Chapter 2
Caleb hung up, sipped his wine irritably, then noticed me.
His eyes narrowed, a hint of condescension in his polite words. "Do you have a boyfriend?"
I shook my head.
"Help me with something?"
If I sell the priciest Steinway, I'll earn a 30 thousand dollars commission.
I nodded.
"Caleb, where are you going?" Iris yelled out.
He took me to Sterling family to meet his mother.
Back at the villa, Mrs. Reynolds gave me a knowing look.
"Madam Sterling is here," she whispered.
Mrs. Sterling lounged on the sofa, sipping wine, ignoring me.
Seven years passed, and she still denied I was Caleb's wife, claiming he just met me at a piano shop. She even poured out my wine and refused to let me call her "Mom."
I followed the servants and called, "Madam Sterling, I'm back."
"Alone again? Can't keep your husband and now you play piano to entertain? Shameless," she hissed.
I kept my head down, saying nothing.
With Mrs. Sterling, the best strategy was to ignore everything.
"Always scared and groveling, why? Men want women who flirt," she continued.
Iris Valois didn't know how to flirt.
She was gentle and delicate, someone everyone wanted to protect.
Her mother and Caleb's father had a brief, failed romance.
Years later, Caleb's father died in a car accident, saving Iris's mother.
Mrs. Sterling has held a deep grudge against Iris and her mother ever since.
Caleb and Iris were star-crossed lovers whose longing turned to resentment.
I was just Caleb's pawn to annoy his mother.
He chose me because I was the first woman who didn't cry when Mrs. Sterling tried to tear me down.
At our first meeting, Mrs. Sterling called me a delusional social climber aiming for Sterling fortune.
I stayed silent, calculating next month's commission in my head.
I smiled and said goodbye as I left.
Caleb looked at me. "Why didn't you reply?"
I grinned. "30 thousand dollars an hour, Caleb. Call me next time."
I became Mrs. Sterling's favorite target and Caleb's shield.
After each ordeal, he sent the money to my account immediately.
I accepted all payments without question.
My grandmother was very ill, and I needed cash.
Once, Caleb took me to an exclusive lounge.
The private room was filled with his old buddies.
They played cards while I watched quietly.
The smoky air was hazy; I crunched a mint, its sound sharp in the silence.
Caleb shot me a look, clearly intrigued.
I paused, then asked, "Want one?"
He took the mint from my hand with his lips; his fingers brushed mine, cool and electric. My face burned.
His friends whistled. "Caleb, when did you get so smooth with women?"
"Damn, that's spicy. You've known Iris for years but never did this."
Caleb waved them off, saying, "You should quit smoking."
Iris burst in, eyes red and focused on Caleb, looking heartbreakingly vulnerable.
"Who is she? Explain."
Caleb reclined, unfazed. "I don't explain myself."
"Caleb, after all we've been through, are you really giving up on us?" she added.
Caleb looked up coldly. "You let go first. How many times did you meet Apex Technologies heir?"
"I didn't have a choice!"
"Iris," Caleb said softly, "let's quit, okay?"
Iris bit her lip, tears spilling. "Fine, it's over!"
She ran out crying, and his friends said, "Caleb, check on her. Girls can be sensitive, don't let her do anything drastic."
Caleb rubbed his temples and muttered, "Shit!"
He chased after her.
No one remembered I was there.
Feeling awkward, I slipped out of air and wandered aimlessly.
At the corner, I caught Caleb and Iris kissing.
I stepped back, a hollow ache spreading in my chest.
They finally parted, Iris tear-streaked and teary-eyed.
"Wasn't she just a fake girlfriend for your mom? Why bring her here?" she asked.
Caleb seemed indifferent, as if he hadn't kissed her. "Fake or real, she's useful. I pay her, she works, and she stays distant."