26. Omniscient
Chapter twenty-six
Omniscient
R eginald walked into the spa room to see Brielle in her robe as she finished the final touches for her “Mommy’s Spa Day.” She’d invited all the moms and couldn’t be more excited than she already was. She scheduled facials, massages, nails, etc.
She glanced over to Reginald, who was setting up the wine and champagne bar, and pouted. “Thank you for taking care of us, Regi. You really don’t have to. You already laid the kids down for a nap and helped me set up, so the least you could do is take a break yourself,” she remarked, and he rolled his eyes dramatically, though she couldn’t see him.
“I insist, Mrs. Russel. If you didn’t know, I am actually here to take notes about the gossip that goes around. You all only meet a month or two at a time. I often feel left out when I’m not overhearing your scandals.”
Brielle gasped as she looked over her shoulder. “You make it seem like we’re problematic!”
Continuing as if she hadn’t caught what he was saying, he spoke again. “The nail technicians should be here soon. I’ll go wait for their arrival.” He stepped out of the room, and Brielle rolled her eyes playfully as she smoothed out her robe.
She heard a knock at the door and looked up and squealed happily as she saw Maia and Hana.
“Are you sure Reginald is still married? He doesn’t look a day over sixty-five. We can push that number down to forty,” Hana smirked, and Brielle gave her a look.
“Behave, Hana. What would Shin say about your comment, hmm?” she asked, and Maia laughed.
“Hana is behaving, Bri, but it’s okay to admire once in a while.”
“Are we talking about that tall, handsome man you call a butler?” They heard another voice, and Brielle rolled her eyes.
“Not you, too, Vivienne. What would your hubby say? I don’t think he’d appreciate you admiring older men.”
Vivienne walked into the room and sighed. “You always have to ruin the fun, Bri.”
Brielle rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. “Why am I the only sensible one here?”
Reginald walked back into the room and chuckled. “Let the women be, Mrs. Russel. You seem to be the only one immune to my charms.”
“Oh, God, your ego is taking over. Forget I ever said anything.”
The women laughed before going over to the chairs. Reginald assisted them as they took a seat, and he poured four glasses of champagne.
“Kimiko is in Paris, and Jin is spending time with Ivory and the boys, so it’s been quiet at home for some time now,” Hana said as she sipped her champagne while the nail technicians walked into the room and began to set up.
“Speaking of Jin, when is he going to propose to Ivory? We need these wedding dates in early, even if I’m speaking ten years in advance,” Maia muttered, and Brielle rolled her eyes.
“Let the children remain children, Maia. It’s only a matter of time before they’re too grown, and we’re too late.”
“It’s adorable, really. He always seems flustered around her and can barely help himself at times!” Hana laughed, and Vivienne did as well as she listened to the banter.
“Sorry I’m late.”
The women looked to the door to see Juliet standing with her bag in her hand and a somewhat tired look on her face. Brielle stood up and smiled.
“Juliet, you made it! Sweetie, what’s wrong?” She approached her as Reginald helped her with her belongings, and Juliet sighed.
“Just been a bit stressed. I had to find a quick babysitter because Eugene isn’t home today—”
Brielle crossed her arms and gave Juliet a pointed look. “If you need someone, Juli, don’t listen to my brother, and let me help you find a nanny if you’re tired. You could’ve brought her here. I’m sure George or Leo could keep an eye out. Benjamin could have, but he’s overseeing Delilah in Paris with Nathan for a bit.”
Juliet nodded but didn’t say much. Eugene was hellbent on separating her and Melanie from the “rich” lifestyle that his sister had grown accustomed to. She didn’t mind it, but at times, she felt like she could use some extra help.
Brielle brought Juliet to the other women and said, “So, Juli, you know Hana and Maia, but I have yet to introduce you to Vivienne.”
Juliet looked over to the woman, and she felt as if her eyes were deceiving her. “Do I know you from somewhere?” she asked, and Vivienne chuckled.
“Well, if it wasn’t the biggest elephant in the room already. Unfortunately, Calvin, the evil mastermind that may terrorize my best friends’ life, is my husband.”
“Oh,” was all Juliet could say as she knew the hell that man put her husband through time and time again.
Vivienne sighed. “I know he’s terrible, but please don’t hate me! I promise I’m not an undercover spy. If I were, relaxing would be the last thing on my mind right now.”
Juliet laughed at her small joke and let the strange fact go for the time being. She settled beside Brielle.
“How is Archer, by the way? Has he moved on to another long-term crush?” Maia asked Vivienne, who, in return, shook her head.
“Nope; Delilah still seems to have him head over heels.”
Brielle sighed. “You know it always frightened me—them being together. One for starting so young and for Killian’s mental health, mainly. I know he doesn’t have the heart to put up with it—”
Hana cut her off as she took another sip. “Correction, Brielle: the man doesn’t have a heart at all.”
Brielle giggled as she waved the woman off, and Juliet sat feeling confused.
“Archer is your and Calvin’s son?” she asked Vivienne, who shook her head.
“He’s Calvin’s son and my stepson. Technically, our first child was Stephan, but we had been separated for some time. He had Archer with another woman, but eventually we fell back into each other’s arms. Or rather, he found me, and saying no to a man who pretends as if he’s never heard it is just a nightmare,” Vivienne finished, and Brielle, Maia, and Hana both shared a look that ultimately agreed with her statement.
Juliet nodded in understanding, and another question popped up in her head. “Wait. Archer and Delilah?”
Everyone nodded and looked to the corner as Reginald muttered, “Ever since they were toddlers.” He shook his head, and Vivienne shrugged.
“It’s true, he has a bit of an obsession, but it’s cute.”
“I know they’ve been talking, but Delilah hasn’t been saying anything to me. Hopefully she’ll open up soon about the whole thing,” Brielle said.
Once the nail technicians had finished, Reginald directed them over to the area for their facials.
“So, Stephan is your son,” Juliet asked, still confused, and Vivienne nodded.
“Archer met Stephan when they were young… they were inseparable. But Stephan got older and started making many assumptions about the future of the business and such, and eventually… he grew to hate Archer. He believed that because Calvin spent so much time with Archer when he was younger, he would be the heir to the company, but as much as that isn’t the case, Stephan continues to be stubborn and even reckless at times. But enough about me and my children,” Vivienne said, ending in a light chuckle, and Brielle turned to Juliet.
“How’s Melanie, Juli? I hear she’s enjoying the terrible twos.”
Juliet sighed. “The word ‘no’ in her mind is so powerful, and no one can take that feeling away from the little girl.”
They erupted in another conversation about the children growing up, and Reginald excused himself as he received a message from his phone.
Opening the message, he rolled his eyes as Benjamin had been the one to send it to him concerning a bet they had before he left for Paris. And apparently, their suspicions were correct, but Reginald lost as he thought they would at the least be taking it slow.
Benjamin: You owe me $20.