Unfaithful: Web Of Betrayal

“What was that all about?” Selma asked when they arrived at the balcony. “Why didn’t you tell me we were going to pull that stunt in front of everybody?”

Roman leaned on the railing and lit up a cigarette, “I didn’t think I had to do that until the last minute.”

Selma took the cigarette box from his pocket and lit one for herself, she stood beside him and studied his face.

“It’s her isn’t it?” she cocked her head to one side as she blew a cloud of smoke. “Declan Hunt’s wife? You’re her lover?” she stroked the hair above his ear.

He didn’t respond, he just let out a long train of smoke into the cold night air.

“Oh, Roman … she’s playing you, babe, why are you wasting your time with someone else’s wife? Declan Hunt’s nonetheless,” she chuckled. “I sometimes wonder why you needed to hire a fake date … I guess now I know the answer … how long do you think you can pretend to be engaged with me?”Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

He turned to look at her, “As long as it’s needed.”

She bit her lower lip before taking another drag of her cigarette, “Why don’t we just make it real? You can still be with her … and I get to be your wife,” she had a wicked smile on her face and rubbed herself against his arm.

Roman had picked the right person to be his fake date. There’s nothing Selma cared about more than money. As long as she can make money out of it, she’d do just about anything.

“That’s not how it works … we’re in love … she’s going to divorce him.”

Selma burst into laughter, she was laughing so hard she could hardly speak. “You can’t possibly believe that? It’s one thing to have a problematic marriage … divorcing someone like Declan Hunt is just … stupid … she doesn’t look stupid to me, no offense, Roman … that guy owns the world, he could give her everything you can’t … except …” she curved her lips into a half smile, “Maybe you’re just better in bed,” she whispered in his ear.

“She’s not like that.”

She laughed again, “No? Let me tell you something … women want security … the more secure the guy is the better, her husband … is the picture perfect of what security is … old money, successful, competent, … mature … you don’t stand a chance with a man like that, Roman, no offense, you’re gorgeous and probably hot in bed … but think about it … she wouldn’t last this long if she wasn’t holding on to all that … it’s so naive of you to think she would leave him for … love?”

Roman shook his head, “You don’t know her as I do … she’s not a faker, I know she loves me.”

Selma rested her elbows on the railings and let out a deep exhale, she knew there was nothing more useless than trying to talk sense into a person who was blindly in love. “Maybe so … I’m just saying from my own experience … marriage is one hell of a complicated relationship, she might be in love with you but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t love him … your chance of being with her is close to zero unless you’d be willing to be her side boy for a very very long time.”

“You were with a married man?”

She nodded, “The reason why I don’t believe in love anymore … not really … marriage is not always about love, it’s convenience, and how far you can tolerate the bullshit for convenience’s sake,” she chuckled, “It’s amazing how much bullshit a person can tolerate to stay that long in a marriage … and we … the outsider … don’t stand a chance when compared to the craziness they’ve been putting up with each other.”

She rested her hand on his shoulder and laughed. It hurt once, but now she was able to laugh it off. “Get out while you still can, Roman, I’m saying this as a friend … I hate to see you waste your time with a love like that … it’s not worth it.”

He scoffed, “That’s just it,” he dug his hands in his hair, “I can’t … I love her … even if I end this … I’d still feel the same.” He emptied his glass.

“It doesn’t mean you can’t still have fun,” she hugged him sideways, “Don’t tell me you’re being loyal to her?” she laughed lightly and nibbled in his ear. “I wanna know where that kiss can lead to, Roman, come on … you have a spare room in this giant place somewhere … might as well show her she’s not the only one who can fuck around, you’re too good to waste.” She slipped her hand near his crotch.

He didn’t budge, he finished his cigarette and pulled her hand away. It’s so easy for him to sleep with other women if he wanted to, but he was too stupid to do that. He only wants Olivia and the things Selma had put into his head fueled him to look for her. He wants to make sure he wasn’t being played. “I’m gonna get some more drinks … stay here,” he said.

“Don’t get too drunk … the party isn’t over yet … you don’t want to slip and say things you’ll regret,” Selma said as he walked away.

—

He found the drink station and drank up two glasses of champagne in one go. Just when he was going to get another one, he saw Olivia walking towards the bathroom in the quiet hallway. He looked around and saw no one was watching, he followed her.

He forced himself in before Olivia realized she was being followed. He closed the door behind him and locked it.

“Roman … what are you doing here? People might see you,” she panicked and went for the door to let him out.

He stood firmly with his back pressed against the door, his eyes filled with fire which she couldn’t tell whether it was rage or lust. He charged at her with a kiss, his arms tight around her waist.

She tried to break away but he was too strong and he reeked of alcohol, she was powerless as he slid the top of her dress exposing her breast. His mouth made its way to her chest and she felt shivers down her spine, he was out of control.

She pushed him away and landed a hard slap on his cheek, “Stop it!” she was breathless. She fixed her dress as they locked eyes in front of the mirror. “You’re drunk … you should get out now.”

His cheek was throbbing from the slap, it sobered him up a little bit but not from the lust, “Are you leaving for London? Are you going through with that treatment?” he asked what he came there for.

“No … I haven’t told him … that’s why he was announcing it, I didn’t want to ruin his night … Roman … please leave … someone could be outside,” she was anxious.

“Are you lying to me?” he approached her again.

“I’m not lying … Roman … I can’t think … what if someone sees you come in? Please …” she pushed him gently.

He grabbed her waist and kissed her again, anyone finding out about them was the last thing he cared about.

She lifted her arm to strike him again but he caught it, he pinned her hard against the bathroom wall with his tongue deep in her throat. What took seconds felt like minutes, it was a disaster waiting to happen. She could feel it in her bones.

He was dumping all his anger at her. He wanted to feel he was more than just her ‘side boy’ as Selma put it. No matter how many times she tried to convince him she felt the same way about him, she was still with Declan. In that little room, for a brief moment, she was in his control.

He didn’t want it to be like that. When he came back to his senses, he lets her go. He saw her face ridden with fear. His heart sank. “I’m sorry,” he said quietly.

“Get out, Roman … get out right now or I will scream,” she threatens.

He closed his eyes, and his jaw tightened. He knew what he did was wrong, and now he has to grovel for her forgiveness. He covered his face with both hands, he was lost for words.

“You’re drunk and you’re not thinking straight … you’re scaring me, Roman, please … get out,” she pointed to the door.

He nodded, pinched his nose, “I’m sorry,” he said again without glancing at her. He turned and leave the bathroom without looking back.