Chapter 3

Juliette 

 

 

Two weeks to Nov. 15th

 

 

It's my stepdad's birthday.

 

One of the days I'd definitely not been looking forward to.

 

No offense, but I wasn't close to him or my stepsister; I had only maintained acquaintance with them because he's the man my mother married.

 

Something I wasn't sure was the right decision.

 

I shook that thought out of my head as I tied my hair up into a messy bun, and I slipped a gold necklace around my neck before matching it with some gold earrings.

 

"Hmm, good." I said as I looked at myself in the mirror, and I smiled.

 

The gold went well with the red dress, and the red dress would go well with the black suit I had brought out for James to wear.

 

It wasn't a large event, but I'm sure my stepdad had invited the whole country, if not some paparazzi too.

 

He liked the spotlight, so also Vanessa, my stepsister.

 

I slipped on my heels and carried my bag, taking the steps one by one to the living room, and I did a double take when I saw my husband in a blue suit.

 

Well, he wasn't wearing the jacket, but he had the pants on.

 

Blue pants.

 

"What's wrong? We agreed to match?"

 

My black heels and bag with his suit and some red details on his shirt with my dress.

 

He shrugged and headed for the door, not even bothering to look up. "I changed my mind at the last minute. Are you ready?"

 

He glanced up at me when he got to the door and waited, and I decided to just let it go.

 

He must still be angry or sulking over something I did.

 

I wondered what though.

 

The lipstick on his shirt incident?

 

He already said it was his secretary who collided with him, and I didn't argue, so what was wrong with him now?

 

He started the car and drove out of our compound, not saying a word till we got to the venue, and I intertwined my arm with his when we got to the entrance.

 

"There's no need for that."

 

I tightened my arm around his before he could remove it.

 

We walked in and got led to the party hall for the event.

 

It was already bubbling.

 

Celebrities and important people drinking and talking as some music played from the mini-stage, and I paused in my steps when I saw her.

 

Stunning maxi dress.

 

Slits, a v-neckline, thin straps—everything that could make a dress pretty, including its very blue color.

 

It was so blue, you would have thought I was the imposter with how similar it was to my husband's pants.

 

It looked like they were matching.

 

"Jules." She came forward to greet me, kissing me lightly on both cheeks, and I smiled... Quite tightly.

 

"Vanessa. Been a long time."

 

"I know, right?" 

 

She moved back and smiled at James, "Oh my God, we're matching."

 

I know, right?

 

She shook his hand lightly and held onto it as she led us to my stepdad.

 

"William. Happy birthday." I said as I greeted him with a kiss on both cheeks, and my husband did the same, smiling and alive.

 

They were actually quite acquainted; his family, my stepdad, and the business—they were all connected.

 

But I wasn't so sure about Vanessa, though.

 

From what I know, they don't really know each other well, so why was she smiling and striking up a conversation with him like they were friends?

 

I grabbed a drink from a waitress nearby and tried to include myself in the conversation.

 

"I know, right? He comes home late, but he tries his best to be there for us still."

 

"Right? Where are your... children?" She asked after taking a sip of her drink.

 

"With my friend. She's helping me babysit them."

 

"Oh, that's nice of her. I must say, motherhood really looks good on you, though. I mean, you look all fat and pretty now."

 

Okay, Vanessa and her backhanded compliments.

 

"Aw, thanks. My husband tells me that most of the time. It’s actually nice to have someone who appreciates the real me."

 

"Hmm." She smiled, "Excuse me then." She said as she walked past us to another guest, and I took a sip of my drink.

 

"I'm coming, honey; I need to use the restroom."

 

James said a minute later as he removed my arm from his, and I watched him head out of the hall to wherever the restroom was.

 

Well, let's get another drink.

"Juliette, my God, it's been long since I saw you." A tall man about the same age as my stepdad said as he came closer to where I stood, and I smiled at him.

 

"Mr. Parker, nice to see you again."

 

He placed a kiss lightly on the back of my palm and smiled back.

 

"You're looking really good."

 

"Thank you. You too."

 

"I must say I miss having you around at the company. You used to give such good advice."

 

"I'll take a wild guess that my husband is doing even better."

 

"He's good, but not you."

 

I smiled, "Come on, he has been at it for four years now; he must be better."

 

"Which brings me to the question: Are you ever planning to return as the CEO?"

 

CEO of Winchester Properties, the company my mum left me.

 

I would love to, but as James had advised when I got pregnant with our twins, "I think I'll just focus on family for now. It's better for the children."

 

"Hmm, shame, but it's okay. Great decision even."

 

I nodded and smiled, "Thank you."

 

"See you around then," he said as he left, and I took a sip of my drink again.

 

James...

 

Shouldn't he be back now?

 

I glanced around the hall to see if I could find him, but I didn't.

 

"Okay, this way, everyone." An organizer directed everyone to another hall where a seating arrangement had been made, and I glanced around for James again.

 

Still nowhere to be found.

 

Didn't he mention just wanting to use the restroom?

 

Well, he'll find me at my table.

 

He did find me about an hour later, blank-faced, and I glanced at Vanessa, who had walked in at the same time as him.

 

I hadn't even realized that she wasn't in the room.