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  When she walked through his bedroom door she saw that there was a note on the side of his bed that said “Reminder: Don’t forget to send roses to My Cherie Amour.” She smiled and thought about the roses she’d see on her desk tomorrow and couldn’t help but wonder why she deserved such a sweet man. That was all she needed to help her get into the mood and be sexy for this beautiful man of hers.

  She decided to put on her lingerie first so that she could get used to the feeling of it. She’d put on lingerie for Danny before but she never really had to flaunt it because it would be taken off in a matter minutes. Plus, it would usually be taken off in the dark so she had no real reason to feel insecure or worry about what her body looked like. In the dark, all he could feel was her soft skin and not any little stretch marks that were on her body here and there. When she went into the bathroom she decided to take a quick shower and noticed that in the shower there were a couple of female shampoos and conditioners that resided next to his. “I must’ve forgotten to take this home” she thought as she used them to wash her hair. The body scrub that she left at his house was almost finished, but she didn’t remember using that much. “I’m over here more than I thought” she said aloud and chuckled to herself. After completely shaving and making sure that everything was slick and smooth she got out of the shower smelling like a Tahitian beach. Drying herself off, Emma walked to the mirror to take a good look at herself. She had searched on Google, “How to be sexy in lingerie”, and the advice had been to look in the mirror and get comfortable with yourself. Look at your body and know every inch of it and then embrace it. So that’s exactly what she did. She got her IPod’s sound system and placed her IPod on the dock. She went to her sensual playlist and played a song that could make her body sway. As she danced to the music she looked at her nude body in the mirror and began to caress herself. She wanted to know exactly what Danny felt when he touched her. She turned her body around in teasing circles as she looked down at her own body’s movement. When she looked in the mirror again, she saw a different woman. She saw confidence in her own eyes and she knew that this was what feeling sexy was all about. Confidence. Her phone’s alarm went off to mark that it was eight and he would be home in about an hour.

  She rushed to get herself dressed and slipped on her red teddy and got her bag of decorations. Inside of the bag were rose petals, vintage Merlot, candles, and the meal she had her maid pre-season for her. She turned on the stove and oven to get the potatoes and steak ready. She hadn’t cooked for Danny in a while and she was sure he would appreciate it this time. In her teddy, she stood away as the food cooked so that she wouldn’t get burned by any splashes. All of the seasoning made the house smell delicious, but in his bedroom was where she lit the Lavender candles. She wanted there to be a different ambience when he walked through his bedroom door. She placed a trail of rose petals from the door to his bed and placed the petals in a heart on his sheet. It may seem a little cliché but at least he would know she did it from the heart. Walking back into the kitchen after she finished with the bedroom she went into the cabinets and got the plates and utensils so that she could set the table. She couldn’t wait for him to come home and smell one of his favorite meals. The lights were dim so he wouldn’t really expect her to be inside. She began placing the little candles around the doorway leading to the kitchen.

  When the food was ready she lit the candles because in less than ten minutes he would be arriving. She went back to the bathroom to freshen up and spritzed herself with her favorite perfume. She sprayed a little on her arms, a little on her neck and of course a little between her legs. She kept the spray light just in case because she didn’t want him to taste it on her. She took one better look at herself and placed on her heels. She then put out the food on the table and got ready to see Danny’s face as he walked through the door.

  Just as she thought he arrived at the same time he usually does. She walked over to the door as she watched him get his things out of the car and make a quick phone call. He was probably calling her to let her know that he was home as usual. Instead he heard him say “Hi mi Cherie Amour. I just wanted to let you know that I’m home now. I should be coming by to see you later tonight. It might be late” he paused, “Ok. Stay up for me. I can’t wait to see you….” He continued speaking while leaning on his car.

  Emma thought she must’ve been hearing wrong and ran to find her phone in her purse. She checked her texts and missed phone calls and none were from Danny. “Maybe my phone didn’t ring. Maybe it went straight to voicemail” she thought frantically. So Emma dialed her voicemail and placed in her password. “No new messages” was the voicemail’s reply. “This can’t be happening! He meant to call me. He had to. Danny wouldn’t cheat on me” she thought to herself. And just as she thought those words, she felt a gut wrenching truth come to light. She just found out the man that she loved was having an affair. Emma felt the tears come down her eyes and got up. She wanted to be the first person he saw when he opened the door but not like this. She went into his closet to find the robe she usually left and placed it on. She then walked over to the kitchen and heard he was still on the phone. She then poured herself a glass of the Merlot and walked to the living room. She sat in the big couch, the couch that was right across from the doors entrance. She crossed her legs and waited.

  Chapter Four

  Emma had no idea how she was about to handle the situation that was going to unfold. She tried to hold back the tears because she wasn’t sure where her emotions were as of right now. She was more confused than anything and wanted answers. No, she needed answers! Being a mediator, she had learned to like finality and closure. That was exactly what she needed right now. She took another sip of the dry wine and tried to hold her composure as she heard his keys in the door.

  Daniel gasped as he opened the door and saw the candles. He squinted as he looked around and saw his beautiful girlfriend Emma sitting there on the couch. “Hi sweetheart, I almost forgot our date was at my place tonight”, he said softly as he walked over to her. He couldn’t see the tears in her eyes so he gently placed a kiss on her lips. Emma looked up at him and couldn’t believe her eyes or her ears. Was he really acting like he wasn’t just on the phone with another woman? This can’t be happening. Emma couldn’t take it anymore. She hated suspense and she hated not knowing. She hated being left in the dark and there was no way in hell he was going to play her. But she already made the dinner so she decided she was going to address the situation when they were both sitting across from each other.

  Emma played along with Daniel. She got up and took Daniel’s hand in hers and led him to the dining room table nonchalantly. Before she found out everything her plan was to eat dinner in the dim light with just the candles illuminating around them, but not anymore. Emma turned on all of the lights that were in the kitchen and dining room even though she could see without them just fine. Daniel looked at her as she placed the food on their plates and said “Wow babe. This looks delicious. And so do you. If I wasn’t so hungry for food you’d be my meal right now”, he wiggled his eyebrows and laughed seductively. Usually, on a normal day, that would’ve gotten Emma’s panties wet just like that. But tonight there was something different. She felt nauseous as he said those words to her. Those same lips that he used on her he used on someone else. She tasted someone else every time she kissed his lips and she didn’t even know it until now. Those nights when she was up thinking about him, he was probably up rolling around in bed with someone else.

  She couldn’t hold it back anymore and she sat down. “Thank you” she whispered to his compliments, though it was a couple minutes later. As they bit into the food Daniel sighed with pleasure. “This is so damn good. You sure you cooked it?” he laughed and continued to eat. “Yes, I’m sure”, Emma replied tartly. For some reason, Daniel was just on cloud freaking nine that he couldn’t hear the anger in her voice. Daniel just continued eating hungrily and took a sip of the wine. “So, how was your day my dear?” he
asked her as he chewed. Emma couldn’t do it anymore.

  “Let’s cut the bullshit. Who were you talking to on the phone outside? Right before you walked into the door and kissed my lips? The same lips you’ll be using tonight, if I’m not mistaken.” Daniel began to choke on his food and sipped his wine. He avoided eye contact, so Emma sat there patiently and stared at him from across the table. If he wanted to act like a child, she would go right along with it. The candles only magnified the anger that shone in her deep brown eyes. She had to keep it together for now if she wanted to get answers from him. Danny just looked down at his plate and shook his head. When he looked up at her he asked, “You heard that huh?”

  “Yes I heard it. And I want answers now dammit! Who was that? Your mistress? Your whore? Your side girl? Who?!” she asked through gritted teeth.

  Danny just sighed and rubbed his temple and ran his hands down his face.

  “Ok, well I guess you might as well know. Yes. That was the other girl that I’ve been sleeping with. Do I love her? No not yet. But I do love you. It’s just that you’ve been so predictable lately. You don’t give me any space…”

  “I don’t give you any space?! Are you kidding me? We barely see each other. What more space do you need?”

  “I get that, but it’s just the texts in the morning. You’re just too happy sometimes, and I just want someone who is more mysterious. Someone who can be unpredictable and make me chase her. I need more than this. I mean don’t get me wrong” he hesitated,” You’re definitely wife material but it’s just that I want to have more fun. I feel like we’re married already. Plus you wouldn’t even move in with me when I asked you to. Don’t act like I didn’t fight for this relationship.”

  Emma took a couple of deep breaths before responding to Daniel. She couldn’t believe her ears. She didn’t give him enough space? She was predictable? She was boring? All she did was show her love to this man every way that she could yet this is what she received in return? Unfaithfulness?

  “So let me get this straight….” Emma put on her business voice. “You have been cheating on me because I feel too much like a wife and I wouldn’t move in with you because I don’t believe in shacking up before marriage? Oh, let me not forget the fact that I’m too happy and there’s no mystery with me. Am I correct?”

  He nodded slightly but never looked at her, “Yes” he said softly. “I’m sorry you had to find out this way. I’m also sorry it had to end this way Emma.”

  She couldn’t hold back the tears anymore. She was tired of being bitched in front of her face. She wasn’t about to be sweet Emma anymore. That confident woman that she saw in the mirror came right back and she decided it was time to put her into play. “Look at me” she all but growled at Daniel. “I deserve that much.”

  Daniel heard the tone in her voice and looked up skeptically.

  Emma spoke slowly so that he would remember every word so that it would haunt him whenever he was in that bitch’s bed.

  “I would have never hurt you the way you hurt me. I treated you like a freaking king. I cooked for you, checked up on you, took care of you, and would drop everything whenever you needed me. You want to know why I did it? I did it because I loved you. I just wanted to make sure you were happy. But this is what I get in return? It’s too much for you. What kind of mystery did you want? You think I can’t get other men? You think it’s not easy for me to find a guy willing to cater to me? You must’ve lost your mind. I can tell you one thing though, you are going to regret this. Mark my words. I may be hurting right now, but I promise you will regret this more than I will.”

  With those words Emma threw her plate on the floor and the wine went along with it. He deserved to clean up the mess he made. She walked back into the room to retrieve her things, got changed, and stopped right before she was about to leave. She took out her perfume and sprayed the whole bottle around his room, on his clothes, on his sheets, his pillows, his carpet, and even his towels. Everywhere she could think of she used up the whole bottle on it. She wanted to make sure he was reminded of her everywhere that he went in his bedroom. She wanted him to smell like her and whichever girl he brought over would know that she was here before them.

  Daniel was nowhere to be found in the condo when Emma left but she knew he was probably in the basement watching television to avoid bumping into her again. She was still in disbelief and she knew the hurt would come later but for right now she was angry. Emma didn’t know where this confident woman came from, but she didn’t care at the moment. It was time for her to unleash this woman she just found in herself.

  Chapter Five

  Emma woke up with puffy eyes and next to a discombobulated box of Kleenex. The tissues were all over the bed and her little trash can was filled with them as well. All night she sat on the phone with Carly and Sarah, her best friends. They both were sympathetic and the three-way call consisted of them consoling her….

  “He did what?!” Carly all but screamed.

  “That bastard!” Sarah grumbled.

  “Listen to me, don’t you even worry about him. Yes, he is sexy and handsome. But so what? He’s a scum bag who didn’t care if he hurt you. He had no remorse for what he did. Would you want to raise your children with someone like that anyways?” Carly asked.

  “I’ll answer for you” Sarah replied “No, no, no and hell no. You deserve so much better than that. Now it’s time for you. You have to examine what you tolerate Emma. You let him get away with too much. You have to change your standards...”

  “And yourself!” Carly said. “You can’t let these men get the best of you. Remember in college with Will and Chris? They both had you head over heels in love and treated you like crap. Sometimes love isn’t enough Emma. You have to go and find the confidence you were born with. You’re beautiful, educated, independent, and loving. I know there are plenty of men who would love to get their hands on you.”

  “Agreed. But also remember, sometimes things have to fall apart in order for things to start to come together.” Sarah stated….

  The whole night they went on just like that. Boosting her confidence and stroking her ego. The very thought of him kissing someone else just made her body cringe though. She couldn’t help that she loved hard. She couldn’t fight the fact that love drained her. But she had to accept the fact that it was partly her fault. Emma had to understand that even though he cheated, she gave him the option when she let him get away with so many things. He was able to get away with so much because she loved him and thought that he wouldn’t see her being a bother. That would therefore make him love her more right? Like the times when he would go out with his buddies and forget to call her and tell her goodnight? Or when he would ignore her phone calls rather than just texting her to tell her he was busy. Or when he would lie about his whereabouts and when she found out he’d make up some heart felt excuse that made her weak to her knees?

  This wasn’t fair. “Why are so many good women treated like shit?” she asked herself. Emma couldn’t make it to work today. It would be nearly impossible to function in a mindset like the one she was in right now. She picked up the phone and dialed her office to speak to her boss. Emma was close with her boss Hank and explained to him that she was in no condition to work like this. “Hell no Emma, we need you today. To hell with that man whore anyways. McGiver Steel and Miss Linda Crawford are coming back in today. This situation needs to get handled as soon as possible so we get as much as we can from it. You know this. Now I understand you’re not feeling well, but I promise if you close this deal today I will give you the rest of this week and next week off. You haven’t used any of your sick or vacation days. I’ll give your clients over to Charles and I will tell them it’s for personal reasons if you need me to.” Hank said. Hank Wether is one of the best bosses and lawyers but today he was bribing Emma when she should be bribing him. She couldn’t really complain about the offer he just made, because professionalism was still very much important to Emma. She rubbed her face a
nd nodded her head. “Fine, fine Hank. I’ll be there. I might just be in an hour late. I have to try and make my eyes look less swollen.” “That’s fine with me” he replied. “Just be in by 9. The mediation is at 11 so I want to make sure you have time to settle in.” They said their goodbyes and got off the phone.

  Emma went to the bathroom to wash off her face and take a long hot shower. According to Hank she had two hours to get her shit together before she had to go into work. That meant a whole lot of cold compressions on her eyes. She decided another half hour of sleep wouldn’t hurt after she got the cold towel filled with eyes and placed it on her eyes. It was about to be a long day...

  When Emma got to work she was not in the playful mood. She couldn’t help but wonder how she was going to pull this off. She placed on as much make up as she could without looking like she was going out partying on her lunch break but she knew her eyes looked sad. The hardest part would be answering people’s questions about her and Daniel. She knew no one necessarily knew about the break up but she wanted to be prepared just in case.

  When Emma got to the front of her office she noticed there were flowers on Samantha’s desk. She wasn’t at the desk but she knew she must’ve gone to handle something elsewhere in the building. They were a beautiful arrangement of mixed flowers but mostly consisted of red and pink roses and a few white lilies. She loved the scent of fresh flowers and she smelled them. There was no privacy when it came to the office and receiving romantic gifts. Emma had no idea that Samantha was seeing anybody but it’s probably because they were always too busy talking about Emma and Daniel’s relationship. Emma was a hopeless romantic and she loved when men would do random things such as send flowers. She felt giddy for Samantha as she looked at the little note that was attached to the flowers sent to her. It read: