A Masquerade Affair

by Elin Magdelene

  “This is a business meeting and my husband trusts me.”

  “That is what you said so does that mean that you are not working at your husband’s company?”

  Vivi did not want to go into that discussion with him so she answered, “I’m looking into starting my own practice so I thought you might be able to give me advice since you just went through that process.”

  “Or better yet we could become partners since I am still looking for qualified partners.”

  It was a thought she had not considered. Randy was a good lawyer and she would not mind a partnership with him. But she wondered if Richard would have reservations.

  Before she could respond Randy continue, “I understand you would have to talk it over with your husband but let me know your decision. You would make a great law partner.”

  “I’m sure Richard will have no problem with it but I will have to think about your offer and determine if it will be the right career path for me.”

  “I’m not so sure your husband will be open to that idea.”

  “How would you know that?”

  “Let’s just say our lunch is over.”

  He was looking in the direction of the entry way. Vivi turned slightly and saw Richard striding towards them purposefully.

  “Dawson.”

  “Mcgallan.”

  Both men acknowledged each other as Vivi sat, knowing Richard had come to get her.

  “We’re leaving now, Elvira,” Richard told her leaning over to kiss her fully on the lips.

  Was he trying to make a statement to Randy? What would happen if she told him she was in a meeting and she would be leaving as soon as she was done? She wouldn’t ask him to leave a business meeting if the tables were turned, would she? She knew she would be right to stand up to him but not here in the public when there could be a reporter lurking somewhere.

  She didn’t want that publicity so she stood up. Randy stood up also and watched as Richard pulled the chair for his wife to leave.

  “I’ll call you with my decision on the partnership, Randy.”

  “No, you won’t. And don’t even attempt to contact my wife, Dawson. You don’t want me coming after you.”

  Randy did not feel threatened by Richard and simply responded, “Vivi can make her own decisions.”

  “Don’t even try crossing me Dawson, you’d be surprised what I’m capable of doing to your career,” Richard replied not waiting for Randy’s response as he led Vivi away.

  Vivi was furious with Richard and sat quietly the entire trip home. Richard made no comment either as he tried to analyze why he was so enraged with jealousy when he walked into the restaurant and saw his wife having lunch with another man.

  He looked across at her as she tried to avoid any physical or visual contact with him. She had scooted over to one end of the limousine. She was mad at him and she probably had every right to be. It scared him as he realized there was only one reason why he had been so jealous―he was afraid of losing her. He was crazy in love with her. He had been for many years now, he admitted.

  Vivi could not wait to get out of the limo when it came to a stop. Ignoring his attempt to help her out of the limousine she hurried into the house greeting the butler who had held open the door for her.

  Richard hurried after her, “Enough of the silence, Elvira. I suggest we go to my office and talk.

  “Not now, I need some time to myself,” she responded as she climbed the stairs to their master suite.

  He had been a little domineering so he decided to give her some time. He went to his study and delved into work but after an hour of getting no work done he went in search of her.

  She was in the sitting area working on a crossword puzzle. He smiled as she made no attempt to acknowledge his presence.

  “You can have your job back at the company.”

  “And have you fire me again at will? No, thank you.”

  She did not raise her head from the puzzle as she responded.

  “I don’t want you partnering with him.”

  “Then I’ll start my own practice.”

  “I’m sure you can. I’ll support you one hundred percent on that.”

  He walked over to her and a finger lightly traced the outline of her neck. Unable to resist his touch, she raised her head. Her heart raced when he lowered his head and captured her lips.

  “Maybe… I should… start working… on my practice.”

  He pulled her out of the chair and carried her to their bedroom, “I promise to let you to do that but first…”

  Brian ran ahead of Richard into the house. Excited and full of energy, he went to Vivi’s office but saw that she was not in her office like she usually was. He was going fishing with his father and uncles.

  “Dad,” he called out to Richard, “where’s mom?”

  “Check in her office.”

  The boy appeared at the top of the stairs, “She is not there,” he told his father.

  Richard was concerned so he ended his conversation with his butler and hurried up the stairs. The butler had said she had not gone out.

  “Come on let’s go and find her, son. She might be in our suite.”

  Brian ran ahead shouting, “Mom.”

  Vivi stirred then her eyes blinked open as she heard Brian’s call, “In the room Brian,” she called out.

  Brian went into the room followed by Richard. Elvira sat up as Brian climbed into the bed.

  She hugged him, “Hey buddy.”

  “I’m going fishing today with dad and my uncles.”

  “So I heard. I’m looking forward to cooking your fish when you get back.”

  He turned to his father, “You will show me what I need to do to catch a fish right, dad.”

  “I sure will, son,” Richard responded, taking his eyes off Vivi to smile at his son.

  He was concern that Vivi was asleep at that time of the day. Of late, she had been sleeping more than she had done before. He would come home some evenings and found her asleep in the chair in her office. He would carefully carry her to bed and she would only slightly stir then fall back to sleep.

  He thought she was working hard spending long hours trying to get her practice up and running.

  He had tried to send clients her way but she had objecting saying, “Richard, I know you want to help but I can’t take the clients you are sending my way.”

  “What makes you think that I’m sending clients your way?” He had thought she might reject his help so he had tried to be discrete.

  “Aren’t you?”

  He leaned back in his chair and replied, “Okay, I may have suggested that you have started your practice.”

  “I want to be successful because I’m good at job, not because I am your wife.”

  He nodded, “I promise I won’t intervene anymore.”

  “Thanks,” she told him and walked way.

  Then she stopped and turned around to him, “You are aware the clients you sent my way might all be retiring soon and their next of kin would be taking over right?”

  “What is that supposed to mean?”

  “I would inevitably have met their successors.”

  A grin formed across his face. He had carefully referred only older clients but she was smart enough to know why.

  “You can’t blame me for trying to protect my wife from the sharks out there,” he had responded reminding her of her insinuations on the day they first met.

  She had giggled and left the study. His own laughter echoed in the study as he got back to work. Each day his love for her grew even when she was challenging him.

  Now as he looked at her deep in conversation with their son, he wondered if he could convince her to cut down the hours she spent at work. She didn’t need to work but he valued her sense of independence. He hoped she would not over work herself.

  Hoping to talk with her before they left, he said to Brian, “Brian do you want to play a quick game on the Wii before we leave?”

  “Yes, plea
se.”

  “Why don’t you go and get it set up then.”

  “Which game should we play, dad?”

  “You choose, buddy.”

  As soon as Brian left Richard turned to her, “Are you okay? We can reschedule the trip if you don’t feel well.”

  “I’m fine, really. Brian is looking forward to this trip. I have only been sleeping a lot lately.”

  “And eating a lot more,” Richard replied.

  He’d noticed that and now he wondered aloud, “Are you pregnant?”

  Surprised that he had mentioned what she had not been thinking she responded, “No, I don’t have any morning sickness or anything of that sort.”

  It didn’t seem like the response he had hoped for. She was right. Wasn’t morning sickness the biggest indicator of pregnancy?

  “Alright, as long as you’re sure…”

  “I’m sure.”

  He gave her a one over, seemingly not convinced but accepting her response.

  “I should go to keep my promise of that game with Brian.”

  As soon as Richard left the room, Vivi began checking her calendar and counting down the days. Two days past her scheduled date but wasn’t it sometimes plus or minus couple of days or more? She leapt out of bed knowing she had to rule out that thought with a pregnancy test.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Positive! Positive!

  The test results read. She had waited until Richard and Brian left then she’d gone to the store to purchase the tests. She bought two tests―to be sure.

  She touched her stomach, gently. Their baby was growing in her belly.

  I will have to set up an appointment for the hospital, she thought.

  She called her doctor then went to look up nutrition facts for an expecting mom. It had helped her to eat right when she was carrying Brian but she could not remember it anymore.

  Richard had been right. She was pregnant. How should she inform him of the good news? Maybe she could leave the test tubes on the sink in the bathroom?

  When she went into the kitchen later to help with dinner like she always did, Lorraine, the cook, had a snack waiting for her.

  Lorraine ushered her to the kitchen island and urged, “Have a snack while I chop the veggies. You need to eat well so that the baby is healthy.”

  “Thanks, Lorraine.”

  She looked up at Lorraine, “Wait you know?”

  “I’ve suspected that you were expecting a child for about a week now.”

  “How, I have not been having morning sickness.”

  “I’m a mother of two and there are other signs other than morning sickness.

  Vivi was hungry so she dug into the sandwich. She still had not figured out a way to tell Richard and they would be returning soon.

  “How did you tell your husband?”

  “Oh, I had my ways. Just follow your instincts.”

  Brian brought home a large Tilapia which Vivi seasoned and fried then soaked in her own special sauce.

  “I’ve never had a fish this delicious,” Brian said as they were eating.

  “That’s probably because you caught the fish yourself.”

  “That plus this sauce is good with it.”

  “I couldn’t agree more, Brian,” Richard replied.

  “Dad, we should probably go fishing more often,” Brian said to Richard.

  “We definitely will, son.”

  Viv smiled, glad that the bond they shared with Brian grew each day, “And I’ll look forward to cooking it whenever you get back.”

  The rest of the meal went by as if they had always been together as a family since his birth. They later went into the living room and played some board games. It wasn’t long before Brian was falling asleep in his chair.

  “Why don’t you go on up and get ready for bed, Brian. I’ll be there shortly to tuck you in.”

  When Brian left to get ready for bed, Richard poured himself a drink then offered her a glass of wine also. He had not noticed that she had not had the wine he’d poured at the dinner table. Thanks to Brian’s banter.

  When he brought the drink over to her she shook her head, “I can’t have it for the next nine months.”

  His eyes lit up, “Are you…”

  “Yes, you were right. I’m pregnant― at least according to the two over the counter tests. I have…”

  She did not complete the last sentence as his arms encircled her and his lips claimed hers.

  It was a long time later before she continued, “I’ve made appointment to see my doctor.”

  “Can we tell Brian that he’s going to be a big brother?”

  “I think we should wait until after the hospital appointment.”

  His lips claimed hers again, “In that case, we should both go and tuck him in then we can continue this conversation in the comfort of our room. He held her hand as they walked up the stairs and to Brian’s room.

  Vivi smiled as she walked towards Richard. They were on their way to her first prenatal doctor appointment. The hospital test had shown that she was indeed pregnant.

  She was wearing a pair of tights and a sleeveless flowery top. She had begun to wear maternity clothing because she felt like she could already see the baby bum.

  Richard felt she always made the most casual outfit look classy. “You look beautiful,” he told her sliding his arm around her.

  “Thank you.”

  The joy they shared knowing they were expecting a baby was obvious in the looks and smiles they exchange as well as their lingering touches at every chance they got. Richard was tender and kind showing her by his every action that he cared. Vivi felt cherished and loved even though he made no declaration of love.

  Richard could see that his intent to convince Vivi of his love was well on track. Did she feel the same way about him or was she just being nice? He could sense that she cared about him but her intent on being independent made him concern that she had no intention of a “forever after” with him. He decided he would never know unless he took his chance and professed his love for her. It would have to be once they return home from her appointment today.

  Twins! The doctor announced. He had heard two heart beats and excitedly gave them the news.

  “Definitely two heart beats. Congratulations, you are having twins.”

  “Are you sure?” Richard had asked.

  “Definitely but if you’d prefer a second opinion I’ll call in a colleague if it is okay with you.”

  Richard nodded so another doctor had come in and confirmed it was two heartbeats.

  Vivi looked over at Richard who appeared tense, “We can handle twins, can’t we?”

  His smile, “We sure can.”

  She felt some change come about him. Of course he wasn’t worry about the expenses that came with having multiple babies. He had more than enough to care for quintuplets. So what was it? Perhaps he would tell her in the car on their way home? But he didn’t.

  Richard was quiet on the way home. Nine months was the only time he would have with Vivi if she didn’t love him enough to stay with him. He had been willing to take his chance before this appointment but now he wasn’t quite sure. She seemed happy to be having twins. Was she ready to be rid of him? If so, he couldn’t bear her rejection. Perhaps, he would be wise to stick to their original plan?

  Vivi noticed that the change that had come about Richard remained even though he tried to act as if nothing had changed. She wished he would let her know his concerns.

  At dinner, their conversation was polite and strained for a couple who had been married for nearly three months. She couldn’t bear the distance that had come between them so she excused herself and went to bed.

  Richard watched her go. He wanted to go after her and beg her to forget about the contract and stay with him but he didn’t.

  Vivi awoke in the middle of the night and noticed Richard had not come to bed. Okay, she thought, I need to know why the sudden change so she went in search of him.

  She
found him asleep in the guest room. When she switched on the light in the room, Richard woke up and seemed concerned. He slid out of the bed and went over to her.

  “Are you alright?” he asked her.

  “It depends,” she answered.

  He frowned in concern, “What’s going on?”

  “Actually, that is a question I would like you to answer. A change has come about you since we learned we were having twins. What’s your problem?”

  He rubbed his head but did not respond so she continue, “I’m going to bed and you might want to come to bed―in the master bed room where we have been sleeping these past months. Just in case you forgot.”

  “Can’t you see that is my problem?”

  “What’s that supposed to mean.”

  “If I come to bed with you, I can’t keep my hands off you and I won’t be able to let you go again.”

  Was he trying to tell her what she had been hoping to hear? She couldn’t afford to make assumptions. In her business, facts not assumptions made a good case.

  The lawyer in her took over. It was the case of her heart and she couldn’t afford to lose.

  “Why, Richard? Why won’t you be able to let me go?”

  “Because I love you, Vi.”

  He reached for both of her hands, “I’m crazy about you. I really hope you feel the same about me. Even half as much will be enough for me.”

  She had just been listening and staring at him, unable to speak. Then she stood on tippy toe and kissed him.

  “I never thought I would ever hear you say that. I have loved you for many years, since we first met.”

  He pulled her close, “I searched everywhere for you when you left. That is why I bought the hotel. I hoped that you would go there and that we would be able to meet there again.”

  “I didn’t know you were searching for me. I’m sorry I didn’t use the charm to find you.”

  “Speaking about charm,” he pulled out a box from his pocket and took out a chain, “now that our son has the original charm, I made this for you.”

  He opened the box and fastened the chain to her neck. It was a gold chain with a solid diamond star.