Chapter 35

Alexander gripped the cup so hard his knuckles turned white. He let out an obnoxious growl and slammed the cup on the 8.2 Million dollars Flat screen TV, shattering it into a hundred pieces like my heart. Coffee spattered the television in a Pollock-esque pattern and ran toward the floor.
      Jeremy swiped his hand down his tired face and threw his empty wine glass at the window, giving it a matching taste.
       Those were the last things I was forced to see before leaving the house for the park. The Smiths family had a temperament issue. Diana and I sauntered around High Park. It was getting colder and darker and leaves falling from the trees. I and Diana admired the dry dead leaves crunching beneath our feet as we walked side by side. She giggled at the cloud that appeared when she breathed out.
       The High Park was swarming with vibrant blossoms and plants that were both ravishing and fragrant.
       As we walked towards the playground, the shouting of kids and the voices of people filled the air. Taking a seat close to an elderly lady, I observed her kids glide down the slides-laughing and pointing in unison. One of them ran up to her, took his water bottle and drank a lot of water then waved at me before joining his sister.
       Diana excused herself immediately. I'm guessing she wasn't a fan of kids. She walked through the Eastern Ravine, admiring the ponds.
She found consolation in the serene magnificence of the park, a welcome redemption from her failed attempt to woo my husband.
       Gazing at the swings, the lady sitting by my side, snapped her fingers. When she was convinced she had gotten my attention, she asked, "If you want I can push you."
       "Thanks, ma'am. I'm not a fan of taking risks." What exactly do kids and adults enjoy on swings? I could never even dream about being on one of those. The fear of being swung away gripped me every time I stared at it. "Your kids." Nodding in excitement, my eyes drew hers to the kids. "They are cute. The boy looks so much like you. I'm assuming the girl takes after her dad."
       She hesitated for a while before saying, "You're the first person to say that. My mum used to tell me that Ted takes after his dad. She's always wanted the female child to look like her after all."
       I wonder what Liam and my child would look like. No, Hannah. Pregnancy comes after. Don't lose focus. We chatted for some time-laughing, watching the kids, and talking about our respective spouses. It was finally ameliorating to meet someone who I could connect with. The only ladies I got to see every day were Mrs. Smith, Nanny Mai, and Diana. I already established how impossible it was to have a conversation about Liam with his mum, Nanny Mai wasn't married but she could still give good advice, Diana was off-limits. What exactly could I discuss with someone desperately trying to take my husband?
       The lady winced as she remembered something. She got up, stretched her legs then called out to her kids. "I wish that I could stay longer but I have to leave. I need to drop the kids at their Grandma's place and then go to the office."
      Great. Why did she have to remind me of New Generation Restaurant? I balled my eyes, focusing my gaze on her little girl. "Too bad. I was just starting to get comfortable with you. I don't even stay around here. I guess this is goodbye." A frown crossed my face.
       Seeing my reaction, the lady said, "You can come over to my workplace. It's going to be fun. We don't have much to do today. It's a free day."
      Yay! "For real?" Jumping to my feet, the question flew out of my mouth, remembering Liam and how he instructed that we returned immediately after visiting the Park. "How long will it take?"
      "It's an hour's drive from here."
      What's the worst that could happen? I'm not a robot. Plus, his friends are there. I don't have anyone aside Diana." Just as her name clouded my mind, she stepped forward, walking slowly until she got to where we stood.
      The lady gasped. Her jaw hung slack and her eyes widened. "Ma'am Diana? Oh my! You didn't tell me that you knew Ma'am Diana."
       Ma'am Diana? Is there anyone that doesn't know this girl? I slurp the last coffee in my coffee cup. "How would I have known that you guys have met? Diana,"
      "Oh please. Call me, Diana outside work. I hear a lot of that at the Office." She demonstrated. Diana gazed down at the ring on the lady's finger. "You're back together?"
      "Love is crazy." Their laughter filled the air, overshadowing the giggling of the kids.
      "I'm so sorry." Diana prostrated. "Where are my manners? Hannah, meet Mrs. Emily one of our Accountants, and Mrs. Emily, meet Hannah. The wife of our President. Liam Smith."
      This means that I'm going to New Generation Restaurant! I didn't even put in any effort and everything's working in my favor. This is just splendid. "About that work thing." I felt ecstatic that I almost embrace Diana. "Let's go. It's not like we have something important we are doing here. Diana,"
       "I don't know, guys. Let me talk to Liam first. He's not going to like this." She pulled out her phone and ambled to the side.
      Just as she was about to make that ludicrous call, I grabbed the phone and raised my hand, watching her try to snatch the phone. "Give up. I'm taller than you." That didn't come out right but it was the only sarcastic comeback I could think of at that moment. "It's just for five minutes. I won't even go to his office or the kitchens. I'm sorry about everything I said back in Max's house."
       "Do you just say whatever you think?" She panted, clutching her chest with both hands. Her eyes narrowed before taking a sit on my chair. "I was really offended. I've been trying to make you see that I've changed but you don't believe it. You embarrassed me in front of Liam's friends and family."
       Look who's talking. Has she forgotten all the times I got embarrassed because of her? Hannah, play along. I breathed. You've got this. She needs an apology and you need to go to New Generation. Dropping her phone in between her legs, I said softly, hoping she wouldn't hear. "I'm sorry. I got upset with the way his friends spoke to me and I said some awful things. But you're at fault also. Why did you prepare food when you knew I was going to cook? Do you realize how difficult it's been on me? Not every wife would be able to put up with seeing their husband's ex-girlfriend in their home."
       "I'll go wait in the car." Mrs. Emily picked up her handbag, called out to her kids, and walked away briskly towards the car.
       "If you want then I would leave. I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable."
       You've been making me feel inelegant from the onset. I don't believe she's changed. People don't just change like that.
      I looked uncertain, then smiled and leaned forward to remove the hair from her face. "If you want to leave then you can discuss that with Liam. I'm in no position to tell you what to do."
      The look on her face, scared the little kids joggling around us. They observed her in fear. One of them screamed out to his mum and ran away.
      As I patted her on the shoulder, she got up, tilted her head in the kid's direction, and winked. "Sure. I'll do that. Let's go to the office but please make sure we get back before Liam finds out."
      "Whatever. I'm not a little kid that needs to be told what to do." We walked opposite sides, no one said a word until we got to the car.
      The lady unlocked the backseat for us. After she had entered, I climbed in and shut the door. Mrs. Emily observed us through the mirror, shaking her head in amusement, she swirled the car around and drove at top speed. "You guys would make good friends. I don't know what's going on but I'm confident it has something to do with Liam."
       This lady please just keep driving. I don't have anything else to say to anyone. I can't believe I'm in the same car as Diana and her friend. "Emily,"
      "Sure." She rolled down her window and greeted the Inspector. After their lengthy conversation, Emily drove away quietly. Her kids played around in the car. The boy turned to talk to Diana. For the first time, I witnessed her play and make jokes with a kid. I had never seen that side of her even with Liam's late sister.
       "You are a great child." She stroked his chin. "Work hard and make mum proud. The world is a crazy place and you don't want to be an additional burden on your mum."
      Shaking his head in agreement, he poked his little sister and continued in their drama.
      All the time, I had my eyes fixed on her. "Where did you hear that from?"
      Diana shook her head in confusion.
      "That. The world is a crazy place and you don't want to be an additional burden on your mum. Who told you that?"
       "Come on, Hannah." She chuckled. "It's something everyone says to a child. Why? Did I do something wrong again?"
       Every day you keep behaving and talking like Lisa. If it's a coincidence then it's too much. What's going on? Could Diana be....no it can't?
      Mrs. Emily drove into the compound of a very tall building. As if words had gotten out, cameras were rolling, and reporters and Journalists stood outside the building, poking their mics at some men dressed in black. "What's going on?"
      "I have no idea."
      The reporters somehow found out that I was coming. They came with their cars, TV cameras, and notebooks-shouting questions every time someone came outside of the restaurant. Mrs. Emily and Diana examined through the window while the little girl raised her head, staring at the guy in front of the windshield. 
       "How did they find out that I'm coming?"
      "Maybe they ain't here for you." Diana guaranteed with her conspicuous fake smile. She got down from the car, holding out her hand for me to do the same. "It's fine. You don't even have make-up on. No one can tell it's you."
       This is bizarre. Mrs. Emily alighted the car with her kids. I reasoned if she had already forgotten that she was to drop her children at their Grandma's place. Well, who cared? I already had tons of problems.
       When some reporters I identified from our wedding night, sighted Diana, they ran up to her, poking their heads in the car to see who was inside.
       "And she said I wouldn't be noticed," I grumbled. "There's nothing to see here. Please don't take pictures. I am phobic of pictures."
       "Phobic of pictures?" Diana's raised an eyebrow. Even the little children were staring at me in amusement. I wonder what they could have been thinking. Maybe they thought this Auntie was illiterate.
      Get down, Hannah. You're already here. I can't believe I told the driver to take our car home. If only I hadn't done that, I would have vanished a long time ago. My legs descended the car first, surveying the environment, my head accompanied the rest of my body out of the car, and then closed the door. "No questions please."
       "Mrs. Smith, does this mean you'll be working at New Generation Restaurant along with your husband?"
       "You know that this is a land mine you're walking on, right?" Another reporter yelled from the back. She fought her way to the front as we were escorted into the building.
       Land mine? Even the world knows about this restaurant and I don't. After we had entered the lavishing Restaurant, the door locked automatically. "Diana," Whispering her name in astonishment, my cheeks turned red. "Is this a hotel?"
       "Welcome to New Generation Restaurant. The world's best...Oh my God."
       "What." Pushing her slightly to get her attention, I moved my head in every direction to know what caught her attention. "Is Liam here?"
       "Not really. By the way, thank God he ain't here or we're screwed. Hey," She stopped the waiter that was about to walk past us. "I thought Liam said today is a day off."
       The young girl adjusted her mini gown and replied respectfully, "Yes, Ma'am. But as we were partying, Drake and DJ Khaled walked in. We couldn't turn them back. Plus, they didn't order something we didn't have. It's the usual."
      "Sure. Serve them well. They are not just prominent but our good customers." 
       After she left, I pointed, "Drake is here? And DJ Khaled?"
       "Yeah. It is one of the most recognized Restaurants worldwide. We usually get famous visitors every weekend. It's a normal thing."
       Normal thing my foot. I had never seen Drake in my life and that day I was standing in the same room as him and DJ Khaled! It was a dream I never wanted to wake up from. But that was the bleakest thing about dreams, they didn't last long. The waiter from earlier turned on the TV at Drake's request and the first image those assholes decided to show was the one taken while entering the restaurant. How did they do it so fast? "Diana, we need to..." My phone vibrated in my purse. I pulled it out with trembling hands and stared motionlessly at the screen.
       "Who's that." Mrs. Emily asked curiously. "Is it from your parents? But you didn't do anything wrong."
       "Hannah, what's wrong? Who's the call from?" Diana's eyes bored into mine.
       "Mr. Liam Smith."
       "We are screwed. I knew I shouldn't have brought you along. I'm going to lose my job."
       Mrs. Emily agreed to everything she said. "I have two children. I can't be jobless. America isn't smiling."
      "What would you do, Hannah?"
       What would I do?