When Love Don't work

Chapter 1: A New Beginning

~Aretha~

"Aretha Thompson Lewis, I hereby divorce you." my husband, Fedarius Thompson, said as he stood there with the woman who he truly loved, the guests, all shocked at what they heard. Our parents set us up in hopes for us to love each other and strengthen the family business. The family business was strengthened but there was no love involved in our 10 years of marriage.

Never did anyone think that on this day, the family event, that we would get divorced. I stretched out my hand. "The divorce papers, hand them over." People gasped as they couldn't believe it. Even our parents were shocked, and for a moment, it looked like Fedarius was too. 

Our parents walked towards us. "Sweetie, Aretha, what are you doing?" my mother asked, with her scolding voice, my father only glaring at me. "I'm getting a divorce." I told her. Their expressions became somewhat, furious. 

"Listen here, young lady. You have been together for 10 years; you are not getting a divorce." "Indeed. Give it time." my father said, as my mother followed. "We have been together for 10 years and never once had we loved each other. So, this is the best decision." 

I told as I walked over to Fedarius, taking the divorce papers and signing them. The people shocked and filming everything. "Here, signed." I told him as I gave them back to him. "Did you read it? You get nothing. Absolutely nothing. You're broke, penniless." he said. 

"I can read, Fedarius. And don't worry about me. I have everything settled." I told him as I started walking towards the door. My parents furious and his parents trying to persuade him to stop me. "YOUNG LADY! IF YOU LEAVE THIS PLACE, JUST KNOW THAT YOU ARE DISOWNED. NEVER SHOW YOUR FACE AROUND US AGAIN!" 

My father yelled, but my mother tried to reason with him. "Dear, think about this. Are you really going to do this?" my mother asked. I heard her crying but I wasn't fazed as that was her secret weapon. I turned to looked at them with my cold face, cold as always. 

"My decision has been made." I said as I walked out of the party hall. I closed the doors behind me and walked towards my car. Outside was peaceful and the wind was cool, just how I liked my nights. I got into my car and drove away. 

I played the song 'Unforgettable by French Montana ft. Swae Lee'. The ride home was peaceful as I finally felt free. These 10 years were like hell, but I managed. I drove towards my house as Fedarius and I never lived together, not once. 

My parents forced me to move in with Fedarius, but I didn't. Locking my car, I walked towards the front door and opened it. I closed it and leaned my back on the door, sliding down. "I'm free. Finally." I got up and walked towards my room. 

I removed the black dress I was wearing and stood in front of the mirror. I removed the light makeup from my black skin and hopped into the shower. I decided to wash my 4c hair as I had a big day tomorrow. 

A good 45 minutes passed as I got out of the shower, dressed in my robe. I sat on my bed, drying my hair. I took my phone to see that it was blowing up with messages. I guess we made headlines. News of our divorce broke the internet as we were pretty famous. 

My 'friends' and parents texting me asking me why I accepted the divorce. I scoffed a little as I read their messages. This has gone on long enough. I blocked everyone on my list, even my parents and erased their numbers from my phone. I was left with only 2 numbers in my phone. 

I got dressed for the night and went to bed. 

The morning arrived as I was awakened by my alarm. I slept so well. I got up and walked towards the kitchen, after I did my morning routine. I was all dressed in a long-sleeved black shirt, grey joggers, a black and grey sleeveless jacket that I paired with my smoke grey Jordans. I wore some jewelry and let my big 4c hair out as I walked towards the living room. 

Bags and suitcases were seen on the floor. I packed my suitcases and bags in my car. I looked at my house one more time before getting into my car and leaving for good. I drove towards my good friend, Danny's house. 

I arrived and dialed his number. He answered and said that he was coming. A few minutes passed and he got into the car. I drove towards the airport as we talked along the way. It was a 1 hour drive. We arrived and I parked the car. 

We both got out and Danny helped me with my stuff. My sweet, white male friend, who I helped when he was homeless. Now he has a business of his own. I gave him my house and car keys and hugged him. 

"Take care of yourself, Are. And please, try to smile once in a while." he said as he never saw me smile. I was kind of a serious and uptight woman, one would say. "Don't worry. I will call when I land. And take care of the car and house. They are yours now." 

 He hugged and also gave me a kiss on the cheek. "What was that for?" I asked him. "It was for helping me get on my own two feet again." he said as I nodded. We said our goodbyes and I walked inside with my bags and suitcases. 

I patiently waited for my flight. I looked at my phone as people were all over social media talking about us. Some were happy that I was divorced while some weren't. But who are they to judge, it was my choice, and I am going to live my best life. 

I heard the flight attendant speak from the speaker and I got up as that was my flight. As my bags headed inside the airplane, I also made my way. I entered and sat at my seat, beside the window. 

Some people were staring while others weren't. I placed my headphones and play 'Con La Brisa by Foudeqush, Ludwig Goransson' and let sleep take over. It was long flight from New York to my destination. 

I must have slept the whole ride, cause when I awoke, we had already landed at our destination. I got out along with the rest. I waited for my luggage while getting a text from someone saying that they had arrived. 

I took my luggage and walked out of the airport. It was around 2 in the morning when I landed. I looked around to see a black Range Rover parked a bit further from the entrance. A women stepped out and walked towards me as she spotted me. 

She smiled as she saw me. "Miss Lewis. It's so good to see you face to face. Welcome to Italy, Rome. I hope you will like it here." she told me as I nodded. "I will like it here, Mia." We walked towards the car, and I helped her placing my bags into the car. 

She got behind the wheel as I sat in the back seat. I texted Danny that I made it and looked at the city.