Chapter 11.
At dinner, Liza served a nourishing chicken soup for Rosalind.
“Mrs. Foret, this is for you,” Liza said, placing a bowl before her.
Then she set a different bowl in front of Christopher.“And this, sir, is yours.”
Christopher poked at the contents with his spoon, his expression shifting to something complex. Liza, I really
don’t need this.”
Liza gave an awkward chuckle. “Well, you and Mrs. Foret are trying for a baby… A little extra boost can’t hurt, right?”
Christopher glanced at Rosalind, a flicker in his eyes. “Rosa and I are just fine. We don’t need any assistance.”
“What is it?” Rosalind asked.
“Oyster soup,” Liza replied.
It was no wonder Rosalind thought the whole room smelled odd.
Christopher suppressed a smile. “Liza, take the evening off. Don’t worry about the kitchen. Head home early.”
Understanding dawned on Liza’s face.“Thank you, sir. I’ll be off now.”
Christopher nodded and drained the bowl in one go.
Rosalind wasn’t sure if it was her imagination, but as he drank, his eyes stayed fixed on her, burning with an
unmistakable heat.
Rosalind quickly sent a text, “Get here. Now.”
Eugene texted back, “What?”
“Get here soon, or your precious best friend lands right back in my clutches.”
Predictably, the reply was swift.“On my way.”
Rosalind snorted.
She wondered, “Mr. Benitez is quite the character.
“If I hadn’t heard rumors about him liking women, I’d have sworn he is gay, hopelessly carrying a torch for
Christopher.”
“Who are you texting?”
His voice was low, warm against her ear.
Rosalind jumped. “Don’t hover. It’s hot.”
“Feeling hot?” Christopher scooped her up effortlessly. “How about a shower? We’ll take a shower together.”
He carried her towards the stairs and their bedroom.
“Wait…”
< Chapter 11
Before she could finish, Christopher’s phone rang.
He hesitated, then set Rosalind back on her feet.
“Work?” she asked.
He pulled her close for a brief hug.“Go start the shower. I’ll take this and be right up.”
“Are you sure you’ll be ‘right up‘?”
After a whole day ignoring his mistress, wouldn’t he need to rush out?” she sneered in her heart.
Christopher grinned.“That eager? Fine. I’ll skip the call. Shower now.”
“No!” Rosalind said quickly.“Take it. It might be important.”
Christopher glanced at the caller ID again.“Alright. I’ll be quick.”
He turned and headed downstairs, already answering.“Yes? Hang on a sec…”
Standing close, Rosalind could just make out the sound of a woman sobbing on the other end.
Rosalind retreated to the bedroom and locked the door.
She was scrolling through news articles when heavy, urgent pounding startled her.
“His mistress must be having some crisis. He needs to rush off. Perfect,” she thought.
Rosalind didn’t even open the door. “If it’s work, you should go.”
But the voice that came through wasn’t Christopher’s.
“Open the door.”
That voice…
Rosalind unlocked the door to find Eugene. He was drenched in sweat and panting heavily, wearing only loungewear, beads of perspiration rolling down his face.