Chapter 27

"I-Issa we have to go back to work. See you when you visit your grandma’s house,” Mary waved goodbye when she saw her heavy frown. She pulled Susan with her.
"Belle!" Joyce nudged her side.
"That lying pervert! He said there has been no other women!”
“Calm down. Let’s go sit over there!” Joyce got her hand and led her to a bench at the side of the lobby.
She sulkily sat down still frowning. She was jealous and she wanted to scream in anger. Until she learned about Victoria, they were fine.
"I saw your reaction last night and I understand. Having a hot husband like Luke is probably not easy. But now, just chill okay?" Joyce advised.
" You heard them too! He brought that woman here a couple of times! Knowing him I found it hard to believe that it was just me but I did believe him! That was one of the reasons why I gave him a second chance! I don’t even know now if I am just still so naïve or he is just so good at lying!" she hissed.
"Oh dear! The staff said that Victoria was with him here. They didn’t say anything about f*cking! Why jump to conclusions easily? They are probably just business partners or she is a family friend. You better ask Luke first before you overthink. Look, if that woman is his hoe, why would he bring her here? Mary and her husband work here and could tell him on you! Luke doesn't want to lose you so why would he do a stupid thing like that? You feel the same about him though you're still in denial. Seriously, you shouldn’t be like this You changed a lot so why feel insecure? Honestly, in the past, though you were pretty, you and Luke weren’t a good match. You may not be as rich as him now but you shouldn’t feel that he is way out of your league. You have become independent, sophisticated and classy. You are more attractive. I witnessed his reaction to men who showed interest in you including my brother. He could be violent and he obviously wants to tell the world that you belong to him. So if I were you stop being so jealous! What more do you want him to do to prove that it's just you for him?"
She sighed. Joyce made sense. If not for her she would have gone to Luke and threw accusations at his face. But she took a mental note to ask Kara about the woman.
" Promise me that you will not act violently any more and don’t start a fight with Luke okay?”
She couldn’t help laughing lightly.
"Speaking of the devil. Here he comes. I guess our fifteen minutes is over!” Joyce said while trying to swallow a giggle.
She groaned and turned. Luke was really a walking dream. She heaved a sigh while Joyce rose from the bench.
"I will leave the two of you. Remember what I told you! No bickering!”
She nodded and rolled her eyes at her. She won’t scratch Luke’s face but she would try to fish out some information about Victoria. She couldn't just shrug off what she heard.
"Babe," he called her and he kissed her on the lips lightly. He sat on the bench too, "Let's go. Snacks are served.” He got her hand. His eyes narrowed when he saw her impassive face. "Is something wrong?"
She sighed. She better ask him now.
"How often do you go here?"
His brows met. "Probably three times a year. Why?"
"How long do you stay?"
He released her hand and straightened. He crossed his arms on his chest. "Babe, why are you asking such a question?" he sounded doubtful.
"Just answer me! "
He rubbed his nape with his hand before speaking again." Just overnight.”
"With whom?"
"Is this an interrogation babe?" he sounded a little irritated now.
She crossed her legs then leaned on her seat. The movement made him stare at her bare creamy legs and thighs. His eyes changed color.
"I heard that you come here with a woman."
A muscle twitched in his right jaw. "Victoria?" he asked.
Just hearing him mention a woman's name whom she didn’t know annoyed her. She just raised one brow at him. His forehead cleared and he was now sporting a poker-face. He stood up then held extended his arm.
"Let's go babe. I'm hungry. We can talk about Victoria on the way to the buffet table, " he said nonchalantly.
She didn’t know whether to feel relieved or irritated because he didn’t seem worried talking about Victoria. She should chill as Joyce advised. With a heavy sigh, she took his hand then rose from the chair too. He pulled her by the waist and kissed her on the lips.
"Don’t be insecure of Victoria babe. She is my childhood friend, " he said as they began walking hand in hand.
"Why did you often bring her here?”
"She loves surfing."
"How does she look like?"
He paused for a while so she stopped walking. He looked at her grinned.
"She is normal looking, " he finally said with a chuckle.
She slapped his arm playfully. He cupped her face. "Don't be jealous of Victoria babe. We are just friends. She is one of the boys. You are the only woman for me," he said huskily.
She felt giddy and her jealous feeling instantly disappeared. She touched his hands on her face .
"Okay I believe you. Come on let’s go. I am feeling a little hungry too,” she said.
He sounded sincere and she wasn’t that close-minded though she had become possessive. He gave her another peck on the lips before they walked back to the pool area. Some staff greeted them along the way.
***
They were in the pool side when one of Luke's staff said that he had an important call in his office. He didn't want to leave but he had no choice. He just told her to be good which made her giggle. When he was out of sight, Brett came to her.
"You don't waste time do you?" she joked.
He grinned, "Your husband guards you so strictly but I don’t blame him. I thought I would never have the chance to say hi to you.”
She just smiled. He was looking fondly at her.
"How have you been?" she asked.
Joyce's brother hadn't changed much aside from the stubble which he now had. But his frame was larger. He was looking at her appreciatively.
"I’m still the old me. Unlike you, you have changed a lot Issa. You are lovelier and I am sure you have been told that many times already. Joyce calls you Belle but I like Issa better. It makes me feel that nothing has changed. It's like you were still single,” he added.
She raised her hand with her ring to show it to him while still smiling. He beamed.
"I know, I know. Forgive me but I am just reminiscing because that is all I can do.”
"Hey what are you saying dear brother? Do you want Luke to smack you? What has gotten into you? Are you drunk?” Joyce interrupted as she gave her a glass of sparkling water.
Brett chuckled and ruffled his sister’s hair,” You know I don’t drink. I am sober dear sister. I was just asking Issa how she is.”
"Oh yeah? You can’t fool me! Look how you stare at her! I don’t think that is just wanting to know how she is!” Joyce joked.
"I am just admiring her beauty. I am a normal man sister dear,” he replied with a grin.
"Okay then. If you will look like a panda after Luke hit you, it won’t be a problem. At least it will go well with your black tux tomorrow, ” Joyce said with a giggle and they all laughed.
"Having fun babe?" she heard Luke’s voice asked.
Joyce cleared her throat while Brett just took a sip of his drink. She on the other hand, chewed the inside of her cheek. Her husband was back in no time. From his tone , he seemed angry again. He really need to be assured that Brett and her were just friends. She turned to him then reached for his hand. Instead of holding it, his arm snaked around her waist to pull her to him. He kissed her right temple and whispered in her ear. "You know about the CCTV right?” he asked her in a cold voice before he straightened again to look at Joyce and Brett. "Looks like you are enjoying your chat babe. I came back quickly because I don't want to miss anything," he said dryly but he was looking at the siblings.
She bit her lower lip. He might have seen them on the monitor but they were just chatting. She just smiled at him but she couldn't see his real reaction. His eyes were covered by sunglasses. She had to make things clear to him about Brett. She didn’t want to have any tension between them especially at the wedding which was tomorrow.
"Babe you know Brett right?" she tried to start a casual conversation.
He didn’t react. She affectionately touched his arm and smiled at him.
“By the way Brett, Luke and Uncle Frank might be business partners soon. They will build new villas. You see Luke, my brother’s business is gravel and sand. You can get your supplies from him,” Joyce suggested.
Isabelle was holding her breath as she waited for her husband’s reaction. He slowly turned to the two. Then finally, he just nodded at Joyce.
" That would be great Luke! I can give you a discount," Brett said.
Luke tilted his head to one side as he absorbed what Brett said. He might be filthy rich but he was still a businessman. After several moments, he said, “Okay, let’s talk business.”
She mouthed a thank you to Joyce when the two men started their conversation. Her friend just smiled knowingly at her.
***
After lunch, she asked her husband if they could go to her Grandma Salome’s house. She didn’t tell him that she knew he had done a major renovation. Mary and her husband were happy to see them. She gasped when she saw the outside of the new house. It was beautiful. It was even better than what she dreamed for her grandmother. Her grandma’s old sewing machine was restored. She hugged Luke. Quietly, Mary and her husband left them. When she noticed that they were gone, she stood on tiptoes and wrapped her arms around his nape.
"Thank you babe. This is more beautiful than I expected. Mary mentioned it to me when I saw her at the lobby today. I know my grandmother is very happy in heaven.”
He let out his wonderful smile. He snaked his own arms around her. "I'm glad you like it. There are two bedrooms. If you don't want to stay in the resort, we can stay here. Do you want to see the master's bedroom? Mary regularly cleans it. They choose to sleep in the room near the garden,” he informed her.
She nodded. He released her and held her hand to head towards the bedroom. Her mouth slightly opened when she saw it. . There was a picture of the two of them on a table near the bed. There was also a small door which was the bathroom. Luke switched on the air conditioner while she was checking the inside. She was discovering a side of her husband which she hadn't noticed before. She thought that he was high-handed but she actually married a philanthropist. Her husband didn’t only help Mary and her husband by giving them work. He even bought Mary’s husband a motorbike which he and Mary could use for transportation. That made her really happy and she realized more that she was lucky to be his wife. He was very generous. He would really do a lot of things to make her happy.
"I love it babe! " she said huskily.
"Good. Do you want to sleep here tonight?" he asked.
Her eyes lit up. "Can we?’
He nodded, "See those cabinets and drawers babe? They are full of clothes for you and me. We can stay here as long as you want.”
She went to where the closets were and opened them one by one. She grinned when she saw a lot of stuff for both of them. It had everything.
"Wait here babe. I’ll tell Mary to prepare our dinner."
"Okay,” she replied excitedly and checked the clothes.
Luke was happy that she liked the house. She preferred to spend the night here than at the resort so he was glad. Her happiness was all that mattered to him. He asked Mary to cook her favorite food for dinner. He was really relieved. At last, they'd be able to fix their marriage. He walked back to the masters bedroom.
He was surprised to see Isabelle lying seductively on the bed with a sexy nightie. Her smoky eyes were on him.
"B-Babe?" his voice was trembling from excitement. He slowly locked the door.
"I'm thankful because you helped Mary and her husband. And you made my grandmother happy with this house."
Mesmerized, he walked to the bed.
"Babe, I want you to make love to me now," she requested huskily which left him speechless.
He had been waiting for her to say that. "Are you sure?" he asked throatily.
Her eyes went down to his bulge. "Yes. Do you want to?"
He closed his eyes to savor her question. He only didn't want to make love to her. He wanted more and now
she was offering herself to him and he felt elated. He smiled with satisfaction and opened his eyes. They equally desired each other.
"I'd love to Mrs.Contrero. I thought you will never ask," he said in a croaky voice.