Chapter 4 Chapter: 4

ANDREA

Friday morning, I walked into MONT’S BRIDAL Dreams looking like I've been run by a train. A few minutes' elevator ride took me to the tenth floor, where my office is. I waved a quick hello to some of my co-workers as I made my way to my cubicle.

“Good morning,” Maggie—Jules’ short, beautiful blonde Secretary, greeted. I dropped my bag, coffee, and paper bag on my desk in my cubicle.

“Hey, Maggie,” I replied, my eyes flickering towards Juliet's office.

“I wasn't expecting you to be back until at least Monday.” 

She'd swivel on her chair to face me, her eyes instantly widening. “And you look like hell!” 

I feel like it, too. I haven't slept a wink since Jericho left my apartment. “Well, thank you, Maggie.”

She grimaced. “Sorry, are you okay? How was your trip to Parkville?”

Awful, and I'm glad I'd never have to go back there. Besides, there was nothing for me over there anymore.

“I'm okay,” I said. “Is the boss around?”

“Yes, she's in her office.” She glanced back to make sure no one was coming before she beckoned me closer. I frowned, tucked my hair behind my ear as I leaned in.

“I don't know what's wrong, but she's been acting off lately. She's been working overtime and sleeping in the office, including weekends.” I frowned at that bit of news.

“She's probably busy with work,” I replied. “Didn't we get a new contract right before I left for Parkville? She's probably worried about the deadline.”

Maggie nodded; her expression, though, was doubtful. “Yeah, that's probably it.” She swivels back to her computer and continues her work.

My eyes flick to Jules's office; the shutters were down, so I couldn't see her. I grabbed the bag of donuts and the cups of coffee before walking towards her office to have that conversation we talked about over the phone last night.

Fear and panic had been eating away at me, and I needed to talk to Juliet before I kill myself with worry over what to do. 

I knocked, then opened the door. I walked inside and dropped the extra cup of coffee onto her big mahogany desk right in front of her, careful not to spill any on the various files open on top of it, including her tablet.

“Here, I brought you a coffee, black, just how you like it,” I said, trying to force a cheeriness I don't feel in my voice. 

“You're a lifesaver, I need this,” she said, taking the coffee and sipping some, her eyes flicking up to meet mine. It seems I'm not the only one who didn't get sleep last night. Juliet's eyes looked bleary, with dark circles around them. 

“You look drained, Jules. Are you okay?” I asked. “I knew something was wrong when I called you last night. Did something happen?” 

“Nicklaus is cheating on me.” She blurts it calmly, so matter-of-fact. But I could see how devastated she was. I don't believe this.

“What?!” In my heart, I honestly couldn't believe it, Nicklaus cheating on Jules? That's impossible, the man is completely in love with her.

At least the two times I've seen them together, they looked so in love that I felt a little pinch of envy. I wanted what they have, someone who loves me unconditionally.

But then I hear this? There's no way Nick would ever cheat on her. But I didn't say that; truth be told, I don't know Nicklaus or the kind of man he is, except for who he is as a business mogul.

He and his family are well known; they're always talked about in the media.

“Hard to believe, huh?” She laughs, self-mockingly. “I can scarcely believe it myself.” Her eyes were red-rimmed and filled with tears. 

“I'm sorry, Jules. I mean, I've seen you two together, and you've both seemed so in love with each other that right now I can't bring myself to believe Nicklaus would ever cheat on you. I'm assuming you caught him in the act, right? Otherwise, you wouldn't believe it?”

“Yes, I've seen the evidence, and it hurts, it hurts so much, Andrea. How could Nicklaus do this to me? After everything we've been through together,” she said heartbrokenly.

“Am I not beautiful enough? Or sexy enough? Do you think I'm unattractive? Could that be the reason why?” I frown.

“Of course not, Jules, you're gorgeous!” I said, and I meant it. Tears drip down Juliet’s face. 

I grabbed a couple of Kleenexes and offered them to her.

“Then why is Nicklaus treating me this way? Whenever I tried to start something, Nicklaus would brush off my hands and say he was exhausted. For a passionate man with his stamina, can you believe we haven't had sex for more than a year?”

“It could be he's just busy?”

She shakes her head. “No, Nicklaus's cheating on me, the signs are everywhere, it's not his work or Meredith keeping him away from our bed as he claims.”

She paused, sniffing, and more tears rolled down her cheek. I passed her the whole box of Kleenex on the table, my heart breaking for her.

I remember reading somewhere about Juliet's sister-in-law, Meredith Montgomery, who was kidnapped almost two years ago when I'd first moved to New York.

It was horrible. The poor girl was only seventeen.

“Thank you,” she said after she dabbed away the tears.

“I've already made up my mind, I'm filing for divorce,” she said with a long, drawn sigh.

“My God, Jules, I'm so sorry, but are you sure?” I whispered sympathetically.

“Yes, I'm just afraid Nicklaus will try to turn this around on me, so he doesn't ruin his reputation or pay alimony, and instead will rob me of my company.” I frowned.

“What? He can't do that.”

“Oh, yes, he can. Nicklaus is ruthless; he's a control freak and doesn't want anyone he considers his to leave him. He has serious abandonment issues. He's going to take everything.”

Wow, I don't know what to say. 

“I can't lose my daughter or company, Andrea.” Her voice hardened with resolve.

I nodded with understanding. “Of course not, she's your little girl, and you shouldn't have to lose your company or the custody of Natalie when the fault lies with her father. But don't you want to work things out? Maybe go to marriage counseling or something,” I suggest.

Jules shook her head. “It's futile, we have gone to counseling before and looked where we are at now. Besides, he'd shattered my trust in him and lost all my respect.”

I sighed. “I'm so sorry for what you're going through, Jules. I wish there were something I could do to help.”

She patted my hand. “Thank you, you already did. Anyway, forget about that, let's talk about you, what's going on with you?”

I sighed, my stomach twisted at the reminder. And then I told her everything. 

“Oh my god, Andrea. That's so scary,” she said, with concern on her face. “I'm so sorry I couldn't talk to you afterward. Are you okay now?”

“I'm okay, I just don't know what to do, Jules, Jericho is fucking crazy, I'm afraid he's going to come back soon.”

“I honestly can't think of a solution right now. How about we go out for drinks after work, maybe we'll think of a solution then. 

“Okay.”