After I reached the agency, I was immediately involved in hugs by my colleague as well as friend Jessica. She was a nice girl, in her thirties, unmarried but so eagerly waiting to get married as soon as possible. I always tried changing her mind, as I, being married with the worst man in the world, knew what the hell it is to carry an overwhelming burden all the life. "Where have you been, Mela?  You are missing for such a long time". "Ahh Jessy, so many things happened in this period of time. I have to share with you". I heard my boss calling me. in his cabinet. I entered there saying "Good afternoon, Mr Rogers, sorry for being late". "It's your usual behaviour, Melanie. You have this habit of getting late. Anyways, Melanie, I wanted to warn you that if you continue to be negligent towards your job, I'm gonna fire you. I'm giving you a last chance". I was as if doused with cold water eventhough I expected similar dialogue with mister Rogers. Without saying a word, by just nodding, I left mister Rogers's cabinet. Jessy ran out to me with eyes full of curiosity. "What did the gaffer tell you, Mela?". "Jessy, there are more important things I wanna tell you. Let's go to the buffet". Jessy nodded and we headed downstairs right to the buffet. I ordered coffee, while Jessy asked for a cup of tea. "Yes, Mela, I'm here to listen to you", she said. "Jessy, the reason why I was absent at work for this much time is because of my family issue. Me and Richard are getting divorced. I tried my best all these years to manage with him but it's enough, I'm done. I can't change him so it's better if we end everything now", I said coldly. "Oh my! I would expect to hear anything from you, except this. Are you guys sure in your decision?" I could feel sorrow in her eyes. "Yes, Jessy, we both are grown up adults and our decision is firm. I don't need empathy, Jessy. I'm alright. You will see, I will start a new life and... "Did you guys discuss about divorce?" She interrupted me. "Umm, actually we didn't. But from his last words, it was understandable that he doesn't want to continue anymore. Of course he doesn't. He wants to get a mistress and this tells me everything". I replied with a bit louder voice. "Okay Mela, it's your life and your rules, I can't say anything. I just hope you don't regret it later". "I won't" I confirmed firmly. We left the cafe each of us going in different directions. I wanted to reach home fast because I was tired.
I don't remember how long I slept, but I know the reason that made me wake up from my sweet nap. It was Richard's call. "Good evening, Melanie, I have to come to take my remaining things which I forgot to take last time", he said indifferently. "Okay", I said without greeting him and put the phone down immediately. Suddenly some sort of energy came to me and I decided to appear in front of Richard with great image at any cost. By "great image", I didn't mean my looks. I meant my inner peace and confidence. My cold heart and smart brain. I had to practice the conversation with Richard and remember what Mary told me. Just as I thought about this, I heard the door bell. It was Richard. I made an indifferent face and opened the door after the bell continued to ring for few minutes. "Why did you open the door late? Didn't you hear the bell?" Richard was in his usual role. I skipped this question, as if I didn't hear it. "Please be quick in taking your things, I have an important guest coming". I said confidently. "Who is that?" Richard asked. I could feel that big curiosity in him. "It's none of your business from now on". He didn't utter a word but he seemed to be surprised by such attitude of mine. Suddenly an idea came to my mind, what if I don't give Richard a divorce? Not because I think I might be able to hold him back this way, but because some plan was spinning in my head. After Richard packed his things, I directly told him "Richard, let's postpone the divorce process. I have some issues related to my job. I can't be busy with something else now. "Okay fine" was his answer. Well, I expected him not to agree to this but he did. How nice of him. Anyways, I shouldn't over praise him. He is the same bastard he was few days ago. "But one thing, don't think that this way you can make me stay by your side. We will just live together for some period of time but we aren't together anymore. You have to accept this". Hahahahaha, I thought to myself. This idiot thinks that I'm dying to stay with him so I am ready to do anything to make that happen. "Don't worry Richard, I'm not the same Melanie who I was before, begging you for something. I've changed, so you also have to accept this. You have your own private life from now on as you're a free man, so you can do anything you want". Wow, how easily I was able to say these words. If Mary would see me, she wouldn't believe her eyes. "Okay Melanie, I'm really free from now". I felt some sort of malice in his words. As if he also had a plan. I nodded with also a malice smile on my face and he left, while I still didn't understand the meaning behind his spite words.