9. Miquela #2
Like she also wasn’t kinda jealous that this she-beast in the sack – who still didn’t look like one – only had eyes for June and not the other woman she was with.
Did I really mean so little, Sette? It was already such a shame that any potential friendship between them, with or without benefits, was shattered when they realized that the other woman was their rival in the bidding war for June’s patronage.
We’re all dumb animals . Fucking feral beasts who needed collars and leashes because they couldn’t be trusted with their own hearts and genitals!
“You do what you need to do, mi amour .” She kissed June’s temple before releasing her. “I’ll be at our table.”
“Thank you. Just a few minutes. I may not see her before our trip to New York. You know, for the gallery. I want to clear some details.”
“Yes, of course.” Miquela did her damndest not to growl like a dog in a cage.
“Take your time.” She sent Sette a frosty glare.
Does she actually see anything in her? Funny.
When Miquela first met Sette without knowing their connection, she thought she was attractive.
I came on to her, didn’t I? Miquela had no problem indulging in some lust, let alone at June’s discretion.
Everything changed when love, and not just lust, was involved.
Miquela found the nearest usher the moment June left her side. After being escorted to her seat, Miquela made the executive decision for what both she and June should eat for dinner. She liked to think she knew June’s tastes well enough by now to order her the steak and vegetable plate.
“May I trouble you for a moment, Ms. Bolivar?”
She looked up to find Monique leaning against the otherwise empty table. Where the other guests were, Miquela had no idea, but she wouldn’t say no to her beloved’s boss joining.
“Lovely wedding, isn’t it?”
Monique smiled. “I like to take some credit for it, yes.”
I don’t recall implying that… “If you’re wondering where June is, she said she had something to tend to. I don’t expect her to be back for at least a few minutes.”
“That’s fine. I wanted to speak with you separately, anyway.”
Miquela braced herself for trouble. “Go on.”
To the tune of a live jazz band playing mood music, Monique said, “I have some good news for you, Ms. Bolivar. After extensive consideration between June and me, you have won the silent auction. Congratulations.”
It’s about fucking time! Miquela retained her composure.
“Thank you for the information.” The smile she had practiced for years to maintain some degree of civility, even though she was exploding inside, paid off.
“I am happy to hear it. You know I care for June and have every intention of being a doting patron for as long as possible.” She had thought about what would happen if her family called her back from America, or sent her to another part of the world.
The casino project she was overseeing should last a few years, from groundbreaking to making sure it turned a sizable profit, but anything could happen.
If it did? She intended to still see June as often as possible.
That’s what love did to a woman. I bent over backwards to see Rosa all over the Western hemisphere, didn’t I?
At least she didn’t have to keep her relationship with June a secret.
The whole world already knew, much to her sister’s chagrin.
“I do not doubt it.” Monique folded her hands on the table, careful to keep her stomach from scraping against the edge.
“Moving forward, I will draw up the business contract for you and her to sign. However, I don’t plan to present it to you until after she returns from New York in July. I hope you understand.”
“Sure.”
“I’m glad. After that, you will be her patron, and your first monthly payment will be expected. I trust that won’t be an issue?”
“Not at all.”
“Excellent. June and I are excited to have you on board as her patron. We’re sure you two will be happy with the arrangement.”
“What about the other woman?”
Monique looked back at her with a start. “What do you mean?”
“The other person I was bidding against. Sette Christie, isn’t it?”
“Why, yes… well, I’m sure they will still be seeing each other, especially if the gallery showing goes well. Your patronage does not make her other clients invalid. It simply means you have many more benefits than they do.”
“I understand that.” Miquela poured herself a glass of Champagne from the complimentary bottle left on the table. “I was asking how she’s taking it.”
“I’m sure it’s not an issue.”
“Mrs. Warner, sometimes you severely underestimate us.” When Monique double-downed in distress, Miquela added, “We don’t take defeat well, particularly if a beautiful woman is involved. I know I would’ve done anything to procure this patronage. I have a feeling she shares similar sentiments.”
“Do you know something that I don’t, Ms. Bolivar?”
“Hardly. Just a glimpse into the psyche of a dominant bitch who wants what she wants. June seems rather fond of her, so I thought I would ask. Don’t want trouble, you know.”
“Of course not. If there is an issue, you can trust that I will make sure it’s handled.”
“I do not doubt it.”
Monique squared her shoulders and heaved herself up stomach first. “Enjoy the wedding, Ms. Bolivar. I’ll call you later this week to go over the details of the contract.”
“I look forward to it.”
She hoped that would be the last of such references after she left. Alas, the moment Monique freed up the chair next to her, someone else took her place.
“Hey, Ms. Monaco,” Zara said, sliding easily into the chair. Her body language said, “It’s cool, we’re friends,” but her face said, “I could make your life difficult.” Miquela wasn’t sure which one bothered her more. “Surprised to see you sitting by yourself and not schmoozing half the world here.”
“I’m minding the fort, or so I believe ‘you all’ say.” Did she do that right?
“Holding down the fort.”
“Ah, yes. Holding, not minding.”
Zara’s smile disappeared with a heavy sigh. “Where’s your little missus? The hot blonde who was riding the contents of your nightstand all across the internet.”
She certainly had a way with words. “I believe she’s talking to your friend right now.”
Zara looked as if that was an actual surprise. “Is that so? How good to know. Here I had told her to avoid June today.”
“I can’t tell if that was for her benefit or mine.”
“Why can’t it be both? She is clearly with you today. No sense for her to distract my best friend from having a good time. Assuming you catch my drift.”
I know she wants her . June fancied her as well. As much as Miquela hoped she liked her? That was not something she wanted to delve into. “What can I help you with, Ms. Felton?”
“Look, I’m gonna level with you.” Zara lowered her voice, cheeks downcast and eyes serious.
“No one is a better friend to me than Sette. So, you know, I’ve gotta look out for her like I would expect her to look out for me.
I’m not gonna tell her who she can and cannot date, but I’ve been wary of this situation between her and June ever since I first found out about it. ”
“What is there to be wary of?”
“Sette isn’t… well, she isn’t like you and me.
You get me? I feel like you and I are kindred spirits in that we both love women.
Lots of women. Sette isn’t like that. In the few years I’ve known her, I’ve only seen her date on a handful of occasions, and they all ended swiftly.
She’s a fucking curmudgeon if you don’t know her well. ”
“So I’ve gathered.”
“She’s a good woman, but she’s not good at playing the field and, well, I’ve always worried she was going to get seriously hurt being so involved with June. You’re better equipped to handle a woman like that.”
How could Miquela do anything but smirk at that?
“What I’m trying to say is that she’s going to get her heart broken if she keeps seeing June. I’m on both of your sides. I like you, and I don’t want my best friend to get hurt. It’s best for everyone if she and June part ways. Don’t you agree?”
“I will not begrudge who June sees outside of me. I know what she does for a living, and she has my blessing. I wouldn’t have met her otherwise.”
“Uh-huh.”
I’m so full of shit . Miquela said it calmly, but inside she entertained fantasies of being June’s one and only.
All her attention. All her thoughts. She could give June enough money to make her loaded for the rest of her life, and she would never have to do that kind of work again.
If I said that, she would be so mad . “If you think Sette is going to be a problem, then I agree with you. I don’t want June having to deal with that. It’s bad for her business.”
“Sure, let’s say that.”
“I’m not sure what you want me to do, though. In the end, it is her business. Even if Sette causes big problems, it’s for the Manoir to handle, not me.”
“You can talk to June, though. She might listen to you.”
“You want me to convince her to let go of your friend as a regular client?” Miquela laughed. “She will not like that.”
“It’s in everyone’s best interests.”
“Everyone but hers.” Ah, shit. That’s how it was, wasn’t it?
“I can’t believe for one second she has actual feelings for Sette. It shouldn’t be that hard to do. I dunno, find a way to convince her. I’ll owe you.”
“Is that so? I’ll see what I can do.”
“Thanks.” Zara clapped her on the back. “I’ll leave you to it. Enjoy the wedding. I’m gonna go get some booze and a bridesmaid.”
“Good luck.”
“Thanks. See you at the marina?”
“Sure.”
Zara finally left, and Miquela had her peace, but she still didn’t have June, and it must’ve been at least twenty minutes between coming here and Zara’s leaving.
Where in the world was she, and what was taking her so long?
Was she caught up talking to someone else?
Dinner be damned. Miquela got up and went to investigate.
Hundreds of people in their designer dresses and suits mingled in the hallways and other corridors.
They gummed up entrances and dominated the time of every usher.
Women shrieked as zippers and heels broke, rushing into bathrooms where seamstresses were on hand.
Others muttered about weddings and what a lucky bitch Etta Coleman was.
When Miquela caught a glimpse of the happy couple strolling through the foyer, she had to agree.
The newly minted Mrs. Colemans were radiant on their wedding day.
After accidentally bumping into a Saudi prince and almost incurring the wrath of the deadly bodyguard, Miquela came upon a different kind of commotion.
A small, tittering crowd gathered around a far corner near a maintenance closet.
All Miquela could gather from eavesdropping was that a couple had been caught doing the nasty when someone else tried to use the maintenance closet for the same thing.
It was all terribly amusing until Miquela saw a red dress and strawberry blond hair. The fact that June was not a spectator but the star of the show didn’t shock Miquela the most – seeing her in Sette’s arms was another matter!