Chapter 1
"I swear I couldn't love you more than I do right now, and yet I know I will tomorrow."
A knock on the door, a car honking on the street and the barking of Billy brought Marissa back to earth.
"Who's there?
She whispered with the little strength she had left.
Tears dripped down her soft cheeks as she stared at the picture.
"It's me, Clara"
Placing the portrait back on the oak wood shelf, Marissa held the doorknob and opened it.
Clara was two years older than Marissa; although they often disagreed, they were best of friends.
"Oh shush.. " Clara replied.
"He's not worth your tears; let it out, let it all out. "
Marissa Hart was a senior editor at Strafford Advertising. She had it all going for her: a good Job, a well-furnished apartment, and a loving husband, until the worst happened!
"I hate him. Why did this have to happen now?" Marissa sobbed.
"He was my life!
Back to when there was happiness, Marissa flashed back to her wedding; how she walked gloriously down the aisle wearing a white strapless wedding gown that accentuated her curves.
One could swear that Joe was thinking right there how he would make passionate love to her that night.
Although she wasn't what one would call pretty on a regular day, she defied all her rules and looked rather beautiful.
"I do", Joe's response to the Priest, who was dressed in black and white regalia.
Now repeating those same words to herself, Marissa knew he never understood the meaning of "I do"
Joe Strafford was a tall, handsome man, standing at 6 feet 2 inches. He took the breath of everyone when he waltzed into any room.
His eyes were hazel brown, and his stare could make any woman fall into his trusting arms. Many women loved Joe; some wondered what he saw in Marissa that he wedded her;
"I love her mom", Joe's usual reply to his egocentric mom who thought every girl was after Joe's Inheritance.
"I guess love wasn't enough ", retorted Marissa.
"Take some coffee" Clara handed the hot, steaming cup to Marissa. Her hands felt shaky as she lifted it and took a sip.
"I did try to make it work, right? " She asked Clara. " Where did I go wrong with him? Wasn't I good enough? Maybe I wasn't pretty enough."
"It takes two to make a marriage work", Clara sighed as she spoke.
"See! The day is sunny for a walk on the beach." Standing up from her chair, Clara gazed round the unkempt sitting room and gave Marissa a knowing stare.
Marissa leaned on the wall close to the window and couldn't find a reason to go out. She felt life was over-since Joe was the love of her life.
"I feel exhausted; I need a shower." Taking a step toward the center of the room, she felt lightheaded, missed her step, and fell on the hardwood floor.
"Mari, Mari.. " shouted Clara as she fondly called her. "Help! Help!" She screamed and looked at Marissa's face, all washed up from the tears, her eyes sunken in from dehydration, oblivious of where she was.
Clara noticed splashes of water on her face, her breathing rather fast as she opened her eyes.
"Thank God! I can't lose you. Slowly, slowly, take it easy," Clara beckoned as Marissa got up and was guided into her room.
The room was quite spacious and had a good view from the rear window
"You should eat; you need your strength.
"Why should you die because he left?"
chillax, I'm not gonna die. I was only exhausted from the weather."
Marissa responded as she held tightly to her pillow
"I owe you one, bestie. I don't know what would have happened if you weren't here.
"Don't mention it. I knew you weren't in your right frame of mind when I spoke to you on the phone. I came as quickly as I could.
You should rest; you really need it. "
Clara continued speaking as she looked intently at her best friend, touching her head and observing her vitals.
"You sure you don't need to see a doctor?"
" I'm fine; you care too much. Sometimes, I see my mom in you
"You could use some help around here; I think we should go to my place"
I have work, you know, " Marissa replied.
She needed to get her shit together, as she didn't want to look broken at work the next Monday.
The worst aspect was that she was a mess and didn’t need to see him every day since he was recently named the CEO of the company.
