She shook her head.
“I can’t be a mom. I can’t get pregnant. I can’t,” she said in a strangled tone.
“Ashley…”
“The mere idea of not being able of taking care of my own child terrifies me. Losing him… and then losing you… no, I can’t stand that. I…”
“Leaving your past with Tim aside, you still don’t want to be a mom then? If that’s your wish, then I won’t insist anymore. I don’t want to have a baby if it’s going to cost us our marriage. You are the most important person for me, Ashley and I want you to understand that.”
God, how I love this man, she thought.
“I want to have kids with you so much,” she confessed with her heart in her throat. “I want to have a piece of you and me forever. But I can’t go through the pain of losing a child under my care again.”
Caine hugged her tightly.
“We’re a team.”
“I’m sorry for not trusting you… I’m sorry…”
“Don’t ever doubt my love for you, Ashley. You just have to forgive yourself and we’ll take care of the rest together.”
“I love you, Caine,” she replied, before leaning towards him to lay a kiss on her husband’s lips.
He hugged her and they cuddled under the moonlight of Bhuran’s desert.
***
Seeing princess Amira the next morning revealed how embarrassed Ashley could feel. The princess’ imposing and elegant appearance was a total contrast against the image of her getting lost in her lover's arms the night before.
Caine has a blast seeing Ashley’s discomfort but didn’t say a word about it. He wasn’t embarrassed at all. He had enjoyed the erotic scene as well as the passionate night with his wife, and he wasn’t about to complain, let alone feel embarrassed. The princess ignored the fact that they had seen such an intimate act so, what difference did it make?
The Valliards said goodbye to the royal family, who assure them they would gladly receive them again whenever they wanted to visit Bhuran’s desert whether it was for business or pleasure.
The person in charge of taking them to the king’s private airport was Jamal. During their way there, Ashley discovered something that made her blush.
“What’s wrong, honey?” Caine inquired.
She inched closer to him and whispered:
“Jamal is the princess’ lover.”
“How do you know that?” He asked with a smirk remembering how Ashley had told him everything she wanted him to do while she watched the two lovers in the garden.
“Because I did see his features, I just didn’t remember where I’d seen him. Now I do, it’s him. Why was he ignoring the princess this morning?”
Caine shrugged.
“I have no idea, honey. There are things that are better best to ignore. In a country like this one, Jamal’s status might be considered inferior to the princess’. I don’t know anything more. Do you feel better?” He asked suddenly.
“A little.” Something in the food had made her sick and she had thrown up several times when they woke up. “I don’t have a stomachache anymore. I guess I’ll try eating light things this week.”
“You’re not used to eating exotic spices. And the food, even though it was delicious, was particularly spicy.”
Ashley sighed. She intertwined her fingers with Caine’s and leaned her head against her husband's firm shoulder.
“I’m dying to get home.”
“We’re on our way. Then you’ll be able to rest.”
“With you?” She asked with a smug smile. It was so good to have broken the walls between them.
Caine laughed.
“With me.”
CHAPTER 7
Caine was dressed in blue cotton pants and a white shirt that highlighted his virility; his hair was perfectly slicked back. If it weren’t for the bandage covering his arm, he would say his health has never been better. He had to wait a little bit longer before taking off the bandage.
They had landed on Sydney ten days ago, and his relationship with Ashley had improved notoriously. Unfortunately, he couldn't say the same about his wife’s health. Two days after getting to Australia, she was still suffering the effects of the stomach bug she caught in Bhuran. The doctor ordered her to keep herself hydrated, so she preferred to ask for the vacation time the company owed her. She now had one month free.
Now that she was finally feeling better, Ashley was even more open and smiling more. Their sexual relationship also took a whole new dimension. Besides that, Ashley talked more openly about the sequels of her childhood and her fear of being a mom. He suggested her to go to therapy so she could be able to understand and overcome those episodes. She accepted and Caine was very happy because everything was moving forward.
It was Thursday morning and he had a lunch with a very important business man. He only knew him by his remarkable reputation and at noon they would be talking for the first time.
Jean-Michelle Arnaud was a famous magnate, owner of several conglomerates of worldly prominent brands. He was offering Caine the possibility of adding a brand of unisex hair products to House Valliard’s fashion business. Caine’s partners thought it was an interesting bet and encouraged him to analyze Arnaud's proposal.
So there was Caine, parking his car next to the Coral Reef club and ready to examine the potential new commercial bond. Apparently, ever since his alliance with Bhuran Sources became public, House Valliard’s share price had increased two points over its usual average price. That, of course, implied many millions of Australian dollars.
He entered the Club’s restaurant and asked for Arnaud. The waiter guided him through the opulent place. The tables were round and separated by the back of the seats. All of them had a view of the golf course and the lagoon.
The bar had a European touch decorated with Irish designs. Caine figured the idea came from the owner, a guy named Peter Lambert, British no doubt. It all oozed good taste.
“Caine,” Jean-Michelle said in a guttural voice. He was a tall man with greyed hair that didn’t make him look old, but more classic and sophisticated. He was nearly 46 years old. People wouldn’t describe him as handsome because he wasn’t, but his hard features made him looked imposing and respectable. !Thank you for coming to see me.!
“It’s a pleasure. This is a great place,” he replied. As they sat, the waiter approached them to take their orders. They didn't take long before deciding what they wanted for lunch. The plan was to go play golf at the course afterwards.
“I’m glad you think that way. I understand you’re not a partner yet, even though my shareholder friends haven’t stopped inviting you,” he stated.
Caine laughed and took a sip of his whiskey.
“The truth is that my schedule is already quite full and including a club could make my wife crazy. She’s not very fond of meetings and business activities, her job is enough.”
“I don’t have the pleasure of knowing you. I heard you closed a deal with Bhuran’s king. He’s a very complex man; you really have to charm him to be able to get to him.”
“Or a good strategy,” Caine replied with a laugh.
“Or that,” Jean-Michelle agreed as he started to cut his meat with capers, “but anyway, my proposal for House Valliard is opening a joining shop that sells exclusively unisex hair products; something special, expensive and with great quality.”
Caine took his time to savor his prawns.
“I like having the opportunity to innovate but I think a line of hair products doesn’t have anything to do with our idea. Would you consider working with something related to make-up maybe? I think it would be much more appealing with one or two of your most expensive and high-class brands.”
Jean-Michelle tapped his chin with his index finger and nodded.
“You’re right. I prefer that idea. I’ll analyze the brands with the marketing team and the sales team, and then I’ll contact you again and see if we agree. I know your company has two other partner
s.”
“Darlene and Mitch, they’re both in other cities right now, so I’ve had to handle the adjustments. But if you need them with me, we can organize a meeting via Skype or we can meet in a city that is close enough to all of us.”
“A Skype meeting would be fine. So, you’re interested in our investment on House Valliard, Caine?” The man asked while he handed him some economic reports regarding how the company he ran, Aussie Up-Lit, had grew on the market ever since it opened. Including not only the amount of stores but also his main partners and the amount of people he employed.
The numbers seemed very impressive for Caine. Making a deal with them would surely be a great bet and would help them expand their coverage. That market niche wasn’t very different from clothes. If your body looks good, it was only logical that the face was just as important. So it was an ideal combination.
The meeting was a success and Caine felt satisfied. They’d meet again soon so their partners could contribute with the business strategy and finally deciding the terms of their partnership. He considered that the inclusion of cosmetic lines was very important to increase his sales.
***
One hour later, both business men went out of the club. None of them noticed the presence of Francesco Milliburne; the man was waiting for one of his rich colleagues who he met when both were just getting started on the craft. Just until Frederick Multon knocked on the right door that made the money rain, he instead had to find other ways to survive with sensationalism instead of real journalism, but what was real anyway?
“Milliburne!” The brown-haired man said. “Thank you for coming. It’s good to see you after all these years.”
Francesco smiled. They shook hands.
“Some of us are better than others, I see,” he replied. Even though it wasn’t a joke, Frederick thought it was and chuckled. “It was nice to receive your call. It’s always good to catch up with old friends.”
“Of course it is. But I also wanted to know if you could get me an interview. I have a great friend who's about to run for Senator. Your paper is sensationalist and has a lot of sales; maybe you could write an interesting note about him, but nothing scandalous, just so people know him. You know what I mean, Francesco.”
Of course, there are not good friends, only opportunistic people, Milliburne thought cynically. That’s why he didn’t have friends, they just didn’t exist.
“Of course, what are friends for?” He said in a tone full of sarcasm masked as honesty.
Frederick smiled. And with that, Francesco knew that the favor he was about to make could be returned in the future. That’s how the world works, after all. Who was he going to trick thinking otherwise?
“A scotch, please,” Frederick asked looking at the bartender.
“Make it double,” Francesco added.
They started to catch up and when it was time to say goodbye, Francesco thought it would be interesting to ask a question that popped into his head.
“Could you clear something up for me?”
“Sure, shoot.”
“I think I saw Jean-Michelle Arnaud getting out of here a while ago.”
Frederick scratched his head as he tried to remember.
“Of course! Yes, yes, he comes to the club very often.”
“Isn’t he married to…?”
“Rubinnia Fedorova, of course; a wonderful person. Do you know her?”
“No, I just didn’t remember her name,” he lied. “You know I don’t work on the entertainment business.”
By the end of the evening, Francesco already knew how to screw Caine Valliard’s life. After paying his bill —because he was too proud to let Frederick pay for him— he exchanged words with a waiter that had been working at the club for years. After that, feeling something very similar to what he felt whenever he got an exclusive, he walked out of the Coral Reef club whistling.
***
Ashley stared at the photo album she kept from when she was little. She had managed to rescue it from a pile of boxes her mother wanted to throw in the trash. Unfortunately a lot of photos were missing. But the most important ones, at least for her, were still there. A few from her birthday and other ones she loved, like the one with Camille, Tim and her sitting at the porch, eating ice cream.
She took the photo out of the album and looked for a frame. Then she placed the photo on top of the desk where she sometimes liked to draw. It had been a long time since she abandoned that hobby, but maybe her vacations could be a good opportunity to go back to it.
Every day she spent away from the office, she thought about the time that could have been spent doing what she really liked: drawing and traveling. Caine and her still had to take that trip to the French Riviera.
She was very happy to finally have resolved the problems in her marriage. It wasn’t only happiness but relief because he had supported her and understood her. Maybe she should have had a little more faith in the man she had married. The moments of uncertainty she had put him through because of her fear of being rejected, hadn’t been fair.
Carry would be visiting her that day. Her friend was bursting with joy because her new lingerie collection —that she had designed— was going to be presented to a very popular American brand that wanted to open new stores all over Australia’s main cities. After all, one of their main models was Australian.
Ashley asked Misty to prepare some light snacks to enjoy by the pool.
Around three in the afternoon, Carry arrived as happy and fun as always. Apparently Guy was being a sweetheart and her friend was completely in love.
They swam in the pool and ate. Then they watched a pay per view movie until Ashley started to feel sleepy. New magazines had arrived early that morning, so when the movie ended Carry started snooping.
“Hey, I don’t think these actresses feel so good kissing and pretending to have sex with other actors in the middle of a set full of strangers,” Carry said suddenly.
Ashley laughed and put the bowl of popcorns aside. She stretched her hand and took the magazine from her friend.
“Hey!” Carry protested.
“Which one of these actresses are you referring to?”
“The Russian one, who else?”
“Mm… Fedorova?”
“That one; it’s impossible to have such an amazing body, how does she do it?”
“Exercising!”
“Not with butter cookies, I'm sure,” she said with a laughed and then took a sip of her Coke.
That was so impressive, Ashley thought, Carry could eat anything and she would never ever get fat. She, on the other hand, had to exercise every day in order to not lose her figure. More than vanity and health, it was because of her job. Looking unwell didn’t help to sell pretty things, plus it didn’t make her feel good.
“She looks familiar.”
“What do you mean?”
“I don’t know… I think she’s one of Caine’s friends.”
Once the glass was empty, Carry left it aside.
“Oh, yeah? Well if I were you, I’d be really jealous.”
Ashley laughed.
“I trust him.” She left the magazine aside, drew her legs over the sofa and gazed at her friend. “We talked about Tim,” Carry whispered a wow. “It was liberating. I made a huge mistake keeping all that pain inside of me all those years. My stubbornness almost made me ruin my marriage.”
“It wasn’t just stubbornness, it was fear. Plus, your parents had let you down so much that you didn’t know what to do except to distrust. I believe your husband isn't the jerk I thought he was.”
“You’re hopeless.”
“Have you used that pretty lingerie you tried on at my store?”
Ashley smirked.
“Maybe it’s time to put it to good use. Besides… it’s the perfect occasion to confront my fear entirely.”
“What will you do?”
“I’ll tell Caine I want to be a mom.”
Carry opened and closed her mouth. Then s
he leaned towards her friend to hug her.
“Do you? Do you really?”
Ashley nodded with a smile.
“Yes, totally. In fact, I already stopped taking the pill, but I haven’t told him. Maybe I could surprise him one of these days.”
“You don’t know how happy I am for you! I’ll be an aunt then! Don’t forget you have my boutique’s lingerie line at your disposal.”
“I’ll have to put it to good use,” Ashley agreed with a chuckle.
CHAPTER 8
Caine liked seeing his wife smiling and in a good mood. It was as if she was now free from a very heavy burden. He was sure that’s what had happened.
He, on the other hand, had hired a private detective. He didn’t have any clues about Ashley’s missing brother, except for the details she had shared and a picture she showed to him a few days before.
He didn’t want to tell her about the investigation to not let her hopes up in case the investigator didn’t find anything. Ashley had suffered enough during her childhood. His real interest was finding out if it was possible for Tim to be alive and in Australia. If he had no luck, at least Ashley didn’t have to experience another painful episode.
He took his jacket and turn off the light of his office.
Several employees were still in the office.
He didn’t encourage working extra hours; he didn’t see it as a sign of efficiency, but as a lack of organization for not being able to solve everything that was on their schedule during the eight hours of work. In any case, he couldn't expect perfection nor rush the processes of people who weren’t capable of being more diligent. However, they couldn’t be fired for that reason because, as a team, House Valliard was one of the best companies in the corporate world.
He got into his car and made his way to the Coral Reef Club; he had a meeting with Jean-Michelle to establish the last details. Darlene couldn’t make it because she was now living in Melbourne, and Mitch was celebrating his mother-in-law’s birthday, so he had to take care of it. That was why he had told Ashley he would be arriving late that night.
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