6. Valeria The Short Queen

Everyone was truly stunned, Valeria could see that. The most disturbed faces amongst them all was that of her husband.

He collected the award and a picture of both he and Valeria was taken, where Valeria was smiling brightly.

"What are you doing here, huh!" James said the moment they were alone after he dragged her all the way to the back of the hall.

Valeria folded her arms beneath her breast, rolling her eyes in disdain. The image of that so called Andrea still stuck to her brain as she recalled her on a wedding dress beside James!

"The award, you lied to me." The words came out like an arrow piercing her insides. "Or have you forgotten about that part?"

James stared, looking unbothered. "Still, you should have waited for me to get back home. Where even are the kids right now!" He demanded.

Valeria frowned. "With my sister."

"I honestly do not appreciate--" His words was brought to an abrupt when a lanky man on suit leaned in to whisper in his ears. He gave Valeria one last angry look before grunting out, "wait here."

Valeria watched him leave. She turned her back from the crowd quickly, trying to hide the stream of tears that rolled down her eyes. How could he be so apologetic!

Was it minutes that passed by, or seconds... She didn't even know.

"So you're the one?" A soft voice said from behind, making Valeria to wipe her tears and face front.

To her surprise, the lady before her was just the same as the woman in the picture! How dare she come and meet her!

Valeria paused, not wanting to go all dramatic at the instant. "Yes. I'm his wife. Who the hell might you be?"

No, keep it together, Valeria. She thought to herself, 'be nice'.

Heaving in a deep sigh, Valeria rephrased her question. "Sorry about that, I mean I don't know who you are."

The lady smiled, revealing set of lovely white teeth. Valeria cursed herself for even admiring her at all.

"You must know who I am by now. Everybody does, you know. The relationship between James and I."

The way she replied made Valeria even more angry. "Everybody knows that you're sleeping with a married man? Shame on you!"

"No the shame is on you. How many people do you think knows that James is married, huh? Almost nobody, I can assure you of that!"

"But you do. Does that still give you the right and audacity to be a slut? No you're the one with no shame."

"You think walking in dramatically I those cheap clothes of yours will make you anymore important? Well think again!"

"You know what, I've had enough of you." Valeria said, and was about to walk away when she heard the words of Andrea again.

"You didn't do anything smart for all I care. Now people are going to think badly of James. He just collected an award. Do you think it makes sense for you to let people believe he's a bad person?"

Valeria scoffed. "He's a cheater and a liar for all I care. And you are in no position to give me any form of advise right now!"

Just behind her, Desiree had been watching. She stepped forward, "Valeria, you must feel like such a hero right now. Or is it heroine."

"Good evening, sister in law." Valeria said, though she knew nothing was good about that evening at all.

"Keep your greetings to yourself. Do you have any idea what you've caused? He already had plans to call out the most reputable woman in his life. It should have been me!"

"Excuse me, but you're nothing more than his sister." Andrea replied.

"Yes! Thank you so much for that reply--wait what?" It took her a moment to realize that she hadn't been complimented, rather it was an insult.

"You heard me right. I am the most reputable person in James' life right now. You're only his sister and that's because it was by birth. You offer nothing if value to him, so if you want to make yourself useful right now, please quietly walk away."

The way Andrea stood her ground with a form posture made Valeria wonder just what type of meanie she would be. How did James end up with her!

"You should mind the way you speak--" Valeria was still saying when the rude brat cut in again.

"It was rather rude of her, you must agree with me." She said, then turned to face Desiree, "are you deaf, woman!"

Desiree could not even utter a word. Valeria wanted to step in and fight for her sister in law, but then, maybe she had brought that insult over to herself! She watched as Desiree lowered her head in shame and walked away.

"Now back to you," Andrea said. "If you know what is good for you, you are going to leave my dear James alone. File for a divorce or something and just get your filthy self as far away from us as possible because if you don't--"

"Is this you threatening me? Over my husband! My family!" Valeria boomed. Anger was already coursing through her veins already.

"Yes, woman. You don't want to get on my nerve. I promise you, you are going to regret it if you don't--"

Whack!

The rage and anger that had overwhelmed Valeria bursted out as her hand met with Andrea's face, slapping her hard that her bones must have shared the pain.

"How dare you? You should be apologizing, not talking back at me. I'm fucking older than you are, and I am his legal wife!"

Andrea did not take things likely. She was about to hit Valeria back but was stopped by James who had already appeared behind them.

"Hey hey, don't do that." He said, but Andrea was still struggling to break free.

"How dare she!" She raged out. "How dare she hit me? You brought your filthy hands to touch me? You will pay for this! SECURITY!!! Get this rag out of here!"

Before Valeria knew what was going on, two hefty men walked forward, ready to pounce on her. They stopped and stare at James, waiting for some order.

James stared at Valeria then mouthed the 'take her' word without the slightest hint of regret!

Valeria could not believe be would just let her be taken out like that!

Before the guards could take her out, a bold and very familiar voice called out. "Leave her alone." The stranger walked forward and stood before Valeria who opened her eyes in shock. "Hello, short queen."