The Devil’s Convenient Wife

Chapter 9

ZARA’S POV

I drove as fast as I could to Cael’s house but I was too late. By the time I got there, Victor had left but I got the entire story from Cael. By the time he concluded speaking about my step father’s terms, I stood up, unable to hear anymore of it.

“I won’t accept his terms,” I replied, my mind made up.

“Really?” he asked. “Victor said you would be hesitant to accept those terms.”

“Whose side are you on?” I asked out of frustration. “Do you really have my back, Cael, or are you just someone Victor sent to approach me?”

“I have your back!” he told me firmly. “That is the reason why I will ask you to accept his terms, at least for now. Victor isn’t the kind of man to make empty threats. If you refuse, he will carry out all the threats he made.”

“Why do you speak like that?” I asked. “It’s the third time you’ve done it.”

“Done what?” he asked curiously.

“It’s the third time you have spoken like you know Victor personally,” I answered.

Cael sighed, “I do have history with him but it is none of your concern. What we should focus on now is getting you out of this mess.”

“Oh really?” I scoffed. “I am asking because I don’t know if I’m really getting out of one mess just to be pulled into something deeper and messier.”

Cael sighed. He went away and came back with a bottle of whiskey and two glasses. He poured the drink into the glasses and offered one to me. I took the glass and drank it all in one shot.

“Drink slowly, else you’ll get drunk easily,” he advised.

“My step-father… I don’t know how much you know him but I know him much better. He plans to use me and then dump me when time comes. You too, you won’t be free from his manipulation,” I said without restraint. “I have been trying my whole life to break from his shackles, I will not walk into them again.”

Cael poured me another drink and then drank a little from his glass.

“What are you so afraid of? I will be here with you this time,” he said casually.

I gasped, unable to figure out his thoughts.

“Don’t you understand what Victor is trying to do?” I asked in frustration. “He is hiring the household staff which means each and everyone of them will be his eyes and ears. They will report on our every move and we will never be free. Are you sure you want Victor’s spies cleaning your bedroom and home office and cooking your meals?”

“I don’t want that but we don’t have a choice right now, do we?” Cael asked. “If the staff are Victor’s people, we can just win them over.”

“You make it sound like it’s a simple affair,” I muttered.

“Yes, let Victor fill the house with his people. We can simply do the same,” he pointed out, smiling. “I will move in with my assistant. You should get a few people you trust and have them move in with you too.”

I took a deep breath, thinking about his suggestion.

Cael started to pour me another drink, “Until we have the power to flip the situation, it will be best to play along with Victor. People like him are gullible. Make them think they’re in control and you will end up winning against them.”

I lifted my filled up glass and clinked glasses with Cael.

“Cheers!”

**

I had to scout for people and the first place I went to was one of the family’s villas. Or rather, one of Victor’s villas. He got that particular one from my mother’s will. The person I was there to meet was my nanny from childhood. She had become the household’s butler later but she was ousted after the death of my mother. She was sent to take care of the villa instead.

Kate Holland. That was the name of the sixty year old woman who was once my nanny. The moment she saw me, a big smile spread across her face. She spread her arms and I ran into it, hugging her. She still smelled of peppermint like she did in my childhood.

“How come you never visit me?” she asked after the long hug. “I started to think you had forgotten about my existence entirely.”

“I didn’t forget. I was just busy,” I muttered.

“Right, too busy to see your old nanny,” she looked away.

“I’m sorry,” I said, holding onto her arm tighter. “Forgive me, Kate. If it will make you feel better, life wouldn't be rosy without you.”

“I don’t feel better,” she muttered. “Come along, I will show you the garden.”

I went with her and she showed me the different flowers, all of which I wasn’t interested in. She must have figured that out from the way I simply nodded and smiled politely.

“You must have come to see me for a reason. Why is it?” she eventually asked.

“I need you back with me, Kate,” I told her directly. “I need a butler and there is none other I can trust but you.”

“A butler?” she asked.

I began to explain about my marriage and how Victor wanted to move into the house he provided. I left out the part of my marriage being scripted, of course. At the end of it, she sighed and offered me some warm tea. I followed her, not pushing for an answer.

“Even if I agree to come back with you, will Victor allow it?” she asked. “If he had prepared household staff for you, a butler will be included.”

“He won’t be able to reject you,” I replied confidently. “Aren’t you Kate Holland, the legendary butler of our family?”

She smiled, “I am not legendary. I will come with you though but you will have to convince Victor yourself.”