Following Melissaâs directions, she headed to a quiet pub with a band playing soft jazz music.
Upon arrival, Melissa was already there, pulling out a chair for her.
âWhatâs your poison, Alexis?â she asked.
Alexis smoothed her hair, replying casually, âA Margareta, please!â
Besides drinks, Melissa ordered dessert for Alexis.
When she turned back, she spotted Alexis lighting up a cigarette.
Melissaâs jaw dropped.
Normally, Alexis wasnât a smoker but she just couldnât resist lighting one up now.
Taking a drag, Alexis exhaled lazily.
Suddenly, Melissa couldnât fathom how Leonel could betray Alexis for someone like Anika.
Sensing Melissaâs thoughts, Alexis spoke with a faint smile.
âLeonel and I have been hashing out the divorce.
â
Melissa hadnât expected her to be so upfront.
Cutting to the chase, she asked, âMarcus caught wind of the rumors.
Heâs itching to confront Leonel himself, but guys can be impulsive, you know? So⦠is it true? Is Leonel really hooking up with someone else?â
Hearing that, Alexis froze, her hand trembling.
She looked down, puffing on her cigarette, and shrugged.
âIt seems like it!â
Then, after a pause, she added, âWhether heâs pushing me to give in first or heâs genuinely into this woman.
Who knows! Doesnât really matter anyway.
Either way, Iâm done with him,â she said bitterly.
Dealing with him made her sick!
Melissa fell silent for a moment, and then clinked glasses with Alexis.
âMarcus will swing by later.
Letâs make the most of the night !â
A faint smile played on Alexisâ lips.
Despite being a bit buzzed, she decided to keep a clear head.
Her marriage with Leonel was already a mess; best to stay sharp in other areas.
So, she called for a designated driver to take her home after just one drink.
Seated in the car, instead of dialing Leonelâs number, she rang up Noreen.
âNoreen, could you shoot me over Mr.
Douglasâs schedule for the past couple of months?â
She hesitated for a moment before adding, âIf itâs not too much trouble.
â
âAbsolutely, Mrs.
Douglas!â
On the other end, it seemed like Noreen had been anticipating Alexisâ to her call, swiftly agreeing request.
Before long, Leonelâs schedule landed in Alexisâ inbox.
As she scrolled through, she noticed he spent a chunk of his time at social events, often with one certain companion â Anika.
On July third, it was Anika at dinner with him.
And again on the fifth.
And the eighthâ¦
Anika, Anika, Anikaâ¦
Setting down her phone, Alexis pondered.
The driver, whoâd overheard, chimed in eagerly, âThese days, guys lose it the minute they touch a drop of booze⦠Women make one slip-up, they get crucified for it.
Thatâs not right, is it?â
Alexisâ smile was faint but knowing.
Arriving home, she learned Waylen and Rena had dropped by earlier to pick up the kids, and it was actually Leonelâs idea.
The servant mentioned, âMr.
Douglas rang up earlier to make the arrangement.
And Mr.
and Mrs.
Fowlerâs car left about ten minutes ago.
â
Alexis stood there, stunned, placing her briefcase on the sofa.
Then, she headed to the wine cabinet, grabbing a bottle of wine.
Observing, the servant suggested, âLet me whip up some food for you.
We canât have you drinking on an empty stomach.
â
With a faint smile, Alexis replied, âThanks, Nova!â
Nova felt a lump in her throat, on the verge of tears.
She admired Alexis and felt Leonel was a fool for not cherishing her.
Ever since he brought Anika home the other night, Alexis hadnât been herself.
But Nova kept her thoughts to herself.
Half an hour later, Alexis dined solo, pouring herself a glass of red.
Suddenly, the sound of a car engine reached her ears.
She smiled faintly, guessing it was Leonel.
As expected, his familiar footsteps soon echoed from the porchâ¦