“Lots of married men have mistresses.”
“And they are all pigs as well.”
“I think I’m a good guy.” He paused. “I have no plans to marry, so I will never have a mistress.”
“Oh wow, great for you.” I said sarcastically. “That makes everything so much better.”
“I’m just being honest. I know you’re not seriously mad at me for not telling you he was married, are you?”
“Yes, I am upset. In fact, I’m pissed. How could you not tell me?” I hissed. “Especially as I mentioned Elizabeth this morning.”
“I know, I should have said something.” He sighed and came closer to me. “I knew you would be upset.”
“So why are you acting surprised now?”
“I was hoping you wouldn’t overreact.”
“Overreact. I’m an accomplice now.” I bit my lower lip. “How can I look her in the face knowing I was having a conversation with someone last night who was telling me how good Richard was in bed. Someone who is not his wife.”
“I’m sorry, I realize this is a delicate situation for you.”
“Delicate doesn’t even begin to cover it. This is awkward.” I sighed. “This is more than awkward. I’m a fake fiancée meeting a man and his wife, when I was just hanging out with his mistress.”
“Keep your voice down, Lola.” He frowned. “I get it. You’re upset. We will talk later.”
“I don’t want to talk later. And by that I mean if you think talk means sex, you’re going to be waiting a long time. I don’t sleep with pigs.”
“Lola, grow up.” His voice was mad. “You’re blowing this out of proportion.”
“I really don’t think I am.” I shook my head. “I think that I’m as upset as any other caring human being would be. Cheating is wrong.”
“And I’m not saying it’s good.” He grabbed my hands. “Look at me. I don’t agree with Richard’s choices, but it is not for us to judge him.”
“So you think it’s wrong of him to commit adultery?” I asked softly, slightly mollified.
“Yes, I think it’s wrong.” He sighed and kissed me lightly on the lips. “I do not believe in adultery.”
“Okay then.” I stared into his eyes to see if he was telling the truth. “That’s good then because I don’t believe in it either.”
“Can we go inside now?” He asked me softly. “They will be wondering what happened.”
“I’m not cool with this, you know. I’d rather go back to the palace.” I let out a deep sigh. “But I’ll stay for a quick lunch. However, I’m telling you now, if you do something like this again, I won’t be so patient and I won’t go along with it.”
“Duly noted.” He said with a small smile on his face. “I’m glad to hear you stick to your principles.”
“I do and you better not forget it.” I gave him a look and he nodded slightly as he took in my angry appearance.
“I don’t think I’ll forget.”
***
“I’m going up to the room.” I said to Xavier as we arrived back at the palace after the lunch. “I need a shower to wash the shame off of me.”
“Lola, no need to be so melodramatic.”
“Whatever.” I shuddered, thinking back to the farce of a lunch. Charlotte had spent most of the hour talking about what a good husband Richard was and I’d felt so sorry for her. I hurried up the stairs and was walking down the corridor when I saw Tarquin.
“Oh you’re back.” Tarquin grinned at me. “I have something for you.”
“For me?” I frowned. “What?”
“Well, it’s from Violeta.” He shrugged. “She dropped it off this morning with a card. I guess she wanted to apologize.”
“Oh, really?” I said doubtfully.
“Yes, hold on. Let me go and get it from my room.” He ran back down the corridor and I waited patiently, wondering what Violeta had bought for me. I really didn’t believe she was going to apologize to me and a gift as well? Something seemed off, but maybe Xavier or Casper had talked to her and told her to be nicer to me. “Here we go.” He walked back with a small box wrapped in silver paper and a cream envelope. “I wonder what she got you.”
“I’ll let you know later, when I open it.” I took the box and card from him. “Excuse me, I’m going to go and lie down now.”
“Oh, okay.” He looked disappointed. “Maybe we can hang out later.”
“Yeah, that sounds good.”
“Oh, I forgot to tell you. Sebastian is coming back to Romerius.”
“What?” I was surprised. “When?”
“As soon as he can get a flight.” He grinned.
“No private plane for him?”
“It’s a surprise.” Tarquin grinned. “No one knows except me and well you now.”
“Oh, wow. Why is he coming back?”
“That’s for me to know and you to find out.” He grinned and flicked his blond hair. “I’ll see you later.”
“Yeah, okay.” I nodded and walked back to the room wondering why it was such a secret. However, Sebastian soon left my mind as I wanted to know what Violeta had gotten me. I ripped open the box eagerly and my jaw dropped when I saw a vibrator in the box that looked very similar to the one Xavier had given me. I dropped it on the floor and ripped open the envelope and read the card slowly.
Lola,
I heard about your fun last night with Xavier. Just thought you should know that you’re not the first girl he’s taken to the club with a vibrator. It’s a fetish of his. The one in the box is the one he gave me when we were together. Yes, I’m the girl he was dating that broke his heart. I moved on to bigger and better. I’m sure you’d agree that Casper is a much better looking man. Unfortunately, Xavier is still a bit upset and jealous that I left him. I suppose that’s why he proposed to you and brought you to the club. Only thing is, that doesn’t make me jealous. Just sad for him and sad for you. Next time you feel like taking a ride, it might help you to remember that there have been many other riders before you. And some of us were treated to gallops, not trots.
XOXO
Violeta
I read the letter twice unable to believe what I was reading. So Violeta wasn’t Sebastian’s ex, she was Xavier’s ex? I suddenly felt like everything was clicking into place. Was Xavier using me to make Violeta jealous? Was that the real reason he’d brought me here to Romerius? I sat on the bed with the letter in my hand and read it again and then ripped it up into little pieces and lay back and stared at the ceiling waiting for Xavier to enter the room.