Down In the Dumps

Kelly’s POV I was lying on the bed, naked under the white sheets. I’m watching Pierce intently as he watched me too while caressing my hair with his fingers. He was looking at me with care, with admiration. My heart is fluttering. He’s my best friend but I feel like we can be beyond that. I’m in love with him. So much in love with him that I feel like I would die if I lost him. “Why are you staring at me like that?” I swallowed hard as I felt the discomfort between my legs. I gave myself to him last night. After we got married. “What if I get pregnant?” He doesn't love me the way I love him. He only married me because of his grandparents. His grandmother is sick and our families are friends. We have been arranged to marry ever since we were in high school and I never thought he’d agree to this marriage. He gently caressed my cheek as his eyes softened. “Kels, you know I’m not ready to be a father. I’m not even ready to get married. I just did this because of my grandparents. I know you have the same reason?” I felt my heart breaking apart from what he said. I gave him a smile even when I was breaking inside. He moved closer to me, hugged me, and gently placed a kiss on my forehead. I sucked my breath and squeezed my eyes closed. This is insane! Really insane! Why did I even fall in love with my best friend? “Kels…” “Kelly, wake up…” Someone shook my shoulders. “Kels, come on! Why did you sleep here?” I slowly opened my eyes and lifted my face. I realized I fell asleep on my office table and my neck and back are now sore. “Pierce?” I looked at the man beside me. “You look tired. Have you been working overtime these past few days?” I stared at his face. He’s here. Why is he here? From what I remember he went out with his first love. I felt a pang in my chest because of that thought. “What time is it?” He smiled. “It’s almost 4 PM. I came with someone.” “Someone?” My forehead creased as I roamed my eyes and my mood instantly changed after I saw a familiar woman sitting comfortably on the couch while watching her. There was disgust in her eyes but when Pierce looked her way, she immediately flashed a sweet smile. “I brought Lexi here to talk about our contract with her. She will be our new model.” I looked at Pierce again with a blank face. Bummer! “Come here, Lexi. Kels will talk to you about the contract.” “Contract? She’s supposed to undergo an interview and pass it, Pierce.” He looked at me and scratched his cheek. “About that, Kels. Can we let her pass without it? You know, for old time’s sake.” “You’ll do that to just anyone for old time’s sake?” Pierce’s expression immediately changed. He clenched his jaws and glanced at Lexi while my eyes remained on him, watching his reaction. “I-It’s okay if I have to undergo an interview, Pierce.” Lexi stole my attention because of what she said. I looked at her with a stoic expression on my face. “You must like cutting corners,” I said nonchalantly. “Kels!” Pierce held my arm and looked at Lexi apologetically. I clenched my jaws and looked him in the eyes. “You’re the President, Pierce. You can do whatever you want.” His forehead creased as he slowly shook his head. “What’s our problem, Kels?” “Nothing.” I shook my head and grabbed my bag as I pulled myself up. I pulled my arm back from him and smiled. “Break a leg.” “Kels!” I walked out of my own office with a heavy heart. I kept on clenching my jaws and gritting my teeth. He’s dumb. He’s just handsome but he’s dumb! He dared to bring his first love to talk to me about the damn contract? Studpid and insensitive! “Kelly!” I ignored him and continued walking. The employees around are watching us but I don’t give a damn. I went straight to the elevator and pushed the floor of the basement parking lot. I stared into Pierce’s eyes as the door of the elevator slowly slid closed and he stood in front, staring at my face. I don’t wanna argue with him about Lexi. So I better leave now and let them do what they want. I just can’t accept the fact that Lexi is too shameless to show her face to me after she came back like nothing and started treating my gullible husband like a dog. Luke was already waiting for me in the car when I reached the parking lot. He was puffing a cigarette again but he immediately threw it and stepped on it after he saw me coming. “Drive home,” I said coldly and entered the car. I pressed my lips together and sucked my breath, trying to calm myself down. I shouldn’t be weak. For my baby. “Luke…” “Yes, ma’am?” I looked outside the window. I sucked my breath and shook my head, “Nothing.” When I got home, I immediately cleaned myself up. I took a shower and started cooking dinner for myself. I bet Pierce is already eating with his bitch of a mistress. It’s making me bitter. “KELLY!” I was just about to start eating when I heard Pierce’s angry voice. I lifted my face and looked at him. He rushed to me with an angry face and reddened neck. “What did you do?” My forehead creased. “I cooked.” He pulled his hair and grabbed my shoulders. “You told my father about Lexi! Why did you do that?” “You recklessly go out with your mistress. Now you’re putting the blame on me? News indeed has wings. Fascinating isn’t it?” “Don’t go sarcastic on me, Kelly! You know what I truly feel about her. Why are you doing this to me? All I ask is your understanding, Kels! You don’t have to do this!” I pushed him away angrily. “Why are you taking it out on me? Are you sure that it was me?” “No one will do this except for you, Kelly! Now I know why something was off. You’re angry with me and now you’re dragging our family into this!” I laughed sarcastically and pushed the chair away. It fell on the tiled floor, creating a loud thud but I don’t care. I looked him in the eye as I fought the rage in it. He’s acting like this because of his mistress. He’s unbelievable. “If dumb people could swim, you would be a fish.” “Don’t turn your back on me—” “Oh, I will!” I growled angrily as I glared at him. “I would turn my back on you whenever I want, Pierce but you know what? I can’t. I want to but I can’t! Do you understand that? I badly want to leave you now because you’re treating me like trash. You said I’m important to you. You said I’m one of the people you treasure, but this? Is this how you treat your treasure?” His lips parted as he stared into my eyes. I shook my head with trembling lips. “You know what? If I were to get rid of her, I would go straight to her and smash her face with a freaking silver baseball bat than play like a stupid housewife. You’re barking at the wrong tree, Pierce.”