler's words had given him a little hope. Maybe this party would be a good start.

As he got up from the bench, Charlie realized that he still had to figure out what to wear to the party. But sadly, he doesn't have new set of clothes to wear, because he's homeless at the moment.

Not having a roof over his head anymore, he decided to spend the night outside in the streets.

As if his day wasn't ruined enough, he couldn't find any cardboards to spread on the cold ground and lay on, so he laid on the dirty and cold ground - hoping morning would come soon.

It was the longest night Charlie has ever experienced, but morning came at last and he couldn't be happier. Dusting off some dirty from his clothes, he decided to do some menial jobs for the last time and go home, back to his family in the evening.

★★★

As Charlie approached the front door, he could hear the music and laughter from inside. The party was in full swing, and he took a deep breath, trying to summon his courage. He reached for the door handle and pulled it open. Before he could step inside, the doorman suddenly appeared, seemingly out of thin air.

“Where's your invitation?" he asked, his gaze fixed on Charlie.

"I don't have an invitation with me," Charlie replied, a note of frustration in his voice.

"You can't enter without an invitation. It's better you go back to where you came from," the doorman replied firmly.

Charlie reached into his pocket, intending to call his butler for assistance, when he heard a familiar voice. It was his ex-wife, accompanied by another man, and to his shock, it was a different person from who had met last night.

Anger surged through him, causing his fists to clench tightly, but he held it in, resisting the temptation to confront them. All these while, he had helped her only to be met with her slutty side.

"What the hell are you doing here, Charlie? Are you following me around now?" Alice asked, her voice laced with frustration.

Charlie scoffed, taken aback by her accusation.

"Follow you around? Why would I do that? Why on earth would I follow you around?" Charlie questioned, his gaze locked onto the man standing beside her. Curiosity got the better of him, and he couldn't resist asking.

"And who is he?" Charlie pointed at the man, his voice tinged with a mixture of curiosity and skepticism.

"He is my business partner. Do you have a problem with that?" Alice retorted defensively, her frustration evident. Charlie let out a chuckle, unable to contain his disbelief.

"And who the hell are you? Wait, are you her ex husband?" The man's words hit Charlie like a ton of bricks. He couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"That's none of your business," he snapped, his face flushed with anger.

"Well, you're certainly protective of her. Does that mean you're still into her?" the man taunted, his tone smug.

"I'm not into her," Charlie said, his voice low and dangerous. "And even if I was, it's none of your damn business. Stay out of my personal life."

"I will if you stay out of hers," the man said, a smirk on.

"I've heard about you, you know," the man continued, his voice growing louder. "You're some loser who couldn't handle a real woman like Alice. She was too much for you, and you couldn't keep up. Is that why she got rid of you?"

Charlie's jaw clenched. He couldn't believe the audacity of this man, speaking to him like that. He had to restrain himself from punching him right then and there.

"I'm warning you," he said, his voice low and threatening. "Back off."

The man laughed, his eyes flashing with anger.

"Or what?" he said, taking a step closer to Charlie. "What are you going to do? Try and fight me? You couldn't even keep your own wife, what makes you think you could win a fight with me?" The man said.

In as much as Charlie wanted to reciprocate, Alice didn't deserve to see him all fisty because of her and he didn't want to embarrass himself either.

Charlie's voice carried a hint of weariness as he spoke, “I don't to make trouble here. You should stop trying to pick a fight with me. I'll take my leave now"

Alice, expecting a more assertive response, felt a tinge of disappointment. Deep down, she hoped that Charlie would stand up for himself and confront her business partner in a fair, mano-a-mano manner.

All she wanted was a man that could exude confidence, strength, and independence whenever the situation called for it.

Unfortunately, Charlie did not fit her idea of a real man.

As Charlie turned to leave, Alice's business partner observed Charlie from head to toe, a mischievous smirk danced across his face.

“Are you here for the position of a waiter?” he asked, his tone filled with a mixture of amusement and superiority. “If that's the case, I might be able to assist you. You see, I have a close relationship with the family hosting tonight's party,” he added, an air of self-importance evident in his voice.