Page 64 of How to Get Even

No, sir. I amnotokay.

I am about to sweat through my shirt, because I am FREAKING OUT.

‘Of course. I just need some water,’ she said, pushing a glass under the tap.

Get. It. Together.

She downed half a glass of water, took a breath and turned. She would face this, whatever it was, head on. She hadn’t done anything wrong. Not really. And if shehadbeen caught, then she’d simply ‘silly socialite’ her way out of it, like she had with Chester.

‘Listen, I’m a little worried about Chase and I was hoping that you’d be able to keep an eye on him,’ Tej said, with a rueful smile. ‘It’s not been easy for him to move from artist to gallery director and now this.’

‘Oh, of course, that’s no problem at all,’ she said, offering her most compassionate smile.

Not been found out. Okay. We’re back on track. It’s all okay.

‘It’s just that I haven’t really seen him like this since his wife cheated on him,’ Tej shrugged.

‘You mean, he cheated on her,’ she corrected.

‘No,’ Tej said, with a frown and a shake of his head.

‘Mmm,’ was all Bella was capable of saying as her stomach dropped to the floor and her entire body was filled with dread.

‘No, Annalise was sleeping with Chase’s best friend. Poor bastard walked in on them just over a year ago.’

A ringing started in Bella’s ears. Sadly, not enough to block out Tej’s words.

‘And as if that wasn’t enough, Annalise tracked him down to where he was staying with this chick he really liked, and then told her that Chase was still married. All because Chase refused to agree to let her have the house thathe’dbought in London. I’m telling you.Nothingcould convince me to get married.Nothing,’ he said, shaking his head, while Bella stared at him with bug eyes.

After about a minute, Tej collected himself. ‘So will you?’

‘I will?’ Bella all but squeaked.

‘Keep an eye on him.’

‘Yes! Yes, I’ll… I’ll do that,’ she said, staring at a blank space for nearly ten minutes after Tej left. Then she rushed out of the office, without her coat or bag, ignoring Maurice and Ali.

Just Desserts WhatsApp Group. 10.39EST.

Bella

Code red.

Code RED.

HELP! NOW!

13

If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.

THE ART OF WAR, SUN TZU

Bella rushed out into the frigid winter’s morning, blindly hitting the call button on the Just Desserts WhatsApp group icon, hoping that at least one person picked up.

Oh God, she hoped it was Astrid. Shereallyneeded to speak to Astrid.

Astrid picked up.

---