2"Hello, darling, you look marvelous today but that's just the thing, you look marvelous all the time," Mrs Blake is practically beaming at me as I walk towards her and I can't help reflecting that as we hug now.
The moment I pull away, she's pinching my cheeks and staring into my eyes like she's searching for something before she pulls away and says, "No grandchild yet," Then she heads to the kitchen. "But that's alright. I'll feed you for two, just like I've always done."
Mrs Valerie Blake, Mother of Ethan Blake and practically a Mother to me as well glides around the kitchen now. She's honestly my only friend but it doesn't exactly matter that she is because she's the best.
The first time I had a period, she was the one to teach me what to do. She was the first one also to know about my crush on Ethan and helped me know what to do after. She was also the one who planned our wedding and has kept me sane all through our marriage. I owe my happiness to her too.
As I sit on the chair opposite the island, she places a plate of pasta in front of me. It's far too much from what Ethan would prefer I eat but I know better than complaining. She loves to see me eat whenever I come and I enjoy seeing her happy.
She leaves and comes back with two glasses of wine and a bottle. Pouring it in, she smiles at him. "Today's your anniversary," As she slides the glass to me, she pulls my cheek. "Happy anniversary, mi pequeña luna."
A warm sensation fills my chest at her nickname for me. My little moon. She always called me that because of my black hair and gray eyes, and it was nice to know that I was hers. "Thank you, Mom."
While I begin to eat, she sits opposite me and rests her chin on her knuckles. Even though she's getting close to sixty, Valerie doesn't look it. She's always pristine, and timeless, really. I've asked her many times what keeps her the way she does and she always said it was a secret she'd tell me one day. "Where's Ethan?"
I swallow before I respond. "Business meeting—"
She tsks and looks away, "The puta. I've told him many times to know when to put family above money. He never listens," She turns back to me. "Have you ever considered forcing him to spend the day with you? Just appear wherever he is and you know, seduce him in the office?"
I choke on the wine I'm drinking before I set the glass back on the table, putting my hand over my mouth as I furiously blush, "Mom, please. You seriously can't go around saying that."
She shrugs. "Why? He's my son and I'm allowed to say what I wish to say, especially since I raised an inconsiderate son," Then raising her voice and staring at the door, she adds, "And apparently, a whore as well!"
I don't bother to turn my head around because I know who she's talking about immediately. I hear him laugh first before I see him in front of me. I watch as he walks behind Valerie and places a kiss on her forehead, "I love you too, Mother," Then he looks at me and says with a grin, "Hi, sister-in-law."
I try to ignore the shiver running down my spine— And it's not the good kind, as he turns away and picks up an apple. His eyes never leave my face as he takes a bite from it while still looking at me, the gaze in them almost burning.
Helios Blake. World-wide known sport car racer and playboy. He's also one of the top ten wealthiest eligible bachelors in Torbes magazine, which doesn't help with his ego. I've never felt comfortable around him. Not because he wasn't hot— He was. I've seen him more than once walk around the house shirtless, but I knew he was bad. Not good, especially for someone like me.
Girls used to be attracted to him in high school because of it. I just wanted to not be in his radar then. Good thing he travelled overseas for his college and I didn't see him for a long time till recently.
"We should go shopping!"
My eyes fall back on Valerie who's clasped her hands together with an excited look on her face. I can't help the slight nervous chuckle that leaves my lips at that thought. She had an insatiable appetite for spending— And it mostly always ended with me having more clothes and jewelleries than I needed. "I don't… I don't think we have to—"
"You both should," Helios's voice is soft, reassuring. It's so charming that I know it's probably charmed off the panties of hundreds of other women. I can't help the glare that comes to my face as I stare at him but he just grins even more. "I'll happily drive you around,"
He's always been like that. Antagonizing me. Prick.
"See? Even the whore agrees," When I turn back to Valerie, she's smiling even more now. "Don't look at me like that, Liana. We could go to the saloon together and have a spa day. We haven't had that in years."
"We did last week,"
"Years, I say," I can't help rolling my eyes at her words though I'm practically smiling now as she rises from her seat and says, "Oh, I can't wait to show you to Sandra. I've told her about you so many times, she practically can't wait to see you now!"
She turns around and places a kiss on the top of my head, "I bet when she's done with you, Ethan would no longer be able to resist the perfection you are!"
I'm about to tell her that I don't plan on doing anything crazy but she's already gone, humming excitedly as she sways away. I'm smiling again at her happiness before I turn around, gasping as I realize Helios is practically only an inch away from my face, his eyes staring daggers into my soul as I say, "Could you not, please?"
He doesn't respond at first but a few minutes later, he's moving away languishly, his body movements slow but his eyes fast as he sweeps them over my body. "Sure thing, love," And then without looking, throws the apple to the bin— It enters, of course, and he bows at me. "Later," And walks out of the kitchen.
I shudder again. Thank goodness Ethan is not as creepy as he is. Talking of Ethan… I've never surprised him before. I was always too worried to upset him but… But maybe, this could be the little push in our marriage. A little unpredictability never hurts anyone, right?
As a foreboding sensation wraps around me, I just pray in my heart that everything goes well.