With every step back into my office, my heart rate spikes on the verge of combusting. I mentally prepare myself for the interrogation. Surely, she must know something, or why would she be here?
“Let’s cut to the chase.” She fires up a cigarette, something which is legal indoors in Paris, although not something I usually welcome inside my office. “I know you’re my husband’s mistress. I’ve known this for quite some time.”
Her stare is anything but angry but rather composed, which is strangely odd for someone who just questioned me about being her husband’s mistress. I remain quiet, not wanting to admit the truth if this is some sort of setup, but ensure my facial expression is blank with no emotion.
“I think you’re a perfect companion for him. As you know, I live quite a busy life and can’t always attend to his needs.”
“Allegra,” I begin, distancing myself across the room. “What are you trying to say?”
“I believe Dominic has developed feelings for you. I can see how he has changed. As you may or may not know, our marriage was somewhat agreed upon to help his business. So, I have a proposition for you. I’ll continue to give you my blessing to have a relationship with my husband and allow him to spend more time here to fulfill your needs. But I must remain married to him, for legal purposes. Should Dominic and I end our marriage, he’ll lose everything, and my reputation will be ruined.”
My arms move on their own accord, crossing against my chest while my eyes narrow with a hard expression. Beneath the green silk blouse I’m wearing, my blood pressure soars, stirring up anger from behind the walls I’ve purposely built.
“I want to be clear in exactly why you came here,” I concede, trying to understand her proposition. “Dominic must remain married to you, but you don’t care that he sleeps with someone else?”
“Mi amore, us Italians believe that love can be expressed in many ways. My husband has needs, I have needs, and sometimes those needs are met by other people.”
The more she speaks, the more I’m convinced she’s setting me up. She stands, swinging her purse in her hands like she strolled into my office for a friendly chat. “It was nice to finally speak to you in person. Please have a think about what I’ve said. Have a good day, Kate.”
The second she leaves my office, I let out the breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding. I refrain from calling Dominic, wondering how much he knows of her impending visit. If he knows, the asshole should’ve warned me.
I stand at the window and stare into the city.
My phone begins to ring with the name Noah flashing across the screen. I hit accept and place him on speaker.
“What’s with your timing?”
“Why? You naked in the shower?”
“Funny. I’m at work and…” I’m not sure why I hesitate. Every time the topic of Dominic comes up, Noah gets all territorial. “It’s been a long day.”
“Better a long day, then a long life.” He sighs.
“Oh, stop being dramatic,” I call him out. “And you rang because?”
“Can’t an old friend ring to make sure another friend is behaving?”
I purse my lips. “I’m always behaving. It’s Friday, what are your plans for tonight?”
The silence carries over the speaker. “I have to meet Morgan.”
“Oh…” I mouth, unsure why this tiny stab went straight to my heart causing me to stutter. “Is everything okay?”
“Who knows with her,” he grumbles with resentment. “One minute she’s civil, and the next we’re in a screaming match.”
I hold back my words, listening to him but unsure of what to say. Women are a peculiar species, many wear their heart on their sleeve. Morgan seems no different, and she does have a daughter with him who she loves.
“There’s one thing I’ve learned at the top, despite knowing that the other party can be irrational, you have the power to set the tone. You can control the people around you by being calm. Tonight might be good, or it might be bad.”
“Why are you so wise after a shitty day? What happened, anyway?”
I can’t tell him, the humiliation will leave me scarred. And why does he have to know? I haven’t spoken to Dominic since last week at the bar. For now, our communication is non-existent.
But then I remember Noah is only my friend, and perhaps, a male perspective wouldn’t be so bad.
“Noah,” I say his name with trepidation, trying to hold back, but something tells me to be honest. “Allegra was in my office minutes before you called.”
“You’re fucking with me? What the hell for?”