Unpredictable Betrayal : A Sweet of Revenge

“Is all your work done already?”

Early in the morning, Bastian intentionally visited Alex’s workspace because he wanted to deliver an important document for signing. From his eyes, Bastian saw Alex sitting there enjoying coffee and cake on his desk.

Bastian guessed that his friend was once again skipping breakfast at home. Perhaps out of embarrassment from crossing paths with Aurora. Or deliberately avoiding Nicole, who was said to often disturb his peace.

“Lucky that everything’s done,” Alex said, inviting Bastian to sit down. He also offered his friend and colleague some of the cake in front of him.

“No, thanks,” Bastian politely declined. “I already had breakfast at home. Besides, you’re so diligent about having breakfast at the office. Isn’t it provided at home?”

Alex shook his head. He took a sip of his warm coffee first before responding to Bastian’s question. “I deliberately have breakfast at the office.”

“Why? Are you embarrassed to meet Aurora?”

This time, Alex nodded. “That’s one of the reasons.”

“Yet, back when things were harmonious, if you couldn’t have breakfast at home, Aurora would prepare something for you to eat at the office, right? Worse still, instead of eating, you end up having breakfast with Nicole at the office.”

Bastian laughed afterward, deliberately teasing Alex by reminding him of past habits. “No need to remind me,” Alex protested immediately, his face turning annoyed. “Besides, I intentionally have breakfast at the office mostly because I want to avoid Nicole.”

Bastian shook his head at Alex’s increasingly evident odd behavior of distancing himself from Nicole. Whereas before, he seemed utterly infatuated. Almost every day was spent having fun with Nicole.

“Back then, you were exactly like someone who couldn’t live without meeting Nicole. She disappears for a day, and you’d be frantic searching for her. Now, why the avoidance? Besides, it’s already known, you even live together, why distance yourself?”

Alex sighed softly. There were many reasons why he now preferred to avoid her. Besides, Nicole wasn’t as delightful as before.

“I’ve told you before, I’m tired of dealing with Nicole’s overly spoiled and dramatic behavior. I’m tired of dealing with her excessive antics.”

“Just understand,” Bastian defended. “She’s pregnant, after all. Almost everyone acts the same. Trying to get their partner’s attention. Besides, Nicole is pregnant with your child, Alex. Do you really want to be irresponsible after marriage?”

“Who’s being irresponsible? I’ll take responsibility. After the divorce process is over, I’ll marry her. It’s just that-”

“Alright,” Bastian interrupted. “No need for many excuses. Learn to accept her presence and the presence of your unborn child. Like it or not, she’ll be the one supporting and delivering your descendant. Do you want to be enemies and not speak after marriage? Aren’t you tired of having a marriage like that?”

Alex fell silent. Slowly, he absorbed Bastian’s lengthy advice.

“So, you think I should be kind and accept Nicole again?”

Bastian laughed. “Oh God, Alex. Use your own judgment. If I may ask, what’s Nicole’s fault to you? Is she at fault for suddenly getting pregnant? Aren’t you the one who impregnated her? You both did it knowingly. Or perhaps, are you angry because you see Nicole as the cause of your affair with Aurora being exposed?”

Alex wanted to nod. But instead of responding, he remained silent as Bastian seemed to continue his statement.

“No matter how well-hidden it is, when the time comes, it will be revealed. From the beginning of your relationship with Nicole, it means you were ready for all the consequences that would occur.”

Alex sighed deeply. If the common thread of the problems in his marriage were to be traced, he was the most at fault here. It was his fault for being easily tempted.

“You can’t selfishly blame all the faults on Nicole. Even if you only consider your relationship with Nicole as just for fun, from the start, she genuinely loved you. Let’s not lie, from the beginning, Nicole always followed your orders, right?”

Alex carefully considered Bastian’s words. He couldn’t deny that he felt comfortable and confident when he was with Nicole. Otherwise, why would he repeat the same mistake twice by engaging in a forbidden relationship with her?

“Okay…” Alex said after a moment of silence. “I’ll follow your advice to be kind to Nicole for the sake of the baby she’s carrying.”

***

“So, when are you going to tell Mom and Dad about your marital problems?”

In her office, Aurora was engaged in a serious conversation with Asher. During their break time, they chose to chat, discussing Aurora’s marital issues that were likely to be resolved soon.

Since the beginning of her marital problems, Aurora had not once confided in her extended family. Asher was worried that their parents would find out from someone else, which would only make matters worse.

“Don’t let Dad find out from someone else. They might be disappointed.”

Aurora, seated at her desk, nodded briefly. She had been looking for the right time to tell them.

“Maybe soon I’ll tell Mom and Dad. I’m sure they’ll be saddened to hear about this problem.”

“It’s more disappointing when they find out their child is hurt but does nothing about it.”

Aurora laughed bitterly. Asher was bluntly pointing it out. Indeed, she was foolish for not heeding the repeated advice and suggestions Asher had given her.

“I know I’ve made the wrong choices.”

“That’s why now I have to be in control so I won’t make the wrong choices again. That includes choosing a future partner.”

Aurora laughed. Asher was serious in his statement.

“You’re already talking about a new partner even before the divorce is official.”

“I just don’t want you to make the wrong choices again. A lifetime is too long to spend with the wrong person, especially someone as reckless as Alex.”

Asher’s words sounded profound and piercing. Upon reflection, in the past, Aurora had indeed been too impulsive in deciding to get married. Whether it was because she was already fed up and impatient waiting for Alden, who had disappeared, or because she was too easily swayed and agreed to get married even though they hadn’t known each other for long.

In Aurora’s eyes, Alex was the perfect person back then. Many qualities made Aurora feel comfortable, ultimately leading her to choose him.

“If you’re able to endure and love someone so beautifully even when they’re wrong, then what if you’re introduced to the right person?” Asher continued, his words touching Aurora’s heart even more.

“That’s why, if I have to look for a partner again in the future, I won’t make the wrong choice.”

Asher laughed.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

“Sometimes, God deliberately introduces us to the wrong person first before finally introducing us to the right one. But for sure, I always pray that in the future you’ll be given a partner whose love never diminishes from the beginning to the end. Like Alden, for example.”

Wait, what?

Aurora squinted, pulling her face. She wondered why they were initially discussing her parents, but it ended up veering toward Alden. Did Asher intend to matchmake her with her former lover?

“Why are you talking about Alden? How much were you paid to be his campaign manager?”

Asher couldn’t contain his laughter, especially seeing Aurora’s annoyed yet fond expression.

“No need to be paid. It’s clear as day that he’s genuinely in love with you.”

“Oh, come on, don’t act like you know everything.”

Aurora retorted. Was Asher a fortune-teller now, able to discern whether Alden was genuinely in love or just had fleeting feelings?

“Not acting like I know everything. But as a fellow man, I know he’s sincere. Imagine, ever since you got married to that jerk Alex, Alden hasn’t been in a relationship with any other woman. He’s kept his heart locked just for you. How much more faithful can he be?”

Aurora simply nodded along. She was least interested in arguing with Asher. It was a given that she never won. Her brother always had a million rebuttals to counter her arguments.

“Yeah, sure, sure…”

“So, if you do get divorced and plan to marry again, I suggest you just get back with Alden.”

“But there’s no guarantee he’d want that.”

“But you yourself would want to get back with Alden, wouldn’t you?”

Aurora nearly choked. Damn. Why was she being cornered by her brother’s irrelevant questions?

“Okay, enough. Why are we even going there?”

Asher laughed. After a long time, this was the first time he caught his sister off guard.

“Anyway, I hope you’ll tell Mom and Dad soon. If you’re too scared to do it, I’ll help.”

Aurora was about to retort to her brother’s words. However, her sentence was halted as she heard Asher’s phone ringing loudly. Immediately, he hurriedly answered the call.

“Yes, hello? What’s up?”

“I have important news to deliver, Sir.”

“What important news?”

Aurora, seated across from Asher, also became curious. Especially since her brother’s expression invited questions.

“It’s about the man you asked me to investigate yesterday, Sir. We’ve found out his complete identity.”

Asher grinned. He glanced at Aurora and burst into laughter. Was victory already within his grasp?