CHAPTER 162: VELVET LIES AND PERFUMED TRUTHS
James stood up and gently caught Diana's hand before she could leave the room.
"Cherish, what is it?" he asked softly, pulling her into his arms. "Talk to me."
His arms circled her waist, anchoring her to him as he tilted her face up. Diana hesitated. A part of her wanted to tell him everything, but in her mind, she could already picture how he would react. That fierce, intense protectiveness. And the last thing she wanted was to cause problems that didn't yet exist.
So instead, she shook her head.
"It's nothing," she said, trying to smile. "I just… didn't know you were so close to Toby Champion."
"Well, I'm not," James replied, matter-of-fact.
Diana silently let out a breath of relief.
"Oh," she said in a smaller voice, "I thought you were."
If he's not that close to Toby, she thought, maybe he won't even show up at the event. That's good. That means I'm safe...
James raised her chin again, his gaze deep and searching. "Is that what you were worried about?"
"Not really," Diana nodded quickly. "I just don't want our business deal with him to be ruined. It's really important to me and the girls. And I'm sorry for how I reacted earlier. It won't happen again."
James nodded, though his eyes lingered on her longer than usual. Something about her words didn't fully sit right with him. But he let it go. For now.
They spent the rest of the day curled up in each other's arms, quiet and close, until it was time for James to leave.
Diana was already sulking. From the moment he began dressing up, she had refused to smile. She stood by the mirror, arms crossed, lips in a pout. Her frown only deepened as they made their way downstairs.
In the living room, the elders were laughing over something amusing. The sight almost made Diana smile, but her mood quickly dropped again when James turned to them.
"I'll be heading out now," he announced.
"Oh, okay," Suzanne said, standing up. "I'll drive you to the airport."
James chuckled softly. "Grandma, seriously? There's really no need. I'll go with Mathew."
Suzanne grinned and waved him off. "Alright, alright."
"Take care of yourself, son," Katherine added, giving him a warm hug.
Raymond stood up and shook his hand, offering a firm nod. "Safe travels."
"When should we expect you back?" Katherine asked.
"In about 12 or 13 days, hopefully. I'll try to wrap up work as fast as I can."
Diana's frown deepened, and she turned away, blinking back the sting behind her eyes.
"You can go now," Raymond said, before James turned to him once more.
"Dad," he said solemnly, "my family is in your hands. I hate to leave them behind, even for a few days."
Raymond clapped him on the back. "Nonsense. It's no burden. I'll always be glad to accept the responsibility; any day, any time."
"Thank you, sir," James said, sincerely.
He reached for Diana's hand and led her outside, where Mathew, Diana's chauffeur, stood beside the car already holding the door open.
She looked at her husband, tears welling in her eyes.
"At least tell me you'll miss me," she whispered, her voice soft and pitiful.
James drew her close, kissing her hair tenderly. "Every minute of every fucking day, baby," he murmured. "Missing you is what will help me work faster."
Diana sniffled, her heart swelling even as it ached. She gave a small nod, satisfied for now.
With one last look, James turned and stepped into the car. Mathew nodded respectfully and got into the driver's seat. They pulled away slowly.
Diana remained in place, standing there in the driveway, unmoving.
She didn't go inside until the car had completely disappeared from sight, then quietly, she turned and walked back into the house. Straight to her room.
Throughout the weekend, Belle had been basking in the warmth of John's presence. He was attentive, soft-spoken, charming in every way, and by Tuesday morning, while they were still tangled in bed sheets, he popped the question:
Not marriage… but something that felt just as thrilling to her.
"Will you be my girlfriend?"
Her heart soared. She was over the moon.
Of course she said yes.
Why would she say no?
He had everything she ever dreamed of in a man; kind, generous, thoughtful, filthy rich, and never once had he raised his voice at her. Add to that, he spoiled her with expensive gifts and compliments that made her feel seen. It wasn't surprising she had slept with him after just two meetings. Now, officially, she was his girl. And she planned to show that off.
She couldn't wait for Wednesday to come, the day she was meeting her best friend Cassandra. Belle had played out the whole scene in her head: how she'd casually drop the news, how Cassandra's jaw would drop, and how sweet it would feel to finally be the one with a rich man on her arm.
So, she called John and invited him over that morning. She wanted him to meet her best friend, to see what she'd landed.
When John arrived, he walked confidently to the front door and knocked. The butler opened it, his face unreadable.
"I'm here to see Miss Belle Griffins," John said with that signature Colgate smile.
The butler gave a slight nod. "Are you Mr. John Walker?"
"Yes, I am."
"She's been expecting you. Please, come in."
John walked in, calm and charismatic. The butler led him to the sitting room. "Please have a seat. I'll let her know you've arrived."
"Thank you," John replied smoothly as he took his seat.
Hartford, the butler, went upstairs. He approached her door and knocked gently.
"Come in," Belle called out sharply, a trace of impatience in her voice.
He stepped in with his usual grace. "Young miss, the gentleman you mentioned is here."
Belle's face brightened instantly. "Then what are you waiting for? Bring him up," she said, voice now sweet and sugary.
Hartford smirked internally but bowed as he answered, "Of course, miss."
Returning downstairs, he approached John with a small nod.
"Sir, the young miss would like to see you now. Her room — East Wing, first door on your right."
John nodded in acknowledgment, thanked him casually, then made his way up the grand staircase.
Meanwhile, back in her room, Belle was getting herself ready, nicely.
She slipped into her sexiest lingerie and sprayed her perfume delicately across her neck and wrists. She looked herself over in the mirror, nodding in satisfaction. She looked good and she knew it.
Just as she tied her robe loosely around her, there came a knock.
"Come in," she called sweetly.
John opened the door slowly and stepped inside. His gaze landed on her, standing there, glowing in soft lighting, her robe doing nothing to hide the curves underneath. Her eyes met his with a smoldering stare.
"Well, aren't you just so beautiful," he drawled, walking slowly towards her.
Belle blushed hard, grinning as she moved to meet him halfway. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him long and slow. John responded with equal hunger, deepening the kiss before pulling back just a little.
"How about some exercise before we head out?" Belle teased, letting her robe slip off her shoulders.
John paused for a second, gulping as he drank her in with his eyes. The heat in his gaze made her feel all the more wanted.
"I can't wait anymore," he muttered hoarsely before scooping her into his arms bridal style and heading for the bed.
There, he made good on his hunger, taking her over and over again until they were both thoroughly spent.
Only after their lust had burned out did they finally shower, get dressed, and leave the room.
Belle ignored her mom and her mother's elder sister seated in the parlour as she descended the stairs. Without so much as a word to them, she walked straight out with John.
Once inside the car, John turned to her with a calm but pointed expression.
"Why didn't you introduce me to your elders?"
Belle blinked. The question stunned her. She hadn't expected it, and worse, she didn't know how to respond. So she stayed quiet.
"Well, it's fine if you don't want to explain," John said after a beat. "We can just make this trip another day."
"What! No!" Belle panicked immediately. Everything was already planned. She couldn't afford to let him back out now.
"Why, Belle?" John's voice sharpened. "I find it insulting, to say the least."
"Okay, okay, I'm sorry," Belle rushed out. "It's just… one of them is my mom, and we're not exactly on good terms. The other woman is her older sister."
John raised a brow. "And are you on good terms with the elder sister then?"
Belle sighed. "Not really either."
"Then why avoid introductions completely?" he pressed, eyes locked on hers.
Belle hesitated. A lie hovered on her lips, but she held it back. She'd known John just a short while, but it was enough to see that he wasn't easily fooled. He was sharp, very intelligent, very observant. He would see through her lies in a second.
And if he did… it might be the end of everything. No rich boyfriend, no bragging rights, no perfect image to parade in front of her friends.
So she went with the truth. Well, most of it.
After all, even she wasn't sure of her mother's exact plans.