“Fine,” I snap. “I’ll bring her.”
Simon’s eyes lock with mine. He stares at me, a silent warning.
“I’ll see both of you later then,” he says, then turns to leave my office.
My heart is beating fast, my head is spinning with thoughts as I stand in my office staring out at the view.
Why didn’t she tell me?A thick vein of betrayal seeps into my chest. I’ve possibly been too trusting lately. My walls have dropped, and my guard is down. Maybe I shouldn’t have allowed her that grace.
All day, I’ve been struggling to concentrate. She’s on my mind. Her smile, her laugh. The fact that she kept a massive secret from me.
By the time I get home in the early afternoon, I’m in a foul mood, but I don’t want her to know. I want to play it cool and see how she acts at the family dinner. I should pay more attention and not be so caught up in her beauty.
“You’re home early,” she smiles, coming over to greet me, slipping her arms around my waist to hug me.
I hug her back, trying not to be stiff and cold.
“I realized that I have a family dinner tonight. Simon reminded me when he popped in at my office today,” I say, studying her face closely, waiting for a reaction.
There is a flicker in her eyes, a nervous twitch, a tight smile.
“A family dinner?” she says.
“Yes, you’re coming with me. Maybe it’s time you met everyone,” I say.
“Are you sure about that? Isn’t it risky?” she asks, shifting from one foot to the other.
“Go get ready. We’re leaving in an hour,” I tell her, nudging her gently toward the stairs.
***
Simon and Stefania and standing near the bar in his living room, laughing. They’ve been talking for about twenty minutes, and I haven’t been able to tear my eyes off them. They’re getting on well, like they’ve known each other for years. I feel like the odd one out, sitting with my drink, waiting for dinner to be ready.
“Hey, Marlen, you’re very quiet tonight,” Simon calls out, gesturing for me to join them.
“I had a long day, but you two seem to be doing just fine without me,” I huff bitterly, then push a smile onto my face to try to hide my jealousy.
Is it jealousy?
I hate the way he makes her laugh so easily.
“Where’s Bardil?” I ask, changing the subject as I join them at the bar.
“Always late,” Simon shrugs. “Dinner will be ready in five, we’ll start without him if he isn’t here,” he shrugs.
“Good, because I’m starving,” I say, stepping close to Stefania’s side and placing my hand on her lower back. If she has any ideas that she might be able to seduce my brother for her freedom, she’s going to have to think again. She’s been seducing me, and I’m ashamed to say it was working until now. But now, she sees another opportunity and has moved on. Maybe she plans to work her magic on both of us to see which one gets her to her goals quicker.
Anger surges inside me, and I do my best to push it away.
“Where’s the food? I’m ravished!” Bardil asks, loud and obnoxious, walking into the living room.
“You’re late,” Simon grins, walking over to him to say hi.
“I got caught in the traffic. I was … what is she doing here?” he snaps.
“Bardil, I believe you’ve met Stefania,” Simon says, gesturing to her.
“Yes, I fucking met her, what is she doing at our family dinner?” he blurts out.
