The Anticipated Dinner

Receiving a message from my husband's ex is not a big deal to me. The word 'ex' means past, meaning I shouldn't feel threatened nor scared of whoever she is. After receiving the message, I deleted it immediately without even checking the phone number. My day was already ruined by Regina this morning and I don't want it to be ruined further by anyone from my husband's past.

I fixed my stuff and headed directly to the elevator. I promised Geoff that I will prepare dinner for us tonight. Even though I am not a good cook and I haven't prepared a special meal for anyone before, with the help of Youtube, I know I can pull off a good meal tonight.

Despite what Regina said this morning, I'm still in high spirits knowing that I will be able to spend the whole weekend with my husband.

I got in the car and saw Nancy inside.

"Oh, hi Nancy. What are you doing here? Maybe Regina would be mad at you again now that you are here. She might think you are not helping with house chores." I am happy to see her but at the same time I also feel worried that she would be nagged at and be bullied again.

"I don't know what's happening but she asked me to come here to pick you up. She said you might be needing me. Anyway, she has a visitor, a pretty lady but she doesn't seem very nice. They look very close to each other." Nancy said.

"It's good that she is happy. Maybe she won't bother us tonight. By the way, can you help me prepare dinner? I promised Geoff that I will cook." I said with excitement.

"Didn't older Madam tell you? You will have dinner with the visitor tonight. That's one more reason why she asked me to come here and pick you up to remind you to come home directly after work. I heard Sir Geoff is already on his way home." Nancy explained.

"She never mentioned that." How important is this visitor that we have to have dinner with her? And Geoff also didn't inform me about it. I got my phone from my bag to send a message to Geoff.

"I heard we will have dinner with your step mom and her visitor tonight? Should I cancel preparing dinner then? What time will you come home?"

End of message.

I can't help thinking about the visitor. I'm trying to connect what Regina told me this morning about some girls Geoff brought home aside from me and the message I got from Geoff's ex and tonight, I was about to have dinner with a mysterious woman. Could it be the same person? My thoughts were stopped with the ring from my phone. It's Geoff.

"Hello, honey." I answered.

"Yes, baby. I'm on my way home. Sorry, I was very busy the whole day, I didn't call you. I will be home in 10 minutes. How about you?" Geoff

I am also on my way home. You will arrive home earlier than me. Nancy said Regina has a visitor and we will have dinner with her."

"About her. I didn't know that the witch would invite her without even informing me in advance. She was my ex. I'm sorry I never told you anything from my past. Don't worry about her, she is already from my past."

That's okay. I don't think I also want to know about your ex-girlfriends. I am your wife now so I'm not worried at all."

"There is something you need to know. Erica is not my ex-girlfriend. She is my ex-wife."

I was speechless for a while. We got married so fast that I didn't have the chance to ask him about his past relationships. I don't know whether I would be concerned about meeting this Erica or should I pretend I don't know anything.

"I'm sorry, my love. I should have told you before. I was married once and we got divorced three years ago. I don't love her anymore and you are the only one for me now. Please trust me. I will tell you everything at home, okay?"

"I trust you." I know I trust him but why is it painful? I know I am his wife now and nothing can change that. I try to tell myself that she is part of my husband's past and I am his present so I should not compare myself to her. "Let's talk later. It's better if we talk personally."

"Yes, baby. I will answer all the questions you have. I will tell you everything and why we decided to separate. You have to fully trust me and don't believe whatever you hear tonight from Erica and the witch. I'm sure they want to break us. I will crush both of them if they hurt you and I will start doing that tonight." I can feel a sense of warning and hatred from his voice.

"I'm okay. Don't worry about it. As long as you promise to be honest with me and tell me everything from tonight, I would only believe in you." Despite being hurt, I don't want Geoff to do something to hurt anyone just because of me. Feeling his love is enough assurance for me at the moment.

"I promise. No more secrets. Can't wait to see you."

"Me too." And the call ended.

Now I understand why Regina said those things this morning. If she wants to destroy my relationship with Geoff, then she should try harder. I trust my husband fully. I just hoped I found out about this matter earlier. Why does Regina hate me so much? Nancy said Regina seems close with Erica, meaning Regina can like a woman who is related to Geoff. She is not hated because she is Geoff current wife. Maybe it's because of her background, being raised by a single mom I guess is not acceptable for her. Or maybe it is because I wasn't born rich. I am not a part of any wealthy family.

I can't help but feel small now. I am not wearing elegant clothes and I look tired at the moment. I'm sure I would look nothing compared to Erica. I'm sure Regina would emphasize on our differences. I should prepare myself to hear insults from the both of them.

"What do you think about Regina's visitor's character? Do you find her friendly? Or is she unapproachable?" I asked Nancy.

"She looks scary. She is like a younger version of the older madam." Nancy answered.

"Can you describe how she looks today?" I asked further.

"She looks pretty and sexy. She is wearing an elegant dress which looks very expensive. She also has accessories. I think they are all diamonds. I never saw her smiling. Anyway, she looks scary." Although she looks confused, she answered my question patiently.

"She is prettier than me then." I said unconsciously.

"No, madam. She looks pretty because of all the things she has on her body and also her makeup. But you are totally different from her. You are pretty. You look very simple and you always wear that smile. You can be liked by any person around you because they can feel comfortable with you easily. You shouldn't compare yourself with anyone. Sir Park chose you because he saw something in you that maybe even you cannot see. I like you madam and for me you are prettier than anyone. Please never compare yourself with others."

Hearing this from Nancy makes me teary-eyed. She is right. I shouldn't feel bad about myself because other people are better than me. I should never compare myself with others because like them, I am also unique.

"Thank you, Nancy. You always make me smile." I hugged Nancy.

I feel better now. I shouldn't be intimidated by Regina and Erica. I just have to be myself tonight. Geoff is with me and because of that, I shouldn't worry about anything. I'm ready to face them.