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Chapter Forty-Six
Jade clutched the railing and looked out over the marbled foyer. Her feet hesitated at the spectacle below. She leaned over, suspiciously murmuring to Miguel, "What's going on?" Every member of the staff was currently lined up, awaiting their arrival. In their livery, both the men and women stood at attention, forming four rows, with Yvonne stationed at the head of the congregation. Her beady eyes shifted to the top of the staircase, and a snooty smile spread across her cheeks.
Miguel placed a palm on the small of her back and gently nudged her to proceed, never answering. His face said that he wasn't sure either, but it wasn't about to stop him. They descended the stairway, their synchronal footfalls softly thudding against each tile. As they approached, Yvonne folded her hands in front of her, standing proud. "Ms. Meadows," Her voice now fabricated the most pleasant tone, "I would like to introduce the staff members of the Gladwyne estate."JadeRelated chapters
Rendezvous Chapter Forty-Seven
In the formal dining area, they sat at a long table across from one another. It could seat ten people, but the room was large enough that Jade imagined it could comfortably accommodate many more. Expensive curtains made of thick blue fabric hung over the windows, and oak chests filled with what she presumed was expensive crystal and china lined the walls. The waiter placed a cloth napkin over her lap and then lifted the dome cover, announcing that she was being served"Perch.""Oh," She peered down at the plate and then up at Miguel."Is something wrong?" He inquired as he picked up his fork and knife. The waiter paused as well, not daring to move before her complaint was addressed. Jade gulped, wondering if she should say anything. While she'd been researching pregnancy and what to expect of hers, she came across an article about foods she should avoid. Fish was one of them. He impatiently stared up at her, waiting for her to vocalize her thoughts. "Do you
Rendezvous Chapter Forty-Eight
The next week passed without incident. Jade and Miguel quickly found a routine, leaving for work in the mornings and returning to each other in the evenings.Getting dressed for work each morning was like a treasure hunt. Jade's closet now resembled an upscale boutique. One tall pile of jeans became two and then three, four, five— until the generous cubby holes became a vertical rainbow of blues. Above those shelves were folded scarves, t-shirts, large sun hats, and purses that had spilled over from the rotating bag holder. She had an outfit for every occasion. The garment racks were filled and organized by color and style, and the shoes as well. They were displayed by the height of each heel: flats to four-inch stilettos. Even the jewelry cases displayed lovely pieces of silver and white gold.Given so many options, it now took her longer to dress in the mornings. After Cassandra had finished putting her hair up and applying a light touch of makeup, she'd
Rendezvous Chapter Forty-Nine
The next day Jade found herself moping around the estate. Miguel had disappeared before dawn to embark on a fishing trip with his brother, Anthony, and he hadn't invited her along. She hadn't seen Anthony or his wife since the art exhibit, over a week ago. She could only speculate that Miguel had warned them not to stop by the house afterward, as they had intended to do. There was no need to involve them in their drama, and perhaps Miguel wasn't inclined to share the news with his family. Although, at the time, even he wasn't convinced therewasnews to share. Jade thought it would've been nice to have Vivan over for a visit while the men went on their excursion. Even though the woman was practically a stranger, it would've beat spending the day in an empty house.Before they'd gone to bed, Miguel had informed her that Sundays were the staff's day off. She could still order food from the kitchen, but otherwise, she shouldn't expect to see them around the ho
Rendezvous Chapter Fifty
CASSANDRAThe bell jingled above the doorway as Cassandra stepped into the cafe. The atmosphere was warm and enticing, emerging her into the fragrance of roasted coffee beans and baked goods.The small restaurant was nearly packed. Families filled each booth, all dressed in their Sunday's best, just coming from a nearby church service. Whimsical giggles from children who bounced and wriggled across the cheap vinyl seats of the booths penetrated the air, followed by mothers chiding their behavior. Across the room, stools at the bar were occupied by brawny truck drivers just passing through town, all looking like they could use a good shower and shave.Cassandra tugged off her hat, letting her tresses tickle her neck as she freed her hair. She was thankful it was finally Sunday, the one day where she could let loose. This certainly wasn't where she would have preferred to spend the afternoon, but Nadia had insisted they meet today. The woma
Rendezvous Chapter Fifty-One
A desirous smile extended across Jade's face, plumping her blushing cheeks as she was stirred awake. She had felt the tender grazes from his warm mouth advancing down her throat before she'd become mindful of what the sensation had been. Her eyes, still heavy and tired from the night before, opened to daylight spilling in through the slats of the window blinds; soft, yellow, and registering that it was early in the morning. Miguel gently kissed the crevice of her neck once more, letting his lips linger and graze. His hot breath awakened her core, although the rest of her had yet to catch up. She felt the blues of her eyes disappear behind a curtain of lashes again, but his persistence warded off any sleep.Inhaling the scent of clean, fragrant soap which permeated the air around them, she forced herself to move. It would do no good to fight the inevitable; she had to get up because of a doctor's appointment. Jade wound awrist over the back of his neck and swirled he
Rendezvous Chapter Fifty-Two
Jade had only been situated on the tall examination chair for a moment before a knock came from behind the closed door. The long strip of hygienic paper beneath her bottom annoyingly crinkled as she attempted to adjust the thin medical gown she was wearing. No matter how much she tugged or arranged it, it seemed impossible to cover her exposed backside.The doctor entered the room, bringing the scent of sugar with her. It was overpowering and excessively sweet, causing the contents of Jade's stomach to churn. The woman, better-looking than her online photo depicted, gave her and then Miguel a welcoming grin before pushing aside the fringed bangs of her bleached hair, which had swayed across her forehead. The roots of it were dark, matching the shade of her penciled-in eyebrows. "Good morning, I'm Doctor Collins," she announced.The polite smile Jade wore had quickly dissolved after they shook hands. She had been forcing herself to breathe from her mouth but had
Rendezvous Chapter Fifty-Three
In an environment that once felt chaotic: unfamiliar, uncertain, and crowded by strangers that seldomly ever acknowledge her, she had discovered order. The sound of her shoes squeaking across the tiled floor never brought recognition; not for any reason did she receive, in passing, a simple glance upward or a smile that said hello. The staff had been trained well, keeping their eyes low and their attention toward anything but her."They get paid to see as little as possible," Miguel's words would echo in her thoughts.It felt like she were just another statue in the corridor. Eventually, she stopped noticing the staff as well.She did have daily interactions with Cassandra, although, recently, even she seemed to keep a distance. Their morning conversations over a cup of coffee lasted for around fifteen minutes, consisting of mainly informational topics. Each morning, Cassandra had fixed her hair before work and then applied a light coat of makeup
Rendezvous Chapter Fifty-Four
At 5:00 P.M. the tall door to the suite promptly cracked open. Jade hadn't heard the soft tapping coming from behind it because she'd been sitting in the dressing room at the time, applying the finishing touches of her makeup. Yvonne had informed her that they'd be traveling with some of Miguel's business associates, and she would need to make herself presentable."You'll sit at the rear of the plane,"the woman's voice mimicked in her thoughts, "You're to remain quiet but vigil. Don't sleep, don't slouch, and do not interrupt."The soft bristles of a powder brush swept across her stained rosy cheeks one last time before she tucked it away into a soft carrying case. She was more than happy to follow along with the rules if it meant she would get to spend Christmas with Miguel."Ms. Jade?"Her eyes darted up into the reflection of the vanity mirror, noticing the slim figure now standing in the doorway. "Cassandra," she smiled
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