The dark alley had no working lights. A lone figure stood under the broken light, drawing smoke from the nearly finished cigarette. I slowly approached the figure, stopping short when the person bend to snuff out the finished cigarette.
Turning to me, a male's voice greated me.
"Ah, you're finally here." I nodded, unsure if he saw the action, given there was hardly any light.
"Yeah, I got the package you delivered me, how much?" He laughed and told me not to worry about it.
"Nevermind that, here's the rest of the pictures taken this week." He handed me a fat envelope, likely filled with my husband's pictures in compromising situations.
I took the envelope gently, unsure of this man's intentions. He stopped me suddenly. I stiffened, afraid of what he'll do.
"How about a date after everything is handled?" I could hear the smirk from his tone.
"I don't think that would be wise." I pulled away from him. He shrugged his shoulders. The moon had finally brought some light.
"Take your time. I'm sure I'll be seeing more of you." With a wink He walked away. Throwing a wave over his shoulder.
I rolled my eyes at his confidence, moving to my car. The drive home was rather filled with resentment.
Both my husband and I came from influential families. Our marriage came at a time where it was convenient for both families to join together for a project.
I was called home after spending time in the countryside. I had lived a simple life, unmotivated by education or a salary that brought in more money.
The influence of money on my family brought out bad tendencies. My father couldn't keep his marriage together and my mother was practically married to his bank cards.
My brother was always in the tabloids for one or another drug charge or speeding ticket.
In conclusion money ruined them. Yes, we had a good life, money bought us things people dreamed of. But I've long since thought to leave that life.
Just when I became happy, living freely do to and say as I pleased. My mother just had to force me back to marry her best friend's son. Who like my brother, didn't have the best reputation.
I had caved in when she threatened to sell the small shop I had bought in the town I lived. The doors still closed since I've been married.
The long drive home gave me a chance to think about the last two years I spend being married.
My husband had numerous affairs, and even though he denied any sexual behavior, I knew better. He bought condoms that definitely weren't for us. I refused to lay with a man I knew would be unfaithful.
The first few months of my refusal turned him into a flirt, confident he could change my mind. By the 6th month he had given up, clearly seeing that I would not change.
After that, we kinda lived our own lives. But recently I asked for divorce. And he had the audacity to deny it. I had told him to keep the dowry and whatever I had saved up. But our families influence and their money would make this hard for him to let go of.
The only other option was to file for divorce with evidence of infidelity or kill the man. I'd rather live outside of prison.
So I hired a private detective, the man I had just been with. Sneezing, the phone rang. I glanced at the caller. Rolling my eyes when I saw my husband's name.
I pressed the answer button, the phone automatically going to driving mode.
"Just where the hell are you!" I could hear the anxiety dripping from his voice.
"Out." I didn't feel up to arguing. Especially after receiving the new envelope sitting cozy next to me.
"Wow genius, I didn't know you were out." He was sarcastic. Just great.
"Look I had plans tonight, why aren't you here with the kid?" Oh yes, the child his ex mistress had so nicely dropped off a month ago. The final reason for divorce.
One of the women he denied having a physically relationship with. His exact words were ridiculous now that I remember.
"I didn't sleep with her!" He had shouted. "I got really drunk and just fell asleep. I didn't even know she decided to sleep next to me."
I never believed him. So I hired a private detective, who has been gathering evidence since then.
"Right, I'm on my way, you can wait for a few minutes can't you?" I slowly asked, dragging each word out.
"Whatever, just get here in the next five minutes." I scoffed.
"Is Ruel washed yet?" He huffed in annoyance.
"I told you to get the kid a nanny, but nooo. Sophie wants to do everything herself." My name was said with so much disdain that I wanted him to keep it out of his disgusting mouth.
"What he needs is at least one normal, loving parent. His biological ones are clearly disappointing options."
He didn't even take it personal. Only worried about when I'd get there. He ended the call after yelling at me to hurry up.
It took me three minutes before our driveway was seen. The house I chose was modest. Not at all the playboy mansion my spoiled husband wanted his parents to buy.
Ruel was standing at the open door, in fuzzy pajamas, missing his slippers. He didn't even have socks on, and it was winter!
The idiot of a man, ran down the stairs not even giving me a chance to exit my car. In a few seconds he had pulled out the driveway, honking goodbye.
Poor kid was looking at me as I climbed out. Clutching at the teddy bear I bought him recently.
"Hi sweetheart, aren't your little feet getting cold?" He nodded fast. Giving me a hearstopping smile. For a 4 year old, he sure was mature in many ways.
Turns out two negatives can make a positive. I picked him up. The envelope of his father's wrongdoings in my coat pocket.
We walked to the kitchen where I knew I stored a pair of socks for him. Placing him on the kitchen counter. I took the pair of socks from a small basket on the floor. When his feet was nicely covered, I lowered him to the floor.
"Let's head to bed, I think we both had a lot of drama today." He ran after me. Jumping into bed while I went to the bathroom to shower.
Ruel was probably the one good thing that happened in this marriage. The kid was a joy to be around. Now it gave me a new purpose. A life I could have together with him.
***** The next day *****
"Who is this?" A tall slim woman with sharp features stood in my living room. Her glare as she looked between my husband and I spoke volumes of this new situation my dear husband put me in.
"Uh, this is Fiona." He said sheepishly.
"Okay, but who is she to you?" His expression said it all. Another one!
"Look I didn't mean to, but she's pregnant and I-" I slapped him. This was the final straw.
"Get out. Now!" He looked aghast.
"Look I know you said next time you'd involve our parents. But I promise this is the last time." He was frantic. Fiona on the other hand rolled her eyes at the scene.
"Just divorce her, she's not even pretty." I glared at her.
"Look I don't need your opinion of me, but I agree, a divorce is definitely an option." My husband looked constipated.
"Leon, come on, what are you afraid of?" The taunt was all he needed to drop the victim act.
"I'm not afraid. Besides she'll just take the kid like she did the current one." It was my turn to look constipated.
"I beg you pardon?" Both looked at me.
"I will not be raising this one
Especially while it's mother is standing in front of me, healthy and fit." I said flailing my hands around me.
"Oh please, I highly doubt you actually want to divorce me." His confidence was aggravating.
"Right." I left with that, heading to take Ruel with me. The two idiots watched me leave with the child.
Once in the car, with the child in his car seat, I reversed and drove off. I searched through my recent calls and dialed the number I wanted.
"This is PI, how can I help you today, darling?"
"Cut the crap, I need to meet you. NOW." I guess my tone concerned him because he gave the place and time.
"See you there." I cut the call. Internally fuming. This was it. I needed to act fast.
****At the grilling bear****
The PI sat at a window, I saw him as soon as I walked up to the restaurant, carrying a sleeping Ruel.
He looked up, surprised to see me holding a child. Standing up. He took out a chair for me to sit. Getting me comfortable before sitting down himself.
"Thanks." I muttered.
"No problem." He looked at me and then the child. "Who's the kid?"
"Mine." He raised a brow. "My husband's he had during one of his affairs." I whispered the last part. Not wanting Ruel to overhear.
"So what's the matter?" In hushed tones, I told him what happened. During the story the waitress had come over to give us something he pre-ordered. He ordered some fries for Ruel. Who still hasn't woken up.
"Wow. I've seem some bastards, but nothing like yours... yet." I couldn't agree more.
"I'll be telling my parents about it. Going about it the lawful way will take too long." He put his thumb against his mouth licking off some sauce.
"Say what you need, darling." I took a deep breath.
"I need you to dig up some dirt on someone."
"Who?" PI bit into his beef burger, eating it rather deliciously.
"My father." His reaction was priceless. Choking on the piece of meat still whole in his mouth, he gulped some water down.
"What?" I handed him a napkin. "You're serious?" I nodded.
"Yes, I need something I could use to blackmail him." PI looked at me skeptically.
"They do say never cross a woman scorned." I scoffed.
"So, you won't do it?" He laughed.
"Oh I'll do it! And more if you ask me to." Not raising to the innuendo. I handed him my father's information.
"You gave me more than I normally ask for. Should make things easier." I nodded.
"Please get this done as soon as possible." He nodded.
"You really owe me a date after this." I smiled, relieved at his attempt to lighten my mood. Ruel chose this moment to get up.
"So the champ is finally awake. That's good." Ruell moved closer to me.
"I'll leave you two to finish your lunch. Need to start the job you requested." I mouthed a thank you, to which he saluted me.
I was finally taking the steps I needed to get out of the useless marriage. And using my father was step 2.
I ate the rest of my burger, concentrating on feeding Ruel his fries. PI had paid for our lunch. And I didn't know what to make of this treatment.
Only time would be able to tell how far I'd need to go to get what I want.
