Chapter 3

3 By the time I got back from getting my visa, it was late.

Mark called to invite me to a company dinner.

Before I walked in, I heard Mark's voice.

"Hey, don't let Jen drink too much. She can't handle it. If you want to drink, come find me!"

He sounded happy. I peeked through the door and saw him in a black shirt, sleeves rolled up, showing his arms.

The room cheered.

I opened the door, and everyone turned around.

Mark stood up, grabbed my hand, and pulled me through the crowd.

One of the guys said, "We know Mark is obsessed with his wife! We're here to see it!"

I smiled. "He's obsessed with work. I never see him. He got home late last night and left early this morning."

Mark went pale. He felt guilty.

Just then, the waitress came in with the drinks.

She was wearing a tight dress, showing off her curves and long legs.

All the guys were staring.

When she put the drinks on the table, she winked at Mark.

After she left, one of the women said, "Are we turning this place into a strip club?"

One of the guys said, "She's just wearing a dress. Relax."

While they were arguing, Mark went to the bathroom.

A few minutes later, he still wasn't back.

I remembered the waitress's wink and got up and went after him.

As soon as I got to the door, I heard noises coming from the stairwell.

I pushed the door open a crack and saw the waitress pinned against the wall.

"Why are you dressed like that? Trying to turn me on?"

"Do you want to be punished?"

The woman giggled, "Your wife's in the other room. You're going to cheat on her? Aren't you scared?"

"Scared of what? It's just sex. It won't change anything."

I couldn't listen anymore.

I'd known him for years, but he was a stranger now.

I went back to the room, as quietly as I could. Everyone asked about Mark, and I just smiled and shook my head, almost crying.

Mark came back after 15 minutes, looking satisfied.

He reached out to hug me, but I flinched.

"What's wrong, Jen? You don't look good."

"I think I ate something bad. I feel sick."

He was worried about me, so he ended the dinner early.

As we were leaving, his phone rang.

He frowned for a second, then said, "I'll pick you up."

Then he turned to me. "Amy, the new intern. She was having dinner around here. She needs a ride home."

"If you don't want me to, I'll tell her no."

"It's fine." I said.

Mark looked surprised. Then I turned and walked away.

When I got into the car, Amy was already in the back seat, giving me an innocent smile. "I don't like riding in the front."

"Fine. Stay in the back."

Amy was stunned for a second.

I closed my eyes, and then I saw Amy put Mark's hand on her thigh.

Mark frowned, but he didn't take his hand away.

I just laughed.

Years of history, gone in a flash.

Everyone thought Mark loved me. But they didn't know the real him.

Two days later, Mark was going to some fancy party.

First he asked if I wanted to go.

"Everyone brings a date. I'll be lonely without you."

I said I might be busy, and he could bring his secretary.

He looked surprised, then said, "None of them are as good as you."

I smiled, but didn't say anything.

That night, I got another text.

"Wanna know where your husband is?"

She sent me a picture. It was an empty bathroom.

I knew it was the hotel where the party was.

I followed the sound and found the bathroom. As soon as I got to the door, I heard noises that made my skin crawl.

Amy said, "Baby, I thought you didn't like me anymore."

"If you want this to last, don't forget the rules. You're just a fling. If you mess with my wife, I won't be nice!"

Then, there were more noises.

It hurt so bad I couldn't breathe. I couldn't listen anymore. I stumbled away.

When I finally pulled myself together, I went back to the party.

I saw Mark and Amy coming down the hall.

Amy saw me first, and she came over when Mark wasn't looking.

"I sent you those messages. And those pictures of Mark and me."

I looked her up and down. "I know."

She smiled. "You don't know everything. I'm pregnant. It's Mark's."

I froze.

The main reason I quit working was because I wanted a baby.

But it never happened.

Now, his mistress was pregnant.

I forced a laugh. "That's great."

"That's it?" she said, shocked.

"What do you want me to say? Mark and I are getting divorced, as long as you can talk him into it." I took a deep breath. "It's your only chance. If you don't work with me, you're screwed."

Amy was quiet for a while. Then she said, "Okay, I'll help you."