Chapter 4 (Aftermath)

I waited in my room the next day for Elsie. I needed someone to talk to. Not about the kiss. Good heavens, I could never bring that up. That was the kind of thing Don would never want a house staff to know. 

OMG Don!

I felt sorry for him. He was my husband after all. I clutched my chest, hoping the waiter did not see anything last night. Were the house staff already talking about the kiss?

“Good morning, Cassie,” Elsie knocked on the door and opened it, not waiting for me to call her in.

I studied her. “Hey.”

She strode to the windows and pulled up the shutters humming all the way there.

“Someone is in a good mood this morning.”

“Of course. The boss was so impressed by everyone’s work yesterday that he has agreed to add a bonus to our salaries this month.”

“Oh.”

“He said you looked ravishing and he told the kitchen staff that the meals were spot on.”

“He said that?”

“Yes, didn’t you like the herb crusted salmon?”

“Not that,” I said. “Did Don really say I looked ravishing?”

She scratched her hair. “Well, not exactly the words but he thanked me for finding that dress and calling the stylist.”

Elsie must have seen my eyes droop because she skidded right back into talking. “Don’t be bothered by him, Cassie. That is as much a compliment as him telling you that you were a goddess last night. He is just a very competitive person and to him, you’re just a win against his brother.”

“How so?”

“Jay has no wife, and the dinner was just a formality to show you off to him. Plus, you are very pretty. Extra point.”

I could not ignore the way my body moved when I heard the stepbrother’s name. Was I just a trophy to boast to Jay about? Is that why he married me? And if it was true then last night was a big mistake. What if Jay bragged to Don that he kissed his wife.

Knowing men, that was a very possible outcome.

“Are you okay, Cassie?”

“How long will Jay be in town?” I quizzed.

“Really?” She paused but continued talking when she saw that I was serious about the question. “I don’t know about that, Cassie. The Boss will not hold more than one dinner to introduce the both of you.”

“Then when can I see him next?”

Elsie tilted her head. “Only if their father calls a family event. He usually does once his two sons are in town.”

A family event. Perfect. I needed to talk to Jay. He could not tell Don anything about the garden. It was a mistake and it would never happen again.

Elsie did not bring Jay up again when she ran the bathwater and laid out my clothes for the day. It was a simple green, flare dress with low arms that exposed my shoulders. I wore it till dinner time that evening.

Don was his typical gruff self but it was nothing unusual. He did not know yet, I could tell. Unless he was very good at acting. I might not have known my husband very well but he was not very good at concealing his emotions.

“I have been feeling very bored at home, Don. There is nothing much to do around here when you have maids doing everything for me.”

“He looked up. What are your hobbies?” Very straight to the point. Very brief.

“I was thinking more like us going out together. I know you don’t trust me yet to go out on my own but isn’t there a place we can both go to before I lose my mind in this mansion?”

Don’s eyes glossed over me before he spoke. “We will go out this weekend.”

I toyed with my dinner, holding my fork before summoning the courage to speak again. Pressing my red lips together, I made a smack sound when they parted. “That’s splendid, Don, something to look forward to at least. What kind of outing is it, if I may ask?”

He did not look up from his dinner. “Father has called a meeting.”

“Oh Arthur. I find your father very delightful. Would it be just us and him like the last time?”

Don’s cutlery froze mid way to his mouth. He lifted his eyes in a way that creased his forehead without lifting his head. Lips were tight. “No, my brother will be in attendance too. And some other guests. Wear something nice.”

It both amused and annoyed me that the only reason Don wanted me dressed up looking nice was for his brother’s perusal. Not that I didn't enjoy the feel of Jay’s eyes practically scrolling through every inch of my skin. Not that I did not like holding his attention. Not that I did not relish seeing the smirk of approval on his face when he decided Don had made a great catch.

I just wanted my husband to be the one recognizing my beauty. And I was determined that in Arthur’s event, I would make sure of that.

The invitation to Arthur’s event arrived in a crisp white envelope, embossed with gold lettering. He was hosting a private gathering for old colleagues, retirees, and those who had once been part of his empire before branching out on their own.

The venue was a grand estate outside the city. A jazz band played in the distance. Arthur, a man of taste. 

Elsie had laid out an elegant white skirt-suit, with gloves and a fancy hat that spoke of royalty. A snakeskin, black purse stayed on my wrist and the perfect black kitten heels graced my feet.

Don had left ahead of me. I was to arrive alone. It was the perfect arrangement for me to slip into the event, find Jay, talk to him before looking for my husband in the crowd.

I stood near the treat table, scanning the gathering, sipping on a glass of white wine. Waiters offering drinks and canapés, moved seamlessly through the clusters of guests. 

It was an impressive turnout. I should have felt at ease among them, but my focus remained singular. Jay. Was he here already or on his way?

My gloved fingers curled slightly around her glass as I scanned. Part of me told me I was being paranoid. Jay would never rub it in his brother’s face that he kissed his wife. That was childish 

I was being foolish. He was a grown man. Maybe the only reason I looked for Jay was because I secretly just wanted to see him again.

I moved toward the edge of the gathering. Arthur was there, laughing heartily with some of his oldest friends. He looked at ease, the lines on his face softened with genuine happiness. 

On my way over to greet him, I felt the hairs on my skin stand on end. He was there. He was looking at me.

I turned, breath hitching. Across the green, just beyond a cluster of guests, I saw him.

Jay.

My heartbeat stuttered because I was right. The shadow around his eyes blinked in a split second until he turned his gaze away from me.

At that moment, Arthur was old news. I don't know how Jay did it but he made the chatter around me fade into a dull hum. 

The 6’2” man was standing near the entrance, his built frame was unmistakable even in the crowd. His charisma hadn’t changed much—still carried himself with the same divine aura, the same magnetic presence that unnerved me.

But he wasn’t alone.

An older woman stood beside him, her arm looped through his.

My grip involuntarily tightened on my glass as a rush of emotions swirled inside me. Who is the woman?

Jay’s gaze drifted over the crowd again. And then it landed on me. Was he inviting me? 

It was a call. He knew I was watching. I was staring.

My lungs gave up.

And then the woman beside him leaned in, whispering something in his ear. Jay didn’t look away, didn’t move. I swallowed hard.