by Adom Sample
“And his handwriting was different, and he didn’t stay the night with me, as you can see. If he did want more than a business relationship, I’m sure he would have jumped at the chance. I also don’t get the sense that he would make moves on a married woman.”
Maya hung her head low. “If that’s true, then I think I may have screwed up,” she said.
“What do you mean?”
“Well . . .”
“What’d you do this time?” I gave her the side-eye.
“I may have gone up to his room and accused him of being in love with you. Also, I may have kissed him a little.”
“What do you mean you kissed him a little? How the hell do you kiss someone a little?” I fumed. “Did you fucking sleep with him too?”
“No! No, I didn’t. I wanted him to prove to me he didn’t have feelings for you, so I kissed him to see if he would reciprocate—he didn’t.”
This woman must have lost her damn mind. What was she thinking? “Don’t ever touch him again. No more flirting, no more eye contact, don’t even breathe the same air as him. Do you understand?” I shouted in anger.
“I’m sorry, Isabella. I’m still a bit tipsy from last night and—”
“Don’t blame the alcohol. You made a conscious choice to go to his room. You made the conscious choice to kiss him. Keep your hands to yourself, Maya.” She looked up at me and saw that I was seething with rage.
“Are you jealous?” she asked.
“No. Of course, I’m not jealous. I just . . . Just don’t touch him again, all right. Now, would you please give me some privacy so I can shower in peace?” The steam from the hot water made it difficult for us to see. Maya opened the bathroom door and looked around. Gaspard had already left, and I climbed into the shower.
“There’s no reason for you to be so upset. It was just an innocent kiss. He didn’t seem upset when it happened. He was just a little shocked.” I tossed a wet washcloth into the air over the shower rod, and it landed on Maya’s head. “What the hell?” she exclaimed.
“I don’t want to hear about your stolen kiss. Try to be professional, would you? You can’t just go around kissing our business partners.” I sighed and proceeded to wash my hair. Once again, I was going to have to apologize for her behavior and hope Dante wasn’t too offended by what she’d done.
“I promise I won’t do anything like that again. You have my word.” She placed the wet washcloth on the sink and sat back down on the stool. “You know, your attitude has changed a lot since you met Dante.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re not as stressed as you usually are. I also haven’t heard you complain about Nathan in a while.”
After I finished rinsing my hair, I took the towel hanging on the rack. “Nathan and I are fine. Nothing to worry about in that department.”
“Nothing to worry about? He’s been cheating on you for years. How the hell can you not see that?”
“You don’t know for certain if he’s cheating. I still love him, and until I have proof of his infidelity, he will always be my husband.”
“How could you be so blind? Is the sex that good?”
“It’s not that.”
“Then what is it?”
“I made a vow, Maya. Vows are meant to be kept through the good and the bad.”
“Even if he has broken those vows time and time again?”
“As I have said before, I need proof.”
“I told you to hire a private investigator—” she began, but someone knocked on the door, startling the both of us.
“Could you see who that is?” I asked. I was still wrapped in my towel, and Dante was probably wondering what was taking me so long. She walked to the door and looked through the peephole.
“It’s Dante and Gaspard.”
“Go ahead and let them in.” I continued to dry my hair.
“I’m too embarrassed to face him right now. You let them in.” She shied away.
“I’m still in my towel. There is no way I’m answering the door, Maya. Suck it up, open the door, and tell them we’ll meet them in the lobby in a moment. Why don’t you apologize to him while you’re at it?” I closed the bathroom door and locked it.
Chapter 20
Dante
“Isabella, are you in there?” I called through the door. My nerves were a wreck after Gaspard told me Maya made it down here before he could. The door creaked open slowly, and Maya poked her head out.
“Hi, Dante.” My heart dropped and beads of sweat formed on my forehead.
“Hel-hello, Maya. Is Isabella in there? We were supposed to have met in the lobby thirty minutes ago.”
“Isabella’s still in the shower. She’ll be ready in a moment.” She didn’t make eye contact.
“Okay, we’ll wait in the lobby, then.”
“Wait, is it all right if I speak to you in private?”
“I don’t think that would be such a good idea after what you did to me last time.”
She sighed. “I am so sorry for what I did. I was totally out of line. I promise never to do that again.” I stared at her until she finally made eye contact.
“I understand, Maya. You’re just looking out for her—I get it. I forgive you, but please don’t ever do that to me again. It made me extremely uncomfortable.”
“Yes, of course.”
“Good. Thank you for understanding.” I looked at Gaspard with relief. It was as if the weight of two tons of bricks had been lifted from my chest. I wasn’t sure what occurred between her and Isabella, but I was glad for it. With her apology, I guessed my secret was safe. But then again . . . what of the kiss?
“Did you tell Isabella what happened?” I asked.
She flinched. “Y-yes.”
I rubbed my forehead with my middle and index fingers. “Great. Thanks for that,” I scoffed. I turned my back to her and began to walk off, but then she grabbed my arm, pulling me back.
“It’s not what you think. She was upset with me, not you,” she tried to reassure me.
“Why would she be upset with me? I did nothing.”
“Yes, I know. And I’m sorry.”
“It’s all right. We’ll meet you two down there shortly.” Gaspard had already made his way to the elevator. I turned and followed him after Maya had closed the door. Perhaps my secret was safe after all. Or, at least for the time being.
Chapter 21
Dante
I called my staff to prepare the limo for our arrival at the Pierre Gagnaire à Seoul for lunch. Gaspard was in the mood for French cuisine, and I was sure Maya would enjoy the dishes they had there. I’d already forgiven Gaspard for not keeping an eye on Maya when she’d decided to come to my room. I couldn’t blame him since he was sleeping at the time. I just hoped she’d never try something like that again. As attractive and forthcoming as she was, I was ready to give my heart to Isabella.
Gaspard, in his custom-made two-button Kiton K-50 suit, was waiting by the door with the hotel manager, having a conversation in Korean. I was standing in the hallway when I suddenly laid eyes on Maya in the elevator lobby. She was in a forest-green sleeveless V-neck dress made of polyester. It displayed every bit of her curves, and her cleavage was prominent. Gaspard’s eyes widened when he saw her. Isabella, on the other hand, was in jeans and a T-shirt just as I was. It seemed as if Gaspard and Maya might have overdressed for the occasion.
“Hello, Dante,” Isabella said as they approached us. Her smile almost made me weak in the knees. After last night, my passion for her had grown more intense.
“Well, it looks like you and I are dressed to impress,” I said jokingly.
“Sir, I thought we are going to the Pierre Gagnaire à Seoul for some Korean-French cuisine, yet you and Isabella are dressed as if you’re going hiking,” said Gaspard.
“Yes, but I remembered Isabella mentioning to Maya that aside from her business attire, all she brought to wear was jeans and T-shirts, so I didn’t want her to feel left out. You
and Maya seem to be well dressed enough, so why don’t you two proceed over to the Pierre? Isabella and I will head elsewhere.”
“Sounds like a good idea to me,” said Isabella, much to my delight. I could see the displeasure on Maya’s face. She was so concerned with what we were doing that she gave the most visible signs of annoyance at my suggestion. I was sure Isabella would fill her in on anything she wanted to know later on. The chauffeur approached Gaspard, who then signaled to Maya.
“Where are you two going to eat? Why don’t we all eat together so we can discuss the operating budget in a few of our regional offices?” asked Maya.
Her pretenses for trying to accompany us were not lost on Isabella and me. She’d done enough damage, and the last thing I wanted was to have lunch with her. Before I could suggest otherwise, Isabella pulled her aside.
“Go with Gaspard,” she said bluntly.
Maya seemed to be taken aback. “Something is suspicious with the way Dante acts toward you. I think he does have feelings for you, but he’s just trying to hide them from us. Let’s all eat together so I can pull the information from him,” Maya whispered, unable to realize I could hear her every word.
“You’re so damn nosy, Maya. Go with Gaspard and leave us alone, please. You’ve dressed for it anyway,” Isabella said as if it were an order.
“We’re going to be late for our reservation. We should head out now,” said Gaspard. I gave him a slight grin and nodded.
Maya sighed. “Fine. Let’s go, Gaspard.” Everyone smiled with the exception of Maya. My only concern was finding out what Isabella knew about Maya’s stolen kiss. I knew she told her about it. While she didn’t seem upset, I still needed to know her reaction. Once we sat down to eat, we could talk about it a little. Gaspard and Maya headed out, and the hotel manager escorted them to the valet. Maya threw me a suspicious gaze as Gaspard looped his arm in hers and left.
“You look nervous. Are you all right?” Isabella asked. The soft ambience of her lips that formed that smile gave me hope she wasn’t upset with me at all. At least I hoped she wasn’t.
“Not at all,” I lied. “Where would you like to eat?”
“I’m not too keen on eating in fancy places. I like the simple things in life, and I wouldn’t mind eating in a closet restaurant just as long as the food is good.”
Statements like that were what made me fall for her so hard in the first place. She was the epitome of perfection in my eyes. Everything about her was so humble and delicate it made my nerves stand on end.
“Very well then. Are you all right with just eating here at the hotel?” I asked.
“I was hoping you would say that because I can smell the Korean barbecue from here. Let’s go.” She grabbed my hand and whisked me toward the restaurant from which that sweet smell was emanating. With her hand in mine, my heart stopped for a brief moment. It gave me flashbacks from last night when I held her close to my heart and breathed in her scent. I wanted to experience that again.
We approached a modest-looking place where it appeared as if everyone was cooking their food right at their tables. The host seated us, and the waiter took our orders. Everyone around us was laughing, drinking, and enjoying their time.
The steam from the burners on each table filled the air with the delicious scents of cooked meat and vegetables coupled with Korean sauces and spices. Isabella stared at me for a moment without saying a word. I wondered what could be going through her mind. My biggest dread was the first words to come out of her mouth would be Maya and kiss. I still hoped she didn’t know about it, and if she did, I hoped she didn’t bring it up.
“So, did you enjoy it?” she asked sarcastically.
And there it was. I sipped the glass of water the waitress placed in front of me. “Did I enjoy what?” I asked nervously.
“When Maya kissed you. Did you embrace her? Did you hold her? Did you use your tongue? Did you try to take off her clothes?”
My heart damn near dropped to my knees. “So, I guess she told you what she did.”
“Yes, she told me everything. She said you enjoyed it, too.” She snickered, waiting for my reaction.
“What? No! I didn’t enjoy it at all. She came to my room unannounced, pressured me into confessing something, and then kissed me without warning just to prove her point. It was entirely unwanted, and I did nothing to reciprocate it.”
“Are you sure?”
“I am without a doubt one-hundred percent positive.” I gave her a look of certainty.
“Okay, I believe you,” she said, grinning.
“I would also appreciate it if she never touches me again,” I said firmly.
“Don’t worry, Dante. I’ve already spoken to her about it. She won’t be doing anything like that ever again.”
“I’m curious as to why she said that I enjoyed it. I don’t find unwanted sexual advances to be enjoyable.”
“Oh, I just made that part up to see what your reaction would be. I wanted to know if you did enjoy it—but I can see you didn’t from your fiery attempt to convince me. You’re telling me the truth. Thanks for reassuring me,” she said. I rolled my eyes and took another sip of water.
The emotional roller coaster I was on had my heart thumping like crazy. Even for a split second, the thought of losing her threw me into a whirlwind of despair and anxiety. The sweat on my forehead dripped on the table. I wiped it away with the handkerchief I kept in my pocket. Maybe it was from the steam this cooker on our table was giving off.
The waitress placed two large plates of raw meat and vegetables in front of us. We cleared an area of the empty plates she handed us before she put the meat on the cooker. The steam rose as the meat sizzled. It smelled delicious.
“So, about last night . . .” Isabella stopped mid-sentence and gazed at the various sauces on the table. She was nervous about something. “Y-you said you couldn’t have me. What made you think you can’t?” she asked, stuttering a little.
My nerves crumpled, forcing me to stutter along with her. “B-because you’re married.”
“That’s what I thought. You’re such an honorable guy, Dante. A less disciplined man in your position would have taken advantage of me last night without hesitation.”
“Unlike some men, I tend to have values—and I don’t like having one-night stands. I enjoy making love with someone I’m in a relationship with.”
“Making love and having sex with someone you love is the same thing, isn’t it?”
I smiled, took a piece of meat from the cooker, and placed it on her empty plate.
“This is what makes me unique from the men you might have dealt with in the past, Isabella. When I say make love, I’m talking about my woman lying in my arms as we slowly fall asleep in front of the television on our second anniversary. Us walking on the sandy beach and me gazing into her eyes, wondering how an angel could have fallen into my arms and loved me the same as I loved her. Placing the ring on her finger that will seal our love for each other in life as well as in death, and telling stories about our childhoods on a snowy night in front of the fireplace drinking hot chocolate.
“Being by her side when she gives birth to our firstborn child, welcoming a new chapter in our lives together—that is what I’m talking about when I say make love. It goes well beyond the realm of the physical and transcends into the mind and soul. All that I am would be hers. I would love her unequivocally, just as I hope she would love me. A love that would last for years, for decades, not just for a few moments of pleasure.”
She sat silently. Her eyes began to water, and tears rolled down her flushed cheeks. “I’m sorry, Dante.”
“Are you all right? Did I say something wrong?”
“No, it’s not that.” She wiped her eyes.
“Then what?” I pressed. I refused to let it go that easily. Something I said had to have upset her.
“Please, Dante, it’s just . . .” Everyone stared at us as if I’d wronged her in some way.
“You can tell me
what’s on your mind. Was it something I said?”
“It’s just that you’re such a sweet, romantic guy, and you just described something I’ve wanted to experience my whole life. I’m afraid I’ll never be able to have moments like that. My husband isn’t like that at all.”
“What is he like?” This was my moment. I needed to force her to see the truth about Nathan.
“The complete opposite. Once we got married, he changed completely. It’s as if he’d been waiting to get married to show his true colors. I keep telling myself that I’m still in love with him. But how can I be when he doesn’t feel the same way? He never returns my affections. I guess I’m just fooling myself just as I have been all these years. I’m a fraud.”
“You’re no fraud, Isabella. No one can fault you for trying to find happiness. Maybe if you just talk to him about it, things will change.”
“Talking to him is useless. I speak, but he doesn’t hear me. He doesn’t want to hear me,” she confided. I handed her a few napkins so she could wipe the sorrow from her eyes.
For the first time, I saw the depths of her suffering. It broke my heart to know the woman I loved had to go through so much heartache for the sake of misplaced loyalty to a man who didn’t love her. It sickened me.
This had me rethinking my promise. Should I just tell her the man she made a vow to cheated without remorse and that I was the person sending her the letters? No. I couldn’t do that. She needed to find out the truth for herself, no matter how much it tore me up inside. I was sure Maya and her overzealous prying would help Isabella to see the truth soon.
I felt so guilty for allowing her to suffer like this. I held the knowledge to help her, but what could I do? Was it my place to ruin her marriage? Was the truth by whatever means necessary that prevalent when it came to heartbreak? She wiped away the tears while I sat there and watched helplessly. It was too much for me to bear.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean for you to see me like this,” she said, cracking a smile to mask her pain.
“Maybe you should call him and tell him how you feel.”
“I’ve been calling him day and night since we got here, but he never answers the phone. Not once. I guess he’s taking a break from all my nagging.”