“Of course not,” she replies promptly. “Why would she?” I cock my head to the side at her naivety. “Unless Emma broke her oath and spoke about it, but I don’t think she would.”
“I can’t attend,” I tell her once more. “I promised myself I will never step foot there again.” Yara folds her arms over her chest, annoyance laced all over her face. “To me, all of this belongs to the past now.”
“As you wish,” she says simply, like she already turned the page. Then she straightens herself and gives me a quick pat on the shoulder. “In case you change your mind, you know where it is.”
I’m slightly surprised at how easily she stopped insisting on me going. “Thanks for everything.” I stand and give her a hug. “If your plan works, you are saving us all.”
“I know.” She gives me a brief smile in return, and walks away to take her coat, putting it back on her shoulders. “Well, see you later,” she says as she opens the door. “Don’t forget we have dinner before my flight.”
To my surprise, as my sister leaves, Cate comes in at the same moment. “Mr. Van Dieren, I’m sorry for interrupting, but are you going somewhere this weekend?”
I frown at her question. “I’m not, why?”
“Well, the jet is booked for tomorrow night and Mr. Van Gatt isn’t flying either.”
Holy shit! “Thank you for letting me know.”
As soon as Cate closes the door behind her, I pick up my iPhone and call Petra immediately.
“Hey,” I say as she answers.
“Oh, look who’s calling me…” Her sarcastic voice might be sweet and cute, but I don’t lose focus.
“May I know why my wife booked the company’s jet to go to Venice tomorrow night?” I ask her like I know nothing about her plans.
“I’m going there to attend a masquerade,” she replies like it’s no big deal. “You’re also invited by the way.”
“You aren’t going,” I snap, throwing my courteous and polite tone out of the window. “Forget about it.”
“Too late for that,” she ripostes. “I already made up my mind and you aren’t going to change it.”
“Petra, this is not the type of event you want to go to, trust me on this.”
“Thank you for your concern, but I’m perfectly capable of leaving a place if I don’t like it.”
What a fucking stubborn woman! I draw out a breath in displeasure, containing myself from cursing. And to check if she will be honest with me or not, I ask, “Who gave you an invitation?”
“I found it in the mailbox.”
Bullshit. It’s insane how she would even protect my own sister instead of telling me the truth. “Are you home?”
“Why?”
“I just want to talk to you.”
“If it’s to dissuade me, don’t bother.” I shake my head at how well she knows me. “The jet leaves tomorrow at nine p.m. from Teterboro. Goodbye.” And just like that, she hangs up on me.
What. The. Heck? How rude is she?! I can’t believe she is forcing my hand to go. Yep, that’s exactly what she is trying to do, which is most likely why Yara didn’t insist harder. She knows I’m incapable of letting my wife go alone so she's playing with it.
No, no, and no! There’s no way in hell I’ll fly to Venice just because my wife has decided to attend that ceremony. Suddenly though, I’ve got an idea! I grab my land-phone and call my assistant. “Cate, can you cancel the jet for tomorrow, please?”
“Okay, sure. I’m gonna check if I can do so.”
“Perfect, thanks.”
After a few minutes, the landline starts ringing again.
“Yes?” I say, picking up the call.
“Hi, Mr. Van Dieren,” Cate starts. “So I tried to cancel it but given the fact the booking has been made under your wife’s details, only she can cancel the booking. A code needs to be sent to her mobile number so that she can cancel it.”
Fuck! Obviously she won’t be canceling shit. “I see…” I rub my eyelids, trying to find another way to cancel the plane. Yet, I don't see how. “Thank you, Cate.”
As I finish the call, I feel tempted to send security to our condo to prevent her from flying tomorrow. But knowing her as I do, she will just call Eric or Matt and report me, which will create even more problems.
Fuck, and fuck! The last thing I want is to go to Venice and attend that ceremony with my wife. But with only one day from the flight, I don’t see how I can prevent it. If I have to go, one thing is sure; I’ll be so distant and cold to her, that she is gonna regret it for the rest of her days to have decided against my will.
Chapter 14
Teterboro, February 19, 2021
Petra Van Gatt
As I arrive at the airport I’m buzzing with nervous excitement—Yara had tipped me off that Alex wasn’t going to let me travel alone, and that he should be here waiting for me. After nearly a week being separated, I just can’t wait to see him again. The simple idea we are gonna spend the weekend in Venice makes my heart part in a fury.
Going through the immigration process, I crane my neck this way and that, looking for Alex around the tarmac. My heart starts to sink with each passing minute that I fail to see him or his car.
I approach one of the airport employees as they take my bags to load into the plane.
“Is there someone else coming?” I ask.
The young man checks his clipboard and shakes his head.
“No ma’am. We are ready for takeoff once you board.”
Well, crap. I feel deflated. Maybe he is already waiting for me in Venice. Dejectedly, I hitch my purse onto my shoulder and climb aboard the plane. My eyes are glued to the floor when I hear a familiar voice, sounding sarcastic as always.
“About time,” Alex says, checking his watch.
“You changed your mind?” I ask, concealing my excitement as much as I can while I keep walking in his direction. Despite Yara telling me Alex would be coming, it’s always reassuring to see him in flesh and bones.
He looks like he wants to roll his eyes, but he rubs a hand down his face instead, groaning. “Let’s make it very clear; I’m coming with you because you have no idea what you are getting yourself into, but I won’t touch you and don’t you dare try anything with me.”
He seems pretty confident of himself, especially since we last slept together less than a week ago.
“Why not?” I tease, biting my bottom lip in a failed attempt to contain my growing smile. I just love seeing him so serious and playing hard to get. “You didn’t like our last night together?”
Alex heaves a long sigh in displeasure before saying, “You don’t deserve any pleasure from me. You are the enemy.”
“I’m also your wife,” I remind him. “It’s kind of your duty to give me pleasure.” I draw out the second word into a purr, earning me a scowl from him.
“It’s kind of your duty to be loyal to me and yet this isn’t happening, is it?” he bites out.
“I have to cooperate with them,” I say stoically, before giving my purse to the hostess so that she can store it on the back. Then I take a seat in front of him and add, “If you are not guilty as you claim, then you have nothing to worry about.”