Chapter 18: Chapter Eighteen: Saved Dates

Daphne's POV

I stare at him blankly. Refusing to give off any inclination of what I'm feeling inside.

“I can't go on a date with you.”

“Who says you can't?” He's dodging the question. That means there's something else he's hiding.

“What is this about Ethan?”

“Exactly what I said, Daphne. I'm taking out out on a date or can't AA man take a georgous woman out on a date?” I ignore the giddy feeling his words make me feel and say this instead.

“You know I'm married dright?” His expression darkens.

“That fact doesn't seem to stop those lowlifes. In fact, they seem to have forgotten the fact entirely.”

“But you are right. Nothing seems to get past you.” He produces an intricately decorated black and gold envelope from his suit jacket.

“There's a little Soiree taking place in three days time and I am escorting you.” I give him a disbelieving look at his mention of escorting me like it's regency England.

I open my mouth to refuse but he beats me to the chase. “Ah ah, you can't refuse. Your grandfather said he commanded you not to and that it would be his dying wish.” I roll my eyes at the patriarch’s theatrics.

“He has a way of using his old age as an excuse to gaslight everyone. The old man would probably outlive us all.” I grumble.

His hazel eyes shine with amusement “But you can't deny that it is an effective strategy. I know for a fact that you shouldn't miss it for anything. It would be well worth your time.”

Just as I'm about to quiz him on what he means by that, my phone dings with a notification.

I pick it up to see it's a text message from Greg. My mood darkens immediately.

The text reads: “Chloe wants the strawberry shortcake from the dessert shop downtown. I make sure you buy ingredients to make duck roast. I'll have lasagna.”

They really want a feast this evening. It would take me over half an hour to get to the most sought after dessert shop downtown and twice the time to get the cake Chloe wants. Not to mention heading to the supermarket to get ingredients for duck roast and lasagna. I sure as hell am not doing that.

“Duck roast huh? Sounds delicious.” He says looking at my phone from over my shoulder from behind. I nearly jumped out of my skin. How is he so light on his feet? I didn't even hear him move.

I turn it off so he won't see the screen.

“I think I'll come over for dinner. I certainly didn't take you for a wife who would slave away in the kitchen.”

I turn my chair to face him. “Don't you think about coming. You've done enough damage for one day and I don't ‘slave away’ in the kitchen. I happen to like cooking.” Or I used to anyway. All the pleasure I got out of it was taken away when I no longer had control of what I could cook anymore. But I can't let him know how close to the mark he really is.

“Alright, I won't go to your place but you have to promise me that you'll come with me to the event.” I know this is blackmail but I have no choice.

Ethan really would come to dinner if he wants to and right now Greg is still unstable with so many changes happening over such a short period of time. I don't know how he would react.

His triumphant grin is what gets on my nerves the most. “Fine,’ I sigh.

“I'll come.”

“Perfect. All the details you need are in the invitation. I'll meet you at the event. I assume you don't need help with your outfit?”

I raise an eyebrow in question. “Is that an insult?”

He grins at my response. “Of course it's not. I know you're perfectly capable of handling yoursi, firefly. Well, I'll be off then. See you at the event.” He says then breezes out of the office.

A sigh of relief leaves my body. Finally, some peace and quiet. My tranquil moment is interrupted my the constant vibrations my phone is making. They are texts from Greg and even Chloe with more requests. So much for peace and quiet.

I might as well leave for the day for the day. My mission has been accomplished. I send for Sarah through the intercom. She appears in less than a minute.

“You called?”

To her credit, she doesn't even blink an eye at the mess around her. Either she’s unfazed or she's used to the office being in disarray.

“Yes I did. Get someone to clear this mess and clear my schedule and move my meeting with the board to tomorrow. I'll be leaving soon.” Her tight professional smile is in place but I can see that she isn't happy about my decision.

I take out an old business card from my purse and slide it to the other side of the table. She walks to the table and picks it up.

“Get in contact with this person and ask if they they would be available for an appointment today.” She glances at the card. Her brows furrow and her lips pulls into a frown.

“What is it Sarah?”

“You are aware that cancelling the meeting with the board and going home after you spent barely an hour in the office will not help you in anyway. In fact, it makes you look incompetent.”

My lips tip up slightly. Sarah is not one to mince words but that is why I like her.

“I know, Sarah, that's exactly the point.” She looks at me like I suddenly sprouted two heads.

“I hope you know what you are doing.”

I grin widens. “Yes Sarah, I do.”

She leaves me to myself in the office. I pick up my bag to leave when I notice something in it. There is a box with a sticky note that has: ‘For your neck and the pain.’ scrawled on in in a familiar bold, elegant script.

I open the box to see a salve and some pain killers. So that's the real reason he came here. My eyes shine with unshed tears. He is always looking out for me.

Sarah pops her out the door. “I got in contact with that person. They said they would call your cell phone in a minute.”

She barely finished talking when my phone rings. I pick it up and bring it to my ear.

“You bitch! You really have some nerve getting in contact with me.”