FOUR. THE PROMISE.

~Sinclair

I took a day off work today. It was the first time I've done that since the day I began my career and even though I don't want to admit it, it was the doing of the woman whose cheeks were pressed against the window and her manicured fingers tapping rhythmically against the window.

I don't why but ever since I fucked my hand -fucked my hand to the image of her- I've found myself wanting to be closer to her. I formerly thought it was because I needed a physical release but I don't feel this attraction for Eve for another lady. Especially with another lady. It was confusing, how I moved from not barely looking at Eve to wanting to being with her. Ever since she accompanied me to the Declan party I… I am yet to figure it out.

“So you're really staying home.” My eyes were on her but she wouldn't meet my gaze and I wondered if she was still shy about the incident a few days back or if it was something else.

“Why? You don't want me staying home?” Her eyes widened as she lifted her gaze.

“No, of course not. I- I like you being here, it's really nice seeing you here, I promise. It's just that it's- it's kind of unusual. I mean, this has got to be the first time seeing you seated in the living room, you always walk in, take your coffee and leave. You don't look around not to talk more of settling in it, so,” she raised a shoulder and lowered her gaze.

I work, that was what I did. I never have the time to sit and chat, my career was my everything and that was what I pursued but this woman here now… “I didn't realize that was how I made you feel. If you're not comfortable with my being here I can go up to my room. I can-”

“No!” She cleared her throat. “No, it's fine. I'm enjoying the view, I just need a few minutes to get used to it. I'm usually the only person left in the house after you and the staff leaves.”

“You can take as much time as you need because you'd be seeing me around often.”

“Re- really?” Yeah, Sinclair, Really? What was I thinking? How did I go from not wanting to be around Eve to wanting to do the most mundane things for her. What was I thinking!

“Yeah. I would stay here with you for as long as you need me too.”

She caught my gaze this time but for a brief moment before she tore them away and lowered her gaze. “I could- The food… I will get started on the lunch.” Eve ducked her head and hurried out of the living room.

I remember the first time I met Eve, she had on a yellow sundress and a bright smile. During the subsequent days, she'd meet my gaze and talk about the latest thing she was excited about. I turned my eyes to the door Eve exited from, she never talks about anything anymore but I suppose that was the way it should be. A lot of time has passed between us.

A loud knock on the door drew me away from my memory. My brows furrowed instinctively as I carefully set my laptop down on that table. The knock came again, faster and louder this time, I set my files down quickly and opened the door. And there the stood, with a mushy hair and, blood red lips. What was I thinking the day I asked her to me my escort?

“Hello, lover,” she greeted with a big smile and she removed the strands of hair that gummed to her face and tucked them behind her ears.

I ground my teeth together. This was the least person I was expecting especially after the hardwork I did convincing my investors that I was not a promiscuous man. Thankfully, the reporters took a hint that I was never going to make a statement and left my gate a few days ago. But still, anything could have happened, anyone could have seen her.

“What are you doing here, Miss Evans?” Clara's smile fell and she breezed past me and walked into my living room attacking my lungs with the smell of cheap perfume and sweat. If she was here for a shower, I'd willingly offer her that.

“This is no way to welcome your mistress, Mr. Stone,” she got comfortable in a couch and crossed one leg on top the other. “Oh, I get it now, you arw pretending not to know me because the wife is around, oh,” she drawled. “But I don't think there's any more cause for pretense because she already knows by now doesn't she?” She scoffed, “don't tell me she lives under the rock. Pray tell me, lover, is she the type of wife that would stand with her husband come what may?”

“What do you want, Clara? What are you doing here?”

“Typical. I am here to collect what I am owed. The money you promised me.”

A light clicking of heels against the tiled wall joined us in the living room and I turned to see Eve with a surprised look, darting her eyes between Clara and me. “I thought I heard voices, I didn't realize…” she swallowed thickly.

“So glad you joined us, wife.” Clara said as she stood up and faced Eve. “As you already know, I am your husband's mistress and according to our agreement, the public was not to know of it. He promised that if they did, he would pay me off effective immediately. I was hurt by his words but you know, we weren't in love so I had to take what I got and leave. I would have been long gone but it seems your husband is forgetting something; to pay me off. It has been almost three weeks since the rumor,” she turned to me, “don't you want to keep your profile as a good man or don you need me to make a report based on the rumor.”

Eve’s eyes kept going back and forth between me and Clara, I could tell she was surprised, shocked at best.

“That never happened, Clara. I never promised you any money and you aren't my fucking mistress, goddammit!” I spat. Out of all the woman who had been my plus one to events in the past, why was it Clara Evans they decided to call my mistress? She didn't the least skill to get me in her bed.

“Yes, you did. You promised me the sum of five million dollars if our secret was to come to light.”

“No, I didn't. Even if I did, you have no way of proving it. I never signed a contract with you on that issue. So, leave my house now Clara and go save your dying career. Yes, I have been reading the news.” I added when she looked at me in shock.

“Three day. That is what I am giving you Sinclair, three days to give me my money, or I would give my statement on the issue. Don't think the press has forgotten about it, just one whim of news and everything would blow up as it did before.”

I scoffed, “ and what exactly are you going to tell them? You think anyone would believe the lady that has been acting out every since she was laid off her job?”

“Oh no, I wouldn't be the one doing the talking, lover. You would.” Her cheeks widened in a big smile as she dug into her bag and took out her phone. After a few taps, she looked up at me.

I don't fancy my wife, Eve. I don't even like her. I want you, Clara… No, no one would find out about it, if they did, I'll pay you off with a fine sum to walk away with. I wouldn't want anything denting your image. Yes, five million dollars.

She paused the audio and looked up at me, her smile wider than earlier, “see? You would be the one doing the talking.”

I walked past Clara and reached Eve, “I never said anything like that to her, Evie. I need you to understand that, Clara was never my mistress, I had nothing to do with her. Ever. All what she said were lies. She was just my plus one to an event one time, Evie, once and I need you to understand that nothing happened that night or afterwards.”

I couldn't tell why I was explaining myself but I felt I needed to. I desperately needed her to know I would never embarrass her like that.

“Come on, she heard the recording herself. You said what you said and she would be a fool to believe you.”

“Yes.” Eve said to Clara. “I heard the recording myself, I heard everything he said. I believe you.”

I heart sank. That recording what the fakest evidence of blackmail I've ever heard in my life. Why didn't she believe me? “Evie.”

“You don't owe her anything because you had nothing to do with her,” she turned to look at me. “As she said, I heard the recording myself. I heard it clearly to know that you never said those words to her.”

“What the fuck are you saying?!” Clara was beginning to turn red from anger. “You heard the recording yourself, you saw the news! Don't you think it's stupid to believe that your husband is not cheating on you!”

“No, it's not. I know Sinclair well enough to know that he isn't and would never. Especially with you. My advice, don't go public with that recording or you would find yourself behind bars in the blink of an eye. Trash whatever you think that is and go focus on your dying career. One more strike from you, Clara and you would go back to the streets but that wouldn't be much of a change for you because that is exactly where you came from, yes?”

If there was anything I felt for Eve, it was now a million times more. Hearing her speak, those words from her, they did something I couldn't tell. She spoke fearlessly and in control, it was almost as if almost as if I didn't know the woman standing before me. But I guess I didn't, there was now a lot I didn't know about my wife. Like that fucking tattoo.

“You are stupid, you know that? Really stupid.” Clara turned to me. “ three days is all I'm giving you, Sinclair, three days to send me my money or I would let the media feed on this. You already know how that would affect you. Five million dollars.”

Turning sharply on her heels, she walked out the door. I turned to Eve in time to see her drop weakly on the couch. “You don't really believe me, do you? No, don't answer that. I know you don't. You didn't have to stand up for me.”

Eve sighed, “as I said, I know you well enough to know that you never said those words to her. And you would never take her as a mistress. I have not forgotten what you said about your preferences in a lady, Sinclair. It may have been a long time but I never forgot.”

But I did. I forgot ever having this sort of conversation with Eve.

“Thank you for believing me. I guess I would just have to pay her off then so she would destroy that recording. I don't want anything coming back to disturb us even if it is a lie.” Us? Disturb us? I was beginning to catch feelings nobody was sharing.

“No, you wouldn't. Believe me, Clara does not have the courage to go public with what she has and even if she does, I did promise I'll help you right?” I nodded. “I am not someone who goes back on her words and I don't get easily intimidated. If Clara was to go public with that, we would fight her together. I promise.”