This week was hell... Lily was sick all weekend and I had to call Lea for help. I ran out of medecine for her and started feeling sick as well. I did not even think once about calling Amelia, as she barely took the time to send a text asking how we were...And I had the feeling she prefered to stay away from germs. Lea didn't care though. That's a true friend.

Thankfully after a lot of rest and a diet, we both felt a bit better on Monday but I had one of the busiest week at school. I had to write the student's reports, make sure all the grades had been registered in the computer program of the school, and finally I had to spend two long evenings at school in a barely heated classroom to meet the parents of each student, to tell them on their individual progress, if there actually was any.

I counted the days until this weekend and the Chrismtas break next weekend.

It seems Amelia was as busy as me but we still managed to eat together at lunch time yesterday and it felt really good having her for myself, without interruption. She was right, we needed that. I have to make more time for her if I want this to work and finding a younger sitter would be a good way to start. I should stick a note in the elevator of my building, sure I'll be able to find someone.

This afterboon is chilly but Lily and I are enjoying our walk in Central Park. Staying between four walls last weekend was tough for her and she has so much energy to release today. She's running in front of me, trying to catch the birds and I notice snowflakes falling slowly. Lily stops running and is staring at them too, her mouth wide open, trying to eat some.

Watching the snow falling has always been one of my favourite winter pastimes, but it has become rarer the past years with climate change. We don't stop long to enjoy the sight as the temperature has dropped. I don't want my daughter to catch a cold and I hurry her inside the MET.

She's a bit young for the museum, but art can't harm anyone. We ramble in the different rooms, Lily ahead of me, sometimes posing in front of a statue, asking me what it is.

As we enter the section dedicated to arms and armours, I notice a woman, dressed in an elegant pant suit, her blond hair tied in a high ponytail. I move closer to her, recognizing who it is as she turned around a bit but another woman has come to talk to her and I hide behind the statue of a horse and soldier.

« What took you so long ! » The woman barks at the poor girl who is handing her a cup of take away coffee.

« I'm so sorry Mrs Sheffield, there was a line at the café. »

She sips and looks really pissed off, something I had never seen.

« You do know I love my coffee black. Why is this one sweet. » she snaps.

« I'm so sorry, I did specify no sugar. Surely the barista made a mistake. Let me change that for you. »

« No. We wasted enough time already. »

Another woman walks to Amelia and puts her arm on her shoulder to get her attention. I'm sure I saw her somewhere but I have trouble remembering. I'm so overwhelmed by what I'm witnessing... but suddenly it hits me... it is that girl from the club.

I walk out of the rooom and find the poor girl.

« Excuse me, could you tell me who you are working for ? I know it might sound indiscreet but I overheard the discussion and I'm intrigued.

« Mrs Sheffield. From the ad company ? »

Apparently it's supposed to ring a bell but it doesn't.

« What company ? »

« The one that has her name, of course. »

« She works for the company too then. »

« She owns it. » the girl answers, incredulous. « She's the boss and she's a pain in the ass to work for but we fight to get an internship there. She's one of the best in advertising and her company has been florishing for years, it is one of the best in New York. »

« Would you mind giving me the address ? »

The girl gives me Amelia's card and apologizes. She has pictures to make of the exhibits for a client who wishes to privatise the rooms dedicated to medieval art, she explains before leaving.

I take Lily outside to a nearby diner for waffles and hot chocolate, and drop her at Lea's a bit later. There's somewhere I need to go.

.................

I look at the card I was handed a few hours earlier and look up the high sky scraper. My eyes notice the huge name on it : SHEFFIELD. I breathe in deeply and push the revolving doors.

The entrance hall is vast and the floor is covered in black tiles. I walk to the receptionist's desk and ask her to be allowed in Amelia's office. Of course, I don't have an appointment so I decide to play the girlfriend's card.

She looks at me suspiciously but gives a phone call anyway.

« Mrs Sheffield won't answer her phone but I managed to get through one of her interns. She's on her way. »

I wait impatiently in the lobby, pacing, until I notice the girl from earlier.

« What are you doing here ? Are you a stalker or something ?

« No, I'm » But she doesn't let me finish.

« I'm going to be in so much trouble...Why did I give you the card ?! »

« You won't be in trouble, I promise. I really am your boss's girlfriend. Please let me in. It's....an emergency. » I plead and she doesn't question me further.

She leads me to a see-through elevator and presses the last button, Amelia's office is on the top floor, of course. When the elevator comes to a halt, my heart starts racing but I need to have answers. The assistant leaves me in front of a huge wooden door with the name of my girlfriend engraved in elegant black letters. I knock and enter as I hear her voice.

And I see her. The girl from the club, her ass on Amelia's desk and her hand through Amelia's hair. Amelia stares at me, shocked. I can't take it and I slam the door, thinking how dumb I have been but I feel a hand on my wrist stopping me in my track.

« Juliette, let me explain, please. » I look into her beautiful blue eyes and see guilt in them. What is there to explain...she is fucking that girl behind my back. I saw it, plain as day.

« There is nothing to talk about. We are done. »

« It's not what you are thinking. Please, let's go to my office. » She takes my hand in hers and forces me to follow her.

She sits in one of the armchairs and I do the same. She still has her hand in mine but I take it back with a brisk movement.

« I have not been honest with you Juliette. »

I feel so much anger in me and know I usually regret my words when I utter them under such a state so I decide to stay quiet and let her continue.

« I am not working for a company, so to speak... I own it. I lied about my job and I am really sorry I did. My previous girlfriend had been attracted to my money and it had scarred me so much I wanted to be different for a while. »

« And you didn't think one moment that you might actually fall for someone who doesn't care ? » I spat at her, hurt.

« I didn't think it straight. I thought it would be a good idea at the time. But I felt really bad lying to you. »

« And you felt so bad you started fucking your assistant. »

« What ? What are you talking about ? »

« Oh Amelia, don't fuck with me. You didn't think I'd recognize the girl from the club, the one who had her tongue down your throat the other day ? You told me you didn't know her and I find out she works for you, that you see her every fucking day ! » I am shouting now, not caring that I can be heard by the entire floor, and Amelia is not even trying to hush me.

« I didn't tell you I didn't know her. I wanted to but you were so mad at me I didn't want to make things worse. I didn't correct you when you said she was a random slut. »

« We have been together for what....3 months now ? And you have done nothing but lie to me. I'm not sure I can live with that. »

I stand up and walk for the door. Amelia is calling my name and trying to prevent me from leaving but I send her a death stare and she lets go of my wrist.

How could I have been such a fool...