Chapter 56 Blurred Lines
“Any man that does that would get his hair wiped off cleanly in that land,” Joye declared with theatrical seriousness, lifting her chin as though she were delivering a royal decree rather than gossip in a quiet garden.
Seraphina burst into laughter, the sound spilling out of her freely, and Sheila’s own followed immediately, clutching her stomach as she tried to imagine such a punishment being carried out literally.
Sheila wiped the corner of her eye, her voice still laced with amusement. “What century was that again?”
Joye placed her hand over her chest with mock pride. “The eighteenth century. Those African cultures tolerated no nonsense from adult males.. If a man misbehaves like that, the woman will personally escort him to the barber and supervise the punishment.”
Seraphina laughed harder at the imagery, picturing a line of stern-faced aunties dragging a man by his collar while he begged for mercy after stealing the family’s property.
Joye had been entertaining them all evening in the garden since they got back.
They sat beneath the wide canopy of the garden tree, the last streaks of sunlight fading into the gold of early night. The shopping bags they had returned with earlier were already taken inside. Vincent had left hours ago, leaving the space feeling lighter and freer. Now, it was just the three of them, lounging comfortably like old friends rather than women bound by complicated circumstances.
Joye leaned back in her chair, her eyes traveling appreciatively over Seraphina.
“Boss will love your new look,” she said warmly.
Seraphina instinctively lowered her gaze to herself. After those bodily and hair treatments she got earlier, she felt anew. She didn’t realize how much she needed those sessions until then.
She thought about what Joye just said. Would Julian care about her new look even though he had paid for the sessions? Her eyebrows had gone under microblading, skin hairs shaved, and her hair was completely turned into some wavy chic style. Her lashes were done as well. Same as Sheila.
Would Julian notice? If he doesn’t, of course she wouldn’t care. She was not supposed to.
She forced the thought away immediately, lifting her chin and smiling instead. She would not allow herself to crave his approval. Not when everything between them still existed in that fragile, carefully constructed space they had agreed upon.
Her best friend leaned forward, nudging her playfully with her shoulder.
“Julian will not be able to look away,” Sheila said, tone full of certainty.
“And Miss Sheila, I love your hair. It’s absolutely gorgeous.” Joye added, smiling like she was excited to be amidst the two women.
Sheila pressed a hand to her chest dramatically. “You flatter me, girl. Thank you.”
Joye’s face lit up suddenly with excitement.
“And yes, my dress got delivered,” she announced, unable to hide her anticipation. “I really cannot wait for tomorrow’s wedding, Miss Sera.”
Seraphina laughed softly, her curiosity piqued. “What does it look like?”
Joye immediately shook her head, wagging her finger.
“No, no, no. It is a surprise. You will see it tomorrow.”
Sheila turned her head toward Seraphina, lowering her voice slightly.
“I like your assistant,” she admitted. “She is lively and so free. It’s rare.”
Joye heard her anyway. She rose from her seat and bowed, one hand over her stomach.
“Thank you, ma’am,” she said dramatically.
Their laughter filled the garden again.
Just then, the sound of boots crunching against grass interrupted them.
Seraphina’s laughter died instantly.
Her body stilled before she even turned her head, her senses recognizing him before her eyes confirmed it.
Julian was back.
He emerged from the soft shadows of the garden lights, his tall frame composed as usual, his presence immediately shifting the air around them. He wore dark trousers and a crisp dark shirt, his sleeves rolled slightly along his arms. Seraphina’s heart skipped.
How would he behave now?
Sheila was here.
He could not act distant without raising suspicion that something wasn’t right between them.
She hoped- desperately that he would not retreat into that cold, detached version of himself.
Sheila’s face lit up at the sight of him.
“Julian, welcome back.” she greeted warmly, then shot Seraphina a teasing wink.
Joye stood.
“Good evening, boss.”
Julian nodded at Joye first.
Then he faced Sheila.
“Hi, trust you are enjoying your evening.”
His eyes naturally found Seraphina. And stayed there.
Her lips curved into a small, uncertain smile.
He stepped closer and placed a neatly wrapped package on the table between them.
Seraphina’s eyes followed the package briefly before lifting back to his face, confusion flickering across her features.
Before she could ask what it was, Julian reached for her hand.
Her breath caught. The action was so unexpected.
Julian pulled her gently to her feet.
And then, without warning, he kissed her..
Seraphina froze.
Her mind blanked, her eyes widening in shock as his lips pressed against hers with a tenderness she had never experienced from him in front of anyone.
For a moment, she did not move.
Then instinct took over.
Her lips softened against his, responding naturally, like a woman who had missed him far more than she had allowed herself to admit.
Sheila cleared her throat loudly. And that was when Seraphina remembered they weren’t alone.
Julian pulled back slowly, his hand still resting at Seraphina’s waist.
His eyes held hers as he spoke.
“I was only away for a few hours, but it felt like days. I missed my wife-to-be.” Seraphina’s throat tightened at how realistic that sounded. And the worse part? She had no control over how it made her feel.
Joye gasped dramatically.
Seraphina’s heart fluttered uncontrollably. But she knew she had to cooperate. “I missed you more,” she whispered.
And then she kissed him again.
This time, it was Julian who was shocked.
Her lips pressed against his with less hesitation, her body leaning into his without conscious permission.
She did not know if she was still acting.
She only knew the warmth in her stomach was real.
The way his hands tightened around her waist was real.
The way her heart raced was real.
Sheila groaned playfully.
“Tomorrow is your wedding. You will have the entire day and night to yourselves. Please stop making me jealous.”
Julian chuckled softly.
“Oh, you do not have to feel jealous,” he said.
He gestured toward the package on the table.
“That is for you.”
Sheila gasped loudly, grabbing the package and clutching it to her chest like it could disappear if she didn’t hold it.
Seraphina looked from the gift to Julian expectantly.
“I’m expecting the part where you reveal my own package as well,” she said, angling her head playfully.
Julian’s lips curved into a faint smile.
“You should not be in such a hurry, fiancée” he said. “Come with me.”
He took her hand naturally, as though it belonged there.
He glanced at Sheila.
“I will borrow your friend for a moment.”
Sheila waved her hand dramatically.
“Please, take her. It is my pleasure.”
Seraphina allowed herself to be led inside, her mind spinning.
He felt different tonight. He was very less guarded than the Julian she was used to.
He guided her upstairs to his room.
The moment they entered, she turned to him.
“What now?”
Instead of answering, he pulled out his phone and made a call.
Seraphina frowned slightly.
Then she heard it.
“Hello.”
Her breath almost stopped.
She would recognize that voice anywhere.
Her heart slammed violently against her ribs.
“Phoenix?” she whispered.
Hope surged so powerfully inside her it nearly hurt.
Julian turned the phone toward her.
It was a video call.
Phoenix’s face filled the screen, his bright eyes lighting up instantly.
“Mummy!”
Her eyes filled with tears she could not stop.
“Phoenix, my love,” she breathed.
He began talking excitedly.
“I love it here, mum. I played ball today. And I ate chocolate chip cookies. And there is a white dog. It’s mine now.”
Her heart melted completely as she wholeheartedly hear hom out.
She listened to every word like it was oxygen. “I’m happy to hear that, baby. Be a good boy, okay?”
Phoenix bobbed his head up and down, then he asked casually, “Is my dad coming?”
Seraphina stilled. Her mind stumbled as she comprehended his question.
“Your… dad?” she repeated carefully.
Phoenix nodded innocently.
“Yes”
Her head jerked toward Julian.
He was watching her intensely, a small frown resting on his face.
She looked back at Phoenix, her heart racing as she forced herself to smile.
“Yes,” she said gently. “We will come together to visit you soon.”
Phoenix beamed.
They said their goodbyes.
She ended the call slowly and handed the phone back to Julian.
He waited for the questions to come. None came. If. Anything, Seraphina seemed calmer- like someone who just earned something she’s been longing to have.
“Thank you.” She said softly.
Julian’s brows furrowed in surprise.
“For letting me speak to him.” She added, her voice bare and sincere.
Yet, Julian waited. She continued, “I know that… when the time is right, you will tell me where he is.”
Julian stared at her.
At that moment, it was at the tip of his tongue to tell her things he wasn’t sure was the right time to talk about.
He almost told her about Damien being at his office today. But he couldn’t mention that without talking about the will. He knew better than to pull her mind from the impending wedding. He had everything planned.
Everything had to happen in the right order. She would learn about the will, but that would be after the wedding. He thought silently.
So instead of spilling, he stepped closer to her as if a force was directing his steps. He let the deep attraction he was feeling in that moment guide him.
Her breathing quickened when their eyes locked to hers.
He reached up and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
Her heart pounded violently.
His matched it.
Seraphina couldn’t stomach the tension, so she broke the silence.
“I should return to the garden,” she said softly. “I’m…I mean…I will sleep early tonight. We have our fake wedding tomorrow.” She chuckled nervously, realizing her words weren’t really making sense.
Julian heard all of that, but his mind was functioning differently. His eyes bored into hers.
“You are beautiful,” he said suddenly, shocking her further. The gentleness in his tone wasn’t helping either.
His words caught her completely off guard.
Her lashes batted up to look at him under them. Before she could respond, he closed the space between them. And kissed her.
Hard.
In that moment, every line they had drawn between truth and pretense blurred.