OUR SINFUL AFFAIRS

2

CHAPTER 2

ALEX

I didn't give Lacy an answer.

I only told her I would think about her offer.

Then I bolted once I sensed my brain was about to go blank because I didn't want to do something regrettable.

I was still trying to make peace with knowing that she married Blake. Then she had to hit me with such a tempting offer and now, I felt conflicted.

I didn't think I should let such a life changing opportunity pass me by because I'd been living my worst nightmare for the past two years and I didn't want that anymore.

If I worked for Lacy as her private chef, her friends or acquaintances would have a taste of the meals I make and if they liked it, they would probably employ me too.

In a couple of years, I could be living my dream and be happier… But to accomplish that, I would have to meet Blake face to face.

I sighed heavily as I weighed my few options and I didn't need anyone to point out the better choice for me. I had to take the job whether I liked it or not because it was the only way out of my predicament.

So I reached for my phone and texted Lacy on her new number to let her know I was taking the job.

As if she had been waiting to hear from me, she responded immediately, her excitement oozing out of the phone and despite the crippling anxiety I felt, I couldn't help but smile.

She sent me her address, asking me to come over the next day so she could give me a tour around the kitchen before I would start my job and I agreed because I had nothing to do anyway.

I missed her quirkiness and if it weren't for Blake who I would be seeing again, I knew we would have so much fun together while I worked for her. I just wished she had married someone else.

********************

I couldn't sleep. I kept tossing and turning in bed, hoping I would fall asleep at some point but anxiety took dominance and my eyes stayed wide open, forcing me to stare at the ceiling until dawn.

I got out of bed before the alarm rang. Then I got dressed, making sure I looked my best before ordering a ride to Lacy's place…

She lived in a villa that was huge and insanely beautiful and I found it hard to believe Blake was that rich as I wondered just how many things he hid from me while we dated.

Did he even love me? Or were they just empty words he said to me while he kept me by his side to bid away time?

I knew I said I was going to care less about him and let him go but recalling how he used me and left me without warning filled me with sudden rage, making the thought of messing with him take root in my mind.

“Alex? Alex!” Lacy yelled, her voice pulling me back to the present and she eyed me, that playful smile still on her face.

“Earth to, Alex. Where were you?” She asked, her hands on her waist. I quickly forced a smile and shook my head.

“I'm sorry. I was just thinking about how lucky I am to get this job. I can't thank you enough, Lacy” I lied and she waved me off with an eye roll.

“Whatever, Alex. What are friends and ex roommates for? It's the least I can do for you, alright?” She returned and I nodded in agreement.

We soon heard footsteps coming closer. Then he walked in, his chest bare while his sweatpants hung lowly on his waist, exposing his chiseled torso and the V lines as they ran down into his pants.

My breath hitched as I took notice of the familiar tattoos on his back and I recalled how I used to run my fingers over his skin to trace them whenever I spent the night at his place four years ago.

Blake didn't notice my presence at first. I just stood there, quietly watching him as he walked, half asleep, toward the refrigerator to get himself a bottle of water.

Then he turned around as he drank it and froze when our eyes met. Recognition set in while I maintained eye contact with him and it felt good to see him look so shaken.

Lacy, who was completely oblivious to the tension that hung between me and her husband, stepped forward and smiled at him.

“Blake darling, this is the private chef I told you about last night. She was my roommate in college and her name is Alex Michigan. She starts the job tomorrow.”

She introduced me before turning around to face me.

“Alex, meet my husband, Blake Newton” she kept smiling and I took my time to walk toward Blake, my hand held out for a handshake while he stared at me like he'd seen a ghost.

“Hello, Mr Newton. I'm Alex, your new private chef and it's nice to meet you” I deliberately taunted him, acting like I'd never met him before and disbelief replaced the shock in his eyes.

Slowly, he held his hand out to return the handshake while Lacy watched. I felt sparks fly the moment our skins touched and I knew he felt it too when he quickly withdrew from the handshake.

“Nice to meet you too, chef Alex” he said stiffly and I smiled knowingly, enjoying how I made him uneasy.

“Would you like me to make you breakfast, sir?” I asked, but he quickly took a step back while shaking his head.

“I've got an early meeting” he answered briefly and I watched him walk away without saying a word to Lacy, who had a look of melancholy in her eyes as she watched him leave.

Immediately, she got rid of it and looked at me.

“Um, since you have gotten an extensive tour around, you can head home and prepare for tomorrow, Alex” she chirped, hinting that she wanted me to leave and I didn't disagree with her.

I just smiled and nodded, willing to let her be alone.

Because for the first time since we met, I could see through Lacy's mask. That despite being married to Blake, she was lonely.

It made me wonder why he married her in the first place and my curiosity peaked as more questions rose in my mind.

“Yeah you're right. I should head home and get ready for tomorrow” I said to her when I realized I hadn't said a word yet and she came closer to hug me so I returned the gesture.

Then I grabbed my bag and left, ordering an uber once I was out of the villa.

I had only covered a short distance when a black Hyundai Creta drove up to me and stopped. Its glasses were tinted and the street was empty.

My heart started to race with fear as I remained rooted to the spot, terrified I was about to get attacked in this very quiet neighborhood and I regretted not bringing my pepper spray.

But then the window slid down and it was Blake glaring at me.

“Get in!”