Chapter 14

Chapter 14
Willow POV
Since I'd just started working, I spent most of my time learning the ropes. The days weren't too busy yet.
Late in the afternoon, Charles showed up early to pick me up.
Molly walked out of the building with me. When she spotted the car waiting by the curb, she shot me a knowing look.
I smiled back at her and hurried over to the car.
Charles had been staring at the building entrance. When he saw me emerge alone—no suspicious man at my side—he finally relaxed.
"Babe…" He turned, angling for the kiss he didn't get this morning.
"Can you wait around the corner from now on? If people at the company see this, there'll be rumors."
Charles frowned. "So what? Let them know you're married."
He'd love nothing more than for everyone to know I was his—to keep them all at a distance.
Once upon a time, hearing Charles talk like that might have made me feel cherished. Now, it just gave me a headache.
I softened my tone. "Once I've settled into the job and proven myself, I'll introduce you to everyone. Right now, I just want to focus on my work and earn their respect on my own merit."
I knew how to handle Charles. Sometimes, you had to soothe him.
And sure enough, it worked.
Charles's lips curved with satisfaction. "That's more like it."
I smiled back. The expression never reached my eyes.
After a while, I realized we weren't heading home.
"Where are we going?" I asked, confused.
Charles's eyes gleamed. "I made a reservation. Today's our one-month anniversary. We have to celebrate."
I blinked, momentarily disoriented. Had it really been a month already?
The Panamera pulled up in front of a riverside restaurant.
Charles led me to a private VIP room he'd reserved.
Through the massive windows, moonlight spilled across the dark blue surface of the river. The moon's reflection rippled gently in the water, stirred by the evening breeze. The sight eased something tight in my chest.
A server brought us wine, then slipped out silently.
The room was softly lit. Intimate. The atmosphere just right.
"Here's to you." Charles poured my glass himself and handed it to me. "To a smooth start at your new job."
For once, I felt relaxed. I took a sip.
Charles's deep blue eyes watched me with unmistakable affection.
He'd been drawn to me the first time we met, he'd told me. Said he thought I was some heiress a wealthy family had kept hidden away.
Over the years, he'd done so much for me. Arranged my father's funeral. Paid for Grandma's medical bills.
My family had nothing, and yet he always praised me—said I was smart, beautiful, that I didn't seem like I came from poverty at all. More like someone raised in luxury.
Ironically, a wealthy family had come looking. Only the long-lost daughter they'd been searching for was Gloria, not me.
Charles placed food on my plate like the perfect gentleman.
"Babe, let's go see Grandma this weekend."
I didn't know why he brought it up out of nowhere, but I didn't refuse.
As Charles reminisced about old times, he kept refilling my glass. Before I knew it, most of the bottle was gone.
Just as the mood mellowed, a voice cut sharply through the air.
"Charlie, I got stood up. Mind if I join you two?"
Rachel appeared in the doorway, looking wounded and pitiful.
When she saw me, she didn't look surprised in the slightest. "Willow, you don't mind, do you?"
I'd been pleasantly buzzed, but seeing her snapped me right back to sobriety.
This restaurant's VIP rooms were completely private. Rachel wouldn't have known we were here unless someone told her.
I looked across the table at Charles.
A flicker of panic crossed his eyes, quickly replaced by irritation as he glared at Rachel. "Who told you I was here?"
Rachel blinked innocently. "Charlie, I was the one who recommended this place to you, remember?"
Charles's expression darkened.
Rachel turned to me again. "Willow, how's the food? I love their foie gras—it's the best."
"Babe…" Charles started.
I pulled my lips into a faint smile. "It's good. Since you're already here, might as well stay."
I signaled the server to bring another place setting.
Rachel settled into the seat beside Charles without a second thought.
"Willow, you're as beautiful as you are kind," she said with a sweet smile. "No wonder Charlie says your name in his sleep every night."
At the same time, I saw her hand slip beneath the table and land on Charles's thigh.
Charles stiffened. He shot her a warning look.
But Rachel ignored it. Her hand grew bolder, her face the picture of innocence.
Ridiculous. If Charles didn't want it, why not just push her away?
"I'm so sorry you got caught in the rain that day," she said, full of concern. "It was my fault—I was the one who begged Charlie to come pick me up. Willow, you didn't get mad at him after you went home, did you?"
I watched clearly as Rachel's hand moved more brazenly—slipping inside Charles's shirt.
Charles's gaze grew dark. He suddenly stood.
"Willow, I'm going to the restroom."
He turned and strode out of the room.
Not long after, Rachel's phone—sitting on the table—lit up with a notification.
"Willow, excuse me. I need to use the restroom too." She glanced at her phone, her smile widening.
I gave a small smile and watched her leave.
Silence settled over the room.
I checked the time, grabbed my phone, and headed toward the restrooms.
Flirting with my husband right in front of me?
If they were going to hand me evidence on a silver platter, I might as well take it.