Page 77 of Broken Bonds

I could have turned the house’s living room into a factory back home in Carrollton, but here I simply don’t have a solution to this dilemma, which I feel I will have soon.

Lionel realizes my worry, so he keeps talking. “Fortunately for you, it turns out that you know a good architect and I have inside information that in the building of his construction company there is a space that could work very well for you, it’s on the first floor.”

What is he saying?

“Lionel, you can’t do that!” I say, overwhelmed by the mere suggestion.

“Why not? The building is mine and I can do whatever I want with it.”

“And your partners? Your investors?” Surely they won’t be pleased to find out about this.

“I have investors who occasionally partner with me on individual projects, but the construction company is mine. If I decide that I want to set my company on fire tomorrow, I could do it.”

I look at him with my mouth open, of course, he isn’t going to do that, too many people depend on him.

“After the party, we can take a look. See what you think of it, and work on a design together. So by the time you decide to hire help, you’ve already organized a production place outside the house.”

In that, he’s absolutely right. I would like our home to preserve its privacy. I don’t want to have strange people hanging around every day.

Not forgetting the issue of security.

“You are the best husband in the world.” I go to the other side of the bar where he’s standing. I tighten my arms around his waist, resting my cheek against his strong chest.

“Does that mean I’m getting rewarded tonight?” I hear him say with a voice full of humor, while his hands frame my face to place the sweetest of kisses on my lips.

“You are such a romantic, Lionel.” My protests die on his lips, and to my regret, the kiss ends. We still have a lot of work to do, and Alexandra needs the soaps ASAP, as her staff is already waiting on them to add it to the swag bags for the guests.

???

I really think I’ve caught something because the first thing I do this morning is empty my stomach into the toilet, and hiding it from Lionel has become a challenge. Today, I feel worse than ever and I have a long day ahead of me. Tonight is ARC’s party, the company that Alexandra manages, and her friends arrived yesterday, so we have a spa appointment in a couple of hours.

My body feels heavy, and the only reason I’m getting up is that I have to puke my guts out. Otherwise, I wouldn’t get out of bed.

Luckily for me, Lionel left very early. First, he had to visit the land he acquired at an auction a few days ago, then he and Ethan are going golfing for a few hours. It will give me time to get ready, and my eager man won’t see me until I’m all set.

This is the first formal party I’ve ever attended in my life, so I’m very excited. Also, I’ve seen Lionel’s tuxedo hanging on a hook in the walk-in closet, and I can hardly wait to see it on him.

With the little strength left in my body, I manage to get out of bed and take a shower. I’m about to call Alexandra to cancel our appointment when I get a message that they are waiting for me at the house entrance. I decide it’s better if I get out of the house. In Carrollton, sometimes, Valerie and I go for manicures and it’s always a good time. Today we’ll be receiving the full spa treatment, so it will definitely be a wonderful day.

“Stella,” Nathalie says, one of Alexandra’s friends—ahem, one of my new friends—squeals from her chair next to mine. We are waiting for our turn with the masseuse. “Your story is like a movie. I love it!”

A smile is drawn on my face.

“I can assure you it was not a path of roses.” It’s the truth. We had to walk through many thorns to get to where we are today.

Alexandra and her best friends are in the cubicles in front of us about to fall asleep.

“Are you sure you don’t want a mimosa?” she asks with bright eyes. “They’re delicious.”

I’m positive. I shake my head in response. My stomach keeps churning. The best thing is to make an appointment with the doctor as soon as possible. I thought that I would feel better as the days passed, but on the contrary, my symptoms have gone from bad to worse.

“I’d rather wait until tonight.” That’s a good excuse.

Luckily, she changes the subject to a lighter one that I can handle better. “Do you have any idea how you want to style your hair for tonight?”

I smile proudly, everything is ready. “Lily, the stylist Alex took me to, gave me a sheet of hair and makeup tips. I’ve already chosen the one I think suits me the best.”

“I’m sure Lionel is going to faint as soon as he sees you,” she tells me.

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