Whatcha Say

Whatcha Say…

song by Jason Derulo

 

How, could I live with myself
Knowing that I let our love go
And ooh, when I do with one chance
I just gotta let you know
I know what I did wasn’t clever
But me and you we’re meant to be together

So let me in, give me another chance
To really be your man
Cause when the roof caved in and the truth came out
I just didn’t know what to do
But when I become a star we’ll be living so large
I’ll do anything for you
So tell me girl…

 

She sat there inconspicuously in her ride, parked behind the long line of cars on the sidewalk where no one would make her out because one, it was nighttime and two, this wasn’t really her ride. She borrowed it from a friend.

Still, she was here for a reason. She was on a mission. She was here for the truth and only the truth.

And damn it, she was finally going to confront him with what she knew.

So she sat and she waited, knowing that he’d show up soon and he wouldn’t be alone. He’d be with her, his mistress, the bane of his wife’s existence.

Wiping back the tears that threatened to spill from her eyes, a very tired Vanessa sighed heavily as she thought back to a time in her life when things were right, when things made sense.

She was once happily married to one of the most sought after men in the industry. She wasn’t sure how they did it, but after meeting on the set of a movie he was casted in with her as one of the youngest executive producers, the rest was history.

The sparks flew immediately and after many failed attempts, he finally convinced her to go out with him. One date led to a few and a few dates led to many. Before Vanessa knew it, she was walking down the aisle and a few hours later she was pronounced misses Timberlake with her new husband Justin on her arm.

That was nearly seven years ago.

How things got so bad to this point with her waiting to see her husband walk into his chosen restaurant with his new arm candy still eluded her when she thought about it.

She figured it had something to do with the fact that he was always away on location filming movie after movie after he had his big breakthrough role and many directors were dying to work with him.

It was hard being apart, but even that gave him no right to rip her heart out the way he did.

The most fucked up thing in all of this was the secrets he kept. He played her like she was stupid, like she’d never find out the truth about his infidelity.

“When I become a star we’ll be living so large, I’ll do anything for you…” He used to tell her and she allowed her delusional self to believe him.

Then his acting career took off and they really were living large. Justin saw riches people only dreamed of in their lifetime, a combination of his music endeavors and filmography allowing them to live in a ridiculously large mansion to the point where people gossiped that he was almost on Michael Jackson status…almost. No one could touch the king of pop.

Justin knew this, but he loved the comparison nonetheless since Michael was his idol, rest his soul.

Vanessa figured, somewhere down the line amidst all of the attention he received, Justin began to lose himself in the glitz and glamour. He began to indulge too much and lost his humble side in the process, the side of him that Vanessa first fell in love with.

She wanted to think that they could make this work, that he wanted this to work. But it was clear to her now, finally spotting him and his date, he didn’t care anymore.

He didn’t care about her or the four year old son they had at home together.

It was all about him now. It was all about Justin.

Well, Vanessa was sick and tired of it and she was intent on making sure that he saw, if only for a moment, it wasn’t only about him.

If it was the last thing she did, she was going to knock him off his high horse before the night was through.

It was funny to her how he could pass up these dates as business meetings and the public would look the blind eye, not even questioning why his wife wasn’t on his arm instead of whoever his fuck buddy at the moment was. But, all that was part of the clout he possessed. No one dared question him and he liked it that way.

 

Cautiously, Vanessa exited her ride and stood on the opposite side of the street in the shadow of the streetlight. Her friend would retrieve the vehicle later.

She watched her husband with his present mistress greet the valet before handing the young man the keys and heading into the restaurant.

Disgust and anger consumed her and mixed with the pain she was already feeling as she brushed her hands over her black dress and crossed the street.

When she made it to the valet, she waited for him to park the car and then stopped him on his way back.

“Hey, I’ll take the key thanks.” Vanessa voiced and the young man turned to look at her immediately recognizing her.

“Oh Mrs. Timberlake. Will you be joining your husband on his business meeting tonight?”

Vanessa smirked deviously. “Sure, something like that.” She smiled before thanking the valet and walking away with the keys to Justin’s silver Mercedes in hand. He loved that car. It was one of his prized possessions.

She stopped at the entrance of the restaurant looking around.

With a sharp breath, she walked through the doors into the brightly lit restaurant heading straight for the back where the kitchen was situated.

Taking in a few deep breaths to calm her nerves, Vanessa set her little plan into motion, more determined than ever when she saw the look Justin was giving his fling.

It wasn’t the ‘love stare’ that Vanessa knew he only held for her, even now with his twisted nature. No, this was his ‘lustful stare,’ one she also knew very well. If he had his way, he’d be leaving this restaurant and later coming home, home to her, a happy man. Because not only would he get to ‘fuck’ his mistress before the night was through with no qualms, he’d think that Vanessa was still oblivious to the fact when he’d come home after hours in the early morning, silently slipping into bed with her.

Vanessa guessed he enjoyed living this deceitful double-life. Husband and father by day, male slut by night. No matter, that was all about to end.

Shaking her head, Vanessa tried to ignore the fact that even now, she thought Justin was still the beautiful creature he always was, his charming smile masking his true self.

She knocked on the restaurant kitchen door a few times before one of the servers opened. He immediately recognized her and sighed.

“I’m going to lose my job for this.” The server muttered as he glared at the strikingly gorgeous woman with long flowing dark hair and very sad beautiful brown eyes.

How someone like Justin could be such an idiot and not see the gem he had in front of him amazed the younger man.

“We’ve been through this Mark. I’m paying you off more than you’ll make waiting tables for the rest of your life.” Vanessa said softly, her eyes flitting around to make sure that no one spotted her yet.

“It’s the principle of the matter. This is wrong Mrs. Timberlake.”

“Call me Vanessa.”

“Ok, Vanessa.” Mark paused as he glared at her. “This is wrong.”

“Do your job Mark and this will all be over soon.” Vanessa whispered and Mark caved, knowing there was no arguing with her now. Her mind was made up.

“Fine.” He voiced, moving aside so one of the restaurant servers could get by.

“Did they order already?” Vanessa asked and Mark nodded.

“Yes, hold on.”

Mark quickly disappeared into the kitchen and then returned wheeling out the tray that held Justin and his date’s order.

Vanessa looked down at the sea food assortments and pasta and smiled.

“Thank you Mark.” Vanessa beamed, taking the tray from him and wheeling it away.

“Sure you’re welcome. I’m going to get my things and clock out now since I won’t have a job to come back to. Be quick about it huh?” Mark called out to Vanessa but she ignored him, her entire focus now on Justin as she approached his booth.

She took the direction where his back was facing her so he wouldn’t see her coming. His date was too caught up in whatever bullshit he was spitting her to look up and notice Vanessa only a few feet away from them now.

Vanessa vaguely recognized her as one of the women who had the leading female role next to Justin in one of his recent movies.

Figured.

Rolling her eyes, Vanessa made it to their table and she looked down at the pair, realizing that Justin was yet to lift his head and acknowledge that their food was there.

Clearing her throat loudly, Vanessa smiled while lifting up one of the plates in her hand.

“Sir, Madam?” She voiced with an exaggerated accent.

By now, she was sure some people recognized her, but she wasn’t going to verify that.

“Yes, the seafood is mine…” Justin spoke up, resting back in his seat and straightening his posture before he looked up at the supposed server.

Vanessa looked down at Justin, a simple smile on her face when he froze solid, his eyes wide with shock and confusion.

“Hi, babe. I’ll be your server this evening.” Vanessa hummed.

She felt like time had come to an abrupt halt around her as she eyed her husband who looked like he was ready to pass out from sheer shock alone.

“N…n…nessa?” Justin stuttered, his eyes flitting over to his date and then back to his wife. “What…what are you doing?” He whispered harshly, not wanting to draw attention to their table.

He could already see people looking at them curiously, fully aware of who they were.

“Pay attention. I’m serving you.” Vanessa spoke up but before Justin could interject, she lifted the plate in her outstretched hand and tipped it over, its contents spilling unto Justin’s head, down his face, jacket and pants, ruining his suit.

“Ouch fuck that shit’s hot!” Justin yelped, jumping out of his seat. “The fuck Nessa!” He belted, seeing red now as he wiped at his hair and face with a napkin before he tried to brush the food off himself. Fuck it. He didn’t care where they were anymore. His wife lost her damn mind.

Without missing a beat, Vanessa turned to the woman on the other side of the table. “If I were you, I’d get the fuck up and leave now, else you’ll be eating that expensive weave you paid for.” Vanessa snapped.

Silently, Justin’s date frantically gathered her belongings, not even looking in Justin’s direction before she slid out of the booth and took off out of the restaurant humiliated.

“What a coward.” Vanessa laughed.

“What’s come over you Nessa?” Justin hissed, gripping her hand firmly. “Have you lost your damn mind?” He snapped.

“Yes Justin. And I have you to thank for that. Right everyone?” Vanessa shouted, grabbing the occupants’ in the restaurant attention. She ripped herself from Justin’s hold and took a step away from him.

“Nessa, don’t.” Justin pleaded, gritting his teeth when he realized that all eyes were on them now.

“Why not Justin?”

“Look, I don’t know what your problem is, but let’s take this outside in private. Not here. Not like this.” Justin sneered, trying to keep his composure.

Vanessa glared at him, a deep scowl gracing her smooth face. “No. You don’t get to call the shots now. I do Justin. You listen, I speak.”

“Nessa…” Justin began but she cut him off.

“Would you shut up?” She barked, stunning Justin and a few others. “Can you believe him folks?” She spoke to the crowd, turning her back to Justin who looked like he was about to have an aneurism. “He wants us to talk in private…like I care.” She huffed, gesturing to the crowd. “Like, what the fuck is wrong with speaking publicly? Heaven knows that talking in private is not the only thing my husband here has been doing huh?” Vanessa voiced before Justin’s face paled in realization. All he could think about as he stood there like a deer caught in headlights was that Vanessa knew. She knew about his affair. Shit this was bad…

“What happens in the dark must come into the light right? So let me enlighten you nice folks. Sorry to interrupt your dinners and all, but my husband here has been having an affair for the past year and something of our marriage. I only found out a few weeks ago. How I found out? I hired a private investigator because I just couldn’t trust him anymore. All the late nights, the ‘business’ trips, the sorry excuses, the mysterious phone calls and text messages. I mean, all the signs were there right? So, my question to you all is, just because he’s this A-List big-time movie actor now, does that give him the right to cheat on his wife with whatever Hollywood starlet he pleases? Knowing he has a family at home, a four year old son who looks up to him?” Vanessa asked, addressing the crowd.

“No!” “He’s Scum!” “No excuse!” “Leave him!” Were some of the replies she was met with.

Whipping around she shrugged for Justin. “See Jus, they agree that even your status gives you no right.” Vanessa voiced.

Justin glared at his wife, his anger barely being contained as he narrowed his eyes at her. He couldn’t believe she was deliberately making a scene like this.

“Let’s take this outside Nessa.” Justin demanded again but Vanessa ignored him.

“And folks, now that I know, don’t you think it would be best that I divorced him, since no woman deserves to put up with a lying, deceitful, heartless bastard like my husband?” She asked again to the audience.

Again, she was met with positive responses, some shouting that she should take half of everything he was worth. It wasn’t a bad idea actually considering she didn’t sign a prenuptial.

She could see flashes going off around them and some people had their phones pointed at them no doubt maybe taking video footage but she didn’t care.

She didn’t care that this scandal would be plastered on every tabloid magazine. That’s what she wanted. For Justin’s name and image to be dragged in the dirt the same way he dragged her heart and feelings and stomped on them.

“Well there you have it. The crowd has spoken.” Vanessa giggled bitterly before she felt a tight grip on her arm.

“Ouch! Justin let me go.” She whined when he started pulling her towards the exit.

“You’re coming with me. We’re leaving…now.” He hissed at her.

“The hell I am! Let me go Justin!” Vanessa warned.

“Just shut up and walk.” He snarled and Vanessa did just that, allowing him to lead them out of the restaurant since she was satisfied that her work was done.

 

**

Girl, tell me whatcha said (said)
I don’t want you to leave me
Though you caught me cheatin’
Tell me, tell me whatcha said (said)
I really need you in my life
Cuz things ain’t right, girl
Tell me, tell me whatcha said (said)
I don’t want you to leave me
Though you caught me cheatin’
Tell me, tell me whatcha said (said)
I really need you in my life
Cuz things ain’t right

Cause when the roof cave in and the truth came out
I just didn’t know what to do
But when I become a star we’ll be living so large
I’ll do anything for you
So baby watcha say

Mmmm whatcha say,
Mmmm that you only meant well?
Well of course you did
Mmmm whatcha say, (whatcha say)
Mmmm that it’s all for the best?
Of course it is…

 

When they made it onto the sidewalk, Justin released his hold on Vanessa and turned to glare at her, his head full and pulsing.

“The fuck was that in there Nessa!?” Justin belted. “Do you know what you’ve done!? The media, the tabloids are going to…fuck! How could you do this to me?” He cried out and Vanessa had to laugh at that. Typical Justin.

“How could I do that to you? Justin you selfish bastard!” Vanessa snapped. “All you care about is yourself and your image, you narcissistic asshole! How could you do what you did to me Justin!? Huh?  How could you cheat on me, over and over and over again? How could you rip my heart out like that? Why huh? I wasn’t good enough for you? You’ve been doing it for over a year now and who’s to say it wasn’t longer? Remember me? Your wife! What, you thought I wouldn’t find out!? You fucking…ugh! I hate you so much. You don’t even know how much I hate you, how much I wish you were dead right now!” Vanessa screamed, not caring that they were drawing the attention of passersby.

Justin froze, his face falling at her words as he glared at her in astonishment. She hated him? No, she couldn’t; she loved him. Right? Never, in all the years he knew her, had he ever heard her speak like that. He didn’t…he didn’t even know what to say to that.

“Nessa, I never…”

“Don’t Justin. Don’t you dare lie to me again and tell me you never cheated. I have proof. I have photographic proof. I even have that little sex tape you made with one of your fucking co-stars!” Vanessa wailed, her voice cracking as her emotions finally got the best of her.

Justin swallowed hard, his fists clenching as he shook his head in protest. “No, you’re lying. You’re trying to get me to admit to something I’m not going to admit to.” Justin said feeling sick to his stomach. Dear god she knew. He was so fucked.

“Fine Justin. Don’t admit it. Doesn’t change the fact that you did what you did and now it’s over. Everything we’ve built together, everything! It’s all over! It was all for nothing!”

“Nessa, look, you don’t know what you’re saying. Just calm down and let’s talk about this rationally.” Justin moved towards her to try and touch her but she flinched away from him, disgusted with the sight of him.

“Don’t you touch me you jerk. Do you hear me? I’m so over this. I just came here to give you a dose of your own medicine. But I’m done. I’m tired and I don’t see this working because I can’t trust you and never will again Justin.” Vanessa explained, stunning Justin.

“Wait, what!? No. No, we’re not over Nessa. We’re not…we can’t be because…you’re being irrational. You’re blowing this way out of proportion.” He tried to reason with her.

“Am I?” She said weakly, her tears now flowing freely as she looked into his beautiful blues. They were so cold, so remorseless.

She knew him. There was no way he was going to man up and accept defeat. He’d go down fighting. She knew this. He was just too proud.

“Listen, Nessa, let’s…let’s go home. We’ll go home and talk this through. Let’s forget about you interrupting my…”

“Your what?” She interrupted him. “Your business dinner meeting Justin? With just you and that woman from one of your movies? Justin, give it up. I caught you…red-handed. You might as well have been fucking that bitch in the restaurant on the table because that’s what was going to happen eventually anyway.”

“No, no Nessa you have it all wrong.” Justin spoke up, determined to sway her.

He was always able to sway her doubts, but no more, not this time.

Not having anything else left to prove to him, Vanessa sighed heavily. “I loved you Justin. I did. Now, I despise what you’ve become. But if you think I’m going to let our son grow up in this mess you’re wrong. We’re leaving you Justin. And, I want a divorce.” Vanessa concluded before she rooted out the keys to his Mercedes and handed them to the valet to bring the car to the front.

Justin remained oblivious to the people around them looking on when the mention of his son caused something inside of him to snap. This wasn’t happening. There was no way this was…no. She wouldn’t. She couldn’t.

“You’re not taking my son?” Justin questioned, his anger slowly dying as panic washed over him. Horror filled his blues as the severity of this situation dawned on him.

He fucked up, he knew that. But…but he never thought in a million years that Vanessa would leave him. She had to know that with everyone else, it was just sex, it meant shit to him. But her and their son…they meant everything to him. They were his world. She couldn’t do this to him. She couldn’t.

“I’m sorry.” Vanessa voiced, thanking the valet when he returned with Justin’s ride.

Justin glared at his car and then at his wife, his own tears quickly surfacing when he realized how serious she was about this. No, no this wasn’t happening. He didn’t mean to…he didn’t…

“Nessa, please. I get that you’re angry but not my son…don’t take him away from me. I’m a good dad. I am.” Justin pleaded his case. It was true too. He was an amazing father but a lousy husband.

“Our son Justin.” She corrected him. “And I think this will be good for all of us…to be apart until we can figure something out. We haven’t been happy for a long time and really, you need to feel some of the pain you’ve inflicted.” She spoke up, getting ready to leave but Justin quickly stopped her. He rushed up to her and gripped her arm, forcing her to face him.

“Nessa, don’t do this.” He begged pathetically as a few tears escaped him.

What could he possibly do to stop her? He did this. He brought this on himself. But he never thought she would find out. He figured if he just ignored or denied it she’d let it go but now, now she was leaving and there was nothing he could do to stop her. It was his fault. He knew that. He deserved this. But that didn’t lessen the blow he felt to his heart as reality finally came crashing down around him, suffocating him.

Vanessa looked at her husband, shaking her head sadly as she saw how quickly he was crashing when realization hit him.

Taking in a deep breath, she pulled her arm out of his hold and willed her tears away as she gained the strength she needed to walk away. “Goodbye Justin.” She whispered before moving to get into the driver’s side of his ride.

“Nessa wait I…” Justin paused, hesitating as she turned around to give him one last look. “I…I’m sorry…for everything…for hurting you.” He managed to force out as he fought to keep his composure. It wasn’t much, but it was all he could muster up at the time. He was at a loss for words, his head spinning as his heart pounded fiercely.

Without missing a beat, Vanessa nodded at his apology before she proceeded to leave, her last words ripping through Justin’s core as waves of guilt and regret finally washed over him, drowning him.

“Too little, too late Justin. But thanks for the effort though.”

With that said Vanessa hoped into his ride and sped off down the street, leaving Justin and the damage she caused at the restaurant behind her.

Justin stood frozen in place as he watched his wife disappear into traffic with his car.

But he didn’t care, because she took a lot more from him than his car. She took away everything he managed to do right in his fucked up, twisted existence. She took away his family, the one thing that meant the world to him.

Sure he was a lying, cheating bastard, but he never thought things would come to this.

Then again, who was he kidding? Vanessa did right to walk out while she still could. He knew what he did to her and she didn’t deserve it. He didn’t deserve her. She was always loving, considerate and understanding. She was everything and yet he went and fucked it all up because he couldn’t keep his dick in his pants…because he couldn’t control the urge he had to sleep with other women. It was a sick thrill for him, an addiction if you will. He tried to stop, he did. He knew it was wrong, that it would break Vanessa’s heart. But he couldn’t stop. It was like he had an itch he couldn’t scratch or some sickness or something and she didn’t need that in her life.

Still, the hurt he felt now was so unbearable he didn’t know how he was functioning and not losing his mind.

Scratch that…

In that instant, Justin gasped, his tears finally flowing freely as he stood alone on the sidewalk with the cold night’s air hitting his face.

He ignored the people around him. He ignored those who kept asking if he was ok.

He wasn’t ok! Couldn’t they fucking see that and just leave him alone!? His wife left him because he was a cheating asshole!

How could he ever be ok again knowing that…that Vanessa wasn’t the one who took everything away from him? No, she didn’t take his world and rip it apart. He did that all on his own. It was his fault. And the sad part was, there was no way he could fix it.

In that moment, Justin knew, he just knew that no matter what he did, a part of him would always remain broken because Vanessa held those pieces of him in her hands and there was no way he’d ever get them back. They were the best parts of himself and his life with her.

And really, he didn’t want them back…

 

*The End*