Chapter 2

After they left, I cried all my frustrations that I had from the two of them. We were best friends since we were young. We always had each others back, but why did they do this to me? Henry... He always say how much he loves me and that... I am the only one he wants. And Alexa? I treated her like my own sister, but what did she do to me? Everyone was fake. Everything was unreal. I was completely blinded by the people I used to love and failed to see the bigger picture. Maybe that's why Aria always said that I should be on guard with Alexa. I should have just listened to her. Maybe this wouldn't happened to me. I cried my anguish and frustrations for the whole night, until the darkness consumed me.

The next morning, I wake up and saw my reflection in the mirror. My eyes are red and swollen after crying yesterday. I looked like a pitiful and hopeless woman. Well, I definitely am.

"Your husband cheated on you with your most beloved cousin, huh? You're really dumb, Elise. How come you never notice anything about them? How come you fall for their evil schemes?" I repeatedly pointed my reflection in the mirror until it almost crack. It was supposed to be a happy occasion, but it turns into a catastrophic one.

My sentiments was interrupted when my phone ring and I saw my Aunt Faye calling me. Now they are here for damage control. To silence me...? Or to make amends with me?

"Elise..." My Aunt said in the other line. I didn't bother to greet her because I don't want to be plastic with her.

"I've heard from Alexa what happened. Can you come here in the house and talk about it? We are family after all. We should sort it out." My Aunt said casually. She didn't even ask how I feel. Maybe she and Uncle Roland were also faking their feelings towards me.

"I'm busy. I cannot go." I said before I hang up the call.

I put a cold compress on my eyes to loosen out the redness. I cannot go in the work with this appearance. After all, I may lost Henry and Alexa, but it shouldn't bother me that much. What's the point in shedding more tears to fake and irrelevant people? What's important now is my company, and my friends.

After I put an ointment under my eyes, I also applied a darker make-up to increase my confidence later. I wore a black dress with a plunging neckline and match it with my black stockings plus a black stiletto. This look is a bit different from my usual look since I always settle for a less flirty look. To finish my dress up, I wear a black chocker in my neck, and carry my Dolce & Gabbana hand bag.

'Perfect,' I mumbled upon seeing myself looking stronger and fiercer.

I drove off to Frederick Group since we will be having a meeting today. I will settle my debts with those who played with me slowly.

I parked my car and entered the building with my head raise. Do they think I looked like someone who just lost something valuable? Heck, no. Let me give them a taste of their own medicine.

Some employees greeted me and some are thinking twice if they should approach me. Well, I'm not a dog so I won't bite.

"Good morning, Ma'am. You have a meeting to attend in 30 minutes." Riley, my secretary told me. I just nod at her and enter my office.

"Here's your coffee, Ma'am." She said and exited my office right away. Nah, I let my Uncle manage the company because I thought they cared for me. But after what Alexa did and Aunt Faye's call earlier, I already realized that their only concern is Alexa. Let me start by her today.

I was the one who put her as the Director for Marketing Department in this company even though she isn't qualified for the job. I always thought that family should be first in everything, err my Uncle said those, but what did my family did to me again? Ah, they bite the one who feed them.

I glanced at my watch and the meeting is supposed to start by now. Let me show you who's the real boss.

Everyone is already seated when I entered the conference room. My bitchy cousin is sitting prettily on the right side together with my Uncle and Henry. I wanted to scrape that smug on her face but I controlled my face not to do so to avoid ruining my plan. I hope you can still smile after what I'll do to you...later.

I smiled at her widely which made her lose her ugly smile.

"Good morning, Ladies and Gentlemen. Today is our monthly board meeting. I am glad to see all of our directors and investors are here. Let's start."

The first to present is the Director for Finance. He reported the increase on our profit when we started building Hotel Grande. The increase was due to the A-list celebrities who endorse our hotel services in the social media for our good reception. The presentation goes on until it was my cousin, Alexa who is now going to present. She raised her eyebrows at me and I just smiled at her sweetly. I'm waiting, bitch.

"Good morning, everyone. On our latest construction of Hotel Grande, most of our guests loved our room amenities and leave a good recommendation to us. Specifically, when asked which service do they want our hotel to offer, this are the ones they suggested." Alexa click for the next slide but it was not the presentation she opted. It was her and Henry's video when doing sex in our house. Don't they think I didn't place a CCTV Camera in there? They didn't even reach the bedroom and stained my living room. Maybe I should burned that couch later.

The people inside the conference room started buzzing and whispering to each other. And I can tell how Uncle Roland, Henry, and Alexa panicked with the sudden appearance of their sex video.

My inside self is laughing so hard at their reactions. Maybe I should just post their video online to make my revenge easier? I'll think about that later.

I acted shocked and use my handkerchief who has an onion scent, to make the act real. And not so long, I started shedding tears.

"S-so, my cousin whom I treated as a sister, and m-my husband is having an affair behind my back? H-how... how could you do this to me?" I hysterically said, but my inside is convulsing with laughter.

Do you think you're the only ones who can act like an Oscar Awardee?

I cried louder to make the scenario worst. Mrs. Serrano rushed to my side to comfort me, and so is the other female board members.

"Roland, I didn't think your daughter can do this to Elise."

"I-I... Its a misunderstanding." My uncle said in distress. " Quick Alexa and Henry, tell them you don't have an affair." My Uncle Roland said, but who'll believe when we have an evidence, which is still playing.

The moaning gets louder, and my Uncle's face was retorted.

"What the heck! Stop this nonsense video." He said angrily.

"Nonsense? How can you say that, Uncle? I am your niece, and I treated you like my own father. Why are you covering for their mistakes? How about me? My husband and my cousin is having an affair!" I cried loudly so everyone can feel my anguish.

"Shame on you, Henry and Alexa. Elise supported tou and this is what tou do?"

Henry just stayed silent, while Alexa walks out of the room.

"Let's talk about this privately, Elise. We are family and —"Before he could finish his word, I already cut him off.

"Family? Is this what family do to each other? Steal their cousin's husband and pretend that it never happened? Your daughter is sleeping with my husband, and you want me to play dumb?"

"Just follow your daughter, Roland. This mess is already getting out of hand. Take Henry with you and leave. We'll take care of Elise." Mr. Howell ordered to my uncle, which he immediately follow.

My father's friends show even more concern to me compared to my uncle. I feel a sign of relief that their are people who are still on my side.

"Don't worry, Elise. You can count on us. Your parents are a good friend of ours and we won't let their daughter be on misery with that relatives of yours. Our house is welcome to accommodate you." Mrs. Serrano said in a concerned tone while touching my hair. I remembered my Mom with her gesture. She used to do this as well when I felt sad.

"Thank you so much. It means a lot to me especially after I lose someone whom...I trusted so badly." Tears started pooling from my eyes, but this time it was real. I've never felt this comfort after my parents died and to think I felt this feeling with the people I don't even share a single drop of blood.