Chapter 42: Chapter 42

Jace sat in his office chair, his eyes were stuck on the laptop whereas his mind wasn't there. He's lost in thought…. Thoughts about his wife. He thinks he's stupid, what's wrong with him? Why's he unnecessarily angry and won't return home? He has been staying in his penthouse and it's so boring.

Unbelievable, it was never like this in the past until Constance came into his life. What has that girl been doing to him?

He hasn't been home for two nights now and he is already missing his wife even though he doesn't want to admit it. He has hardly slept well these past two nights and yet he can't go home.

“F*ck you Jace," he muttered under his breath. Since he trusts his wife, why is he still stopping himself from going home? His men have been digging deep to find out anything about Darren but nothing to find. His life is too private, that guy looks suspicious. He needs to understand his motive to suddenly come into his wife's life.

About the kidnapping, the police haven't given any vital information.

His grandfather called him yesterday to remind him of his birthday. His grandfather wants to speak about other things especially him not being at home for nights but he doesn't want to talk about that, he just cuts the call.

The issue about the money missing in the company's fund has been solved. Those idiots were caught and he dealt with them.

He tried to concentrate on his work but he just couldn't. He will return home tomorrow for his grandfather's birthday party, after that he won't leave again. He will be with his wife, he's done with being unnecessarily angry.

“May I come in." A voice snapped him out from his thoughts. He raised his head to see Shantel, his new business partner—popping her head through the door.

He smiled wearily. “Yeah come in."

Shantel smiled and walked in.

“You look sad, is there a problem?" Shantel asked as she dropped a file on his table. He has been getting along with Shantel and he finds her amazing, especially in terms of business…. She's really good.

“I'm fine." He replied, faking a smile. “Is this the file?"

“Yeah, it contains all the deals." Shantel drops another small file. “This too will help."

“Thank you Shantel," Jace mumbled a reply as his attention was drawn towards the file.

Shantel was studying him as he went through the file.

“He's so handsome," she said in her mind. She's not into music but this man's beauty drew him to her. She lied to him that she's his fan. Well, she's a fan of his look. She will definitely make him hers. That's one of the reasons she took the job of coming into his life through a business partnership. Right now, he looks sad though he's denying it….why don't she use this to her advantage.

“I'm thinking of going to have a few bottles today. Why don't you join me." Her voice came up after a few seconds of silence.

Jace looks up from the file and stares at her. “Thanks but I don't feel like it."

“Oh! Come on. I know something is bothering you. Why don't you drink it off, believe me it will help." Shantel still tries to cajole him. In the end, he accepted. He thinks he actually needs a drink, he just wants to stop thinking about his wife for a while.

After he rounded up, he went with Shantel to a bar which she called her favorite bar.

Shantel was happy that she lured Jace out for a drink, she will take her chances to be in bed with him but unfortunately, Jace is not someone that will get drunk and allow himself to do things against his wish. He called Victor to come pick him up and they drove to his penthouse. Shantel was totally disappointed but she won't give up, she will get what she wants one day and that day is sooner. She will toss that little thing by his side as his wife away and take him, he will belong to her.

…

Constance point of view:

Yesterday night, my husband didn't come once again. It's been three nights already. What's going on, is he not going to come home at all? It hurts me. He was treating me nice some days ago and I thought he finally wanted to accept our marriage but it looks like I was wrong. Or maybe I'm the one at fault, I think I should explain to him that nothing is going on between Darren and I, he's my friend and that's the only relationship I have with him. But how can I tell him if he doesn't want to come home and it's not a discussion to have over the phone.

Today is Saturday and we went shopping as Hannah said, Jocelyn also came with us. I introduced her to Hannah and they both got along immediately. We went to one of the biggest malls in the city. We bought a lot of beautiful dresses and shoes. I thought we were only going to shop for a few dresses and shoes but Jocelyn and Hannah ended up buying almost half of the boutique. They are both funny, what will they do with all these clothes?

They even forced me to buy a lot of clothes, shoes, bags and jewelry like they bought for themselves. “I have lots of these already," I told them but they wouldn't listen.

I believe they are spending recklessly because they both grew up in a wealthy family. Jocelyn's mother is very rich, I saw for myself when I went to their mansion. Hannah's parents are rich too. They don't know how to spend calculatingly like me, who grew up in a poor home.

“What's life if you don't spend recklessly and live it to the fullest." Jocelyn beams.

“Yeah, girl. You are right," Hannah chips in. I can't believe these two. They just met today and they are already acting as if they are twins. In just these few hours, they do the same thing and agree on the same thing. I kinda felt like an odd card, my life is off with theirs. Jocelyn said that I'm old fashioned because of the type of apparels I was choosing.

“This is fashion Constance. Once you wear this dress tomorrow, your husband will fall deeply in love with you," Jocelyn said in excitement as she chose a beautiful red dress for me, topped with some diamonds. Hannah supported what she said.

After the long shopping we went to Hannah's beauty salon to get a pedicure, manicure and other beauty stuff. We got a massage and I felt all my muscles relaxed, I never felt this good. We changed our hairstyle and did other things to make ourselves look good tomorrow. I don't even know why we are doing all these, it's just grandfather's birthday party.

Hannah's beauty salon is so big and beautiful. I love the way she arranged the interior, it's eye- catching. Because it's Hannah's beauty salon, we went to a private room to receive all these services.

I felt pressed so I excused myself to the restroom. After doing my business, I was washing my hands when a tall fair lady with a very bright red lip gloss on her lips walked in. She looks classical and beautiful. I don't know her, so I ignored her and minded my business.

After washing my hands, I was about to leave but she blocked my part with her leg. I looked at her, confused. I thought it was a mistake but she did it intentionally. She wasn't moving even when I looked at her.

“Excuse me, can you please take your leg out of the way," I said politely. I don't want to sound rude to someone I just met.

She smirks and moves her leg away. What's up with her and the creepy smirk. I was able to leave again but her voice stopped me.

“Constance Thompsons, right?"

I turned to look at her but she's not looking at me; she's facing the mirror, applying more lip gloss to her already painted lips. How does she even know my full name, I don't think I've met her in the past.

“Don't mind me." She flipped her long brown hair. “I always get information on people I'm interested in. So that was it, I'm interested in you so I get to know your name. Don't worry, I'm also going to introduce myself to you, we can be friends if you want."

She gives off a smile. I know it's faux.

“My name is Shantel Jones. Friendly reminder…. I'm after your husband and I will surely take him. I found out he's more into a matured lady than a kid like you.

“Bye." She still has the faux smile on her face as she raised her fingers and flicked them a bit when she said bye. She picked her porch and walked away.

What was that? I'm confused. Who the hell is she? She's interested in my husband and will take him from me. What does she mean?

My husband…. Is he meeting with that woman? My heart suddenly stung with pain. Could that be the reason he hasn't come home for three nights. Why am I surprised, isn't that who he is. What was I thinking? That he would change because of me…. So ludicrous.

Just like that, my mood is ruined but I tried to mask it when I returned to Jocelyn and Hannah. I don't want them to find out. I tried my best to keep my happy and smiling face until we drove home. Jocelyn called her driver, who came and picked her up.

…

Today is grandfather's birthday. All the arrangements have been made. We were all getting ready. We already sang a birthday song to grandfather in the morning. He was so happy. Yesterday during our shopping, I and Hannah got a gift for Grandfather. Jocelyn also got hers and she will come with it later in the evening. Grandfather was so happy, I love seeing him happy.

The sunset is drawing close, Hannah got me ready. Looking at myself in the mirror, I look so beautiful…. I couldn't believe I'm the one standing before the mirror.

“Constance!" Jocelyn screamed my name as she happily dashed into my room.

“Your birthday is in three weeks and you didn't tell me about it!

“What! Your birthday is in three weeks Constance. Is that true?" Hannah quickly asked.

“I plan on telling you guys after grandfather's birthday. How did you even know about it, Jocelyn?"

“I saw it in your Facebook profile," she replied.

“Yeah, that's right. I literally forgot that."

“So we have another birthday party to plan for. That calls for another shopping trip!" Jocelyn squeaks.

“That's correct Joce. I can't wait for that day, I will dress her up like a princess doll," Hannah added.

I shook my head, I'm so lucky to have these effervescent people around me. I can't believe they want us to go shopping again after all the things we bought yesterday.

We both went down to the ground floor where the birthday party will take place. Grandfather's guests are already arriving. I saw my husband, his eyes were on me..