Chapter Six: Clueless

Lily was still shivering from the threatening call she received from Ashley’s lover, and she did not know what to do. Christopher did not even give her enough time to dwell on it or come up with a solution, because a few minutes after that, Lily found herself in Christopher Bridger’s private jet.

“Welcome, Mrs. Bridger, we are glad to make your acquaintance, and congratulations on your wedding,” the air hostess, a young and attractive woman with a deep London accent said to Lily.

Lily swallowed for lack of what to say. She instantly felt small and inadequate in her presence.

“I am Matilda, Mr. Bridger’s personal hostess,” she went on to introduce herself when Lily looked tongue-tied.

“Thank you. It’s nice to make your acquaintance as well,” Lily managed to answer. 

If Christopher’s air hostess could be this sophisticated, then Lily could only imagine what the other women in his life would look like. Well, from the wedding reception, Lily already had an image of that etched in her head.

“Would you like some tea for a start?” Matilda asked. “We would be flying for hours,” she said and chuckled, “Not that you need the information anyway.”

“Yes, tea would be fine,” Lily managed to say, and as Matilda turned to leave, Lily called her attention again. “Excuse me, but where are we headed?” Lily asked. Since Christopher hadn’t bothered to tell her, she decided to ask.

Matilda looked at her, confused and stunned.

Then Lily realized her error. “Oops, never mind. Christopher says it’s a surprise,” Lily said instead.

She figured that instead of get herself into trouble she would rather let their honeymoon destination be a surprise to her “Take it as a wedding gift, Lily,” Lily told herself.

Matilda nodded. “Oh, okay,” then turned and left. 

Lily released the breathe she did not realize she was holding, grateful that Christopher was engrossed in a business call to notice yet another slip.

“I am going to shoot myself in the leg before the week is over,” Lily said to herself in agony. Then she rested her head and decided to force herself to sleep.

Lily had never been on a plane before, and she was more impressed than surprised when she did not jump out of her skin when the plane took off.

“You handled that well Lily,” Lily had praised herself.

When Lily opened her eyes, they were in Miami. She hadn’t realized that she had slept that long. 

Without waiting for her, Christopher who still happened to be on a business call walked out of the jet. Matilda walked up to Lily with a warm smile.

“You slept all through, ma’am. You did not even get to take your tea,” Matilda said.

The moment Matilda had walked away, Lily had forgotten all about the tea, but more than anything, she was grateful that she had slept all through the flight, otherwise she would have fooled herself again.

“Maybe next time,” Lily answered politely and got up.

There were people outside the jet waiting to be of service to Lily already.

“Welcome to Maimi, ma’am. I hope the surprise was worth it. Happy honeymooning,” Matilda added and allowed Lily to go down.

Lily liked Matilda already, but then again, she felt that the woman did not who know Ashley Grander actually was, because she was the only one who bothered to make a conversation with Lily.

The hotel was the grandest building Lily had ever seen. She had to force herself not to squeal at the beauty and luxury of it. In the elevator Christopher completely ignored Lily while he focused fully on his business call. Lily wondered what kind of business call he had been making for hours nonstop.

Their room was a master suite with the view of the ocean right outside their window. Lily looked around and asked herself if she was in heaven already. She had no idea that such luxury ever existed.

“Would you be needing anything else?” One of the hotel staff who helped them bring up their luggage asked.

Lily was shaking her head when Christopher’s voice cut through.

“Yes, please, take her to the beach,” Christopher told the staff, referring to Lily. “I need some time alone,” he said under his breath.

Lily was embarrassed as well as shocked, but she could not say a word in her defense.

Then Christopher added, “I know you want to, because you love the beach. So, grab your bikini and go with him,” Christopher said.

It was not a question or a suggestion; it was an order.

Lily quickly opened her box, grabbed the first bikini she could lay hands on and followed the staff out of the hotel room. She did not want to go to the beach, but she could not bring herself to defiling Christopher.

The hotel staff showed Lily to the beach and disappeared. Lily swallowed hard and took careful steps as she looked around, hoping to find a place she could sit for a few hours until it was safe to return to the hotel room.

“Well, well, well, if this isn’t the infamous Ashley Gander,” a female voice spoke from behind Lily.

Lily froze in her tracks. Then she turned and saw three curvy half-naked ladies close to her.

“You were here barely a week ago, and you are back again? I am not sure your husband knows all the dirty things you did while you were here,” one of them said and the others giggled mischievously.

“I am sure he doesn’t even know she was here just a week ago. Ashley, you wild beast,” the third person said.

Lily stood there, stunned and clueless as goose bumps covered her body.

Then they stopped teasing and looked at Lily before looking at themselves in bewilderment. “Why isn’t she talking?” One of them asked the others.

“Maybe she has finally found a man who is able to clip her wings,” the other one said.

“Or maybe he needs to know what you did here last week,” they teased.

Unable to stand them anymore, Lily dashed off, heading back to the hotel.

“Welcome again to Miami, slut!” Their jeering laughter followed Lily.