CHAPTER 3
969 Words
Demitra's Pov
Frantic knocks on my door woke me up. For a moment after my eyes snapped open, I was disoriented, surrounded by warm water with roses floating on top.
Then it all began to make sense.
I was now Mrs. Carter and I had fallen asleep while taking my first bath as a married woman.
The pounding intensified followed by a click as the door opened and Serene stepped in, wide eyed.
“Mrs. Carter, oh, thank goodness you're okay. For a while I thought something happened to you,” In the next moment, her worry shifted to surprise. “You’re not even dressed yet.”
She grabbed a towel and rushed to my side, helping me out of the tub.
“I…I must have dozed off,” I tried to explain as she wrapped the towel around me. I got a scoff in response.
“Everyone's waiting. We must be quick,” She said, hands flying as she dried my body.
Who the hell was everyone?
She applied a generous amount of oil on my body until I was glistening. Then, she pulled a brush through my damp hair and tied it up in a ponytail.
Next, she helped me slip into the black dress.
As she worked, I felt the knot in my stomach tighten. I was going to have dinner with Erin. Oh, the act I had to maintain.
But Serene had said something about everyone. Who was everyone?
Serene gave my outfit a final check, then nodded, satisfied by how I looked, “Remember, quick and quiet. Now, let's get you down there. They've been waiting for a while,”
As we made our way downstairs to the dining room, my heart pounded in my chest.
I had assumed that dinner would be a quiet intimate affair between Erin and I – not that it would be any easier to maintain my act if it was only him.
But the thought of having to keep up this façade in front of his guests – a whole group of people – made me feel nauseous.
Taking a deep breath, I tried to maintain a smile and channel my sister's effortless charm.
I could do this.
I did not have any other choice, anyway.
This was the only way.
I cleared my throat and straightened my posture as Serene pushed the big doors open.
The conversation in the room died down as all eyes turned to me, standing at the door weekly like some sacrificial lamb.
The dozen and more faces all belonged to people I had never met before and they all stared at me with a mix of curiosity, admiration…and even pity.
Every chair at the long dining table was occupied, except one – the one next to Erin.
I gulped.
He would be so close to me that he might just be able to smell my lies.
My deceit.
Our eyes met from across the room. He did not smile or give me a reassuring nod.
He only watched me, coldly.
I felt a shiver run down my spine.
My heels clicked on the floor as I finally pushed myself forward, towards the dining table.
I slid into the chair, next to Erin, taking care to not look at him. I could feel his gaze on me. As I sat, he leaned in.
“You're late, Jayne,” The way he said my sister's name made my blood run cold. I glanced at him and quickly looked away, unable to hold his scorching gaze, ““I will, however, overlook it this one time. It is, after all, our wedding day. But I won't be so merciful in the next instance,”
His words were a warning and I could not help but think if I could truly keep this act up for so long.
Conversation resumed at the table but the mood had clearly shifted. While the men in expensive suits spoke about stocks, mergers and business deals, the women in their glittery dress giggled about fashion trends and gossip.
As for me, I dar quietly, trying to blend in with my gaze fixed at my plate.
Occasionally, my eyes flitted to Erin who dominated the conversation.
“The market is volatile right now,” one man said, taking a sip of his wine. “I’d advise against any major moves.”
“Volatility presents an opportunity, Davies. We’re in a prime position to acquire Holbrook-Myers. Their stock is undervalued, and their assets are substantial.” Erin said.
“A risky move, Erin,” another man, who I heard being called Phillip, countered. “They’re close to bankruptcy. It’s a gamble.”
“I don’t gamble. I calculate. And I’ve calculated that the risk is worth the reward.”
Beside me, a woman said, “Did you hear about the affair between Eva's husband and that younger intern? It’s the talk of the town!”
“That's a shame he would do that. After she transferred everything she had to his name,”
While the conversation went back and forth, I picked at the food on my plate, feeling a pang of loneliness in a room of people who knew each other intimately.
Dinner was a series of lavish courses but I was too nervous to eat. Silently, I hoped no one would notice.
As the main course plates were cleared, I felt relieved that the night was almost over and I had not had any reason to speak.
I just had to get through dessert.
Serene and other servants appeared, carrying plates of dessert.
And my relief quickly turned to dread as they began to serve the last course.
On the plate was a small portion of a delicacy I was deathly allergic to.
A delicacy that Jayne completely adored.
Caviar!
- Writer
