“NO! It can not be, Rob!” Clarissa yelled as she stood in front of her fiance, holding his phone to his face, tears streaming down her cheeks.


“You can't fucking do this to me, Rob. Tell me you are not having an affair with Gretchen, please. Gretchen’s my friend, my colleague, she can't do this to me. No!”


Rob Gregory sat in a heap, sighing loudly, as he listened to his fiancee’s outburst passively. He looked sorry, but he wasn't ready to come out clean.


“Clarissa, look, I am sorry, but it is not what you think. Yes, I agree, we had a thing, but it was just a one-time thing, hon.”


“WHAT? How dare you lie to my face?”


“There are several pictures of you together, that is not ‘a one-time thing’! You have been lying, Rob. The business trips and the meetings were all lies from the pit of hell. You have been going on trips with her. How dare her too, she is my friend!” She screamed and crouched on the floor, her voice breaking.


Rob gritted his teeth as he stood up and reluctantly stretched forth his arms towards Clarissa’s direction in an attempt to console her.


“Leave me alone. Do not lay your filthy hands on me, Rob. I wasn't enough for you, and I will never be. I wish I were not so oblivious. The signs were right there in my face. I just decided to ignore them, oh damn.” Clarissa swore under her breath, as beads of sweat began to form on her forehead.


Rob raised his voice slightly, “But don't you think you are being inconsiderate towards me? I have tried explaining, but you don't want to listen to what I have to say. Look, she seduced me. It just happened, Mon Cherie. I love you still.”


Clarissa couldn't believe her ears.


Did he just say she was being inconsiderate? If only he knew how she was struggling to control her outbursts. She kept wondering why Gretchen did this. She had been so nice to her. Thinking of the situation hurt her deeply. She was at a loss for words.


“Clarissa, please, Rob walked up to her and lowered his voice. Okay, I agree that I was an asshole, I will fix this, hon. I will cut all ties with her, I promise. Let us make this work, please. You have an upcoming summer shoot with Exquisite Magazine. It’s a big project. If this gets out, I’m afraid, it will cause more harm than good.”


Clarissa was silent all the while. She found it difficult to believe her ears, that despite the complex situation, all Rob cared about was business and money. She was undecided between ending things with Rob and letting sleeping dogs lie. But in New York, bad news travels at the speed of light.


“Popular celebrity photographer ‘Clarissa Earhart’ and famous food chain mogul ‘Rob Gregory’ have gone their separate ways over an unknown dispute. Sadly, their engagement has been, annulled.”


Clarissa cringed as she imagined the news headlines, the controversies that would follow, plus the toll it would take on her status as a celebrity. It will be a disastrous situation. Clarissa decided to forgive Rob just this once. This situation definitely should never get out.


“Clarissa”! Rob exclaimed. His voice jolted her back to reality as she had been absent-minded. “Are you okay? You look pale, hon. I am sorry, Mon Cherie.” Rob kneeled beside her as he drew her into an embrace.


Clarissa held back her tears, “I will be okay, Rob. Do you promise to stay away from her?” She asked as she searched his eyes for answers. She loves her career and would do anything to keep it, even if it meant she wouldn't get closure.


“Um, I will do that. I will fix it as soon as possible.” Rob responded casually, fumbling with his cuff links.


“Rob? Are you sure?” Clarissa queried, not convinced of his response.


“Yes, trust me. I do not want to lose you, but more importantly, we must maintain our relationship so business can remain undisturbed. I promise to be a better partner to you, a better husband when we tie the knot, and a great father to our kids.” Rob replied and kissed Clarissa on the lips.

“I believe you, Rob. Clarissa sighed, hopeful that Rob meant well.


“Clarissa, is it possible for you not to discuss this with Gretchen? I want to fix this as quietly as possible.” Rob asked, his voice quivering.


“WHAT DO YOU MEAN? Clarissa asked, elongating each word. You don't get to tell me how to react to the pain you both caused me. I do not plan to blow things out of proportion at the moment. Gretchen stabbed me in the back, so she should know that I am aware that she is so fake.” Clarissa scoffed.


“Mon Cherie, please. Rob pleaded. Just put all of the blame on me. I know you are disappointed, but please, no drama, for business's sake. We can not afford to be on the news.”


Clarissa sighed, reflecting on what had happened. Her heart ached for confrontation and closure. She wanted to know why Gretchen betrayed her. But perhaps not knowing why was best for her sanity.


“I would not confront her. I would quietly avoid her during work periods. Fix the mess you caused, Mr. Gregory.” Clarissa replied with an icy tone.


********

“Good job today, guys. Let's wrap it up. We will take it from here tomorrow.” Clarissa called out to a room filled to the brim with assistants, the editor, the models, the stylist, and some of her colleagues.


Her arms ached from holding the camera for a prolonged time. She made a mental note to book an appointment at the spa as she walked down the hallway to her office.


It was her third appointment that month, but she did not mind lavishing a few thousand dollars extra to cool off steam. Spa visits and retail therapy had been saving her from losing her mind.


She had a long day shooting for Exquisite Magazine’s summer campaign shoot. The models arrived late, so Clarissa had time to scan the building for Gretchen. But she was nowhere in sight.


Then she recalled that Gretchen’s car had not been in the underground parking lot earlier that day. And she had been relieved that she would not need to be stuck with Gretchen in her face all day.


The past two weeks have been awkward and somewhat frustrating for Clarissa because she has had to smile and be cordial with Gretchen for the sake of work.


Not that she wouldn't love to yank off Gretchen’s hair and give her an earful, but she had to be civil. She is a celebrity, and paparazzi are everywhere.


Clarissa spotted a pink bouquet and a box on her desk as she entered her office.


“Wow. she gasped in amazement. Isn't this so cute?” Just as she was about to unseal the envelope in the flower bouquet, she heard a swift knock on the glass door.


“Hola Boss!” It was Jane, Clarissa’s manager and personal assistant. “That came in at noon, at 12:35’ish, from Mr. Gregory. Jane said cheerily, referring to the flowers and gifts on Clarissa’s desk.


“Really. Clarissa cooed with watery eyes. “Oh, my sweet, sweet Rob. He sure knows what I love..” she said as she unboxed the gift.


It was a floral pink Jimmy Choo, one of the latest designs. Clarissa squealed as she jumped on her tiptoes like a little child.


“I bet you will look so stunning in them. Jane said, grinning from ear to ear. Here are the revised contracts from our next set of clients. I will leave them here so you can sign them for final approval.”


“Thanks, Jane. I am taking the rest of the day off, Clarissa replied. Please cancel all other engagements for today!


“Sure thing, boss. Jane smiled as she made her exit. It was evident that her boss was in a great mood.

********
“Rob seems to be away from his phone,” Clarissa said as she dialed her fiance’s number for the third time in her car.


She had decided to pay Rob a surprise visit that evening. After leaving the office, Clarissa stopped by Victoria's Secrets at East 86th Street to pick up some lingerie. She had planned to give Rob a steamy night.


“C’mon, Rob.” Clarissa hissed.


He still wasn't picking up his phone. She then decided to go into his apartment. If he wasn't inside, that equals a long drive back to Manhattan. She rolled her eyes at the thought of this.


“He’d better be home. Clarissa muttered as she arrived at Rob’s apartment floor.


Surprisingly, the door to his apartment was slightly ajar. Clarissa strutted in and made out the sounds of sex moans.


Shocked at the discovery, she staggered towards the master bedroom and saw her fiance and her friend, Gretchen, having passionate sex.


“WHAT!”