Chapter 14
KAITLYN
Kaitlyn was feeling out of her depth. She’d tried to say all the right things, to smile and be polite, to look interested and listen, even when the company was proving dull, but an event like this was nothing like she’d experienced before.
It was a long way from the high school prom and a reminder of just how different Alex’s life was from her own.
In many ways, they were like oil and water, even as they’d muddled along together so far.
Kaitlyn knew this was a performance. They were out to impress, and she certainly didn’t want to disappoint him.
And yet they’d already come close to disaster several times.
As the evening progressed, Kaitlyn managed to forget Alex’s mom’s name and get confused over a question about a recent vacation to Bali.
“You must have loved it there,” one woman had said. “The beaches are to die for.”
“I… well, I didn’t go,” Kaitlyn had stammered, only to be rescued by Alex, who’d apparently been to Bali on a business trip the previous summer, the assumption being Kaitlyn had gone with him.
They were little things, but they added up to bigger problems. It made Kaitlyn feel out of her depth and as though she was letting him down.
“I have to make my speech now, and then there’ll be some music. At least we won’t have to talk to anyone then,” Alex whispered as Hilary fiddled with a microphone on a stage set up at the far end of the reception room.
Kaitlyn felt nervous about being left on her own while Alex made his speech. Malwida Ree was hovering nearby, no doubt ready to pounce with another of her questions.
“Good luck,” Kaitlyn whispered before Alex took to the stage amid a round of applause.
Having welcomed the guests, he spoke confidently and with passion about the Jamaica deal, outlining the benefits not only for the investors but also for the local economy.
It was a side of him Kaitlyn hadn’t seen before, at least not in focus.
In matters of business, he exuded a particular confidence, one that obviously impressed his audience, for there was much by way of nods of appreciation, and it seemed Alex’s words were well received.
“Finally, I’d like to thank my fiancée, Kaitlyn, for her unwavering support in this and all my business endeavors. I’m grateful to you for everything,” he said, smiling at Kaitlyn, who blushed as heads turned and she became the center of attention.
Fortunately, the entertainment was now to begin, a jazz band, and, stepping down from the stage, Alex came over to join her, offering her his hand.
“Are we going first?” she whispered.
“I think it’s expected. Just pretend we’re the prom king and queen,” he replied, smiling as they made their way into the middle of the room.
Kaitlyn had always liked to dance, and it was like being back in high school on prom night, or at Rachel’s and Sean’s wedding. Dancing with Alex reminded Kaitlyn why she’d come to New York, why she wanted to be with him.
“It was sweet of you to say that at the end of your speech,” she said as others paired off to join the dancing.
“It’s true, and I wanted to make sure there was no question about who you are and why you’re here. I don’t want any rumors made up about us or falsities circulating,” he said.
Kaitlyn was confused. “Like what?” she asked.
“Oh, you don’t know the half of it. Someone’s bound to say I’ve paid you to be here with me, to make it look like I’m a respectable man worth investing in. Some people use dirty tricks, like Malwida trying to catch us in a lie.”
Kaitlyn was astonished. She hadn’t even thought about it like that, but she was beginning to realize how superficial all this could be: the fake smiles, the forced words, and then the stab in the back.
“It’s awful,” she said.
Alex smiled. “Don’t worry. You did perfectly tonight. Let’s get through the next couple of hours and see everyone off.”
“And maybe you’ll take some time off tomorrow,” Kaitlyn ventured.
He smiled but remained noncommittal, and they continued to dance, safe, for now, from further scrutiny.
But as the night drew on, Kaitlyn couldn’t help but feel as though it was all for show, and that everything about the evening had been false.
She’d been a part of it — a new dress, being seen, saying all the right things.
It wasn’t her, and it wasn’t him, either, or so she hoped.
It was a relief when the last of the guests had left, and the two of them got into the waiting car outside the hotel. Alex breathed a sigh of relief.
“Well, that’s that over with. I’m sorry about tonight. It was like throwing you into the lions’ den,” he said, turning to her and reaching out his hand.
Kaitlyn took it and smiled. “Don’t worry. I did my best. I hope it was all right?”
Alex nodded. “You did perfectly. The vultures were out in full force,” he replied, sighing and shaking his head.
Kaitlyn looked at him sympathetically. “Are you worried about this deal? I thought Hilary had it all in hand?”
“It’s all up in the air. I thought it was a done deal. It was a done deal. But there are never any certainties in business. Still, we’ve put on a show for them, rolled out the red carpet. That’s all we can do, for now,” he said.
Kaitlyn hoped she hadn’t made things difficult for him. She’d felt entirely awkward the entire evening and hadn’t known whether she was digging a hole for herself or climbing out of one she’d unwittingly fallen into.
“Is that woman going to write about us? Malwida Ree? She was awful.”
Alex smiled. “I’m sure she’ll write something. Whether it’s good or bad, we’ll see. I’ve learned not to worry too much about it. These things are storms in teacups. She is awful, though, isn’t she?” he said, his smile turning mischievous.
“Absolutely dreadful,” Kaitlyn replied.
She was glad they could laugh about these sorts of things. Glad that they had one another to laugh with.
“I think it’s been a success. Even if we get just, say, thirty percent of the investors on board, we can cover our ambition. I think we convinced enough of them for that,” he said.
Kaitlyn nodded. She’d have preferred it if he’d measured the evening’s success against the quality of time they’d spent together, but this was his night, not theirs.
There were bound to be many more to come.
She’d have to endure many more nights like this, when Kaitlyn would be expected to dress to impress, to say the right things, and help secure a deal.
It was part and parcel of being married to a man like Alex.
Or so she supposed. But the question of that marriage still lay open.
They weren’t married yet, and since arriving in New York, Kaitlyn hadn’t actually heard him mention their plans, either.
It made her feel nervous, as though this was all some kind of test.
He’s not like that.
And yet part of her was beginning to wonder if perhaps it was all a test. One she was yet to pass.