36

Brian watched Aaron's house from a distance. He knew that every day Aaron went to work and Laurel was at home with the servants. He could not just walk into Aaron's house. The servants might have been Aaron's spies and immediately reported that Brian had come there. Aaron could just go straight home and thwart all his plans.

Brian had to act carefully. He had to lead Laurel out of the house and meet her, where they would not be disturbed, where she could freely reveal all of Aaron's rotten secrets.

After that, Laurel would definitely hate Aaron a lot.

Brian smiled, relishing his moment of victory that was coming soon.

_______________

“I'm going out for a bit to get some cake.”

Laurel said goodbye to the maid at her house. She was going to buy a cake to take to the dorm where Aunt Sarah was the next day. Her private chauffeur was waiting and Laurel got into the car, headed for an elegant bakery cafe in the city center. There was a very good baked brownie. Laurel will be buying some as souvenirs to bring tomorrow.

As the car reached the bakery's parking lot, her cell phone rang. She saw Brian's name on her phone screen and sighed.

What a coincidence, she thought. She had thought about calling Brian and having a talk, clearing up the misunderstanding between them and hoping they could have a good talk, then parting ways without any more trouble between them.

She asked the driver to wait and stepped out, entered the bakery and picked up the phone.

“Hello,” Laurel greeted Brian, in a friendly voice.

“Hi Laurel, how are you?” Brian's voice was stiff.

“I'm good, Brian. I hope you're doing well too,” Laurel replied, carried away by Brian's stiff and formal atmosphere.

Brian's voice on the other end was silent for a moment, and then the man said in an even tone, “I heard about your wedding,” his breath hitched a little. “Congratulations.”

Laurel smiled. At least Brian wanted to congratulate her. To her, it was a sign that the man had good intentions towards her.

“Thank you, Brian. I am sorry I did not get to tell you about this. Everything was in such a rush and suddenly I was married.”

Brian chuckled bitterly on the other side. “Do you love him, Laurel?”

Laurel nodded her head subconsciously. “Yes, Brian, I love Aaron.”

Silence again, a little longer this time.

“I wanted to meet you,” Brian muttered at last.

Laurel sighed. “I happen to think the same; I guess we should have a chat to sort out some of the things that have been stuck between us.”

“When can we meet?”

“I have to ask Aaron first.”

Laurel certainly did not mean to meet Brian secretly. She would ask Aaron's permission first. She was sure Aaron would allow her if she could explain the reason properly.

“No, don't do that!” Brian interrupted quickly, causing Laurel to frown.

“Don't do what, Brian?”

He cleared his throat on the other side. “You must know that I still work at Mr. White, uh, Aaron’s company,” his voice lowered, “it would be very uncomfortable for me if he found out I was trying to see his wife, considering I used to be close to his wife.”

“But I can't just meet you secretly either. If Aaron finds out—”

“Aaron wouldn't know! I beg you, Laurel. I won't take up too much of your time. I just need some time in the public place you chose, so that it won't trigger misunderstanding and slander against us.” Brian took a deep breath. “I beg you, Laurel. Just one meeting to explain everything and after that if you want, I won't disturb your life anymore.”

Laurel was pensive thinking about Brian's words. She finally took a deep breath. “Okay, when and where?”

“Today, can you?”

Laurel glanced at her watch. It's still two in the afternoon. She had a long time before going home and waiting for her husband to come home from work.

“I'm buying cake at the bakery—” Laurel said the name of the cafe and bakery where she was. “If you want, you can come here.”

“Okay, that sounds good. I will be there in a moment. Right now I'm still in the office; I'll find an excuse to get out.”

After that, Brian hung up the phone. Laurel then chose some cakes and paid for them. She went to the car and asked the driver to take the cookies home first, and pick her up later. She would call home to be picked up later because she would be meeting a friend first for, maybe, an hour or two.

The driver followed her instructions and took the car home. With slow steps, Laurel entered the cafe and bakery that was quite crowded, and then chose a seat and ordered hot chocolate for her, and waited.

Brian arrived almost an hour later. The man was still handsome with an incredibly charming smile, although that smile could not thrill Laurel anymore. She had, however, been held captive by her husband, Aaron Silverwhite, who was the best and no man could beat him.

Brian greeted Laurel and smiled apologetically, then sat down in front of her.

“I'm sorry for being late. I just ran away from the office.” The man smiled and studied Laurel. “You look even more beautiful, Laurel, more radiant.”

As usual, he is very good at flirting, Laurel thought with a smile. “Thank you, Brian.”

Brian took a deep breath, as if at a loss for what to say, then after a long time, he raised his head and looked deeply at her. “Laurel, you know I love and care about you, and I want you to be happy,” his voice then sounded soft, “But I was worried for you when I found out that you had been deceived all along.”

“Deceived?” Laurel frowned in confusion.

“Yes, you were tricked. The marriage of yours happened based on a lie. You were completely duped, Laurel, and I don't want you to be treated that way.”

“What do you mean, Brian?” Laurel's voice turned sharp.

Did Brian mean to slander Aaron again?

“Do not be angry! At least listen to me first, then you can decide what to do afterwards.”

Brian gave Laurel a cruel look as he threw the bomb. “You've been lied to, Laurel. Aaron Silverwhite is the one who killed your father in an accident ten years ago.”