Chapter Seven

Nelly's face lighted in surprise, but she was quick to hide it. Although, not quick enough.

"Trice?"

"Yeah, sweetheart?"

"Would you mind sharing everything Alex told you?" Nelly forced a smile.

"Huh?" Beatrice turned, feigning a surprised look. "Sorry, I missed you there. Everything Alex told..me?"

"Cut the crap, I'm sure Alex said something... something about 'us'." Nelly let out, wearing the mask of hesitation.

"Us?" A shocked expression appeared on Beatrice's face. "If you mean my husband telling me about you both collectively," Then she grinned ear to ear. "Then nah, sorry to dash your hopes sweetheart. You see, I'm so lucky to have him." Beatrice said, as she paced gently about the room. "He's so loyal, that he runs home just to tell me when he's been flirted with. He tells me only about how you 'act mature' around him and that's because he loves me so very much."

Suddenly the lights blinked.

"Hmm, whatever that was."

"And what exactly did he say?" Nelly pestered on.

"Put more of your energy into your hands, and I might just talk."

Nelly began dusting, sulking for a minute or two.

"He's your ex, or better still, you're the ex."

"Funny," Nelly cackled, almost awkwardly. "I'm just a friend."

"Of course you are," Beatrice rolled her eyes. "A rather disturbing one."

"Did he also tell you that?"

"Not exactly, I put the pieces together, and they fit."

"I don't understand where you're going with this."

Beatrice stopped, turning to her rival.

"I don't know what you're motive here is, but it better not be towards my husband, because I will fight for what I have and I won't hesitate to..."

An ear piercing scream interrupted her speech.

"Anna."

Forgetting her adversary, Beatrice ran out of the room and towards the front door. No sign of her outside.

She took the left part leading to the backyard. Coming into the open space, she stopped.

"Who's a good boy? Who's a good boy?" Anna asked playfully as she rubbed, patted and scratched the Rottweiler in front of her. "You are!" She burst out laughing as the dog licked her face.

"What's going on here?"