Married to my Ex Husband’s Rival

Amara’s POV

“Amara Cole! Amara the Cole”.

I looked up to see Jemima, my long time friend, confidante and business partner sashay into my office holding a folder. She looked beautiful in her red tailored suit and soft makeup.

She slipped into the chair opposite me and looked at me. I raised my brow and looked at her.

“What is the matter?”

“Nothing. I just wanted you to take a look at this business proposal”, she replied as she pushed the folder she’d come in with towards me on the desk. I took the folder from her and slipped my fingers inside.

A couple of photographs fell out and landed on my desk. I looked down at them and at Jemima. This time she raised a brow and shrugged.

“What’s going on Jemima?”

“Go on, take a look”, she replied, nudging her head in the direction of the photographs.

I picked up the pictures and felt my blood run cold. I picked up another and another one. They were still the same, if not worse.

“Where did you get this?”

“Paparazzi. Saw a couple of them and decided to pay them off to not go viral with those coupled with some threats”.

I looked at the pictures, my husband Nicholas was with a woman I had no knowledge of. They’d both gone for a coffee run maybe which was strange and they were photographed in damning intimate positions.

What was going on?

“Maybe a business partner?”

“Is he always that cozy with business partners?”Jemima asked as she reclined into her chair and looked at me with what resembled pity.

I sighed and shelved the pictures back into the paper, “You didn’t have to print it, you know”.

“Maybe you’d see it better if I did. Nicholas is playing you sweetie. Real hard”.

I looked at her, my mind swirling with thoughts. I remembered the way he’d darted for his phone when it rang earlier this week and when I'd asked, he’d simply replied that he was irritated and didn’t have time to explain.

It had been an investor. I’d checked later and he was right. I know sometimes he made bad decisions but not to go this far.

“Jemima….

She raised a hand, stopping me from speaking, “It’s fine. I have business to attend to”.

“What would you rather have me do?” I asked exasperated.

She’d been dropping hints, soft evidence for weeks now planting doubt in my mind concerning my marriage. At this point I didn't know what exactly she wanted. I was aware she wasn’t fond of Nicholas.

She stood up and headed for the door, then she stopped, her hands still on the handle and she turned back to look at me.

“You know what to do”.

And she left.

I leaned back into my chair and bit on my lower lips. I hated this, I hated being confused.

I picked up my phone and dialed Nicholas’ number. It rang and I stared at our wedding photo that was the caller backdrop.

He didn’t answer, it went to voicemail. I called again, the same thing.

Maybe he was busy, he’d return it later. He knew better than to do anything that would need PR and he loved me.

After I lost my parents, Nicholas had been there for me, helping me establish my own agency and supporting me at my lowest. Although he’d been acting strangely lately because of the stress of closing a very important deal.

I called again, no answer. I stared at the door and I dialed my PA. she answered with one ring.

“Hello Mrs. Cole”.

“Order my husband’s favorite. We’re having dinner tonight”.

“Alright ma’am”.

I ended the call and looked at the folder with a small frown on my face. I’d get exactly what Jemima wanted.

She was my best friend but at this point I didn't know what she wanted.

**********

I was driving home playing melancholic music. The road wasn’t exactly busy today and I was loving every bit of it. Halfway I decided to make a detour to Nicholas’ office. We could go home together from there.

I made to take a turn when i heard a loud screech and unconsciously stepped on my brakes, almost hitting my head on the steering wheel.

I took a deep breath as I came out of my daze. Jesus Christ, what the heck was that? This was why Nicholas had always insisted I got a personal driver but I just wanted to drive.

I stepped out of the car and went around, the driver of the other car, a chauffeur perhaps because he wore a uniform had stepped out with an apologetic look on his face.

“I’m so sorry ma’am. So sorry, I got distracted”.

“You’ve got to be kidding me!” I said, my voice rising, “Do you want to have me killed?”

“No ma’am. Please please. My boss has to get to an important meeting”.

And with what he slipped back into the car and drove off. I caught a glimpse of the man in the back. He was on his phone, didn’t even look up.

I was livid. I got into my car and drove off heading to Nick’s office. I got to the parking lot, drove in rather aggressively and parked. I got out , my face masked with a frown.

The security details walked up to me, “Ms. Cole”.

I held up a hand signalling them to stop. They did.

“Is my husband in?’

He nodded and I walked in, took the elevator to his office suites, brushing off the imaginary dust that had settled on my suit. The elevator pinged and opened and I walked straight into his floor. His executive assistant was seated right outside in her cubicle.

I walked past and she quickly offered me a greeting. The door to Nick’s office was left slightly open. I took in a deep breath, still irritated and offended and pushed open the door.

I stopped right in my tracks, every muscle in my body going still. Somewhere in the back of my throat, I was stifling a scream.