One More Chance
Chapter 43: He's cheating!

~~~I've given you the best years of my life. If I failed you then God, how I tried. But I've been hearing stories all over town that you've been cheating me... Oh, love, don't let me be the last to know if it is true then tell me so, I wanna hear it comes from you. Oh, love, don't

let me be the last to find that you are gone, no longer mine. Don't let me be the last know~~~

-The Nolans-

"Take it and use it for all the expenses you will make for her party. You can do what you want, choose what you want... the team, the color, her dress, the guests you want to invite and everything!"

I was left open-mouthed the whole time he speaks. I was shocked not because of the card he gave me, but from the idea that he's giving me all the decisions on planning the party.

"You can also buy her the Disney princess dress that she was asking me to buy her last week---"

"Are you fucking serious, Luke Marcuz?" He stopped talking as he looked at me. "What is this? You're leaving me your card for what? Does this mean you won't help me organize her party?" "Samantha---"

"You're helping me every year, Luke, so what is this?" I asked waving his card again.

"I said I have a meeting in Bangkok, so I'm giving you my card and leaving you the decisions for whatever you want for her birthday. You can ask Jack to help you! Besides, I didn't say I wouldn't come!"

A faint smile formed my lips. It's Jack again. There's nothing wrong with asking my best friend for help, but it's not her obligation but him.

"Fine! I won't bother you to help me prepare for Cali's birthday, but make sure you'll come on time!"

I no longer heard his words... only the 'Tss!'

before he continued with what he's doing.

I counted the days in my head. He's going to Bangkok and stay there for two weeks... while Cali's birthday is ten days. If it's important, how sure would he be that he could attend his daughter's party on that day?

That question left in my head until the day of his flight. But I don't know why there's something in me that doesn't want to believe with his excuses. As much as possible, I don't want to think about those negative thoughts, but they keep running through my head.

***

I marked the calendar application on my phone. I've been counting the days and getting too excited for my daughter's 4th birthday party as if I'm the one who's going to celebrate and not her. But at the same time, I've been waiting for Luke's calls or even a text message, but so far, I haven't received any of those from him yet.

Three days...

Three days before Cali's birthday, I received a call from Jack. She said we have to see each other as she just wanted to say something...

"You just want to tell me about what?" I asked her, confused as to why we should meet.

"It's important, Sam."

"Then why don't you just tell me now?"

"I can't." I heard her sigh on the other line. "I can't talk to you on the phone, Samantha, that's why we have to meet."

"Fine, but can you give me at least a single clue?" I chuckled.

"No, I can't."

"What the hell, Jack---"

"Please, Sam?" a moment of silence passed before she spoke again. "This is about Luke."

Hearing my husband's name, faded the smile on my lips.

"Why? What is it about him?"

"I told you, I can't talk to you on the phone. This is very important."

"Jeez, Jackeline! You're making me nervous!"

But she ignored what I said.

"Let's meet at the coffee shop by 10:00 am. I'll wait for you there, Sam. Bye."

"Wait---"

'tot... tot... tot...'

"Haist!" I couldn't help blowing air as she had already ended the call.

In each passing minute, the more curious I got of what she was about to say about my husband.

At exactly 9:30 am I asked my driver that we will meet Jack today. I have already spoken to my daughter and she has agreed that Rory and Elaine will take care of her while I'm talking to her Untie Jack. They were playing hide and seek when I left.

I arrived at the cafe exactly at 9:50, but Jack was still nowhere to be seen, so I decided to order our favorite drinks while I was waiting for her. And she entered the cafe and sat in front of me, exactly my orders arrived.

"So what is it that you want to tell me?" I asked while sipping my coffee.

She sighed.

"Honestly, I really don't know how to tell you this but..." she paused and looked at me.

"But what? Come on, tell me."

"Sam..."

"Yes?"

"Uhm..."

"Haist!" I frustratedly narrowed my eyes on her.

"I - I saw Luke when I visited my classmate at the Marriott Marquis hotel."

"What? Y-You..." I don't know what to say or to ask her as I suddenly lost my words.

"I saw him with---"

"What are you talking about? Luke is in Bangkok and has a two-week business meeting there. I told you about it, remember?"

"No, he's not in Bangkok, Sam, I saw him, I swear."

"You mean to say he has already arrived from his meeting?"

"No." She shook her head.

"What do you mean no?"

"The truth is, he didn't leave the country."

"Jackeline, what the hell are you talking about?"

Since I was suddenly intrigued and irritated at the same time, my voice came out loud. I glanced at the other customer who was currently looking at us.

"One of the part-time receptionist was my classmate and I checked--- I mean I asked her if there's Luke Marcuz Williams that staying at the hotel and she said yes---" "That's impossible, Jackeline!" This time, I don't care whether all eyes turned to me.

"Listen, Sam---"

"No, you listen to me! Why are you doing this, Jack? For what? I know you don't like him, but do you really have to make a story about him?"

"I am not making a story, Samantha. Why would I do that? You're my best friend---"

"Exactly! You are my best friend!"

She breathed.

"I know what I saw and it was him. I saw your husband with another woman."

"No!"

"Yes! They were laughing and seemed to be having fun with each other's company! Your husband's hand was on the petite woman's waist---"

"You're lying, Jack! So what if his hand was on the girl's waist? What's the problem with that? I couldn't see any problem---"

"And he kissed her passionately--- no, the right word is hungrily. They kissed as if they didn't care what the world will tell them. He kissed her like she was the air that he's breathing! So now tell me, what's the problem with it, Samantha?" I was left open-mouthed with what she said.

"I asked my friend about his record the day he checked in and she told me that Luke had been staying there for the past week. This only proves that he didn't actually leave the country. Because all this time he was staying at the hotel with that woman!" "So you mean to say, he's cheating on me?"

"If kissing another woman while he's still married to you is cheating, then yes, he is. He's cheating on you."

Staring at her, I remained motionless on my seat. I don't know how to process that information... that painful information from her. I was blown away. My husband... my beloved husband is cheating on me.

----'---'---'---'---'---

Jack's POV:

I know I startled her with what I said and it hurts her because she loves Luke more than herself, but I can't just sit or lie down pretty knowing that she would be more hurt if I didn't tell her the truth.

I was also shocked when I saw Luke in the hotel. At first, I got confused because Sam told me he's in Bangkok for a business meeting, so seeing him in the same place--- with a woman who wasn't my best friend, stuck me in place. Quick flashback...

"Martina, can I have a favor?" I asked my friend and classmate who's on duty as a part-time receptionist at that time.

"Sure, Jack, what is it?"

"Uhm... can you check your record if there's a certain Luke Marcuz Williams that currently staying in one of your hotel rooms?"

"Ohh... Jack, I'm sorry, but I can't do that." She replied, shaking her head.

"Please, Martina?"

"This is confidential information, Jack, besides, it's the hotel's protocol not to give any information about our clients to anyone without their consent."

"Oh... I see." I nodded, forcing a smile.

I sighed loudly.

"Is he your boyfriend?"

My head snapped at her and quickly shook my head.

"No, he's my best friend's husband. That's why I want to know if he's currently staying in your hotel because I saw him a few minutes ago with a woman, and she wasn't my best friend. Because what he told her was that he's going to Thailand for a business meeting." "Oh, my God!" She muttered, shocked.

"Thanks, Martina, I guess I have to go."

"Wait, Jack."

I waited for her next words, hoping she could give me the favor I asked her.

"I'll help you with the records that you're asking me for, but please... please don't tell this to anyone because if the management found out, this would be my last day."

A smile of appreciation curled up against my lips and I nodded.

"Yes, I promise!"

She smiled and looked around if there was anyone who would check what she was doing, but when she noticed that everyone was busy, she started opening the client's records.

I waited for a few minutes before she handed me the piece of paper containing the time and the day that Luke Marcuz Williams checked in the hotel and that shocked me the most. Based on what Martina gave me, he's been staying there more than a week ago... exactly the days when he told Sam that he would be returning to Thailand for an Asian meeting. "If I am not mistaken, the person you asked me about was the CEO of Williams Advertising Company, right?"

"Yes." I nodded.

"Well, he was with a woman when he checked in at that time and she's still with him until now."

My fists formed a hardball as anger started to rise inside me. How could he do this to my best friend?

"Thank you so much, Martina, this is really a great help."

"You're welcome, just promise me you won't spill this to anyone."

"I promise, thank you."

I left that hotel not knowing what to do. I was thinking the right way of how to tell Sam about this.