MARRIED MY EX's UNCLE

CHAPTERS FIVE

I slept through the entire night without waking once. The bed was soft, the room entirely peaceful, and I felt rested in a way I hadn't in months.

I got dressed and followed the smell of coffee downstairs. The dining room table was already set with breakfast; eggs, toast, fresh fruit, pastries. It looked expensive.

Lorenzo sat at the head of the table reading the newspaper. He wore a dark suit, he looked like he'd been awake for hours. When he saw me, he lowered the paper.

"How did you sleep?"

"Well," I admitted, sitting down. "Really well, actually."

He nodded and poured coffee into my cup. "Do you have plans today?"

"I will be at work."

He paused at my face.

"I have a business meeting tonight. Don't wait for me."

"Okay," I said with a flat voice.

He looked at me, his expression unreadable. "About last night. I was only performing my duties as a husband. Don't mistake that for love."

The words pierced my heart like a knife. I nodded and we ate in silence. Then he left for work.

I watched his car leave the driveway and everything became too quiet, and the atmosphere was stale, as if something was missing.

My phone screen lit up.

It was Nash, my best friend, calling. I've known her for ages. She always has my back for anything.

"Hailey! Where are you?" Her voice was panicking. "You need to get here right now!"

"What's wrong?"

"Mr. David called an emergency meeting. Everyone has to be here in thirty minutes, or you're fired!"

My heart sank. "I'm on my way."

Galaxy Hotel was an upscale establishment that catered to wealthy clients. I'd been working there for two years, and Mr. David ran at the staff with an iron fist.

When I arrived, Nash was waiting by the staff entrance. Her face softened when she saw me.

"Come on, the meeting's about to start."

We rushed to the conference room where all the attendants were gathered. Mr. David stood at the front, his arms crossed, looking irritated.

"Listen up," he barked. "We have VIP guests arriving today. High-class gentlemen who will be staying for a couple of weeks. I expect everyone white and royal blue gown to be neat. Also, be on your absolute best behavior." His eyes swept the room and landed on me with a sharp, accusing glare. "No mistakes."

I felt my stomach drop. Something had happened three months ago. A guest had looked under my gown and I ended up slapping him across the face. That nearly cost me my job.

After the meeting, Nash pulled me aside.

"I heard about Tom and your stepsister?"

"They got married yesterday," Nash's face flushed with anger. "I heard from my cousin who works there. That bastard actually went through with it. And Camila—that witch! If I ever see her, I swear I'll punch her right in the face."

I forced a smile. "I'm better off without Tom anyway."

"What do you mean? Did something happen? You sound different."

I never hide anything from Nash, but I can't tell her I'm married to Tom's uncle. At least not now. But somehow she would find out.

"Stop gossiping and get to work!" said Mr. David's voice cut through our conversation. He glared at us from across the hallway. "Now!"

We scattered quickly.

In the kitchen, I grabbed a tray and started loading it with refreshments. A group of waitresses were nearby, giggling and whispering.

"Did you see the guest list?" one of them said, applying another layer of red lipstick.

"I heard he's a multi-billionaire," another added, adjusting her gown to show more cleavage. "I'm going to make sure I'm the one serving his table."

Nash appeared beside me. "There really is a gorgeous man coming. I saw his photo. The man is like a god. I'm f*****g tempted as well. You should try too, Hailey."

I rolled my eyes. "No, thanks."

"The guests are arriving!" someone shouted from the doorway.

The kitchen erupted into chaos. The girls rushed to fix their hair and makeup, grabbing trays and jostling for position.

Nash and I stayed behind, taking our time. She reached for a tray of cupcakes.

"These are amazing," she mumbled through a mouthful of frosting. "Try one."

I took a bite and nearly groaned. It was perfect, it had that vanilla taste.

"We should go," I said reluctantly, licking my fingers.

We each grabbed a tray loaded with teacups and a pot of hot tea. As we headed toward the door, I tried to balance everything carefully.

I hated these shoes, but I never had enough money to buy new ones. We were halfway to the door. My shoe caught on the edge of a floor carpet.

I stumbled forward, hot tea sloshed over the rim of the pot. I saw myself falling. At that moment, I knew I was going to spill everything and get fired for sure.

"Hailey," Nash gasped.

The tray flew from my hands. Hot tea splashed everywhere. A cupcake launched through the air and landed with a splat.

I looked up with my heart pounding.

Someone has stopped me right on time. His smell was familiar, as if I had been in his arms before.

"Tom." I blinked.

His hands had stopped me from falling. But it came at a cost. His expensive suit was drenched in tea, the dark fabric clinging to his chest. His face was smeared with white frosting and pink icing.

For a moment, neither of us moved.

"Are you al

right?"

His arms were firmly around my waist.

I was still staring at him when Don Lorenzo walked in on us.