5. The Award Night, Valeria

Fear gripped Valeria heart tight as she saw the image.

"It could be a photoshop! There must be someone trying to prank me. No other explanation."

But why?

She instantly began to text the mystery messenger.

Why are you doing this to me? Who are you? This is a photoshopping!

To her surprise, the person was texting back!

_Andrea Santiago. That's her name. And guess what? She's his colleague!

Also, if you must call me by a name, it's blackrose. I am being mysterious for a reason, so if you make attempts to find my identity, I'll stop talking to you, Valeria Del Rosario._

How did you know my name!

Most people would always call her by her husband's last name, Cruz. Her father's name was Del Rosario.

_I pick interest in you and I want to save you from a lot of harm that is about to come your way. Call me your guardian angel. Tonight, your husband is going to come home early and not smell of lavender.

Andrea is absent from work today. Also, guess who his date for the company's award party is?

You guessed right!_

Valeria tried to process everything the stranger had said. He said there was not going to be an award party, it was canceled!

She said nothing, but waited like a prey hunting it's predator.

***

Valeria couldn't help but realize that everything the stranger had said the night earlier was true!

James came home very early and he smelled nothing like lavender. There could have been another possible reason for that, right?

"Dumb woman, listen to me!" Valeria's mother-in-law, grandma, as they usually called her, yelled at Valeria who was lost in thoughts.

Valeria went over at their side as she normally did because it was a  Thursday. They ran a small pastry service that supplied a group of wealthy people every Thursday for a meeting, and because they figured out Valeria could cook, stylishly began to use her to do all the work without paying her a dime.

Valeria wasn't complaining though.

"I'm sorry, grandma. I'm done and they're all in the oven now." She said politely.

The old woman snorted. "Took you long enough. We have to deliver by 4pm."

"It's still 1pm grandma, we're early." Desiree, James' sister replied without lifting her head up from gazing at her phone. "So let her go on about doing her business."

"Whatever whatever!" Grandma whined.

"I'll wait in the kitchen," Valeria said, but neither of them replied her. Quietly, she left their presence.

Her mind was still wrapped around what the stranger had said. What saddened her was the fact that she had trusted a complete stranger over her husband!

But she feared if she had tried to confront him, he would be disappointed in her for ever doubting in the first place!

"Either way, I'll confront him tonight. I have no choice." She told herself, trying to believe what she'd just said. "My husband would never cheat on me..."

The oven made a ding sound, and she knew that batch was ready. She brought out freshly baked croissants and instantly the sweet aroma filled the air. She added the last batch which were butter cookies.

After she was done, she decided to inform them the croissants were ready...

"...your wife is here," Desiree's voice whispered in a low tone, but Valeria was able to get the words right.

"Does she knows yet?" Desiree continued. "I'm going too. Can't wait to see your handsome face when they call you up for the award." She said, and both she and grandma laughed.

Award??! But he said it was canceled!!!

Valeria heaved in and out, trying to stabilize her shaky breath. She was angry and sad at the same time. Why would he lie to her?

Could the stranger actually have been right? Why didn't he wanted her to come? Why lie!

Desiree was still talking but Valeria was tired of listening to her laughing and giggling, so she stepped in like she had not been eavesdropping.

"The croissants are ready--oh I didn't know you were on a call." The shock in their faces was satisfying to Valeria.

She continued, but in a more muffled tone. "I'm sorry but the croissants are done."

***

Saturday evening was going perfect. James had never looked so good in his tuxedos. He'd gotten a new haircut that make his face much younger.

"James my love." Desiree giggled. She was so proud of being in the midst of somewhere that powerful and filled with wealthy people.

Her mother was with her.

James was next to a beautiful slim lady with long brown hair. She looked like she was in her early twenties and she was with James.

"Could that be the new woman?" She asked herself.

The man at the table was making a joke, but it wasn't funny. James was nervous for some reason. He was seated next to Andrea by his right, while his sister and mother were seated by his left.

He figured if what he was about to do was a bold or foolish move. To collect his award, his wife would be welcomed to accompany him. That was the way the firm worked.

Before, he would take his sister with him, as long as you were coming out with a reputable woman by your side, whether your mother or sister or wife or daughter.

But now, Andrea had wanted to go with him! And Desiree was there too. He hadn't told his sister yet that the reputable woman in his life now would shift to Andrea!

"Alright ladies and gentlemen, we will be calling forward a well known diligent man whom you all know very much. He has won the award of the year! Round over applause as we call on, Mr James Cruz! Along with his beautiful wife."

The crowd roared and clapped as James stood up. Andrea too rose up, feeling very proud of herself.

She catwalked next to James but before they got to the podium, the door swung opened and everyone turned to the direction.

People gasped and mouths were hung open as the most beautiful woman in the room walked in diligently and in a sexy way too!

It was a brief moment accompanied mostly with silence of admiration.

Her heels created a bold sound on the concrete floor and her hips swayed left and right. Her eyes glinted with beauty with just the perfect amount of makeup. Her lips was consorted into a smirk. One James found very dubious...

She was slender with slight curves, and wore a short fited gown. Her hair was styled into an updo hair.

She walked confidently to the podium and took the mic. "Hello everyone, I'm--oh James, don't be shy. I made it!" Valeria grinned wildly, a satisfying smile. "My name is Valeria Del Rosario, and I am James' wife."