Mendacious (25 page)

Libby eyes me curiously when I put down the baby catalogue I’ve been forced to read all afternoon and smile in her direction.

“Why do you look so happy?” she snorts, nodding toward the pile of catalogues on the coffee table. “You’ve got another three to look at after that one.”

“I can’t look at more baby clothes,” I shudder. “I’ve read enough now.”

Her face drops. “I thought it was fun?”

“Oh, it was ... for maybe an hour.”

And it was. But considering I’ve been flicking through catalogues for about three and a half hours, I’m now absolutely sick of the sight of little people’s clothes.

But at least it killed the time in between me possibly spilling the beans. I’m impressed I’ve managed to keep all of this a secret.

“No more catalogues. It’s time we were heading off anyway,” I say, holding onto her hands and slowly pulling her up from the sofa. Her bump is huge now, and at thirty-seven weeks she keeps complaining about pain in her lower back, and how the baby is too heavy for her to carry. That, mixed with the ongoing headaches, means I’ve been running round like a loon trying to keep her happy.

Libby stands and rests her palm on my chest. “Where are we going? You didn’t mention anything earlier.”

I tap my index finger against the side of my nose with a soft smile. “It’s a surprise.”

Her face lights up. “A surprise?” she asks giddily. “What sort of surprise?”

“Libby.”

“Okay, I’m going,” she says, pouting her lips at me, and waddling into the hallway to put some flip flops on her swollen feet.

Following behind, I rest my hand on her lower back and give her a gentle pat when she bends slightly to pick up her bag from the floor. “You’re going to love it.”

“Don’t tease me.”

“What?” I laugh, sliding my bare feet into a pair of stone coloured boat shoes, or driving loafers as Libby calls them. “You’ll find out soon enough.”

“Fine.” She grabs my blazer from the banister on the stairs and passes it to me. “Wear this today,” she says, eyeing my slim, navy tailored trousers that she’s rolled-up at the bottom, and paired with a white button shirt.

It’s a far cry from my usually pristine three-piece suits, but I’m trying to look
edgier
as Libby keeps insisting I do. Like, today, for example. I’ve let her dress me as if I’m going to a high society polo match where I’m going to eat little cucumber sandwiches cut in triangles and drink iced tea with my pinky raised.

It’s for your own sanity, remember. She’s pregnant.

I keep telling myself I’ll have my control back after these nine months are up. And it can’t bloody get here quick enough.

I’m telling you.

~

With a sleep mask covering Libby’s eyes and my hands resting on her shoulders, I steer her along the corridor and straight through a set of double doors.

“Surprise!” I lift the mask just as everyone around the room stands and cheers, “Congratulations!”

Libby jumps back against me, completely caught off guard by the surge of people coming toward us. Our friends. Our family. Everyone is here to celebrate the baby growing inside of her.

“What is this?” Libby squeals, turning around to face me, her eyes alight with excitement. “Did you do all of it?”

“It’s your baby shower, sweetheart,” I say, lightly brushing my lips against her forehead. “Now enjoy it.”

She smiles and turns back to the group of women waiting to usher her over to a long table decorated with white and yellow baby decorations and cupcakes. There are balloons hanging from the ceiling in the same colour theme, and a table off to the side that’s covered with an array of gifts.

“You did a great job, Kelly,” I murmur under my breath as I pass to the other side of the room where my sister and mother are standing away from the rabble. “Thank you for coming.” I kiss both of their cheeks and stand beside them. “It’s lovely, right?”

“It’s beautiful, darling.”

“Yeah, it’s nice.” Alice runs a hand through her hair and sighs. “I can’t believe we are standing at your baby shower.”

“You can sit down?” I laugh, but get where she is coming from. None of us expected this to happen, and the shock for my family was huge. But I’m thankful they have come round to the idea, and to some extent, embraced the fact there will be a baby in the family.

Although Libby and I are a long way off from forgetting the past, I’m happy to see my family making an effort for us, because I know it was hard for them seven years ago. It’s a shame about Libby’s family though. Her parents aren’t thrilled with us being together again, but I can sense them warming. Their greetings are becoming friendlier the more I see them, so it will hopefully be a matter of time before they finally concede.

But, I’m also being cautious this time round with our relationship, and I know Libby is doing the same. There is more at stake this time round, and more feelings that can be hurt as a result. This affects not just the two of us, but our entire families.

“I’m ... Umm ... Gonna go over ...” Alice nods to the group of giggling women and starts walking toward them. She puts her hand on Libby’s shoulder, and when she turns, they both smile and hug.

“I’m proud of you,” my mother says, watching the exchange between Alice and Libby.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, you were both strong enough to realise, despite the problems in the past, that the love you share is more important.” She reaches and takes my hand. “Everything else can be worked on slowly. As long as there is love, you have a chance at moving forward.”

“We both agree,” I say, my eyes fixed on Libby, who is stuffing a cupcake in her mouth. She turns to me at that exact moment with frosting on her upper lip and shoots me with a cute eye smile that tugs a feeling in my chest.

She looks even more beautiful as each day comes.

And then I see who walks through the door behind her, and my illusion of a happy day is smashed to pieces.

“Give me a minute, mum,” I murmur, touching her shoulder before heading across the room. Libby spots me and assumes I’m coming for her. But I’m not. I’m going straight for Dale.

“Alex.” He murmurs my name when I approach. “Didn’t know you were gonna be here, but I’m glad. I thought baby showers were for the women, anyway?” He smugly cocks his head to the side, and I resist the swelling urge to wipe it straight off his face.

Because, despite him telling me that Oakley Finance will stay away from our clients, he has still managed over the last five weeks to poach another three from our list. He’s simply a bastard who can’t be trusted. And at least Libby understands this, too.

I eye the present in his hand. “Thanks for the gift. I’ll take it and you can leave,” I growl. “We wouldn’t want to keep you from your afternoon.”

“I’m actually here to call a truce,” he says with a sigh. “And I want to give her the present myself.”

“Libby,” I call over my shoulder, “your brother is here.”

I’m keeping him near the door on purpose, so he can leave without causing a fuss. Or I can throw him out ... whichever works.

“Hey.” Libby greets her brother from a cautious distance and offers him a slight smile. “You didn’t have to get us anything,” she says, pointing to the present in his hand.

Dale flicks a glance in my direction and meets my hardened eyes. He clears his throat and replies with, “I actually need to talk to Alex. But you can take this.” He hands Libby the present and cocks his head toward the door. “Pop outside with me?” he asks.

Libby looks between us both. “Do I need to be worried about whatever is gonna happen out there?”

“Your brother just wants to chat.” I give her a reassuring wink and head outside.

~

Standing in the hallway with my arms folded, I wait for Dale to start. He paces up and down a couple of times as if he isn’t sure about what to say. I’m about to open my mouth when he finally turns to me with a pained look.

“I can’t pretend I’m still okay with all of this, but for my sister, I will have to be. I’ve seen how she has been changing over the last few months, and how happy she is.” I don’t say anything and let him finish. “She hasn’t been like this in a long time. And I know I have you to thank for that. This baby has given her a distraction. After the miscarriage, I wasn’t sure how she would cope being pregnant again, but you’ve helped her. I just can’t see her go through this again though. I mean, if you hurt her—”

Holding up my hand, I halt him. “Listen, I don’t plan on doing anything to hurt your sister. I love her. But this shit between us needs to be buried. I get that we have a history, but I don’t want my child being born into this minefield.”

“I understand.”

“And the shit with the poaching needs to stop. You’re not only affecting my business, but also my family. It’s my livelihood and I’ve worked bloody hard for it. So by taking my clients, you are effectively taking food off my dinner table, and I won’t have it,” I warn him. “You need to stop it before I have no choice but to go further.”

I expect him to bite back, kick off, tear me apart, but it’s nothing like that. He simply nods his head and tells me, “I agree with you.”

I’m sorry, what?

“You agree?” I ask uncertainly, waiting for a catch that doesn’t materialise.

“It does need to stop. I’ve held a grudge for too long, and I know it isn’t healthy. I’m sorry, for everything. But I’ll always be protective over my sister, and I need you to respect that, because I won’t change that.”

I feel like a twat.

He is standing here owning up to everything, and I’m trying to establish if he is being real or not. I’ve had a lot of encounters with this bloke, and I’m not sure I actually trust him. But I can’t do anything
but
take his word ... for now at least. We’ll just have to see how it all plays out in the long run.

“Cheers. I’m glad we hashed all this shit out before the baby comes,” I reply, hearing the door at the far end of the corridor opening, and finding my eyes immediately distracted. I spot Benedict and Sean walking toward us with balloons and gifts, but they both stop when they see us. “You’re alright,” I call, waving them over. “Dale and I are just burying all the shit,” I tell them, slapping Dale lightly on the back. “Oakley won’t be a problem for us anymore in terms of business, Sean, so you’ll be alright with your clients.”

“Got it, mate,” he murmurs, eyeing Dale up with clear distaste. “And how long will it take for him to start fucking with us again?”

Dale shoots Sean with a smug grin. “Worried?”

“Nah, mate, I just wanna make sure I’m prepared for the smack down you’re gonna get.” Sean cracks his knuckles. “You know ... just warming up and that.”

My lips twitches and I fight off my smile. “Enough. We are supposed to be burying the shit here.” I turn to Sean and pressure him with my eyes to back down. “The bloke has said he won’t bother us anymore, so we need to respect that.”

Sean frowns at me before lowering his gaze to the floor with a sigh. “Alright, I get where you’re coming from,” he says, mutually nodding in Dale’s direction. “I can call a truce, for now.”

“Cheers,” Dale replies, with an understanding nod.

I’m happy with the exchange, but I know Sean will never trust him after all the problems. I’m just grateful he’s agreeing to push things aside.

I’ve trained him well.

Sean knows he needs to keep his head, especially now that he is managing the company on a day to day basis. I relinquished control to him so I can focus on the expansion of Libby’s business, so I haven’t had many dealings with what’s been going on at my own offices. But of course, Sean has been keeping me up to date when we’ve spoken.

“Boys?” Libby sticks her head around the door and puts her hand on her hip. “Are we all good?”

We look like naughty school boys as all four of us give her a smile and a resounding, “Yes.” But honestly, I feel relieved that things didn’t end up with my fist down Dale’s throat. Now
that
could have had different consequences.

“Well, if you’re all done out here then get your arses inside. We are ‘bout to play pin the sperm on the egg,” she demands, holding the door open wide. “We need some testosterone in here for good luck. There are prizes on the line.”

I chuckle and fork my thumb toward her. “Come on you guys, you heard the pregnant lady. Get inside before she rips all our heads off.”

They all laugh and walk inside, but Libby hovers with her back against the door, almost as if she’s waiting for me. I step toward her and see the slight wince crossing her features as I do so.

“What’s wrong?” I say, noting her hands cupping her stomach and her eyes wide.

She gasps. “I think my water just broke.”

Three years later...

For the millionth time today, I pat my chest and feel for the box hidden just inside the silky satin depth of my suit jacket.

They’re still there ... Breathe.

“I’m sorry, Martin, can you repeat what you just said? The signal cracked and I lost you briefly,” I lie, pacing backwards and forwards in front of a large bay window. My eyes are trained to the floor at the elegantly complex design patterning the red and gold carpet, and not looking out on the endless rolling grass hills and glorious late afternoon sun that I know is just a mere glance away.

Business
always
needs to be sorted first.

It’s my work ethic. And no doubt I’d find the same words tattooed across the surface of my brain. I’m a workaholic. It’s who I am and who I’ll
always
be.

“I’m telling you, Alex, these guys are itching to get their hands on the line. If we work the contract right, then I’m picturing all the main department stores carrying Elizabeth’s brand in the next six months.”

I nod. “Thanks, Martin. If you e-mail the contract they’ve sent over for now, then I’ll have my solicitor look over it and come back to you.”

“That sounds great. I’ll get it e-mailed in the next few minutes. And, Alex ...”

“Yes?” I murmur, hearing the distinct creak of a door opening behind me, and the sound of giggles filling the immediate air.

“All the best for this afternoon.”

I sense the genuine sounding tone of his voice, and nod my head despite him not being able to see. “Thanks, Martin, I appreciate it. And I’m sorry you can’t be here because you’re doing stuff for me.”

“Alex, we’ve tried for months to get the Korean’s on board for Elizabeth’s line, and now that they’re interested I don’t want to miss this opportunity. I’ll keep you updated.”

“Good. Thank you,” I say disconnecting the call.

Even in the short space of time I’ve known my new operations manager, who was brought in to support Daniel due to the ongoing expansion, I can safely say he’s managed to please me no end.

Between Martin working for SB and Sean continuing to lead with A L Investments, our businesses are flourishing rapidly. The two of them are working wonders while I’m working on my latest venture to bring them both together under one umbrella, so that Libby and I can share total control across the two. Combining forces in a way.

“Only you would take a business call fifteen minutes before you’re about to get married,” Alice scoffs, putting my little boy down.

“Wow!” I chuckle, putting my phone in my pocket, and stooping to the floor. “Check you out in your fancy little suit. You’re a little heartbreaker.” He runs straight to me and I sweep him into a bear hug. “Are you excited to see Mummy and Daddy get married, Oliver?”

I watch him carefully, my face softening as he picks at the petals on my boutonniere with avid fascination. It’s hard to believe he’s three years old already. It seems like only yesterday when Libby’s water broke at the baby shower and I was holding his tiny body in my arms a few hours later. Time seems to escape me, and I know he’ll be a teenager before I know it.

Just like our other child would have been ...

My jaw turns slack and I stifle the pained growl I feel scratching at the back of my throat. The baby we lost would be in double digits by now, but he or she isn’t here because I ultimately failed my wife.

She didn’t trust me, so she never told me about the pregnancy. It was something I’d finally gleamed from Libby before Oliver’s birth. She had told me it was never about the money, and that she had just wanted me around. She wanted her husband. But I was never there.

With hindsight I agree with Libby’s conclusion. I was self-centred back then, and I couldn’t see what was happening right under my nose. We had been pulling away from each other, our trust and bond slowly slipping through our fingers the more I put work before her.

I just wanted us to have a future without worries, but it didn’t work out that way. Neither of us ever spoke about what was going on at the time, so it’s safe to say we both jumped to conclusions in blaming each other for the breakdown of our marriage when we should have simply communicated.

“Me get cake later?” Oliver interrupts my mourning by fixing me with a wide smile that would melt even the hardest of men.

“Of course you’re thinking of cake, you little cake monster.” I tickle his tummy and he lets out a high-pitched belly laugh with his arms and legs flying wildly in the air. “We’ll get cake later. First, you’ve got to walk down the aisle with Auntie Alice and carry Daddy’s special rings for him.” I pull out the ring box and watch Oliver’s eyes grow wide with curiosity. “Can you do that for me?”

“Me have it?” He takes the box and turns to Alice who is watching me by the door. She looks nervous although she doesn’t say anything about it.

“I’m fine,” I mouth, hoping to relax her just a little.

She nods and holds her hand out to Oliver after I’ve put him down. “Come on then, buddy. We’ve got to go because Daddy has to go and wait for Mummy, so he can see her pretty dress.”

“Bye!” Oliver runs straight over to Alice and takes her hand, and the two of them leave me alone for a couple of minutes until Sean pops his head around the door.

“You ready, mate?” he asks, watching me stand in front of the mirror and straighten my tie. “Libby will be down in ten and the guests are starting to take seats. It’s time to get this show on the road.” He rubs his hands together, pushes the door open wide for me, and then the two of us make the short walk across the expansive stately home we’ve hired for today’s wedding ... our wedding.

It feels unreal, but completely right.

I’m greeted with row after row of smiles and well wishes when I step foot into the reception room and walk down the aisle that I know she’ll be following shortly.

Deep breaths, Alex.

My palms feel warm and there is moisture prickling across the back of my neck. It feels about one hundred degrees in this room, but I know it’s just my nerves.

Yeah, I’m a fucking pussy when it comes to the one woman in the world that has me by the balls. But I wouldn’t have it any other way. This was always going to be our future. We just got a little lost along the way when we first started out, but I know that what we have is stronger and more developed this time. We aren’t youngsters trying to make something work despite our conflicting interests.

This time we are going to do things right.

“How are you feeling, Mr. Lewis?” Cindy, the minister holding today’s service, asks me with a cheery smile.

My nerves are obviously visible.

I lean toward her and lower my voice. “I’m not gonna lie, Cindy, but I’m absolutely shitting myself.”

“I hear it all the time,” she replies, touching my hand in a reassuring manner and then turning away. I catch her out of the corner of my eye discreetly trying to wipe her hand down the back of her skirt to remove the sweat taken from my hand, and I can’t help but smirk.

And then before I know it, Sean is beside me and slapping me lightly on the back as the beautiful sound of the harpist flutters around the room, and I catch my first glimpse of the bridal party after the double doors are opened.

It’s time.

Alice and Oliver are the first ones to walk down the aisle, and his beaming smile that’s directed at me can’t be missed. He has a small lilac cushion in his hands and the two wedding bands are balanced delicately on top. Alice is walking directly behind him, obviously ensuring our wedding rings don’t go amiss during the short journey.

“Good job, buddy,” I say, when he gets to the end of the aisle and passes the rings to Sean. “Go sit with Auntie Alice and Grandma, and then we’ll get you some cake in a little bit.” I smile gratefully at my mother and sister when they sit with Oliver on the front row, and turn back to the double doors.

The harpist continues to play her piece, but I note the subtle change in sound and the likeness to Pachelbel’s Canon. I’m alerted to her arrival by the guests getting to their feet. My hand goes to my tie and I gulp sharply when I spot her dressed in a familiar ivory gown from over ten years ago ... she looks as absolutely stunning as she did the first time I saw the gown on her.

We smile at each other and I feel my nerves dissolving deep within my body. This is the moment we’ve been waiting for. It’s time for us to come back together and be the family we’ve fought so hard for.

I’ll be forever indebted to the woman I cannot be without. It’s time for me to play my final card in this game, and I’m throwing down my hand.

Libby won.

She owns the
Ace
of hearts.

The End.