6 Chapter 6

The party has been fun so far. I have been going along with Ethan’s act so that no one sees beneath my smile. The drink I’ve been holding has become lukewarm so I take that as a cue to leave Ethan’s rough arms. I whispered into his ear this thought and thankfully he lets me go. The drinks stand where they had the chapman and the pastries were across the backyard so I realized I had a long way to go. The looks I get from people did not escape my notice but I didn’t pay so much attention to it. What I pay attention to however, is Adam’s wife walking to the stand as well.

I regard Sophia when we got to the stand with a smile and she does the same in return. “What an awesome party you threw Sophia! The kids are sure enjoying themselves.” I say with a wide grin on my face.

“Oh thank you. To be honest hun I didn’t do this all by myself. You’d be surprised to know Adam was fully invested in the planning.” She says. “He kept saying both his princesses had to have the whole day to themselves so he had to make it perfectfor them.” Talking about this brought a huge smile to both our faces and I was proud of the man Adam has become knowing that he was a lot worse when I met him.

“Yeah that reminds me”, Sophia started, “my friends and I are planning a mother’s day so to say and I thought to invite you as well. I would love for you to be there.” With that I looked over to Ethan making it seems to me like I was dependent on him for approval or something and subconsciously I told myself that I was an independent woman and I have always been one so I do not need a man to tell me what to do. But still I couldn’t just let the feeling of the regret I’d feel later when Ethan grows angry with me for accepting an outing without consulting with him first. I was clouded by these thoughts as I didn’t here Sophia calling my attention.

She snapped her fingers in front of my eyes which brought me back, “Lost you there for a second” she said skeptically. I’m sure she noticed the awkward mood as she said, “ I think you could use a break right now my dear. All the stress that has built up needs some relieving don’t you think?” with this I had no other choice than to agree to this outing regardless of the aftermath.

With this she hugged me and left within a second. This made me giddy as to how I had to make her uncomfortable despite the way she was nice to me. I sighed as I was pouring my drink and made my way to the kitchen to get myself something to eat and run away from people for a minute. I was happy to see that nobody was in the kitchen when I got there and as I was closing the fridge after getting the dip for my chips I saw Adam approaching.

I was happy to see him and also feeling weird in the hopes that Ethan would not see us talking together. I hated myself for this feeling because I have known Adam longer than I have known Ethan so he has been my friend longer than Ethan. Nevertheless, I put on a smile so Adam does not notice my sad face and I greet him as he approached me.

“Rumor has it that the credit for this party goes to you and I was wondering if it was true.” He stretches his arms for a hug and I walked into the hug. He kept his hands on my shoulder scanning my face while I was just there looking right back at him trying to keep up the act.

“You know I’d do anything for my girls’ right?” He asked which sounded more like a statement but I still replied positively. He gave me a nod and you could cut the tension in the air with the dullest pair of scissors you could find. He reached into my bag of chips and ate it which I had no problem with since this wasn’t our first time sharing food.

“So how are you doing?” He asked all of a sudden which made it seem like he already knows the answers and just wants to be sure of himself. I answered as truthfully and as honestly I could trying not to give too much information to him. “I’m good so far. Nothing is wrong just living life as it comes.” I ended with another dry cough which made me heave like a dying animal. Adam rushed over to my side offering me a glass of water and I clung to it earnestly.

This made situations worse as I realized that he won’t let me be. “What is wrong Queen? Please tell me. We know each other more than this than for you to try to hide anything from me.” He asked with a very concerned tone. I looked up to his 6’2 height and tried to conceal all the hurt in me. This obviously was impossible because he was the only person I trusted at this party.

I burst out crying as he tried to console me. After what felt like forever, I stopped crying in his arms and he led me to a kitchen stool. He sat right in front of me with a concerned look on his face. “I told you that I’d do anything for my girls and you’re not excluded from that. You might not want to tell me what’s going on right now but I just want to let you know you have me here anytime you need me. Alright?”

I nodded to this and he gave me a reassuring hug. Way to make this a very awkward day. After this we just hung out in the kitchen until we had to go back outside to talk with people. I texted Olivia to make an appointment for my checkup tomorrow while keeping up with the act all the same.