5

Chapter Five

Sophie Clarke

•••

“I’m sorry, who are you?” I asked, glaring at him.

With a smirk on his face, he replied, “Let’s get out of here, so I can properly introduce myself. And you know you owe me a drink.”

I stood still, trying to process what was going on. At that time all I could think of was my husband who was probably apologizing to his ex for my behavior.

“Just trust me, okay?” He said, lending his hand to mine.

I reached out for his hand, hoping I was making the right choice by agreeing to follow him wherever he planned to take me.

“Sure, but where are we going?” I asked, trying to steady my voice. I turned around for a moment, trying to see if Alexander was coming after me at least.

“I said trust me.” He said with a light chuckle as he held my hand and let me out of the bar area and over to the parking lot.

Outside, the night air was cool, and drizzles of rain fell softly but all I could hear was my sobs. My eyes were still swollen and red.

A black SUV arrived at the entrance of the hotel, and the chauffeur hurried out to open the door. I hesitated for a second.

“Come on, let’s go.” He said softly. “You need to get away from here.”

I nodded weakly and stepped inside, for a minute I forgot about my safety. All I could think of was Alexander and how he humiliated me because of that bitch.

We didn’t speak for a while, my eyes were fixed on my trembling hands. I noticed he was staring at me, I wondered if he could notice how swollen my eyes were. I felt like a child who had been abandoned.

I raised my head as I wiped a tear from my face.

“Can I know where we’re going now?” I asked, my voice barely audible.

“We’re just going to get dinner and talk.” He replied. There was something about his voice that made me feel a little bit calm.

After a short drive, we arrived at a restaurant.

“Oh my God, it’s too fancy. I can’t go in looking like this.” I said, terrified to get down from the car.

I looked a mess, my hair was tied up in a bun, I wore a mere cardigan and my eyes were swollen as hell.

I couldn’t go inside there, not with him looking all dressed. People might mistake me for his maid or something.

“Common now, you don’t look bad.” He said, trying to sound convincing. “Okay, you can just put your hair down and smile. I can fix the hair for you if you want.”

“Yeah, right.” I scoffed. “Like it’s that easy.”

He stared at me grinning ear to ear. I couldn’t help but wonder what was so funny.

He tilted his head and said. “Please, you’re really pretty so I doubt anyone would notice your eyes.”

I rolled my eyes at him.

“Fine,” I responded, letting my hair down and running my fingers through my hair.

He got out of the car and opened the door for me. I was still hesitant to go but I needed that dinner. It could serve as a nice distraction from what just happened at the bar.

We got into the restaurant, and my eyes swept over the understated luxury. He held the chair for me to sit down, he seemed like a perfect gentleman but he wasn’t my husband.

He noticed I wasn’t comfortable, and he placed both his hands on mine, as if he was trying to calm me down.

“Relax, okay?” His touch was soft.

I nodded slightly.

The waiter came over and asked for our order. I asked for a simple dish that was available.

“So can you tell me who you are and why we’re here?”

The suspense was killing me.

He leaned back in his seat, “My name is Ethan Xavier, and I own a beauty product company here in New York. Greywood essentials. I know your…”

“You’re joking right?” I let out a loud gasp, interrupting him before he could finish his sentence. “You…own greywood essentials? That’s like the top beauty company.”

He laughed, “Yeah, I guess.” He responded with a proud smirk.

The waiter arrived with what we’d ordered. I had to eat before continuing the conversation because I was starving.

He leaned forward, “Your husband owns Luméa Beauty right?”

I dropped my spoon and cleared my throat, “Yeah, how did you know he’s my husband?”

“It’s not like it’s hidden,” he winked. “Well, we’ve been rivals for years, I’ve seen the kind of man he is, undercuts prices and steals designs.” His voice softened. “I think it’s time someone gave him a taste of his own medicine.”

I stared at him in disbelief.

“You don’t know what you’re saying,” I said, dropping my cutlery on the table.

“I know you’re not happy in your marriage, you were humiliated this evening. Are you not tired of it?” He continued, his tone was calm but deliberate.

I shook my head, in disagreement. “Are you trying to say that I should…”

“Get even? Yeah.” He interrupted me.

I knew that Alexander had been mean to me, but I wasn’t sure I would do the right thing by listening to Ethan.

Even though the idea of it sounds tempting, sweet, and dangerous. I didn’t want revenge, I just needed to be with my husband.

“I don’t want revenge,” I whispered, my voice barely audible. “I still want to work things out with him so I can’t bring him down, I can’t hurt him.” My voice came out sharper than I had intended.

Why would he think it was okay for him to give me such advice?

He might have his a personal issue with my husband about business but it was his cross to carry, not mine.

“I think I need to leave.” I stood up abruptly.

He got up, his eyes filled with a hint of regret but still sharp with determination. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you.” He said calmly. “But don’t you think that you’re being delusional?”

My face formed into a frown. “Who do you think you are to say that to me? What gave you the right?”

Ethan exhaled sharply. “That man humiliated you in front of everyone and you still want to protect him?”

I pursed my lips tightly. I wasn’t ready to go back and forth with him.

“Thank you for the dinner. I’ll be on my way home.”

He stood up and held my hand before I could leave. “Are you angry? I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have brought it up.”

I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, you shouldn’t have.”

“I’ll drop you off,” Ethan said with a sigh.

“Don’t worry about it, I’ll take a cab.” I yanked my hand away from him and walked away.

As I got closer to the door, his voice echoed through the restaurant. “I’ll call you and you can still think about my offer.”

I didn’t turn back to look at him, I just continued walking. I wasn’t only angry because he wanted revenge on Alexander, I was upset because there was an atom of truth in what he had said to me.

But I couldn’t let him get to me.

I still believed that Alexander and I had a chance together.