Chapter 56

Jacqueline McKenzie.

Most people know her by the name of Jacqueline Hughes. She plays by no one's rules. She sets the rules herself and uses people in her game. A beast dressed like a beauty.

Hence, it irked her to approach the airport at her husband's stepsisters' command. She wouldn't have bothered with Anna's whims if not for feeling slightly curious.

Looking at her silhouette and the elegance with which she carried herself, people couldn't stop themselves but be in awe.

Her ethereal beauty is cool and classic that can stop people in their tracks. Her grace is flawless that a dancer can shy away. She has remarkable skill at appearing silently dignified.

Her black silky hair falls like a cloud on her shoulders. Her blue gaze has the power to hypnotize people into doing her will. Clad in a midnight blue that almost looks like a black bodycon dress, Jacqueline Hughes is one stunning beauty.

When beauty is mixed with power, then nothing can hold the person back. And Jacqueline Hughes likes to live with power safely tucked in her back pocket.

However, her heart is another matter. Where the outer beauty looked light, the inner is much darker and sinister. She doesn't look at people's qualities.

She looks their worth. Money is everything for her. She is no gold digger by any means. Nor money-hungry leech. All the same, if you don't have money then you are not on Jacqueline's radar.

Once entering the airport, Jacqueline spotted Anna and walked with a purposeful glide towards her.
"This better be important", she threatened her as a way of greeting.

As she had to leave the arms of her recent lover to pick up this nuisance of sister-in-law, she is not in a good mood, to begin with.

"All in good time. First, don't you want to meet your husband?" Anna said evasively

Jacqueline gave a snort and warned her with a coldness that is seeped inside her, "why would I do that? If you called me here just to say that Anna, I'm going to be really mad at you"

"I'm not asking you to travel states, Jey. He is here in London right now. Dear stepfather finally fed up with mom's antics left this world", Anna sniggered.

"Good for you and your mom. What does that have to do with me?" Jacqueline asked remotely as she worked out the fact that Anna's mom is cunning enough to horde some wealth before that old man kicked the bucket.

"Patience Jacqueline patience. I will tell you once you meet your husband" Anna appeased to her.
Jacqueline doesn't like riddles or surprises except if they are of good variety. And this is not. However, she's interested enough to follow Anna’s instructions.

They drove to the church with Annabel nary saying a word.

"What shall I look for?" Jacqueline asked, trying to get the hint as she turned towards Anna.

"You don't need to. Just stand in front of him", Anna said mysteriously.

Inwardly confused, Jacqueline drifted into the church with not a care in the world.

"Am I late for the party?" Jacqueline questioned loudly to get her husband's attention who was leaning over his father's body.

The expression or lack thereof, of her husband, told her that something is amiss. His normally resentful expression is absent. It might mean many things or none.

However, Jacqueline is not ready to take a chance. Following her instincts has kept her in this powerful position. And those instincts are screaming at her that her husband is hiding something.

Jacqueline narrowed her eyes at her husband's posture. Well, looks like Anna has whetted her appetite after all.

James looked at the chain that tied his freedom. Jacqueline McKenzie. A demon in disguise. Because of her, he was this close to Bella yet was not able to touch her as he wanted to.

It's been a decade. A decade since James last laid eyes upon her and she has the audacity to saunter here as if nothing happened! How dare she?

Needless to say, he was keeping tabs on her and her lovers and how she is literally throwing his hard-earned money in the air, James thought disgustingly.

James felt the noose tighten around his neck.

Staying far away from her has lessened the awareness of his chains. However, when faced with his living nightmare, James wished he could throw her out of his eyesight forever.

If only she had stayed buried for some more time. James would have gotten free with less hassle. Well, no war was won without an opponent.

James wanted to end this charade once and for all right now. However, he has to be patient. Time is of the essence here.

"What are you doing here?" James growled.

Ah, there is the resentment, Jacqueline thought to herself. Nevertheless, she saw his body going rigid at her entrance before he was able to hide it. Curiouser...curiouser. For some, it wouldn't have been noticeable, but she is his wife. Albeit, she hasn't seen him in a few years, she knew the telltale signs of his alarm ness.

"Why? Couldn't I attend the funeral? After all, he was your father. And what will people think if I didn't stand beside you giving you support at these... tough times?" Jacqueline drawled as she scanned the crowd casually.

"Since when did you concern yourself with what society thinks?" James asked disguising his unease with a question of his own.

Her beauty did nothing to him except turning him cold. She hasn't changed that much in these past years. The years only accentuated her splendor. Of course, she has a good handful of plastic surgeons at her fingertips.

Everything was going so smoothly but no, Anna had to interfere in his life.

Well, he will handle her in his own way...soon. For now, he concentrated on not raising Jacqueline's red flags.

"Hmm...maybe not. But I care about you", she replied sarcastically.

"Do you think I would believe that?" James scoffed at her blatant lie. Pigs will learn to fly before that happens.

"I would be surprised if you really did", Jacqueline said as she scrutinized him up and down with slow preciseness. He looks delectable for his age. Too bad, he couldn't differentiate bodily pleasures from emotional entanglement.

James felt irritated. Jacqueline likes people to hang on to her words. This attitude of his estranged wife hasn't changed.

"Come to the point Jacqueline", James stressed impatiently to leave her presence behind. James believes a second spent in her presence is equivalent to a decade.

"Can't I meet my husband? It's been what...11 years?" Jacqueline posed impetuously.

"12 years 6 months 24 days", James gritted out his prison time.

"Tsk...tsk...tsk. You are counting days too? Interesting darling. Shall I expect an anniversary gift soon?" Jacqueline asked mockingly.

"Why are you here Jacqueline?"

Instead of answering him directly, Jacqueline circled around him, measuring the width of his shoulders. James however, took a step forward moving out of her touch's reach.

Dropping her hand unceremoniously Jacqueline said, "You know James when you put a leash on a dog, you have to check its behavior regularly. Otherwise, it might turn feral and bite you"

"Jacqueline, call me a dog to my face again and see what I will do. I bet you won't like the consequences", James warned her anger burning through him.

Jacqueline's face blanches at his threat. James has threatened her. Her. Things are more serious than she predicted.

"No need to get serious darling. I was just joking", Jacqueline said backtracking.

"Do I look like I'm in a mood to joke with you? Look around you, Jacqueline. We are at a funeral for Christ's sake"

"Of course...of course. What was I thinking?"

"You don't. That's the problem. Now, if you have nothing else to say, I will take my leave", James walked towards the front door of the church.

"Wait. Won't you invite me to our home?" Jacqueline asked coyly.

"Not in this lifetime", James said as a parting shot. He pushed past Anna who was looking uncomfortable before him.

"Count your days, Anna. You made a mistake trifling with me"

Anna gulped at the threat. But she couldn't backpedal now. She is already involved in this shit. She looked at Jacqueline and thought, this better be worth it.

Once he was safely away from that vile woman, James said to Tank, "keep an eye on her".

"Yes, Mr. McKenzie"

"On Anna too. I'm not liking the fact that they both are together. They are planning something, Tank. I can feel it in my gut. Keep a tab on them"

"Will do Mr. McKenzie"

James then called his chief lawyer, Luke, and said, "I need results now, Luke. The clock started ticking"

"What...how?"

"Annabel McKenzie"

Luke sucked his breath, "but Mr. McKenzie ...that's your stepsister"

"I know who she is to me, Luke. Just do your work. One week, Luke. I'm giving you one more week. If you haven't done your magic by then, you are fired"

"Mr. McKenzie...I'm trying my best"

"Trying is not enough anymore Luke. I want results"

"Of course...of course"

James cut the call and angrily threw it across the seat.

"Everything will be alright, Mr. McKenzie", Tank said from the front seat.

"Why was I not informed about her whereabouts, Tank?"

"I'm sorry sir. We were not expecting it. Due to the funeral, we were busy with your security"

"I don't like surprises, Tank. Fire the guy we put on her tail. I need someone who is good at the job"

"As you wish sir. I will follow her myself for the duration of our stay", Tank said to ease his stress.

James nodded in acknowledgment. His thoughts are troubling with this new problem he has to overcome.

Guilt clenched in his gut for hiding this from Bella. But he couldn't say anything about this to her. She won't understand. His Bella is pure. Innocent. The works of the outer world are new to her. He doesn't want to be the one to malign that innocence.

Soon...very soon, he will say everything to her once she is completely his.