Unlikely Alliance

Chapter 2

Helen, dressed in simple jeans and a plain white button-up shirt, wore her ever-radiant smile. She looked intimidatingly beautiful. For a moment, jealousy crept in as I marveled at how young and stunning she appeared after having two children. Not that I had low self-esteem or doubted my beauty, but I couldn't help but wonder how my shape and size would fare through pregnancy. I was a drop-dead gorgeous model, and that's what had initially caught James's eye.

I had been avoiding the topic of children, and I couldn't help but wonder if James had grown suspicious by now. My modeling career hasn't been wildly successful, even though I have done some work for fashion companies and magazines. The moment I started my cooking career, I realized my passion for it surpassed my interest in modeling. After all, I had a deep love for good food. James seemed low-key excited that I had shifted my focus from modeling to cooking. It meant he didn't have to worry about seeing his girlfriend's photos splashed across magazines in revealing outfits. Perhaps he had envisioned me as his wife from the very beginning, and his prayers had been answered.

We had dated for three years before finally tying the knot three months ago. Initially, marriage wasn't in our plans. James was a dedicated manager , and I had a strong aversion to long-term commitments. Love has a way of disrupting even the most carefully laid-out plans. Helen, James's only sibling, was thrilled that someone had managed to persuade him to settle down. She had become the sister I never had, a supportive presence in our lives.

"Mum, Aunt Emily brought us gifts, but she won't let us see them yet," Olivia reported as Helen approached us. I handed her the bag containing two wrapped presents, and she whispered a quick "thank you" with a smile before stashing them away.

**

Our shopping trip seemed to stretch on forever. Helen had brought me along to assist with the shopping, intending to keep it minimal, but somehow we ended up with a cartful of items. She had insisted on getting everything she wanted, despite my protests.

We returned home with a supermarket's worth of groceries. I hurried into the kitchen to start baking the cake and preparing the food. Helen had mentioned planning a "mini" party, but I had reservations about her definition of "mini." She was far too exuberant to host just a handful of people.

"The party's at 5 p.m.," she announced while chopping onions.

"Alright, let's wrap this up quickly, then," I replied.

We spent over three hours in the kitchen, and guests started arriving. Sylvia and Olivia's classmates came along with their teacher. Thank goodness for the teacher; otherwise, the living room would have turned into chaos with all those kids while Helen and I were still busy in the kitchen.

"Can I help with anything?" Miss Rachel asked as she entered the kitchen.

"Yes, please, you can take care of those children over there," I said without hesitation.

George arrived fifteen minutes ahead of schedule, bearing drinks and snacks for the kids. I couldn't resist indulging in some of the snacks myself.

"Hello, Emily, good to see you," George greeted me. My hands were free, so I leaned in for a hug. "Thanks for helping out with this. Helen mentioned her plan to h****k your entire day, and it seems she's succeeded," he remarked with a teasing grin.

"Tsk tsk, let's just say she owes me one now, and I'll be sure to collect it sooner or later," I smirked at Helen.

"That wasn't part of the deal. Aren't you my sweet sister?" Helen attempted to sweet-talk, and we all laughed it off as she made a pitiful face.

"What about James?" George chimed in.

"Um, I left him working at home, but he said he'd be here before the party. He should've arrived by now," I replied, furrowing my brow as I tried to think of possible reasons for his delay.

"Helen, I think you should go help the kids get dressed. I'll take it from here," George suggested.

"There's not much left to do. Just go and get dressed. I've got this," I protested. They both left the kitchen.

Helen had tasked me with preparing five dishes, and her notion of a "mini" party clearly underestimated the amount of work involved. The air in the kitchen was filled with the delightful aroma of chicken Alfredo pasta, vegetarian lasagna, honey-glazed salmon, a sushi platter, and spinach and feta-stuffed chicken breast. Finally, I crafted a chocolate castle cake fit for my two Disney princesses.

Sylvia and Olivia emerged in their beautiful flared gowns. Each dress had a fitted bodice adorned with delicate lace and sparkles, leading into a voluminous skirt reminiscent of Disney princesses. Their hair had been neatly styled and adorned with clips and crowns. Sylvia's dress was a shade of blue, while Olivia's was a soft pink.

I served the food on buffet plates, as everyone had moved outside for the party. The spacious compound easily accommodated the guests. George had set up a buffet section outdoors, so I arranged the food on the buffet table before rushing to take a quick shower.

Seeing everyone dressed up, I couldn't resist the temptation to change out of my sweat-stained dress. I dialed James's number, intending to ask him to bring a dress for me when he arrived, but he didn't answer. I began to worry about his delay. His silence, coupled with his unanswered calls, sparked concern.

I took a shower and slipped into one of Helen's dresses, conceding to her suggestion from earlier which I waved off. I joined the party outside.

"The dress suits you perfectly. You look stunning," Helen commented. I mustered a tight-lipped smile and turned away.

A sleek black BMW 7 series pulled into the driveway, capturing everyone's attention. Helen had many friends, but who was this wealthy guest who had agreed to attend a children's party?

A tall man with lightly tanned skin and perfectly styled chestnut brown hair stepped out. He wore a casual white button-up shirt with the top buttons undone, revealing his muscular chest. His physique filled out the shirt, and he paired it with black jeans and white sneakers.

He removed his sunglasses as he approached. Helen hastily ran out to welcome him. She threw him a big hug with so much excitement. It finally clicked—I recognized him. This was Charles Montgomery, James's billionaire best friend. We haven't seen much because James always goes over to his place and not the other way around.

With Charles's arrival, I couldn't help but wonder where James was? My heart raced as various unsettling scenarios played out in my mind.