Chapter 73: The Night that changed everything
Chapter 73
A month ago before the vacation. Federal City.
Amanda sat alone in the dim corner of the bar, the low hum of conversations and clinking glasses fading into the background.
Her face scanned around the bar to see some people humping each other at the corner, even a couple in front of her table were currently tongue-fucking each other’s mouths.
Amanda dropped her eyes down, staring at her phone with no messages or calls from the person she called husband — he didn’t even check on her or ask why she wasn’t back yet. Yet he doesn’t. Another daily reminder for her again.
Her fingers anxiously traced the rim of her drink, a pit growing in her stomach which she wanted to and tried to ignore.
She took a gulp, slamming the empty glass on the table before raising her hand to get another refill. The loneliness felt suffocating — choking her, her beautiful face marred with sadness, which was quite different from her arrogant crafted façade. She had been married to Aaron for four years and some months — running and pinning after him, yet she only met with cold and indifference. Every single moment.
It was like there was no ounce of emotion in him. He did his role to show the media they were okay with living in the same condo yet different rooms, kitchen, living room — literally neighbors. And took time every Saturday evening to take her to dinner where any paparazzi could take pictures if they wanted. Then after an hour of her oversharing and eating, Aaron would check his wristwatch — and exactly an hour later, they would drive home.
The routine had been the same for the last four years and that was why Amanda whined to Brenda after promising herself not to complain anymore. She’d call Brenda, maybe even deceiving her.
And that made Brenda plan the impromptu vacation for both of them.
The music in the background did nothing to ease the hole in her heart as she asked the lady that wanted to refill her glass if there was any drink stronger than the first one.