Chapter 5

“Where are you going?” I lay in the bed naked, loosely covered in the sheets.

He’d dressed and combed his hair. He was standing in the mirror fixing his tie.

“Carter and Lex invited me out. I won’t be back tonight.” He finished his tie and walked back to the bed. He leaned over it, and over me.

"Why not?"

He hovered above me and grinned widely, "I have a surprise for you."

Something turned in my stomach. It wasn't unsettling. I was excited.

"What surprise?"

He grabbed the back of my head to pull me closer and pressed his lips firmly over mine. His kisses weren’t soft or brief. When he pulled back, his lips still lingered over mine.

“Be my good girl and I’ll see you in the morning.” He lowered his mouth to kiss my throat once. Then lifted his lips to kiss my chin. Keeping his face close to mine, he smirked, “you didn’t feed me tonight. I want breakfast in the morning.”

Slowly, I nodded.

His smile broadened a bit. “Good girl… tomorrow, I’ll get you and your friends lunch wherever you want. It should be warm. How about drinks on the yacht after?”

“With you?”

His eyes warmed but he shook his head, “I have meetings. There's an event tomorrow night. Doors open at 7, I’ll meet you there at 8. I’ll send you the address of a tailor who has a dress I made for you.”

I hesitated but nodded.

He kissed me once more and turned to leave. As he walked out he called, “I’ll have Cal set up a meeting with your father. My wife shouldn’t have bad days because of money. It’s a bad look.”

And with that, I was left alone.

It was impossible to rest. It was impossible to sit back. So instead I got up, dressed in a simple dress, braided my hair loosely, and followed him out the door.

JACOB’S POV

He arrived in the top-floor private room of the club just in time to see Lex, Carter, Ethan, and Marlow laughing and joking over a game of cards and drinks.

Although Jacob could smell the alcohol, there was no mess. The barely dressed servers were diligent in removing old drinks and replacing them with new ones.

Jacob scowled a little at the sight of Ethan.

Why was he here?

He didn’t know why they still tolerated him.

They’d befriended him in high school because he helped them get good grades and impress their parents. But Ethan's family was much lower than theirs and Ethan had always been trying to prove he was their equal.

Jacob wouldn't have cared if one of Ethan's equality methods didn't include attempting to maintain an unnecessary friendship with his wife - Cassie.

Jacob swallowed a bitter lump in the back of his throat as he mentally prepared for Ethan to inevitably ask "how's Cassie? Is she doing okay?" As if Jacob wasn't more than capable of caring for his own wife.

He would lie. He'd tell Ethan whatever he needed to hear and make him believe whatever he wanted to believe so that he could swoop in and play hero.

Then, Jacob would eliminate all hope that Ethan could ever fill that role. 

Jacob had only ever answered Ethan's inquiries about Cassie with honesty one time. It was nearly 6 months after their wedding. Jacob had admitted that Cassie was still upset about the club incident. He'd honestly said he was scared his marriage might end suddenly. 

Ethan had gone to Cassie. Cassie never told him what Ethan had said or done, but when he came home to Ethan hugging her on the couch, Jacob had nearly killed him. 

Jacob scowled, remembering the way Cassie had defended Ethan. She'd claimed that Ethan had come to visit Jacob, and then blamed Jacob for spending too much time at work. As if Ethan couldn't visit him at his office.

To make matters worse, Ethan liked to remind him that she'd met Ethan before she met Jacob - a fact that bothered Jacob greatly.

Jacob was unpleasantly jolted by the memory of Ethan standing over Cassie in the school library. He’d had the audacity to use his “friendship” with Jacob in an effort to convince her to go out with him.

Her eyes had darted between him and her books, as they always had when someone approached her in the library. He’d seen many guys try but fail to get her attention. She generally seemed more interested in studying. But Ethan was the first one she seemed to really notice.

The memory made him sick to his stomach. He’d promised Ethan a place in their friend group but told him that to earn that place, he needed to avoid gold diggers like Casandra Bulton. At the time, Jacob tried to convince himself that if Ethan had chosen Cassie over their friendship, he would’ve respected Ethan more.

But the idea had grown more and more vile. Jacob knew he would’ve retaliated against Ethan. Aggressively. So although he thought Ethan’s choice to ignore Cassie was cowardly and desperate, it was probably his smartest move.

Jacob sat without acknowledging Ethan.

“Oh look who’s finally here! We invited you out at 6! Did the wife keep you for that long?” Lex mocked.

Jacob poured himself a drink and shot it back quickly, “my woman is an animal—” He wouldn’t have said this if he didn’t feel the constant need to keep Ethan in his place. Due to his “closeness” with Jacob, he had closer access to Cassie than Jacob would ever naturally like. "she never lets me leave in less than an hour.”

They cheered and made a couple of mocking gestures.

"But I came as soon as I could. Didn't even eat dinner but it's fine.... she'll make me whatever I want for breakfast." He smirked in Ethans direction. It was just in time to see Ethan take a shot while rolling his eyes bitterly. A little more amused, Jacob added, "I don't know if she loves me or the money more. But she'll do anything to keep me happy."

“So I guess you’re not in the mood for what we brought in?!” Carter gestured for the servers to bring in a string of women. They entered with alcohol and various card and drinking games, sitting between and around each man.

The music was turned up. Shortly after, the door opened again.

Jacob continued drinking, only stopping when he heard the door open. He didn’t care who might enter until he saw Ethan sit up straighter. Then he looked over and saw Coral enter. His heart fell a little. It had been a while since Cassie had followed him out.

Why? Did she stop caring? Was the money not enough? If he sent more now, would she come?

Once upon a time she'd chase him out everytime he left. He craved that. He wanted her to hate being apart from him. He wanted her to be scared to lose him. Or if not him, then the money that only he could provide.

Maybe if he sent her another $100,000 it would get her attention. But such a small sum barely moved her anymore. It was the same price she would sell a spa day for.

Coral hurried over to sit beside Jacob.

When Jacob first hired her, she’d been using a stage name, Coral Ball. Her initials had been C.B. Like Cassie Burton. Her body was similar to Cassie’s too.

In this club, to protect dancer’s privacy, VIP’s could choose their servers and dancers by initial and silhouette. He'd seen the initials and the figure of a girl that looked exactly like his wife. He’d thought Cassie was trying to get his attention and hired her in private.

He didn't hide his excitement at the time. When Coral showed up – to save face – he’d played along.

To get Cassie’s attention, Jacob had gotten close to models and actresses, secretaries, and nannies. He’d showered them with gifts and attention to make Cassie jealous. All to get her attention. It seemed to have worked before. But they didn't stimulate her anymore.

Coral was a little different from the other’s. They’d been content with the gifts and assets. Although she never said it directly, he was fairly sure Coral also wanted a title. One he had no intention of ever giving her.

He’d let her play wife today. And it had instantly backfired. He didn’t mind letting Coral play in some fantasy where she might be a rich man’s wife. He actually found it a bit funny. He had no intention of hurting Cassie in the process.

“Jacob—” Coral grabbed his arms and hugged it close, “thank you so much for today. Tianna really needed it. And I am so, so grateful.”

“Right.” He offered her a stiff and disinterested smile.

“What did you do?” Marlow asked.

“He sent me to Rolo Day Spa.” She gushed.

“Ooh, fancy.” Carter laughed as he drank. “Careful, though. Cassie likes to go there, doesn’t she?”

Jacob tensed but tried not to show it. He knew there was a chance they’d go at the same time. He didn’t expect there to be any interaction. The Rolo Day Spa could only be accessed by the top 1% of society. Cassie felt uncomfortable trying to talk to anyone there. She went for the quiet and solitude. 

“Don’t worry, Mr. Aster, I didn’t talk to anyone but the staff.” Coral smiled.

Jacob didn’t acknowledge her words. To Carter, he took a shot and said, “she knows not to bother Cassie.”

“W-who is this?” Ethan finally asked. He looked confused and upset. Jacob understood why.

If by some twist of fate, Ethan had gotten to be with Cassie… if Jacob had ever seen another girl on his arm, he would’ve killed him.

This was different, Jacob knew. This was for show. He wasn’t afraid to honestly tell his real friends it was for show. They all knew why he kept Coral around anyways. But since it was Ethan, he smirked and put a hand around Coral’s shoulder.

He wanted to kill all lingering hope Ethan had for his wife. He wanted to make it clear that Cassie clung to Jacob. She wanted him. She chose him. And it didn’t matter what happened, she’d always be with him.

 So Jacob put a finger under Coral’s chin and sang, “this is my girlfriend. Coral Munroe. She knows how to entertain me.”

Jacob looked back at Ethan and smirked as his words registered into Ethan's head.