Chapter 52: Night Out

Chapter 52: Night Out "Is this necessary?" Athena asked Gianna as she spritzed perfume on her wrists and dabbing it around her neck. She looked stunning in a short red gown that made her legs seem to stretch on forever—definitely a weapon fashioned against men tonight. "Is what necessary?" Gianna bent to slide her feet inside her red open-toe heel. "The night out. The dress... especially the dress..." A pause. "I look like..." Athena gestured to her outfit, glancing at her reflection in the full-length mirror. "You look like a beautiful woman ready to have a blast at a club tonight!" Gianna replied, admiring the view. "It’s the weekend after all, and if you end up with a hangover, guess what? Tomorrow isn’t a work day!" Athena scoffed. Gianna had no idea what her work entailed. It wasn’t like her jewelry gig, where you could take a breather between days. In her line of work, anything could happen! Howbeit, she kept that to herself, intermittently adjusting the gown that stopped just above her thighs. Worse, it even had a slit. Athena sighed. How was she supposed to sit down? Wouldn’t people think she was desperate for a man? "Stop overthinking it, Athena! Just relax and have fun. You’ve never let people’s opinions get to you before, so don’t start now!" Athena grimaced, watching her excited friend make finishing touches on her makeup. They haven’t gotten to the club yet, and the latter was already hyperactive. Did she clutch a new deal? Athena sighed, letting the matter go. "What about the kids? It’s weird leaving them alone at home, just to have fun. Work is understandable, but a night out? Don’t you think it’s too much. What if there’s an emergency?" "Athena, you worry a lot! The children have been tucked into bed, and I’m sure they’d understand their mom needing a little fun now and then. You need a break, especially after the rollercoaster of a week you’ve had," Gianna winked at her. Athena snorted. Rollercoaster week? That was an understatement! It had been a series of chaos, from one ruckus after another; the worst been the one that had just happened hours earlier. According to Gianna, even though a few devils were trying to negate her truth online and tarnish her reputation, her slate was cleaner than ever. Zack had tried to smear her name, but it spectacularly backfired! Still, her mind was elsewhere—on the text Ewan had sent her a few hours ago. "Hi Athena. I’m truly sorry for the trouble I seem to cause at every turn since your return. About today’s events, don’t worry about me. Just take care of yourself; it’s your truth too, and that’s okay. But there’s one thing I need to clarify... I never cheated on you during our marriage, not even in my mind. I never slept with Fiona, and I still haven’t. I also didn’t know you were unaware of the contract. I’m not hoping it would change anything, but I thought I’d put it out there, since truths are floating around now. I’m sorry, Athena. I’m truly sorry." Athena could recite that text by heart at this point. But how could she believe it? Thoughts raced through her mind, recalling countless moments where Ewan had chosen Fiona over her, how they had stood together against her. How could he say they hadn’t been intimate? "Gianna, can I ask you something?" She turned to face her friend, smiling as she took in the full view of Gianna. If she was a weapon tonight, Gianna was the very object of desire, bound to make men rave with selfish need. Looking edible in a silvery short gown, with the same design as hers, Athena knew they would be the center of attention in whatever club they entered tonight. "Go ahead. What’s on your mind?" Gianna queried, picking her sling bag. "Do you think Ewan was unfaithful during our marriage? Do you think he slept with Fiona?" Gianna furrowed her brow. "Where is this coming from?" Athena shrugged, collecting her purse from the dresser. "Nowhere. Just curious. Since the reveal this evening, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking." Gianna grunted. "I can understand that..." "So..." Athena prompted when Gianna’s pause dragged on longer than she’d hoped. Gianna sighed. "Personally, I don’t think he was unfaithful in the traditional sense. Sure, he was unfaithful in the way he didn’t treat you right, but I don’t think he slept with Fiona then. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if he hasn’t slept with her yet..." "And why do you think so?" Athena tried to keep her face neutral while her mind went on an overdrive. "Well, he doesn’t have that look in his eyes—the look of deep, burning love—whenever she is around. If I dare say, he tolerated her whims out of a sense of duty. You know Alfonso raised him as a teenager, right?" Athena blinked. "Wait, what? I didn’t know that." "Yep. His parents died mysteriously when he was around sixteen, forcing him to grow up fast and take over the family company..." Wow. A double whammy for Ewan. It made sense why he tolerated Alfonso and Fiona, especially if he believed Fiona had saved him at some point. "So, you don’t think he loves Fiona?" "No. I think he keeps her around out of obligation." A pause. "Does this change anything?" Athena shook her head. "No, it doesn’t." "Good! Enough of the boring talk, girlfriend. Are you ready to move?" Athena chuckled lightly as Gianna entwined their hands together. "Yes, I’m ready. Let’s go have some fun!" As they stepped out, the night was young and full of possibilities. Aiden, who was their designated driver, kept darting glances at them, as he drove them to the address Gianna had given him. "Are you sure about this, Athena?" "Oh, cool off... old man... all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy..." Athena chuckled at the old line. Maybe Gianna was right. Maybe she needed this; a scene where the only thing she needed to worry about was how many drinks it would take before Gianna started dancing on the tables. Who knew, maybe a little chaos was exactly what they both needed to cool off! And if Ewan thought a text could erase the years of doubt... Well, she’d show him just how wrong he was.