Free A Weekend Affair by Noelle Vella

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Chapter 6
    Gabrielle
    My mouth dropped open. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. If I could, I would have taken out my contact lenses and put them back in, just to make sure my eyes weren’t playing tricks on me. Shell and Carl were sitting directly in front of Diego and me, swapping spit and playing tonsil hockey like they were the only two people in existence. I might actually be happy for Shell if it wasn’t for the fact that they were both married.
    What in the heck was she thinking? I mean, I knew she was somewhat under the influence, but I think it was less about the alcohol and more about her need to feel something—anything. As much as I couldn’t stand Malik and everything he had done, she was married to him, albeit unhappily. And yet, here she was, breaking her marriage vows for all the world to see.
    Clearly, I wasn’t the only one who thought they were making a spectacle of themselves. Diego looked shell-shocked, and some of the other patrons were staring as well. For the second time tonight, I kicked Shell under the table. She gazed in my direction, shooting me the most venomous look I had ever seen. Oh yes, Shell was ticked, but I’d rather have her angry with me now than for her to do something she would regret later.
    As far as I knew, she had never broken her vows, not a single solitary one, and despite her husband being a gaping lying, cheating butthole, I knew she still loved him. Yeah, she looked, but she had never, ever touched, never stepped outside of her marriage. Which was why, for the life of me, I couldn’t figure out why Shell was acting like a single woman on the prowl. Or like she belonged to another man. This simply was not like her. But then again, when a man has constantly beat you down emotionally and mentally on a daily basis, I could actually understand her urge to act so impulsively.
    I mean, here was an extremely attractive man showing her the attention she yearned for, attention that she should have been getting from her husband, but wasn’t. In a few short minutes, Carl had given Shell something that she hadn’t received in months: an awareness that she was desired and wanted. I could appreciate that feeling. I’d been there myself, and could easily sympathize with her situation.
    Just as I was contemplating having another discussion with Shell, I felt my purse vibrate. I hadn’t checked my cell all evening, mainly because there was no reason for anyone to call me while I was away, unless it was extremely important. I took the phone out of my purse just in case it was something urgent. When I looked at the screen, I saw who the call was from; it was Daniel. He was probably still salty about this morning, but that was his problem, not mine. I promptly pressed the ignore button on the screen.
    Noticing I had some text messages, I entered my pin number, then looked to see who they were from. I rolled my eyes, seeing they were all from Daniel. Thanks for leaving me hanging . . . Where are you? . . . Oh, so now you’re ignoring me? The messages went on and on. I guess he got tired of texting and decided to call instead. Not five minutes later, he called back, and once again, I ignored him. I really should have turned my phone off, but I always kept it on in case of an emergency. When he called for the third time, I decided to answer, intent on nipping him in the bud once and for all. I excused myself from the table, heading outside.
    â€œYes, Daniel,” I answered, trying to sound less annoyed than I actually was.
    â€œWhy didn’t you answer me before?” he asked.
    â€œBecause I’m on vacation, remember? I’m trying to enjoy myself.”
    â€œOh, and you don’t have two seconds to answer my call?”
    â€œIs it something important?”
    â€œWell, unless you don’t consider me losing my job as important, then I guess not. You just bounced like you didn’t even care.”
    I took