by Riley Moreno
"Oh?"
"Call me curious, I wanted to see how long it would take you to wander down to the kitchen. I did not think that it would take too long for a woman built like you to feel the urge to feed her appetite. It looks like I was right."
Roberta should have been offended. She would have been if it was Tore who made such an off-handed remark about her size but it did not seem like an insult coming from Mr. Leon. In fact, it seemed like a compliment. She decided to take it as such and sat down to satisfy her cravings. She uncovered the platter and a delicious aroma filled her nostrils. Henderson had outdone himself. The light supper turned out to be roast chicken, stuffing and biscuits. She began to eat. The food was delicious.
"I apologize for not meeting you earlier." Mr. Leon said. Roberta waved her hand. She was not about to speak to Mr. Leon with a mouth full of stuffing.
"How is the food?" he asked. Roberta swallowed.
"Delicious" she answered.
"So I've heard." Mr. Leon said and Roberta was not so sure that he was referring to the food. She decided to change the subject.
"Sir..."
"Call me Jeremy"
"Jeremy, I assure you that I will throw you a surprise wedding that no bride would be able to resist." Roberta blushed as she imagined how presumptuous her statement might sound to a man as wealthy as Mr. Leon.
"I assume then, that you haven't yet had the opportunity to go through the binder."
Roberta blushed a deeper shade of red.
"Not yet." she admitted. "But I will as soon as I go back to my room."
Jeremy took two steps closer to Roberta, then laid his hand on top of hers. Roberta froze. The warmth of his hand melted her frosty reaction and her skin slowly began to warm. She hadn't been as aware of another person's touch since earlier, when the blond had touched her collar bone with the tip of her finger. Her skin began to tingle as it remembered the sensation, and it began to tingle even further under the grasp of Jeremy's hand.
"There is no hurry" He told her. "In fact it probably wouldn't hurt if we got to know each other a little better. Would you like to play a little game Roberta?"
"Sure" Roberta agreed. She would do anything in order to have him let go of her hand. She would have a difficult time remaining professional as long as his skin was in contact with hers. She felt almost as if her skin had been waiting to be caressed by his touch. She imagined that his firm hard would have no difficulty exploring the hills and valleys of her skin. His hand would most likely be able to discover a part of her that others had missed.
"Finish your meal, and then meet me in the lounge for a nightcap." He left the room then said over his shoulder "It's five doors down on the left."
Roberta finished her meal. She felt better now that she had a full stomach. She was not yet tired. She knew that she should probably go back to her room and begin work. It was late but she could begin to compose emails to her vendors and organize a spreadsheet, detailing every aspect of the wedding plans. Most people were not aware of the amount of work that went into planning a wedding. Roberta took pride in ensuring that her brides and grooms were completely satisfied. As much experience as Roberta had, she had never yet planned a wedding with absolutely no input from the bride. She found herself imagining bluebells in the bride's bouquet. They would complement her eyes. The bluebells would be out of season and outlandishly expensive, but Mr. Leon, Jeremy could afford it. Roberta was getting ahead of herself. She didn't even know what type of flowers Jeremy wanted, or if he wanted flowers at all. Frankly, this had all been so out of the ordinary that nothing would surprise her. Before she started arranging the bouquet, Roberta would have to discover what the bride's name was.
Roberta walked into the lounge and saw Jeremy sitting in a leather chair, not unlike the one that she had sat in in Henderson's office earlier this evening. Before I fell completely into this rabbit hole, she thought. Jeremy gestured toward a dove gray linen chaise. As she walked over, she noticed that he had poured her a drink. It was a deep amber liquid in a cut crystal glass.
"Have you ever heard of two truths and a lie?" Jeremy asked her. Roberta did not think that she would have been more surprised if he has asked her if she wanted to play spin the bottle, or seven minutes in heaven, or any other game that she had played at her first boy and girl party in middle school.
"Of course" she answered. "We take turns telling each other three things about ourselves. Two are the truth and one is a lie. We then have to guess which the truth is and which the lie is."
"Exactly" Jeremy said. "Let's flip a coin to see who goes first. Call it in the air" He took a silver dollar out of the pocket of his night robe and spun it toward the ceiling.
"Heads" Roberta claimed as Jeremy caught the coin in his right hand and covered it with his left.
"Perfect, I always prefer tails" he said teasingly, and Roberta wasn't sure if it was the twinkle in his eye or the effect of the amber liquid, but she began to feel more comfortable than she had in a long time. Jeremy revealed the coin, it was heads.
"You first"
Roberta pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes. She was not sure how revealing she should make her truths and how silly she should make her lie. She decided to really test Jeremy's ability to ascertain the truth.
"First," she began "I mistook Henderson for you when he answered the door. "Second-My favorite color is rose-petal pink. Third- I have never been in love"
Jeremy bit his lip.
"Your first truth is easy to decipher" he said "Everyone mistakes Henderson for me, he has the air of a billionaire and the wardrobe to go with it.
Roberta giggled "That he does"
"Your next two however are pose a little bit more of a challenge. You favorite color could most absolutely be rose-petal pink. It certainly would complement your complexion. I see how you would receive streams of compliments whenever you wear the shade. But, perhaps you did not wish to reveal a personal secret to me, and so you lied about your favorite color. Even if only the shade. You might adore pink, but a deeper magenta that matches your personality."
Roberta remained stone-faced. She did not want to give anything away. Roberta was competitive and it would give her a little thrill to be able to deceive this powerful man.
"Now as for being in love, any woman who is as beautiful as you would most undoubtedly have a string of suitors, I have no doubt that you have ever to experience a Friday night at home alone without having turned down three men willing to wine and dine you. But, to be loved is quite a different thing than being in love. As much as I want to believe that you have not had to go through life without ever being in love, I am going to go out on a limb and say the other truth is that you have never been in love. Am I right?"
"You are", Roberta said amazed. "My favorite color is gold."
"My turn" Jeremy said then he crossed his legs and tapped his forehead as he pondered what truths and lie to reveal. Roberta leaned forward in anticipation.
"Here we go Roberta. One- I never go sailing because I get dreadfully seasick. Two- I prefer the taste of molasses over the taste of caviar. Three- The one thing I have yet to accomplish and fear that I never will, is to be a father. Take your time"
Roberta took her time. She did not wish to pontificate aloud as she reasoned through the two truths and a lie. She was silent for several minutes. Jeremy sat patiently in the chair and did not pressure her to make a quick decision.
"You don't strike me as the kind of person who gets seasick." she said "I'll bet you that your stomach is as tough as nails.
"You got me!" Jeremy exclaimed, and as he did Roberta was briefly saddened. How distressing it was that she had never been in love and that Jeremy had not yet fulfilled his desire to become a father. How out of the ordinary that she felt the need to reveal the truth to this stranger that she had not admitted to anyone else. She had not even told Marianna that she had never been in love. Marianna seemed to fall in love with a new man every other week, and revealed to Roberta t
he deepest feelings of her heart, never noticing that Roberta seemed to avoid the subject of love altogether. She could barely even admit it to herself. She had been so successful in life. She had made her living, and an enviable one at that, by planning the ceremony that joined two people in love together for life. Every day she met with people who were so in love, that they were willing to spend the rest of their lives with another person. Roberta wondered for the first time if she had chosen her occupation in order to bask in the light of the love of others in order to fill the void in her heart.
"Is it too late to join in on the fun?" a feminine voice asked and Roberta went rigid in anticipation and fear.
"Of course darling" Jeremy replied." Roberta, it is my pleasure to introduce you to my love, Cynthia."
"We've met" Roberta answered. Jeremy didn't look surprised.
"But I left before revealing my true identity." Cynthia said. She was dressed in a black silk dressing gown. It made an interesting contrast. Her light skin covered in black and Roberta's darker complexion enclosed by white. Cynthia's robe hung loosely from her slender frame while Roberta's pajama set hugged her curvy flesh.
Jeremy refilled Roberta's glass and poured one for Cynthia. Roberta gratefully drank. She was beginning to feel light headed and enjoyed the sensation. Cynthia sat cross legged on the floor in front of Roberta. She insistently patted the floor next to her and beckoned for Jeremy and Roberta to join her. They obeyed.
"First- I love Jeremy with all of my heart. Second- I would stay devoted to him if he lost all of his money" Roberta hoped that Cynthia had chosen to reveal her two truths first. It would not make sense if either of those were a lie. They seemed to go hand in hand. Roberta could not imagine that a man as handsome and strong as Jeremy could be left for something as common as money. Cynthia seemed to be able to take care of herself. Roberta would not be surprised if she were to discover that Cynthia was worth twice as much as Jeremy Leon. Roberta braced herself for the lie." Third- I think that you are the softest, most beautiful thing I have ever seen." and she caressed Roberta's cheek before planting a soft but loaded kiss on Roberta's lips.
Roberta's head was spinning, but she was sure that it was not from the amber liquid this time. She felt herself kissing Cynthia back, and enjoying the sensation. Cynthia pulled back and Jeremy leaned in and kissed her as well. Roberta felt the contrast of his masculine lips to Cynthia's more delicate ones. She enjoyed both. She was confused. She pulled back.
"Do not over think it darling." Cynthia said "You are so beautiful. So utterly irresistible that Jeremy and I must both have you." She lifted her nightgown over her head and leaned in for another kiss. Roberta could feel Jeremy's mouth on her breasts and then trail down to her stomach. His hands and Cynthia's hands were greedily searching her body. She felt the contrast of Cynthia's delicate slender hands, smooth and soft to Jeremy's larger, rough hands that greedily dug into her skin. She decided to give into the moment, and when she did she felt a rumbling begin to grow in the back of her throat. Cynthia leaned her head back and heard a noise emit from her lips that could only be described as a purr.
When it they were finished. Jeremy and Cynthia wordlessly led Roberta back to her room. They each kissed her once again and then Roberta laid down on the pale pink duvet and fell fast asleep.
When she awoke in the morning, Roberta felt odd. She had a churning in her stomach that she had never experienced before. Roberta did not think that it was guilt that she was feeling. What had happened last night between the three of them had felt so good, so right. Roberta had never felt so desired in her life. All of her past boyfriends had tried their best in bed, but had never quite satisfied her the way that Cynthia and Jeremy had last night. She decided that she was most likely hungry, and could do with a bit to eat so she got up and out of bed. Henderson had left her a breakfast tray with an omelet, fresh strawberries, and toast. The only thing that looked appetizing was the toast. Roberta ate it dry and washed it down with some lukewarm tea. What was wrong with her, she hoped that she wasn't getting the flu. That was the last thing that she needed. She had a wedding to plan.
Roberta took another long bath and got dressed. She opted for lose linen pants and a gauzy button-down shirt. She put a pair of golden dangling earrings on that always made her feel beautiful. Her mother had always taught her that the best way to start feeling better was to get dressed and go to work.
Roberta looked around for the leather binder that contained all of Jeremy's desires for the wedding. She could not remember where she had placed it last night. She could not even remember the last time that she had seen in. She searched the room for it but it was nowhere to be found. Roberta decided that she would have to ask Henderson if he had seen it. She hoped that perhaps he had taken it when he dropped off her breakfast tray. Maybe Jeremy had instructed him to make a few last minute changes. She felt guilty that she had been at the estate for almost 24 hours and did not yet even know the color scheme for the wedding.
Roberta went to open the door and stepped on something that made a crinkling noise beneath her foot. It was a letter. She stooped down and picked the letter up. Her name was on the front, written in elegant calligraphy. The stationary was weighty and expensive. It had seen sealed with an old-fashioned was seal. Roberta broke the seal open and read the letter.
Roberta,
You are the loveliest woman that I have ever met. I do not regret one moment of what transpired between us last night and hope that you will feel the same. It is because I care for you so, and sense that you have an understanding heart, that I feel I need to confess the truth to you. I knew all along of Jeremy's plans for a secret wedding. I love him and only wish to make him happy. That is why I cannot marry him. This is my great sadness, the misery of my life. Jeremy wants nothing more than to give life as a father. He wants to pass on his wealth and love to a son or daughter. He would be the most wonderful and caring father. I think that he has been patiently waiting for this pivotal milestone for as long as he can remember. I cannot fulfill that wish. That is my deepest secret.
I am not able to carry his child. When I discovered this flaw in my body, I did everything that I could to correct it. I saw specialists, spiritual advisors and psychics. Nobody could help. That is when I found you. I searched for a woman who was the opposite of me. I hoped that a woman who had a soft and beautiful body would be strong enough to carry Jeremy's child.
I have been watching you Roberta. I hope that does not scare you, but you deserve to know the truth. I hired detectives to trail you. I employed hackers to infiltrate your data. I read every email, every text. I had to be sure that you not only had a strong body, but a kind heart as well. I knew that you were not in love with your boyfriend. A woman can tell.
After I had thoroughly investigated you and made my decision, I sought Henderson's help. He loves Jeremy as much as I do. Together we planted the seed of a secret wedding into Jeremy's mind. We knew that it would be the only way for you to meet. He cares for you; a woman can sense that as well. He might not yet know the depth of his emotion, but I assure you that a spark was ignited last night. I am so glad that we could join together, all three of us in one final act of love. I like to know that I was present at the moment that Jeremy became a father. I believe that you are carrying his child Roberta. Thank you for doing this for him. For fulfilling a desire that I could not. You will never know the depths of my gratitude.
I took the wedding folder when I left this note. I watched you sleep. You looked so peaceful. I have also written Jeremy a letter, explaining the situation to him. I am leaving Roberta. I am disappearing into the night and neither you nor Jeremy will ever find me. So please do not try. Perhaps I will come back someday, if I can bear it. Just know that I love you both as I love your unborn child.
All my love,
Cynthia
Roberta read the letter mechanically, and then she read it again this time allowing the emotions of every word sink in. She then folded it carefully and lovin
gly, then slipped in into her bag. Could what Cynthia was telling her be true? Was she carrying Jeremy's child? She could not help but hope that it was somehow true. Her hand gently touched her stomach as a smile crept over her face. She had not ever even thought about becoming a mother before. Perhaps this was because she had not yet met anybody who she wanted to make a father. She wanted to make Jeremy a father. Roberta laughed to herself. This was the craziest 24 hours she had ever experienced.
She again padded down the familiar route to the kitchen. She had butterflies in her stomach. What would she say if she met Jeremy there again? She had met and cared for Cynthia after only knowing her for a few short hours. Cynthia had been the love of Jeremy's life, the woman that he wanted to bestow a lavish surprise wedding on, in the hopes that she would agree to spend the rest of her life with him.
Jeremy was not in the kitchen, only the cook and kitchen staff. Busy as bees cleaning up the mess of the morning's breakfast while preparing for this afternoon's lunch. When they saw her they only paused briefly, calling her ma'am and nodding their heads with a smile after the ascertained that she needed nothing from them. She went to Henderson's office and knocked on the door. There was no answer. She attempted to turn the handle, but it was locked.
Roberta made her way back to the lounge. Back to the place that had been the set of the most poignant and beautiful moment of her life. She opened the door and discovered that she was not the alone in the desire to return. Jeremy was sitting in his leather chair. He was holding a crumpled up letter, written on the same expensive stationary that Roberta's had been. Tears were streaming down his face. He looked up at her with such pain in his eyes. Roberta knew that she would do anything if it meant that she could take that pain away. She walked over to him. He sunk down to the floor. She perched on the chair behind him and began to wordlessly stroke his hair. It was as softer than she imagined it would be. Every stroke seemed to increase her love and desire for this man. With every stroke, she had to admit to herself that she was finally falling more and more deeply in love with Jeremy. He looked up at her and finally spoke.