One Day You'll Be Mine(45)

I shook with quiet rage, urging myself not to go down that road of tears again. All I could think to myself was that I had lost the love of my life to this monster standing in front of me. Because of this, it wasn’t two seconds before tears started to fall, sliding defiantly over my cheeks for him to enjoy against my deepest wishes.

“Fine. I’ll leave. We can divorce. Just give me time to find a school for Jordan.” I turned on my heels and headed to bed.

“That won’t be necessary.”

I stopped in my tracks; inhaled. “Why not?”

“You’re free to go, but you’re not taking my son with you. And if you think you’re going to fight me on this, feel free to deal with the kidnapping charges I file. Unlike you, I have pull around here.”

He stepped closer to me, and growled in my ear. “You don’t want this war with me, Natalia.”





Chapter 21: Natalia



Three weeks had passed since that fateful evening. I was sitting in the cold lobby of an office building, dressed in a black ankle length skirt with a peplum top and black blazer, waiting for an interview. The posting stated the job was for a real estate assistant. Real estate wasn’t something I’d ever considered doing, but I heard it made money.

It was 10:50 AM. The interviewer was supposed to meet me at 10:30. I’d been sitting in the lobby since 10:15, hugging myself as lightly as possible so as not to mess up my outfit. I called at 10:20, but didn’t get an answer. The directory showed the company’s office, but you needed a badge to get on the elevator, which I didn’t have, so I waited patiently.

“The number you have dialed, 4-6-9, 8-1-8, 2-2-4-2, is not available. Please leave your message after the tone! Beep!”

“Mr. Arelli, this is Natalia Houston. We had an appointment at 10:30 at your office. I’ve been sitting in the lobby, and I’ve called you twice, once at 10:20, and once at 10:33, to see if you’re still available.” I checked my watch. “The time’s now 10:55 AM. I’m leaving the building. Please contact me if you need anything else, or are able to speak on the phone. Thank you.”

I clicked the phone, and stood, wiggling my legs to head to the car. I winced in pain. Stress had taken its toll, and I had a huge boil bubbling on the inside of my leg. IF I had my way, I wouldn’t have been anywhere near here, but indoors putting a hot compress on it, and bringing it to a head.

Thankfully, it wasn’t as cold outside as it was in the lobby. We were in the throes of November, and the holidays were right around the corner. I walked to the car with as much dignity as I could. My face was burning, with frustration and embarrassment. I hoped nobody who’d passed me on their way in to work had seen me sitting there foolishly in that lobby, waiting on an interview that never happened. I swore I could feel a thousand eyes on my head as I approached the Kia, staring at me, wondering who I was, what I was waiting for, and why I walked so stiffly.

When I calculated the time and money I wasted getting excited and prepared for this interview, including this overpriced outfit, I wanted to cry.

I’d been on a couple of interviews, but for the most part, it felt as if nobody were hiring. Everyone said they were, but I’d submit applications and get nowhere. Rose placed my name in the hiring pool for several positions at her company, yet as I feared, more qualified applicants snagged those jobs.

Getting away from the base on vacation was one thing. But now I was away for good, without a husband or son to come home to. Just an air mattress and an empty heart.

Ro text me as I was making my way back to her house. I called her and told her the interview never happened, and before I knew it, I started tearing in frustration.

“I’m so out of my element. I made a mistake. Perhaps I shouldn’t have left,” I cried. “I miss my son. I miss my security. And I shouldn’t, but I miss Hollis too, even if he is a dick. I should just pack up, and go back to California and just deal with life as it is.”

I continued venting to Rose, my emotions completely over the top as I struggled to follow my GPS on the highway.

“How close are you to the house?” she said.

“It says I’m 30 minutes away.”

Rosie met me at the house, pulling up just seconds after I’d cut off the engine. She honked and unlocked her car, signaling for me to exit mine.

“You look beautiful today.” She checked her makeup in the mirror and patted my hand. “I have the perfect place in mind for you.”

I sighed and rolled my eyes in disbelief. I love Ro, but just like Kelli, she never knew when to just let me be. Settling into the passenger side, I thumbed through Instagram and Facebook, looking for any images of Jordan I could find. Not old ones on my profile, but on Hollis’s or Kelli’s. I went through their profiles, saving the ones that caught my eye. Despite leaving him just last week, he looked like his happy, usual self. That only made me feel a little better, because it took a week for him to stop moping, but with each day, I was missing him terribly.