《Two Sides》


 Chapter 1

    Nikki was sitting in the Dumont Insurance office working on the budget for a new marketing n. Her estranged husband was outside her office schmoozing some rich client about life insurance. She rolled her eyes hearing his fake salesmanugh. If people only knew what a jerk Carson Dumont really was.


    She had moved into her low-level apartment a couple of weeks ago after he allowed his ex-girlfriend to stay with them. Mercedes was a ss A bitch and still had yet toe to terms that he was married to Nikki. Nikki didn¡¯t enjoy having to show up at work every day with him. Especially since they had been separated. She wanted to work on the marriage, but wasn¡¯t sure if he felt that same. Why she was in a tiny rat-infested apartment on the west side, he was living the high life in their fancy East End mansion with his mistress, Mercedes. Carson imed he and Mercedes were just old high school friends. In Nikki¡¯s eyes, she didn¡¯t understand who in their right mind would move in the ex-girlfriend to live with their wife? She couldn¡¯t prove it but, she felt like something wasn¡¯t right. She suspected that he had been cheating and not for the first time.


    Nikki and Carson had not been happy for a while. Although not physically abusive, he was a bully. He made her keep the appearance of a perfect life and a perfect wife. Told her exactly how to walk, talk, and act. Even going as far as to tell her how to dress and making her stop her job as a writer and artist. Her once dream job as an author was now just a memory. He refused to have kids with her since he had children with his first wife. It was as if all her hopes for her future had vanished.


    To the outside world, he was the famous ex Golden Gloves boxing champ. Everyone loved him. On the inside, he was selfish and demanding. She was a simple country girl, so she didn¡¯t get the whole boxing thing in the city that made him so popr. Mohamed Ali was the boxer that put Louisville, Ky on the map. To hear Carson tell it, he was the boxing hero of the town. Where she was from, it was basketball and football that ruled the popr crowds. Back home she was the nerdy book worm. Although stunningly beautiful, she never was the socialite Carson wanted her to be. Long dark hair with dark brown eyes and a sweet smile. The perfect beautiful trophy wife toplete his illusions of a grand life.


    She went back to her paperwork bncing the budget, ignoring him and his fake smile. A few minutester she sat tapping her pen on her lips bored with her daily duties. She saw a blonde man walk in the front door. Ruggedly handsome with beautiful blue eyes, and looked to be very fit.


    She saw Carson yell gleefully to the man as if he knew him. She could see the man¡¯s face turned to anger for a split second. Nikki got up to go to the ss door of her office to see if she could hear the conversation. They were just talking about the man¡¯s car insurance. The man looked up to Nikki and gave a half-smile. She smiled back blushing, slightly waving. The man narrowed his eyes with a slight nod. Acknowledging her but not seemingly too interested.


    Carson looked annoyed, ¡°I will fix your damn car. Mercedes says it was an ident. I own a damn insurancepany for gosh sakes. We are covered.


    ¡°I don¡¯t give a fuck what she says. She hit my car and took off. It¡¯s a fucking ssic! I should go to the police but I¡¯m trying to give you a chance to make this right.¡±


    Carson justughed. Of course, he did. Pompous ass.N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.


    Shaking his head in amusement, ¡°The car is a relic. We will fix your precious little junk heap. Don¡¯t worry pretty boy. Or, we can work this out another way. You can get back in the ring with me a few rounds. Pull out those old gloves and fight me like old times.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t fight anymore. I retired. I train fighters now,¡± the man rolled his eyes.


    ¡°I heard. A waste of good talent if you ask me. But, then again you were always a coward. Once I beat you in that street fight, you lost what fight you had in ya.¡±


    The man just red at him. He had twice the size of Carson, muscle wise. Nikki didn¡¯t understand why he would provoke this guy. The man looked as if he could rip him into shreds, even though his face looked innocent. The man bulked up and got in Carson¡¯s face clenching his fist at his sides.


    Carson looked down seeing his fist and backed down.


    ¡°I just messing with you. Dude, rx. I¡¯ll fix your car. Send me your insurance info and we will fix it right up.¡±


    ¡°Be sure you do. I don¡¯t want to have toe back here.¡±


    Carson walked away to smooth talk the next client who was insuring a luxury sedan. He headed to his office with his next client and shut the door. Carson was so fake it made Nikki sick. She didn¡¯t know why Carson always lived in the past. It always came back to his days as a boxer and the big Golden Gloves win. The night he got in a lucky KO and beat the best fighter in the league, Reece Maddox. His sworn enemy from the best boxing training center in the Midwest.


    The man left as Carson came from his office to grab some paperwork.


    Nikki stopped him, ¡°Carson, who was that man?¡±


    ¡°Oh, him? That baby was the infamous Reece Maddox. Fucking loser. Still has his old shitty 1968 Dodge Charger. We have to fix some damage to it.¡±


    ¡°Wait? Is that what happened to my BMW? Was Mercedes drunk when she was driving my car?¡±


    Carson just ignored her and headed to his office. Nikki rolled her eyes as he walked away.


    She went to the front door and watched as the man walked away. She looked back to see Carson closing his office doorughing at his own stupid jokes.


    Nikki snarled, ¡°Jackass.¡±


    Nikki ran out catching up to the man. She just hoped things would go smoothly.

 Chapter 2

    ¡°Hey! Wait up!¡±


    Reece kept walking toward his custom muscle car, ignoring her.


    ¡°You¡¯re Reece right?¡±


    Reece turned around.


    Reece didn¡¯t look too pleased, ¡°Yeah. What¡¯s it to you?¡±


    He turned to see thedy from earlier and quickly his demeanor softened.


    ¡°I saw what happened in there. Sorry about my husband. He can be a bit of a jerk.¡±


    As she got closer, he became a lot more interested in what he was seeing. Checking her out while trying to seem unimpressed. A beautiful brte with a nice body. He ran his hands over his face in frustration. Just his type.


    Under his breath, ¡°Figures. Dumont gets the dream life and the hot wife.¡±


    ¡°He can be a total asshole.¡±


    ¡°Tell me about it,¡± Reece gave a half-smile.


    ¡°Sorry about your car?¡±


    ¡°As long as your hubby fixes my ride, we¡¯re cool. Guess Carson has told you a lot about me.¡±


    Reece put his hands in his jean pockets looking seriously annoyed. His chest seeming much broader now under his tight jersey hooded t-shirt. Nikki couldn¡¯t help but notice the skin peeking out under his shirttail as he had his hands crammed in his jean pockets. The V that lead over his hips down under his jeans gave her thoughts she was desperately trying to not think about. She was a married woman after all.


    ¡°Yep. He talks about you constantly. His big boxing win. All I ever hear about.¡±


    She crossed her arms trying to hide the fact that she was checking him out a little.


    Reece ran his tongue over his lower lip noticing her blushing. If she was single he would be flirting relentlessly. But, he never crossed the adultery line. Never would. It was his number one dating rule.


    ¡°Yep, got the win and the girl. I guess you know that his ex-girlfriend left me that night for him.¡±


    ¡°You mean Mercedes? Sheesh. No big win there. Stupid gold-digger.¡±


    Nikki started to tear up looking away trying to keep her emotions in check.


    ¡°Yep. That¡¯s her. Hey, you okay?¡±


    Reece walked over and put his hand on her shoulder seeing she was clearly upset.


    ¡°Yes, Mercedes isn¡¯t exactly my favorite person. Anyway, I¡¯ll be sure he gives you a good amount to fix your car. It was nice to meet you, Reece Maddox. And, sorry again about Carson¡¯s attitude.¡±


    She shook his hand.Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    ¡°Thanks. Nice meeting you¡­ umm?¡±


    ¡°Nichole, you can call me Nikki. See you around, Reece Maddox.¡±


    He winked at her.


    ¡°You too, Nikki.¡± Her name rolled over his tongue like butter. He shook off the feeling of lust and hopped in his car.


    Carson was looking out the window with rage building up inside him. Nikki came back inside smiling to herself ready to head back to work. The clients had left and they were alone. A hand grabbed her and she was pushed into Carson¡¯s office.


    ¡°WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?!¡±


    Nikki pulled away, ¡°Calm down. I was just apologizing for your rude behavior. Carson, you need to get past this Golden Gloves stuff. It¡¯s been seven years. Grow up.¡±


    Nikki started to leave and he pushed her against the door blocking her exit.


    ¡°Never talk to that guy again! He tried to ruin my life,¡± Carson scoffed.


    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me who to talk to Carson. I know the stories. You tell me all the time how big mean Reece and his friends were at the gym, and how they bullied you as a rookie. You had to win your precious match to keep your dignity. Since that woman who started that mess is living in my house, I¡¯m questioning if the whole story you told me is really true.¡±


    Nikki teared up looking away. She had fought back those tears for weeks. Saying those words made her realize her husband was not the man she thought she married.


    ¡°Nikki, it¡¯s not like that. Everything I said was true. Baby, I love you. I am married to you. Not Mercedes.¡±


    Carson tried to hug her and she pushed his hands away.


    ¡°Don¡¯t touch me. Until that woman is out of our house we are nothing. Understand?¡±


    Carson mmed his fist over her head onto the door of his office. The loud bang making her jump.


    ¡°Why are you such a bitch? Mercedes needed a ce to stay since she is moving back to Kentucky. I¡¯m just trying to help a friend.¡±


    ¡°Then she should be the one to live in the shit hole you rented for me. Not your wife. Get your mistress out of my house!¡±


    Nikki shoved him trying to make him move away from the door.


    Carson grabbed her shoving her against the wall almost ready to hit her. Fist doubled he pulled back ready to strike.


    ¡°Hit me! Couldn¡¯t be any different than the way you already treat me. I¡¯m your wife and you have no respect for me. But, that woman bats an eysh and she¡¯s living in our home. Even though I asked you not to she is still there.


    ¡°My home. Not yours. I pay the bills there sweetheart. I want Mercedes there and she stays, like it or not. I pay for your fancy clothes and cars. Without me your just another low life bottom feeder.¡±


    Carson got in her face grabbing her chin to force her to look at him.


    ¡°I¡¯ll give you two weeks to calm down. Then you better be back in that house and keep your damn mouth shut! I run things around here. Don¡¯t forget that.¡±


    ¡°Let go! You¡¯re hurting me. Why are you doing this to me? I thought you loved me, Carson?¡±


    She started crying trying to pull away from his grip. Carson forced a kiss until she gave in and kissed him back. Even though the feel of his touch hade to repulse her over the past few months, she was no match for his strength. He ran his hands down her thigh and up the edge of her pencil skirt.


    Carson smirked, ¡°Remember that baby. It¡¯s been months since I¡¯ve had you in my bed. That sweet ass better get home soon, before I do decide to get someone else. I want your keys to the BMW and the Jag. If you n on living away from me I¡¯m not going to make it easy. Punishment for the trick you pulled outside earlier. You can take the bus or walk. I¡¯ll let you see what it was like for me back when I was poor living in that ce. Maybe you will appreciate what you have.¡±


    He heard a ding at the front door, which meant someone had entered the reception desk. He walked out and instantly got on his fake smile for the next client. Straightening his suit jacket and shaking hands as if nothing happened.


    Nikki rubbed off the degrading feel of the moisture from his lips. She fell into his big office chair crying. She wanted to work this out. She loved Carson. But, day-by-day she just wanted out of the nightmare she was living. For thest few years, it felt like they had fallen out of love. She was never sure he ever did. Always just a trophy wife. She was always reminded by him how much better Mercedes was at everything. How Mercedes was his first true love. Nikki loved him once with all her being but it was fading fast.


    She was quicklying to terms that she was nothing more than a trophy wife. She was always reminded of how Mercedes was better at everything. His first true love. She realized her perfect marriage was slowly fading into a bleak end.

 Chapter 3

    That night Nikki took a cab to the mansion to get more of her personal belongings. Carson was working over as usual so she didn¡¯t expect there to be any drama tonight. To her surprise, she was very wrong.


    Walking in the bedroom she saw Carson¡¯s mistress, Mercedes, going through her walk-in closet.


    ¡°What the hell do you think you¡¯re doing in my room? Don¡¯t you have your snooty rich parents to go mooch off of? Get the hell out of my bedroom!¡±


    Mercedes turned around with one of Nikki¡¯s favorite dresses in her hands, smiling mischievously.


    ¡°Carson said I can find something to wear tonight to the country club. My stuff is in storage, so he said I can borrow something of yours. We¡¯re having dinner and maybe some dancingter., ¡°Mercedes said as she continued going through Nikki¡¯s closet.


    ¡°You have five seconds to get out of my room. My stuff and this room is off-limits. And, and why were at it¡­ so is my husband,¡± Nikki grabbed a dress from her hand.


    Rolling her eyes, Mercedes snapped, ¡°You know Carson will never be over me. You might as well get used to it.¡±


    Pointing in her face, Nikki noted, ¡°As long as he¡¯s my husband, that is none of your concern. Go back to the guest house before I kick your ass all over this room.¡±


    Nikki looked down seeing her favorite heels on the woman¡¯s feet. She leaned down pulling her expensive Louboutin heels off the woman¡¯s feet.


    ¡°These are mine! Stay out of my closet.¡±


    ¡°Fine. Why are you here anyway? Shouldn¡¯t you be on the other side of town. Go y with the rats in your apartment where you belong,¡± she smirked.


    Mercedesughed as she walked out grabbing another dress as she went. It wasn¡¯t worth the fight. Nikki hated that dress anyway. It was one Carson chose and forced her to wear. Nikki packed up as much as she could carry. Most of her things were already moved out.


    Exiting the house, cing her bags on the curb, Carson pulled up. Getting out of the Range Rover he walked over pretending to care about the fact his wife seemed so upset. He looked around to see if anyone was watching.


    ¡°Nikki, baby. You don¡¯t have to do that.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to hurt me either but you do. Carson, what is happening to us? We used to be happy.¡±Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    He walked over slowly looking at her. A small part of him felt bad for his wife. A very small part. Looking back at the house he smiled seeing Mercedes in the window waving. Nikki noticed and flopped down on the curb to wait for the taxi pouting. Her lip quivering as she tried to hold back tears.


    ¡°Just go to her. That¡¯s what you want anyway.¡±


    He looked back at the woman on the ground who was once his world. He felt nothing.


    ¡°Give me the jewelry box.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    Her eyes flew up to his, seeking any hope. He couldn¡¯t bear to look at her. Those sad eyes, full of hurt.


    ¡°You won¡¯t be needing that why you live in that apartment. It¡¯s too expensive to be brought to the projects.¡±


    ¡°Carson, you gave me this for our anniversary when we went to Hawaii. It has the pearls you gave me,¡± she teared up.


    It was thest time she remembered him being nice to her in a very long time. The trip was meant to be a new start.


    ¡°I know. I don¡¯t want you to take it to the pawnshop like some trash.¡±


    He yanked the box from her grip. Nikki struggled to hold on.


    ¡°No Carson. Please! Not this. It¡¯s our special box. Our memories.¡±


    He pulled as hard as he could ripping it from her grip. She fell down crying covering her face sobbing in hysterics. Carson looked around the street once more, seeing neighbors watching them from their window.


    ¡°Stop, your making a scene. Get up. Stop acting like a fool. Here¡¯s your taxi. I will bring the rest of your things to work tomorrow. Give me your house key.¡±


    ¡°Carson Dumont! No! Why?¡±


    ¡°Until you get your head right, I don¡¯t think you should be allowed in my house.¡±


    He reached out to take them from her purse and threw it back at her. She stood and grabbed them from his hand throwing them across the street.


    ¡°Choke on them you bastard!¡±


    ¡°I have dinner ns. Get your things and go. I don¡¯t want the neighbors talking.¡±


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