In a daze, I wander around her impeccable home and note the tasteful furnishings and the way everything is in its place and how much it gleams. I’ve always loved Arabella’s home and now I can look around uninterrupted while I wait for Anthony.
I move from room to room, really taking everything in and salivating over a home I would die to own myself.
I move into Anthony’s study and inhale the intoxicating aroma of leather, wood panelling, and expensive aftershave. I sit in his leather chair and stare at the photographs on his polished desk looking out from their silver frames, of Arabella staring at him seductively. There is one of them on their wedding day and my mouth waters at how attractive Anthony looks. He is probably the sexiest man I have ever met, and the look he is giving her makes my heart flutter. Those eyes promise her a night to remember, and I know only too well what that means. I picture him kissing me all over and doing things to me that I never thought possible. I imagine his unshaven face in the morning as he leans over and kisses me like the demanding lover he is. I picture myself running my hands over his taut, hairy chest, as he nibbles my ear and I feel myself pant as I remind myself of just how good a lover he is.
Moving away, I head upstairs, taking in every smell and detail of this impressive home. I tread on the softest cream carpet as I climb the huge staircase that divides at the top, leading to a galleried landing.
As if on autopilot, I head towards their room and gasp at the romantic four-poster bed draped in ivory silk, with satin sheets and a crystal-encrusted coverlet. The pillows encourage you to lay your head on them and I picture how soft the fabric of the sheets would feel on my naked body as I wait for Anthony to give me the utmost pleasure.
Moving into her dressing room, I delight in the neatly arranged wardrobes filled with every type of garment imaginable. Glittering dresses sit alongside cashmere jumpers and fur coats. Rows upon rows of designer shoes are every woman wet dream and the handbags alone could keep a family in food for a year.
The floor to ceiling ornate mirrors reminds me what an imposter looks like as I stare at myself, looking green with envy. I want this. I want this life, but I no longer want her husband. Anthony does not measure up to Matthew because he is the kindest, most loving man that a woman could ever wish for. He may not be as devastatingly handsome as Anthony and he may not turn me on as much, but the more I learn about each man, the more I lean towards Matthew because he would never treat me the way Anthony is treating Arabella.
As I move into her bathroom, my eyes water at the number of expensive lotions and designer fragrances inside her mirrored cupboards. The fluffy white towels appear brand new and the air smells of expensive scented products that probably cost more than my month’s wages. Then, as I open a drawer to peer inside, I see it. A pregnancy test. Not just one either. Several, in fact. Typical Arabella, who never does anything by half. She has bought out the shop, it seems, which speaks of a desperation I can’t understand. She wants this. She wants a baby so badly she must run to test herself every time she has sex.
With the stick in my hand, I don’t even think about it and do what I should have done weeks ago.
I take the test.
Five minutes seem like four hours and as I wait for the results, I wonder what I will do when it’s confirmed. To be honest, I don’t need clarification because I just know. I’m pregnant with Anthony’s baby, and it’s ironic that I’m finding out for sure in his wife’s bathroom.
As the telltale blue line confirms my worst fears, I hear Anthony’s car pull up in the driveway. As I stare at the line and my world explodes all around me, I note the sound of footsteps heading towards me.
“Venetia, where are you?”
I appear to be struck dumb because all I can do is try to organise the chaotic thoughts in my brain as they crowd to tell me what an idiot I am and as Anthony races into the bathroom and sees me holding the test, I stare at him in shock as he grabs it from my hand and says, “What the fuck? Is this what I think it is?”
I nod and stare at him, my eyes wide, and watch him detonate before my eyes.
“What the fuck? The stupid bitch, she knows I don’t want kids, and she’s gone behind my back and got herself pregnant without me knowing.”
He starts pacing angrily and yells, “I can’t believe it, I told her no. No! You hear me? She couldn’t even give me that. The things I have done for that woman. You can see how much I’ve given her. Look around you, Venetia. Is this the home of a woman who goes without? Pregnant, for Christ’s sake; I could murder her with my bare hands. I’m not ready to be a father and she had better agree to an abortion because I’m putting my foot down.”
I stare at him in shock, as he rants while pacing around the overly large bathroom. Then he stops and turns and the gleam in his eyes makes my blood run cold as he says, “She’s been arrested?”
I nod, too afraid to speak, and he laughs softly. “Then that’s the best place for her. Let the bitch stew in a cell for a few hours and think about what she’s done. Did you say burglary?”
I nod again and he looks thoughtful. “Interesting. In fact, very interesting. I wonder what my devious wife has been up to behind my back? Maybe this is her new job and not the one at the country club.”
Suddenly, his eyes soften and he beckons me over. “Come here.”
I swallow hard and say in a brittle voice, “Why?”
His eyes narrow and I recognise the look. Anthony is so turned on right now, which makes me breathless. I can’t help it and just the sight of him makes my legs weak and my body shakes with need.
He growls, “Come over here and I’ll show you what you’ve been missing. How about it, honey? Have you ever fantasised about us in my marital bed? Have you ever wished you were in her place and imagined us as a couple waking up beside each other every day?”
I whimper as he crosses the room and removes his jacket, holding my eyes with his, as he stares at me with a need that takes my breath away. Right now, I have forgotten everything. I can’t even remember my own name as I’m caught up in his spell. Anthony has me so hooked there’s no use in struggling because at this moment, in this room and in this state of mind, I ditch my principles in a heartbeat and go to him like the whore I am. Yes, Anthony knows exactly how to appeal to the weakest part of me because as I remove my clothes and stand naked before him, I know I’m fucked before he even touches me.