Chapter 8: Meet Me In The Study

“Then get pregnant with his child.”

“What?”

“Get pregnant for him,” Nicole said, her face completely serious.

“Nicole, you can never tie a man down with a baby,” I replied, shaking my head. “Besides, I don’t want my child growing up in that kind of home. It’s clear to me he loves Valentina, it’s been obvious since the day I walked into that house.”

“You’re right. That was a stupid idea.” She tapped her forehead gently with her palm.

“What about you, Nicole? We’ve been talking about me ever since we sat down.”

Nicole offered a warm, soft smile. “There’s not much to tell about me, except that I’m engaged and—”

“What! You’re engaged?”

Nicole raised her hand, flashing a brilliant diamond ring on her finger.

“I met him two years ago, and we got engaged last month. I moved in with him right after.”

I grabbed her hand, leaning in to take a closer look at the sparkling stone. “It’s beautiful! I’m so happy for you, Nicole.” I nudged her shoulder playfully.

“Why wouldn’t you be? You’re my best friend.” Nicole pouted slightly. “I honestly thought I was going to get married without you there.”

“Well, you won’t. I’m here now.” I glanced down at my watch and noticed it was already starting to get dark outside. “Nicole, I need to go buy some new clothes, and it’s getting late.”

Nicole pulled her phone out of her purse to check the time as well. “I’m coming with you.” She immediately stood up, grabbing her bag off the table.

“You don’t have to,” I said with a polite smile, not wanting to burden her any further. “I can go alone.”

“I will literally beat you up right here if you keep acting like I’m a stranger!”

A quiet laugh escaped me. Nicole really hadn’t changed at all over the years. “Fine, you can come.”

I stood up, and we walked out of the cafe together.

“And you’re buying me clothes too,” she added. “I don’t work for free.”

I pulled out the sleek black card from my purse. “We’re spending my husband’s money today. At least I have his credit card, who even needs a man?” I joked, raising my eyebrows twice.

“Who needs a man when you have his money? Let’s go blow it all!”

We hailed a cab and headed straight to the mall.

By the time I returned home, the trunk of the car was loaded with luxury clothes, bags and jewelry, the servants had to carry everything up to my room.

Nicole had completely ignored me every time I told her we should stop buying things. In fact, she intentionally picked out the most expensive items in every store.

That girl never listens to me, I thought to myself. In fact, no one listens to me.

“Madam, we’re finished arranging everything,” one of the servants announced.

My bedroom was now overflowing with high- end designer dresses, cosmetics, bags, shoes, and jewelry. In the three years I had lived here, I hadn’t even spent thrice of what we blew up today.

“Madam, you bought so many beautiful things,” Naomi, a young servant whispered, her eyes wide with awe.

“You can take some of it,” I offered, looking at the mountain of things. “It’s way too much, and I’ll never wear it all anyway.”

Naomi stepped back quickly, shaking her head in panic. “Oh no, Madam, you are very kind, but I wouldn’t dare wear such expensive clothes and jewelry.”

Naomi had been hired right around the time I first came to the house, and she was always gentle and attentive. I walked over to the small wardrobe and opened the doors.

“Look, the clothes don’t even fit properly in here, and I don’t want them falling out,” I said, pulling two beautiful dresses off the rack. “Take them. It’s an order, and I don’t want to hear a single no.”

I pressed the dresses into her hand.

Naomi’s eyes widened as she caught sight of the price tags, each one cost more than her entire monthly salary.

“Madam, I don’t want to disobey you. I never have, but I really can’t accept this.”

I stepped closer and placed my hands gently on her shoulders. “Naomi, you’re like a little sister to me, and you’ve always looked out for me. Just think of it as a gift from your older sister.”

Naomi lowered her head, not daring to meet my eyes. “Madam, I’m not worthy of being your sister. I’m just a servant.”

A deep frown spread across my face. “No one should ever feel less than anyone else. Naomi we’re all human here, and no person is better than another.”

Overwhelmed, Naomi suddenly wrapped her arms around me. I held her gently, letting her cry against my shoulder.

When she finally pulled back, her eyes were red and her cheeks were flushed hot. “I’m so sorry, Madam... I ruined your expensive clothes!” Her voice was laced with panic as she looked at my shoulder.

“It’s not ruined, and it’s completely fine,” I said softly, patting her head. “Come on, let's head downstairs.”

When we reached the main floor, the living room was quiet, with only a few servants were around.

“Is Kealan home?” I asked. The house felt strangely empty, and I knew for a fact Valentina wasn’t around either.

“Master went out with Miss Valentina,” Naomi answered quietly.

Before she could say another word, Valentina’s loud voice echoed from the foyer outside.

“It looks like they’re back, Madam,” Naomi whispered.

The front doors opened, and the moment Valentina spotted me standing in the living room, she immediately latched onto Kealan’s arm.

“Hey! Be careful with that!” she snapped at the servants carrying her shopping bags inside. “You couldn’t afford that in your entire lifetime!”

“We’re sorry, Miss,” the servants chorused, bowing their heads.

It was clear Valentina and Kealan had gone on their own shopping spree.

“Baby, thank you for making time for me out of your busy schedule,” Valentina purred, her hands sliding possessively over the lapels of Kealan’s suit. She was deliberately trying to rub salt in my wounds.

Kealan didn't respond to her display, merely unbuttoning his coat. “I’ll be in the study. Come find me if you need anything.” He placed his hands on her cheeks.

What a joke, I thought bitterly. The same Kealan who used to lose his temper if anyone dared disturb him in his study was suddenly rolling out the red carpet for her.

He stepped toward the hallway, but as he passed by me, he paused.

His sharp eyes locked onto mine. “Meet me in the study.”