[24]
Ester observed how the man sat calmly, enjoying his coffee. Meanwhile, she was still grappling with her frustration over Chloe’s behavior earlier in the morning. Her hands longed to destroy everything about her lover’s wife. How much longer would she have to be patient?
“Why did you come to see me here?” Since her conversation partner had been silent, she decided to speak up. She hadn’t even touched the cup of tea in front of her.
“Just visiting the boss who provides me with a stash of money.”
Josh chuckled. “Is that all?”
The beautiful woman stared at Josh intently. “Do you… want to make me a pawn at the upcoming birthday party?”
“Of course. I’ve said it countless times, Ester. You know it very well.”
Ester shifted her seating position slightly. Her eyes were still fixed on Josh. “Make me a part of the Grisham family soon.”
Josh laughed even more. “Are you… kidding? You already have that opportunity, don’t you? Why don’t you make good use of it? Isn’t my help enough to get rid of Chloe?”
Ester clenched her fist tightly. “Obey my wishes, or I’ll expose your actions.”
Was Josh afraid of Ester’s threat? Not at all. “Think about that for yourself, Ester. We’re working together for our interests. You rushed into it too soon, and I know that offer was very tempting. Or can’t you handle the Grisham’s?”
“Grisham is not my concern,” Ester interjected quickly. “But that damn woman is testing my patience. Her presence infuriates me. Get rid of her from my life quickly.”
Josh’s laughter grew louder. “You’re outrageous, Ester.” He slowly placed the coffee cup down. “Chloe is mine. She will always be mine. You can’t touch her, let alone remove her just like that. You still remember, have you? What I can do if ” Josh leaned closer, whispering near Ester, who was still gritting her teeth. The woman was still enveloped in high emotions. “… if I hurt Chloe. Your reputation is at stake, Ester.”
Ester understood the meaning behind Josh’s words and their seriousness. Josh was not someone who enjoyed playing with words. Once he took action, Ester could easily crumble. No, Ester wasn’t ready or hoping to crush at the wrong time. She only wanted Leonel. She didn’t care about being accepted by the Grisham’s in the future. For Ester, they were just parents waiting for the right moment. And herself? Enjoying beautiful moments with Leonel in the future.
Since there was no response from her conversation partner earlier, Josh reclined his seat again. A smirk appeared on his face. Evidently, he was waiting for whatever his conversation partner was about to say. But seeing the expression on this beautiful woman’s face, Josh could already predict that her desires would soon be fulfilled. Just a little bit more. One small step he would take would determine the outcome of what he had done a while ago.
“I’ll comply with your wishes, Josh,” Ester said with a long sigh. Her eyes also sharply focused on the man now laughing before her, nodding as if her previous statement was just an affirmation of her desires. Ester was not unaware of Josh’s influence in the world she was involved in, but she didn’t desire to be associated with him. But after thinking it through, the benefits she would gain were not trivial either.
Her greatest desire would come true. Quickly and last for a long time, where Leonel would be hers.
“I heard your mood was bad in the studio today,” Josh asked casually.
“I know my limits, Josh. You do not need to correct me about my work there.”
“I know,” Josh quickly interrupted. “But if you don’t want to be disturbed, you should step aside for a while. Let Leonel look for you, Ester. You should think in that direction.”
Ester’s jaw tightened. Josh’s words were valid but also interrupted what she was doing. It was as if she were foolishly facing the Grisham family.
“I also think… you deserve a vacation.”
“What do you mean, Josh?” Ester impatiently asked. Her forehead furrowed because she felt something suspicious.
“No need to look at me like that, Ester,” Josh chuckled. He took another sip of his coffee. “I have a meeting with Mountain Pte. Are you interested in joining?”
“Are you crazy?”
Josh’s laughter echoed throughout his office. “I’m just offering. Why is your sense of humor so low?”
“I didn’t come here just to joke around, Josh,” Ester retorted. She prepared to leave the room. At least Ester knew what she had to do in the next few days, including making sure her regular designer didn’t cancel their appointment. Ester wanted the dress she would wear that night to be something special.
“But I’m not kidding about giving you a vacation, Ester. A day or two off in New York City won’t be a problem.
Ester’s movement to leave Josh paused for a moment. “Why?” she asked briefly. Their eyes met like two people contemplating their next steps. It was evident which option would be most beneficial for both of them.
“You’ll thank me for this suggestion later, Ester.”
***
Adrianna repeatedly reassured Chloe, who seemed nervous. Though not explicitly shown, Adrianna knew her friend had been anxious since they sat in one corner of the cafe. Adrianna had insisted they go out and seek a change of atmosphere. Adrianna said staying too long in that suffocating luxurious house was not good. While Adrianna’s reason sounded odd, Chloe eventually did what her friend suggested.
“Are you sure about this, Adrianna?” Chloe asked once again. “You know, this is very unlike me.”
Adrianna laughed again. “Why not? There’s nothing wrong with meeting a friend, right? Besides, you meet him almost every two weeks. Accepting Darren’s invitation to hang out here shouldn’t be a problem.”
Once again, Chloe sighed resignedly. How could she not when Adrianna’s words were filled with coercion? It wasn’t that she couldn’t refuse, but Adrianna did have a point. Chloe needed some refreshments. Usually, what Chloe did was precisely what Adrianna did when facing monotony in their activities, especially Chloe. They would choose to visit a specific mall and shop more than usual.
No one prevented Chloe from doing that, and even if Mama Agatha knew what Chloe bought, she would say it still didn’t add up to a significant bill for Leonel. But Chloe didn’t want to do that. She believed what she thought to buy, even if sometimes she didn’t use it.
“I… am afraid of taking up his time.”
Adrianna chuckled softly. “You should have said that when he called you, shouldn’t you?”
In front of her, Chloe looked pouty. If only Adrianna was scolded by Leonel for taking his wife to meet someone else without his permission, Adrianna wouldn’t care. Leonel himself could make Chloe feel such lasting pain that Adrianna believed Chloe had become numb. The proof was in Chloe’s unexpected actions.
“I still feel uneasy, Adrianna,” Chloe said softly.
“Let it go.” Adrianna maintained her smile. “There’s no need for you to worry about that. Besides, it’s not just you who is interested in Doctor Darren, right?” Despite saying it somewhat forcefully, Adrianna spoke the truth.
“You’re right,” Chloe sighed softly. “I’m too concerned about other people’s judgments.”
“Mami Agatha doesn’t stop you from going anywhere you want, does she?” Adrianna reinforced her argument, causing Chloe to surrender and wait with a slightly relaxed demeanor for the person they were meeting here.
Since they were on the living room sofa at the Grisham residence, their conversation was still fresh in Adrianna’s mind, especially what Chloe said about her grand plan.
“I don’t care about the wealth Leonel will leave for me in the future, even though in front of Leonel, I demand more than I should. I can use my flaws as a reason why he should give me a larger inheritance.”
Adrianna was amazed to hear Chloe’s words but quickly agreed. Chloe’s thoughts this time were unexpected but also brilliant. “You’re right. I agree with you.”
“As for Ester, whom I asked to come, I want to show her how she doesn’t belong here. Do you think I
Want to tarnish Mama Agatha and Papa Robby’s reputation? I could never do that, Adrianna. Approve of their relationship? Where did that nonsense come from? I won’t have any approval for two traitors like them.”
Once again, Adrianna nodded in agreement and shared the same opinion.
“I’ll strengthen my heart, fortify myself, and feel Ester’s presence in my house. Although the house is filled with my fantasies about Leonel, I still have memories there. Leonel’s parents were kind and loving to me, Adrianna. That alone is enough for me not to do more than what I can. Mama Agatha and Papa Robby strongly oppose Ester’s freely entering and leaving our house. But I assure them that Ester cannot be dealt with conventionally.”
Adrianna looked puzzled. “What do you mean?”
“Ester needs someone who can hit her hard on the head and make her realize she doesn’t belong in the Grisham family. Maybe if that woman weren’t my husband’s mistress, if they had met after our official divorce and fallen in love like a prince finding his true love, I would be fine with it. It wouldn’t matter. I would consider these five years as understanding the meaning of love without expecting anything in return.” Chloe chuckled bitterly. “But the reality isn’t like that, right? So, what I’ll give back will be just as painful.”
“You calculate your steps, Chloe,” Adrianna praised proudly. “I might not be as strong as you, Chloe .” She tightly held her friend’s hand.
“Every trial that God gives surely has its meaning, Adrianna. One day, you will understand why I am like this.”
“No need to wait for someday. Why?” Adrianna chuckled softly. “Even now, I understand your intention, and I fully support it.”
“Who knows, after this, I might find my happiness.”
“Definitely. I’m sure it will come to you soon. Just…,” Adrianna teased, making Chloe eager. “Just what?!” Chloe impatiently asked. Adrianna wanted to tease her some more.
“You can figure it out on your own, Chloe.”
“Adrianna!”
They laughed together in the living room a few hours ago. It also made Adrianna chuckle as she remembered their conversation, which made her heart much lighter. Why? Adrianna loved Chloe like a sister.
“Adrianna,” Chloe called, surprised to see her friend smiling to herself as if she was thinking about something exciting. “Adrianna,” she called again. Chloe gently shook Adrianna’s arm this time because she felt someone else was approaching them.
“Have you been waiting long?”
The voice sounded very familiar to Chloe, which made her chuckle softly. At the same time, Adrianna blinked, not only because of Chloe’s touch but also because of Darren’s voice that interrupted her reverie.
“Oh, not at all.”
Darren smiled broadly. “I feel bad for making these two beautiful ladies wait. Especially when there’s still half a glass of their order left.”Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.