Jackie pecked away at the screen but didn’t move. She was studying Cyanna. The details of how she held herself together, how nothing seemed to rock her.
“Is there something you need, Jackie?” Cyanna asked, eyes focused on her phone.
K: enjoy your flowers and eat. I’ll send a car for you Friday
He wanted to make sure she had no way of running away.
“Is it okay if I have Chardai from admin cover me for the rest of the day and tomorrow? I have a checkup I forgot all about. I didn’t want to leave you without any help,” Jackie spoke, forcing red flags to pop up in Cyanna’s head.
Cyanna’s eyes bounced up, brow raised, her brain recalling that conversation she wasn’t supposed to hear. She bit the inside of her cheek, schooling herself to remain neutral. There would be only one way to quell her suspicions.
“Take as many days as you need. In fact, I might not even need you this weekend. Seems like my husband has some plans for us,” Cyanna spoke coolly, watching her.
Jackie struggled to fight the arrogant smile. “Thank you so much, Cyanna.”
“Don’t mention it,” Cyanna finalized their interaction. When she was out of the office, Cyanna shot a text to Luther asking him to put his private investigator on Jackie. Something wasn’t right.
Enjoying the moment of silence, she ate her favorite meal from Vue21, affectionately named after her. The lobster Caesar salad with the garlic butter grilled ciabatta bread. Just what she needed.
Princess Cy: thank you
K: always
The moment of gratitude was short lived, an incoming call from Damari. She answered, rubbing the hand sanitizer over her hands.
“Yes, Damari,” her tone was colder than it’d been. Unable to hide the detest she held for him.
“I have a business trip I’m leaving for tomorrow. I won’t be back until next week.”
Right on time with the lies and excuses. “Okay. Is that all…”
He paused for a moment. “Yeah, that’s it.”
She offered him one last chance to steer this ship in another direction – testing the waters to see if he cared any. “I have a checkup in two weeks. Are you coming or am I going alone?”
“I really don’t see why I need to be there. It isn’t like you’re pregnant again or that we have any plans on starting a family right now. You don’t even look at me.”
“And that’s my fault?” she asked, knowing the answer.
Damari pulled in a sharp inhale. “You didn’t take preventative measures after I told you I wasn’t ready for a kid. So what do you think, Cyanna?”
She closed her eyes and exhaled the breath she’d been holding in hopes of this all being a dumbass dream. “You’re right. Have fun on your trip.”
He didn’t reply, just hung up.
FIVE
Karys
Friday arrived at a snail’s pace. Even with the match he’d won in the middle of the week, the only thing he could focus on was Cyanna. Lunch and dinner delivered daily to her office and home. A dress delivered earlier in the day for tonight. A directive to his housekeeping staff to prep the guest room for her.
When they were younger, turning thirty seemed like the golden ticket to being old. They even went as far as vowing if they were still single, they’d marry each other and live life happily. A joke made as drunk underage college students turned into a vow broken as adults. He pictured his thirtieth year with her tucked at his side, a party for their family and friends, maybe a kid or two running around.
What he was looking at was the stark opposite. Yanieca pranced around the house as if her name was on the deed, critiquing every little thing. He’d already planned for this to be their final time in the same space. He didn’t care how she kicked and screamed or threatened him. Karys was done playing games. He’d never sat on the sideline in his life until it came to Cyanna, and she’d humbled him in the worst way possible.
At this point, he figured treasure stolen was treasure to be repossessed. Everything that was his, he was taking back. At this point, being the good guy about it was dead in the water. He stood outside amongst a handful of friends sipping his drink, almost past his limit, watching the front door.
Any moment now, the captor of his heart was due to walk through the door in that pink dress. Blush to be exact; her favorite shade of pink. As he brought his glass to his lips, the door opened. As he leaned up from his relaxed position, his view was obstructed by Yanieca intercepting Cyanna, who held a small box in her hand. She’d been the only one to show up with a gift.
