The Preposition
1060 Words
Chapter 2
I met Alexander Cross at a coffee shop downtown the next morning. I recognized him immediately – not because we'd met before, but because his face was on billboards all over the city. Alexander Cross was the CEO of Cross Industries, one of the biggest tech companies in the country. He was also incredibly handsome, with dark hair, steel gray eyes, and a jaw that looked like it was carved from marble.
"Mrs. Lancaster," he said, standing as I approached. Even in a simple black sweater and jeans, he looked like he'd stepped out of a magazine.
"Please, call me Isabella. I think we're past formalities, considering the situation."
He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Then call me Alex. Can I get you something to drink?"
"Just water, please. I don't think my stomach can handle anything else."
After he returned with my water and his black coffee, we sat in uncomfortable silence for a moment.
"How did you find out?" I finally asked.
"She told me yesterday, right after she visited you. She wanted to be honest, she said." He laughed bitterly. "Eight months too late for honesty."
"I'm sorry. I had no idea she was engaged. If I had known—"
"You would have what? Told me? You didn't even know about your own husband's affair."
His words stung, but they were true. "You're right. I was blind."
"We both were." He took a sip of his coffee. "But that's not why I called you. I have a proposition."
"What kind of proposition?"
"Victoria and your husband have humiliated us. They've made us look like fools. I think we should return the favor."
I frowned. "What do you mean?"
"I mean we should show them that we're not the victims here. That we've moved on to something better."
"I don't understand."
Alex leaned forward. "I'm suggesting we pretend to be together. Let them see us happy, thriving. Let them wonder if maybe we were having our own affair all along."
I nearly choked on my water. "You want us to fake a relationship?"
"Why not? They clearly had no problem lying to us. Besides, it would help both our situations. My board of directors is concerned about the scandal affecting our company's image. Being seen moving on with someone respectable would help. And you – don't you want to see the look on your husband's face when he realizes you're with someone who makes him look like a nobody?"
"That's... that's crazy."
"Is it? Think about it. They're probably expecting us to fall apart, to beg them to come back. Instead, we show up at events together, looking happy. We make them question everything."
I had to admit, the thought of Ethan seeing me with Alexander Cross was appealing. Ethan had always been insecure about more successful men.
"What would this involve exactly?" I asked.
"Public appearances, mainly. Dinner dates where we might be photographed. Maybe a few events. We'll need to make it believable."
"For how long?"
"A few months, at least. Long enough for the divorce proceedings to go through and for the scandal to die down."
I thought about it. It was insane. But then again, my entire life had become insane in the last twenty-four hours.
"I have conditions," I said.
"I'm listening."
"First, this stays strictly business. No real feelings, no complications."
"Agreed. What else?"
"We need clear boundaries about physical contact. And I want everything in writing."
Alex smiled, and this time it was genuine. "You sound like a lawyer."
"I am a lawyer."
"Even better. You can draw up the contract yourself." He pulled out his phone. "We should start tonight. There's a charity gala at the Ritz. Victoria will be there with her mother – she's on the organizing committee."
"Ethan might be there too. His company is one of the sponsors."
"Perfect. We'll make our debut."
"Wait, I haven't agreed yet."
Alex stood up. "You will. Because right now, you're thinking about how good it will feel to walk in there on my arm and watch their faces. I'll pick you up at seven."
He left before I could respond. I sat there, staring at his business card. This was crazy. I should just focus on my divorce and moving on with my life. But he was right – I did want to see their faces. I wanted them to hurt the way I was hurting.
That evening, Rachel helped me get ready. She'd brought over a stunning black dress that hugged me in all the right places.
"I can't believe you're doing this," she said, zipping me up.
"Neither can I."
"Alexander Cross, though. Every woman in the city would kill to be in your position."
"It's fake, Rachel. Just revenge."
"Still, maybe it'll help you get over Ethan."
At exactly seven, Alex arrived in a black Bentley. He was wearing a perfectly tailored tuxedo that made him look even more handsome, if that was possible.
"You look beautiful," he said, helping me into the car.
"Thank you. You clean up well yourself."
As we drove to the hotel, he briefed me on our story. "We met through mutual business connections a few weeks ago. We connected over similar interests. Keep it vague but believable."
"What if someone asks about Victoria and Ethan?"
"We say we wish them well. We're focused on our own happiness."
When we arrived at the gala, photographers immediately started taking pictures. Alex put his hand on my lower back, guiding me inside. The touch sent an unexpected shiver through me.
The ballroom was packed with the city's elite. I spotted Ethan almost immediately. He was by the bar, and when he saw me with Alex, his jaw dropped. Then I saw Victoria, her hand protectively over her still-flat stomach, her eyes wide with shock.
"Ready?" Alex whispered in my ear.
"Ready."
We walked past them, Alex's hand never leaving my back. I could feel their eyes on us. As we reached the dance floor, Alex turned to me.
"Dance with me?"
I nodded, and he pulled me close. As we swayed to the music, I caught Ethan's expression. He looked furious. Good.
"You're enjoying this," Alex murmured.
"Aren't you?"
"More than I expected."
As the song ended, I saw Ethan walking toward us, his face red with anger.
- Writer
