Not What I Expected

Part 10

"Hi sweetheart," her dad, Fred, answered, "How did counselling go? Able to work some things out I hope."

"Counselling was frustrating for me daddy," Nicole said quietly, "Chad didn't show up so it was just me. I don't know what to do..."

"Oh Nicky," Fred said lovingly, "I'm so sorry."

"It's ok, I'll figure it out," Nicole replied, "How is my baby?"

"He is great, happy little guy as always," Fred replied, "He just finished eating dinner and now we are about to sit down and watch a movie."

"Do you mind keeping him a little longer?" Nicole asked with a smile on her face, "I was thinking about grabbing a bite and then taking a walk down by the water before coming to get him. I need to clear my mind."

"Absolutely," Fred responded, "Take your time. I love you sweetie."

"I love you too dad," Nicole replied before hanging up her phone and sliding it into her purse.

She stopped walking and looked up at the building in front of her. She wondered if she would be interrupting him if she just went up and said a quick hello.

Without giving it another thought she opened the big glass door and walked towards the bank of elevators at the back of the building. She walked onto the elevator and pushed the button for the 16th floor and waited patiently as the elevator smoothly made its way up. The door dinged as it opened and she made her way into the foyer where the receptionist was sitting.

Nicole looked at her watch which happened to tell her that it was 6:30. She wondered why the receptionist was still there.

"Good evening Mrs. Sanders," the petite brunette said from the other side of the desk with a smile, "Are you looking for Chad?"

"Actually I am, Maddy," Nicole replied, smiling back at her, "Is he in his office?"

"Actually, he left about an hour and a half ago," Maddy replied before quickly looking down at her hands, "I thought he was going to see you. At least that's where he said he was going..."

Nicole was confused at this response. Chad had told her that he was busy with work and prepping for his trial. She just automatically thought that he would be here working. She was tired and felt like giving up on their marriage all together. He said one thing and did another and she wondered how important this actually was to him.

"Thank you Maddy," Nicole said quietly, "If he comes back, please let him know that I was here."

She turned on her heels and walked back to the elevators feeling dejected and hurt and unimportant. Where did they stand, she couldn't help but think to herself. She bit her lip to try and stop the tears from falling, but she was unsuccessful. She got onto the elevator and watched as the doors closed slowly, wondering if the doors were also closing slowly on her marriage.

Beth hadn't seen Anna since the day she had confirmed that Chad was having an affair and thought that despite what Anna had done to Nicole, they should bury the hatchet and try to fix their bond. Beth and Anna had always been very close and neither of them had ever kept secrets from the other.

Beth had been sitting in her SUV when a blue Ford F-150 pulled up to the front of the building a little ways away from her.

"What the hell..." Beth mumbled to herself as she squinted to get a better look, "What is...oh hell no..."

It took every ounce of energy that Beth had to stop herself from getting out of her vehicle and storming up to the truck. She couldn't believe that after all the damage those two had caused to Nicole and Hudson that they were still seeing each other.