Chapter Four.
Alicia
“Winona guessed right, didn’t she?” Saska said gleefully.
“Um,” I stammered, unsure what to say.
“Well, Alicia, you’ve just become interesting. Don’t ruin it with a lie. Of course, that would then lead us to wonder why you’re lying, Alicia,” Oceane stated.
I felt uneasy about this situation. Usually, conversation was around the latest fashion, vacations, or the usual nonsensical crap.
“If you designed that, own it. Or are you so far under Oliver’s controlling thumb you don’t have a voice without him?” Oceane challenged.
“Control? I love my husband, Oceane. Whatever you’re thinking is wrong, and being judgemental is cruel and unnecessary,” I said, and fire flashed in my eyes.
Oceane grinned. “Someone’s developed a backbone suddenly. Little Miss Perfect isn’t one hundred per cent a Stepford Wife yet.”
“What do you mean?” I demanded.
“Alicia, do you know how many meals, meetings, parties, and events we’ve attended, and most of the wives fall into two categories?
The first are social climbers, looking for their next mark to influence to get ahead of others.
Those bitches target those whose marriages are rocky, so that they can gain a sugar daddy.
“We can’t stand that type of woman. The second are like you, Stepford Wives. No personality, drab, boring, dull. Experts at small talk and the ideal businessman’s wife. Personally, none of us like either of those types,” Winona said.
“Naturally, we influence our husbands to avoid business with people who have those sorts of marriages. Especially the Stepford Wives. Because that means the husbands are controlling assholes who are wound up too tight. Frankly, they’ll micromanage every detail and lose everything.
They’re anal retentive, and our hubbys hate them,” Rebel said.
“Sometimes, though it’s becoming rarer, we spot a real marriage.
A partnership of equals and a couple in love.
The wife doesn’t stay at home, darn his socks, and prepare perfect meals that get thrown away because he’s late.
She doesn’t go to bed alone because hubby loves her so much that he spends every minute possible with her.
Those marriages are rare, but if we meet the spouse of one, we urge our husbands to invest because he’s worth it,” Zinnia explained.
“Which type are you?” Rebel asked.
“Yes, I designed the dress and made it,” I admitted.
Oliver really wanted this investment, and I could jeopardise this for him.
These women didn’t want the perfect wife; strangely, they wanted the real me.
If this was a cruel trick, and they were setting a trap, I’d cost Oliver everything, and he’d be devastated.
A huge grin broke out across Winona’s face. “And Oliver doesn’t know.”
“No. Oliver’s been working so hard trying to get Eliganz up and running, I didn’t want to worry him with starting my own business. I’ve got plenty of time to start one. Once Oliver reaches his goals, he’ll support me. He’d do that now, but that would detract from his long-term plans,” I said.
“So, you’re sacrificing your needs for Oliver’s,” Oceana declared with disapproval.
“No. That’s your perspective, not mine. Oliver has worked damn hard since we left college. I worked for a while, but with us both absent constantly, things slipped. We weren’t seeing each other, and the house was a mess. We only ever had Sundays off together, and we spent that day doing housework.
“In the end, our goals were tearing us apart. My job paid less, so I quit because, obviously, Eliganz would be the main earner for us. With me home, things became much smoother. Neither of us was as stressed. Oliver had home-cooked meals instead of wasting money on takeout. We were both fitter and healthier. Oliver could concentrate knowing I was happy, looked after, and he could provide for me,” I elaborated.
The five women swapped glances, but I couldn’t read them.
“When did you return to designing?” Saska asked.
“Honestly, I never stopped. Over time, I built up a portfolio during college and then continued ever since.”
“And you’ve got more designs?” Zinnia demanded. “Like those?”
“Yeah. They’re not that great. A real designer would probably shred them, but I enjoyed the process of creating them,” I responded.
Winona shook her head. “If that dress is an example, they’ll be stunning.”
“What are you doing tomorrow?” Zinnia asked.
“Gardening,” I replied, confused.
“Not now, you aren’t,” Oceana said.
“Jude,” Rebel called out, and Jude turned immediately. Suddenly scared, I swallowed hard and began twisting my fingers. Had Rebel just interrupted the husbands chatting? If that had been me, Oliver would have been furious, which would have been justified.
“What, darling?” Jude replied with a warm smile. He left the group and sauntered over. Annoyance flashed across Oliver’s face, and inwardly I flinched. The emotion was gone so quickly that anyone else would have missed it, not me.
“Add Alicia’s name to the visitor list for a pass tomorrow, please,” Rebel said.
Jude appeared taken aback. “Tomorrow?”
“Yes.”
“To the WS Club?” Jude clarified.
What was so important about this? Even the other husbands appeared surprised, while Oliver appeared completely confused.
“You’re inviting Alicia to your club?” Aaron called out.
“Yup,” Winona replied.
Aaron smiled warmly and clapped Oliver on the back, who looked as bemused as me. “Well, now. Alicia must be something special. The girls never invite anyone. This is rather a shock,” Aaron said.
“Oh, Alicia doesn’t have to attend if it’s an imposition,” Oliver stated, and I cringed inside. My cheeks turned red with embarrassment. He’d blame me for this going wrong, and rightfully so. Damnit, I’d screwed up.
“Huh? The women invited Alicia; it’s not a problem, Oliver. Relax. Nobody ever gets an invitation to the WS Club. For Alicia to get one, they must really like her. Seems Alicia is a hit,” Ryder snapped. “Take a leaf out of her book.”
Ouch. I felt that slap from Ryder over here. Oliver’s stance stiffened, and Dax clapped him on the back.
“Oliver, chill out. We know you want the funding, and we’re halfway there.
Sure, I’ve got a few reservations, but Alicia just virtually sealed the deal.
If our wives approve of her, there’s a reason.
For them to invite Alicia to their club means the investment is literally yours, unless you fuck this up by being an asshole,” Dax said.
My shoulders sagged in relief, and the women exchanged meaningful glances.
“I’ll have Alicia’s name on the guest list,” Jude stated, and Rebel grinned.
“Wonderful. We’ve so much to talk about,” Rebel exclaimed and smiled sweetly.
Too focused on her reaction, I didn’t see Winona and Oceane swap a concerned glance.
The Observer
“I think I’ve made myself perfectly clear, Sinclair,” I said.
Aaron chuckled in response. “I can’t see what you do. There’s nothing special about that couple. Just one in a thousand. Boring and tiring. Kensington’s a pompous asshole who believes he’s more important than he is. And she’s the typical housewife, firmly under his thumb.”
“Get Winona on it. Your wife is astute.”
“If this comes back to bite me on the ass—”
“I’ll cover any losses,” I agreed.
“Okay but I reserve the right to deny them.”
“That’s fine by me.” I steepled my fingers. Eliganz would get its much-needed influx of cash. Winona would see what I did. I was sure of it.
Winona
“The truth, woman,” Aaron ordered as he tackled me to the bed. “We were going to refuse Oliver the money. Asshole treated Alicia like she was a possession he could display. And Alicia seems the usual bland Stepford Wife.”
“Alicia’s got a secret,” I replied, sliding my hands up over Aaron’s bare shoulders. This man slayed me. Aaron would every time I set eyes on him.
“Are you going to share?” Aaron murmured, kissing my throat lightly. I squirmed under his body as Aaron settled between my legs.
“Alicia’s secretly designing clothes, and by the dress she was wearing tonight, Alicia Kensington is very talented.”
Aaron drew back in surprise and lifted onto his elbows. “What?”
“Do you see the irony? The perfect wife is covertly rebellious. If Oliver Kensington had realised that Alicia was dressed in her own creation, he wouldn’t have let her out of the house.
Oliver’s a controlling asshole, I don’t like him.
Did you catch how he tried to get Alicia out of the invitation, like Oliver thought she’d damaged his chances? ”
“Yes, I did notice how Oliver spoke for her and didn’t even bother trying not to embarrass her.”
I nodded as Aaron pursed his lips. “Maybe we shouldn’t offer funding.”
“No, darling. Let’s play the long game. I have plans, and if you ruin them…” I let the threat hang with a grin. Aaron ducked his head and growled against my throat, making me shiver.
“Is Alicia Kensington worth it?” Aaron demanded.
“We’ll know for certain tomorrow,” I replied and screamed with laughter as Aaron tackled me and kissed me senseless.
Alicia
“Do I look okay?” I asked, stroking my skirt. Oliver turned and checked me over. He’d come home to take me to the club, to which Winona had texted me the address.
I wore a blush silk blouse, a cream skirt, low heels, and a pearl necklace. I had my hair in a chignon and thought I looked presentable.
“Change into trousers. Men shouldn’t look at your legs.
Only I should,” Oliver grouched. I headed into the wardrobe with a smile.
It was nice to be adored. Oliver had been my rock since we started college.
He’d always been there, and I was overjoyed at seeing everything begin to fall into place.
Oliver had worked so hard, sacrificed so much, including time together.
We were finally going to reap the rewards.
I exited wearing smart, tailored trousers, and Oliver nodded approval. As we walked down the stairs, I admired Oliver from behind. He was truly handsome. He’d kept his broad shoulders and trim waist by attending a gym near the office. Oliver worked out for an hour a day so he could enjoy his food.
Honestly, I’d wished I could eat what I wanted and work out.
Oliver refused to allow me, though. He said the gyms were full of perverts who ogled women and were stalkers.
He’d shown me several articles showing victims who’d been attacked on the way home from workouts.
Oliver believed I could control my weight myself if I were careful with what I ate.
But sometimes I wanted more than salad and chicken.
It would be nice to stuff myself with a huge steak or a burger, but that would add pounds.
By the door stood my old case, carrying art books and designs.
Oliver had demanded to know why I was taking it, and I’d informed him Zinnia had wished to see it.
He told me not to take it, but I said Winona and the others had insisted that I bring them.
Oliver conceded gracefully but warned me not to push too hard, because they might believe I was angling for connections.
Plus, he pointed out, my creations were amateurish.
As Oliver drove, he gave me a list of dos and don’ts.
Obviously, this was important, and the investment seemed to weigh on my shoulders.
Naturally, I’d do everything feasible to secure it.
Once Oliver secured it, he could expand; vacations and weekends together would return, and we could even start a family.
We’d discussed it, and Oliver had decided he wished to be financially stable before we took that step.
He wanted to offer a child everything possible.
That made sense, although we’d grown up comfortably, there had been times when things had been tight for both our families.
Naturally, Oliver wouldn’t want a child to suffer.
As we pulled up outside the address Winona sent to me, I was stunned.
“Oliver, is this really the place?”
“This is the address we were given.” Oliver looked sick. “This is for the big boys, Alicia. Only the most exclusive are allowed entrance. Not even I can get a membership. Damnit, if these women are playing fucking games with you…”
“Oliver, do you think they would?” I gasped. As adults, surely, we were past that level of childishness now?
“Honey, I’m going to take you home. How dare they try to embarrass my wife?
I’ll text Aaron and say you were unable to make it because of a headache,” Oliver growled out.
Inside, I was dying of humiliation. They’d seemed so nice, and I’d believed them.
Instead, this was a cruel joke on Oliver and me. We weren’t back in high school!
Oliver started the car engine and began to turn around. As he did so, the building’s doors opened, and Winona exited.
“Alicia!” Winona called and waved. Oliver deftly manoeuvred into a parking bay and pulled up at the steps. I waited as Oliver got out, his dark mood gone, and he smiled at Winona.
“Alicia turned her ankle this morning. I didn’t want her walking too far,” Oliver explained smoothly. I let the lie stand as Oliver opened the car door and helped me out.
“Oh, Alicia, are you okay?” Winona asked.
“Yes, it’s just a slight sprain. Oliver’s overly worried about me.” I smiled up at Oliver as I patted his chest, and he looked down. Love shone in his eyes, and I lapped it up. He bent his head and kissed me.
“If you need me to carry you inside…” he winked.
“Oliver!” I exclaimed, blushing, and he laughed.
Oliver turned back to Winona. “If Alicia’s in pain, would you call me? I’ll take her to hospital.”
Winona nodded and tucked my arm into hers. “We can drive Alicia back, Oliver. I hope you don’t expect her home early; we’ve ordered lunch and dinner.”
Oliver smiled, but I knew he was upset. He didn’t like that I wouldn’t be home for him, and that made me uncomfortable. Winona might mean well, but Oliver was my husband, and I didn’t want him to feel left out. Winona didn’t give Oliver a chance and dragged me inside.
I managed a weak wave goodbye, and Oliver sent me a wink. He didn’t have to voice it, but our future rested on me making a good impression!