“One moment Carmen!”   He said harshly grasping my arm as I was about to move towards the door. “ I will sign the divorce papers only if you stay for another week here and I have invited Ria’s in-laws for dinner this evening and as you are my wife it would be discourteous if you were not to join as they know you are still my wife.” “And what if I disagree…..” I said anxiously. “Then you will not get your passport back.” “You mean your present lover Bella Costa will be here and I need to entertain her as I am still your wife in papers.” I snapped angrily as I felt so disgusted at the thought of meeting her again. “May I go now, or do I have to ask for your permission to do that? And anyway your lover is coming so why do you need me?” As there was no point in arguing with him, I was having a migraine. “Be careful Carmen! he said softly. “Don’t go too far! And remember don’t be rude to my guests as they are Ria’s in-laws” “Oh, don’t worry Marc. I may not be a fit wife for you but I am capable of behaving suitably when the occasion demands it. But if your lover tries to humiliate me don't think that I will allow her to bully me. Control her or I won't spare her” And before he could say anything I walked towards the door and slammed it violently behind me. I stayed in my room for the next few hours, as I had lost my temper I could not make the final arrangement with Marc for my departure that week and he had given me an ultimatum now. I'll have to stay here for a week. Thoughts of the coming evening depressed me further. But for sure Marc’s guest would be more embarrassed simply by my presence, the returned wife, who had left him would create such a fiasco. Whatever had Marc told them about me? I thought it is going to be the most uncomfortable evening and I knew that the Situation was totally ridiculous. As the time of dinner approached, I walked angrily around the room, knowing that if I took some rest it would make me uneasy and I would think all kinds of things. Angrily I tried to push the disrupted thoughts aside. maybe if I read for a while that would take my mind off the problems I thought reaching into my bag and taking out a Journal brought in the departure long before the journey. I must have been still very tired from the long walk that I had taken because when I woke up the room was full of evening shadows and my watch told me that I had only half an hour to prepare myself for the dinner. I scrambled out of the bed shaking off my clothes on the way to the shower. The cold water on my overheated skin was wonderfully refreshing and I let it linger for a few minutes under its flow. There was only one possible choice of dress to wear for this evening thank goodness I had brought one dress with me. I chose a beautiful black and color dress; I had no option, so I have to wear it and it would be a splendid confidence booster for the coming evening. There was a knock on the door and I wondered who was it as I had no wish to confront Marc right now so I asked. "Who is it?" "It's me Ada." I opened the door to find Ada carrying a packet. I looked at her and asked. "Do you need something?" "Marc has sent you this evening gown." Ada smiled and was trying to hand over the packet but I declined. "Ada, please tell him, I don't need his favors and I am not wearing it. Now please excuse me I need to take a shower." I did not give her a chance to say anymore. I know I was rude but I was not accepting Marc's gift. And I will wear the dress which I had selected whether he likes it or not that is his problem. I am still angry with him after the way he behaved in the afternoon and have decided I will not give him any more chances to embarrass me in front of his so-called relatives.. After showering I put on my makeup carefully applying foundation lightly over my skin that was already becoming bright with gold, darkening my lashes with carefully applied mascara, and shading my eyes skillfully with colour . My lips were already full and red and barely needed any colour to glow so I applied a light colour with a light touch of blusher along the cheekbones and with my hair tied into a knot I looked very elegant. Carefully I stepped into my evening dress pulling the straps into positions and smoothing the material over my hips. I must behave like a married woman. The dress clung to my lovely body outlining every curve with perfection. I felt a surge of confidence as I realized that I was looking my best. With one last glance in the full-length mirror, I moved slowly down towards the door. Now that the time had come to join the other guest my nervousness had visibly increased. I felt as though I was about to enter a room filled with enemies all waiting for me to make a fool of myself. How Marc would enjoy seeing me humiliated …...No this would not do, I thought with anguish. I need to pull myself together, I thought, and show him that I can cope with any situation. Gradually the wild beating of my heart subsided a little, as I approached the large drawing room I began to tremble and wanted to return to my room and stay there until morning. From the murmur of voices within the room it was obvious that Marc's guest had already arrived. Slowly I pushed open the double doors and stood there for some time. Immediately I became the focus of all eyes and there was a sudden quietness in the conversation. I felt the ready colour flood into my cheeks, but I raised my chin confidently determined not to be overpowered by Marc or his friends and especially Bella Costa. A quick glance around the room showed three known faces and the rest were unknown to me Marc had moved away from the drinks cabinet and was beside me and looked immaculate in this his evening clothes but he looked really weak because of his illness and his expressions were unreadable. I felt the urge to cling to his arm and then he was slowly drawing me forward into the circle of faces I found myself responding politely as I was introduced to the two elderly people in the party and experienced an immediate hostility in their eyes as they were non-other than Andrew Costa and Stephanie Costa. And as I turned I came face to face with a cool uninterested beauty who was their daughter, Bella Costa. Stephanie Costa possessed the pale flawless complexion that Bella Costa had been bestowed in her genes but in her case, it was combined with pure, classical features and beautiful long black hair. Though she had aged, she has flawless skin. She was less than pleased to see me and responded to Marc's presence with immediate warmth. Some things never change I thought and felt like slapping them both and I tried to ignore them. Marc appeared reluctant to move away from me but his attention was distracted by a tall man standing beside Bella Costa. “ Marc my friend you can speak to my family later but first you have to introduce me to your charming and beautiful wife .” I sensed the hesitation before Marc spoke. “Carmen may I introduce Carl Costa a close neighbor and a friend.” “I am very honored to meet you, Carmen,” Carl said immediately staring at me as he bent and gave a lingering kiss on the back of my hand. “ I am very pleased to meet you, Carl,” I replied with a smile, aware that this response would anger Marc and could feel a fierce urge to make him aware of me. I deliberately pulled my hand away from Carl’s grasp, judging by the icy restraint in Marc's voice as he made the next introduction that my action had been noted as he continued. “ You have not yet met Drake Costa,” he said smoothly, “ The brother of Bella Costa and Ria’s fiancé .” “How do you do?” I said as I held my hand once more to be kissed very politely by him. My attention momentarily distracted me from my own problems as I looked carefully at Ria’s future husband. His relationship with Bella was perfectly obvious. He was certainly a handsome young man, I concluded and there was a distinct twinkle in his eye as he returned my scrutiny. “Ria tells me that you and she are now good friends,” he said. “So do I pass the test as Ria’s future husband? He added in an amused tone. “If my husband was chosen by my family, I would be very pleased if they had chosen you,” I told him with sincerity but regretted saying it as I realized the full meaning of my words. Gasped shock came from the direction of Drake’s family and then both Carl and Drake began to laugh. I was overwhelmingly conscious of Marc's disapproval as I began to stammer out apologies. “Please I am terribly sorry Drake, I just wasn't thinking that was rude of me! “ "Please say no more," Drake replied with a smile. "You disapprove of our methods of choosing partners by our family but you approve of the choices made by Ria. I'm flattered but have no fear that I do not love Ria, I would never have consented to marry her if I did not feel that way.” He added with amusement to his parent's shocked faces. “You don't need to have fears about me, we shall be very happy,” he added walking towards the younger girl and drawing her in his arms. "I know you care about Ria so you were trying to protect her and I respect you for that." Drake said as he kissed Ria lovingly and Ria kissed him back.