Chapter Nine.
Alicia
I finished laying the table and smiled. Everything looked perfect, and I hurried over to check the food.
Today was Oliver’s birthday, and I’d made his favourite.
Oliver should be home anytime now, and dinner was bang on time.
The kitchen smelled wonderful, and I knew this would win him over.
His presents were beautifully wrapped and waiting to be gifted, and I hoped Oliver liked them. A lot of thought had gone into them.
An hour later, I turned the oven off and removed the food. Slightly worried, I dialled Oliver and went straight through to voicemail again. Twisting my fingers, I served dinner up and covered the plates.
Worry pressed me as I called Oliver repeatedly, only to get no answer. After three hours, I was almost frantic. I’d checked hospitals, and Oliver hadn’t been admitted. I was deciding whether to call the police when my phone dinged.
Believing that might be him, I grabbed it and swiped.
Oliver had the social media settings set to notify me if we were mentioned.
Just in case it was a nasty comment that we could act on.
The post loaded, and I began putting it down until I spotted the headline.
In disbelief, I clicked and stared at Eve, dancing in Oliver’s arms as they smiled at each other.
‘Birthday boy hits the dance floor,’ the headline screamed.
Underneath were several captions. ‘Where’s the wife, Oliver?
’ ‘The wife’s at home, and Oliver’s on the prowl. ’
Slowly, I turned everything off and went to bed.
Oliver
Screw those social media posts. Tears and tantrums were on the menu, no doubt.
But instead, I opened the front door and found the house in darkness.
Wasn’t Alicia waiting? On my birthday? Puzzled, I checked the time and realised it was three in the morning.
A grin spread across my lips. I hadn't partied so late in years.
Damn, I felt a lot younger than thirty-one right now.
Alicia would probably be ready with the guilt-trip.
I scowled at the thought. Alicia could ruin anything.
Prepared for battle, I headed into the kitchen and was surprised to find it empty.
Hadn’t Alicia waited up? Shit, I could have been dead in my car, and the bitch had gone to bed?
Christ, what had got into Alicia lately?
I spotted two plates, lifted the cover on one, and saw my favourite meal.
The gravy had congealed, and I picked it up and binned the food.
Alicia could cook it fresh tomorrow. I checked the second and noted it was hers.
Hadn’t Alicia eaten? Good. It would keep her weight down.
Not bothering to be quiet, I headed upstairs and entered the bedroom. Alicia was probably awake in bed, cheeks tear-stained and ready to softly berate me.
“I’m home,” I announced, and Alicia didn’t reply.
Ah, we were going with the silent treatment.
Well, I was horny, so I stripped off and checked the mirror.
That bitch Rebel was right. I had an expanding gut; I needed to start the gym again.
At thirty-one, I wouldn’t let myself go. But I was a damn handsome man.
Cockily, I sauntered over and yanked the covers back.
Alicia lay there in a silk nightdress. She was gorgeous, and despite my words, Alicia was ageing beautifully and keeping her figure trim. Randy, I crawled into bed, my cock already hard.
“Alicia,” I crooned as I ran a hand up her thigh. “It’s my special day, darling. Give me a birthday blowjob.”
Alicia didn’t respond. Was she pretending?
“Alicia, wake up and suck me off, babe,” I ordered.
Still no answer. Slightly worried, I shook her, and Alicia rolled back and forth.
What the hell? Cock deflating, I switched on a lamp and made an annoyed sound.
On Alicia’s bedside table were migraine tablets.
They blocked migraines but put Alicia to sleep for at least twelve hours.
Fuck this! Alicia could give me a blowjob when she woke up, the damn bitch!
Alicia
“Did you have a nice time?” I asked as I served Oliver breakfast. I noted he’d binned the dinners.
“Fantastic, it was great letting my hair down,” Oliver replied.
“Good.” I set down the coffee and scrambled eggs. There was puzzlement in his eyes.
“Alicia, you went to bed without knowing I was safe,” Oliver challenged, and he was butt-hurt from that.
“No, I knew where you were.”
“You tracked my phone?” Oliver accused, stiffening.
“Didn’t have to. You were all over social media. Some nice soul tagged me,” I said and showed Oliver the post.
“So, you’re going to be passive aggressive over this!” Oliver snapped.
“No. I trust you; you’re my husband, the man I love, and you love me.
It was good of you to take Eve dancing. I’m sure Eve needed the release after all those late nights and hard work,” I replied.
This morning in the shower, I had a heart-to-heart with myself.
I didn’t believe Oliver was cheating, even though the picture made him look guilty.
“Right.”
“If something’s going on, you’d tell me, wouldn’t you?”
Oliver thumped a fist on the table. “There it is!”
“What?” I asked, confused but on guard. I recognised the signs of Oliver melting down.
“Passive aggressive. You want to know if I’m fucking Eve! The answer is no. What’s your problem? Eve works hard and helps the company progress. Are you so small-minded, Alicia, you begrudge Eve a few rewards and make your friends attack her?”
“What are you talking about?” I demanded, shocked at Oliver’s accusations.
“Eve told me how you and those bullies treated her at the restaurant. How she’d come over being nice, and you were all mean.
Jesus, what is it? Eve is a valuable and contributing member of society.
While all you do is sit on your ass and have lunches with your bitch friends?
I’m disappointed in you,” Oliver ranted.
Disturbed, I stood up and gathered my dignity.
“Not as ashamed as I am of you,” I stated firmly.
Oliver’s mouth opened, and I cut him off.
“Knowing how I was bullied in school, you believe I’d bully someone else?
And I do more than sit on my ass lunching, but you wouldn’t know because you never ask how my day was.
Never, Oliver. And as for a job, I had one, remember?
One, I quit to support you and make your life easier. Don’t throw bullshit in my face.”
With that, I turned and walked out. Oliver, in this mood, was bull-headed, and there was no reasoning with him.
“Alicia! I meant it, lose some weight,” Oliver shouted. Tears formed, and I kept walking, but I wanted the last word.
“Lose your own fat. Honestly, I’ve replaced your wardrobe twice, and you’re not very attractive, Oliver, right now.”
Oliver spluttered behind me at my audacity. What had I been thinking? Where had the courage come from to talk back like that? No doubt I’d pay for it.
Alicia – four weeks later.
Since the fight a month ago, Oliver had tried making amends, but there was still a barrier between us.
He hadn’t liked the truth that morning but was clearly trying.
However, it appeared everything I did was wrong.
Oliver gently criticised, but I couldn’t do anything right.
But the way Oliver handled my errors meant our marriage was worth saving.
But despite his efforts to help me be better, Oliver had been photographed with Eve several times.
They appeared far closer than employer and employee.
“Don’t forget tonight; I’ve reserved the table for seven,” I said as Oliver grabbed his briefcase.
He frowned. “What?”
“My birthday, Oliver, I booked Samuel’s. You will make it, won’t you?” I nibbled my bottom lip and wrung my fingers together. Oliver scowled, and I stopped. It was a habit I was falling back into.
“Message me the details,” Oliver said.
“Oliver, please don’t forget. I had to book months in advance as it’s a Friday.”
“Alright, Alicia, I’ll be there. Send me a text.” Oliver dropped a kiss on my cheek and hurried out.
Agonised, I stared at the closing door. “You forgot,” I whispered. “Happy birthday, Alicia.”
The front door opened, and hope leapt as Oliver rushed back in. “Left my files,” he said and dashed off. Blowing out a breath, I swallowed tears.
Trying to keep calm, I glanced at my phone. Seven-fifteen. Oliver was late. I picked up my cell and dialled again, but got voicemail. Had Oliver really stood me up on my birthday? The waiter came over.
“Would you like to order, ma’am?”
“Another wine, please.” “And food?”
“My husband is caught in traffic; he won’t be long,” I said, ignoring the pitying look he offered.
Five minutes later, my phone pinged, and I glanced over. Oliver’s image flashed up, and I clicked on it.
No! He’d been snapped with Eve at a bar, huddled in a corner and looking very cosy together.
Oliver had done it to me again, this time on my birthday.
Bile rose in my throat as I saw people glancing over.
Underneath the image of Oliver and Eve was a picture of me sitting here, gazing at my cell.
It had literally been posted in the last minute.
‘Oliver Kensington is out partying with his ‘employee’ while the little wifey waits faithfully alone for her birthday meal.’ What a bitchy, mean comment.
Hurt, I sucked my lips in. How cruel some people were! More diners were staring, and the waiter approached with my drink. He placed it down and walked away. To calm down, I took a gulp and stared at the phone as another picture of Oliver and Eve appeared. This time, Eve was laughing up at Oliver.
Wine wouldn’t cut it. I needed something stronger.
Minutes ticked by as whispers rose, as social media kept up the barrage.
Clearly, everyone was of the opinion that Oliver was cheating on me and Eve was his mistress.
With soul-destroying brutality, I was being portrayed as pathetic, gullible, and weak.
After a quarter of an hour, the waiter approached again.
“Please bring the menu; I’m ready to order,” I whispered. Sympathy shone in his eyes as he nodded. No sooner had he left than a shadow fell over me.
“Alicia, I apologise for being late. A meeting overran, and I was caught. I didn’t bother wasting time texting you, but came straight away,” Cain Russell said with a warm smile. He pulled out the chair and clicked his fingers for the waiter.
Whispers rose around the restaurant. Cain had elucidated clearly so everyone could hear him.
“Cain,” I whispered, gratitude rising. It was so kind of Cain to save my dignity.
“Happy Birthday, Alicia,” Cain said and held out a small gift bag. “Forgive my tardiness.”
“Cain?” I whispered, cocking my head.
Cain leaned forward and muttered, “I saw the initial post driving to the hotel. I stopped to pick this up and came straight here. No woman should suffer the indignity Kensington is visiting upon you.”
“Thank you,” I said as those ice-green eyes held me captive. “You’re my hero.”
Cain smiled. “Alicia, I’m usually the anti-hero.”
The waiter approached, looking surprised to see Cain. “Whiskey on the rocks. Top shelf. Alicia, would you like an apple juice?” Cain ordered.
“Please.”
The waiter left, and I turned my attention back to Cain.
“Do you often rescue damsels in distress?”
“No. I can’t stand them,” Cain quipped. I stared in disbelief and burst into laughter. People around us sent sideways glances as Cain let a brief smile cross his lips.
The waiter came to take our orders, and we placed them as Cain ordered a bottle of their best champagne.
“Happy birthday, Alicia,” Cain said as it was poured.
I sipped it cautiously. “I’ve never tried this.”
“Somehow, I’m not surprised,” Cain murmured. “Alicia, I feel like your life was built around that asshole. What did Kensington do to you?”
I opened my mouth to answer and then closed it. Tonight, I wasn’t going to defend Oliver. My damned husband left me sitting in a restaurant on my birthday while he sat cosied up to his assistant. Precious Eve.
“Kensington is a fool. Who leaves a woman like you alone? Especially to hold a…” Cain pulled a face, and I realised he was searching for words that wouldn’t upset me.
“An out-of-hours business meeting?” I suggested.
“Indeed. A politer way of putting what I was thinking,” Cain replied.
“Yet, rather like Ryder, you’re notorious for speaking your mind.
” Cain smirked briefly. “Some people I don’t want to hurt.
Open your presents.” I opened the gift bag and pulled out three boxes.
Diners stared intently, making no attempt to hide their nosiness.
“People are looking.” “And? I don’t give a fuck. ”
He nudged the closest box, and I picked it up and opened it. I smiled as I saw the necklace inside. It was gorgeous and, no doubt, expensive. I gently touched the emerald four-leaf clover pendant with a finger.
“Thank you.”
Cain pushed the second and third gifts closer. I opened the second and found a beautiful, jewelled brooch in the shape of a flower. The third box held a delicate, handcrafted crystal flower. Gently, I reached out and touched it with a fingertip.
“Oh, Cain, that’s stunning,” I whispered.
I glanced up to discover Cain staring at me with an intense look. “Yes, it is.”