“No, haven’t you heard? Philandering rich people don’t have mistresses anymore—these days they all have friends with benefits.”
“Mr. Bamford seems nice enough. He’s handsome and wealthy so who cares if he keeps a woman on the side? What else could a woman want in a husband?”
“That’s true, besides no one compares to Mr. Clifford when it comes to philandering and affairs.”
“Why are all men the same this way?”
“Who knows? It’s odd though, because his wife is much prettier than his mistress. Why would he take a fancy to the mistress when he already has a wife like that?”
“Rich people are unpredictable. Maybe he just got bored. That’s why everyone says you should be careful when you marry rich.”
Lisa stomps her feet with hatred and frustration and glares at the gossiping shop assistants. Only Leilani knows that in six months, whatever Waylen does or doesn’t do with Lisa will be absolutely none of her business. Leilani passes the dress to the salesperson. It’s a beautiful but simple off the shoulder gown with a long skirt, slit high up one leg. Leilani doesn’t need to try it to know it will suit her well.
After swiping the card, Leilani takes her garment bags and turns to leave the store. As she leaves, she hears the salesperson’s voice call out to Lisa: “Miss Lisa, Mr. Bamford’s butler just called to inform us that Mr. Bamford would like to treat you to whatever you buy with us today.”
Lisa is temporarily confused, but her confusion is soon replaced by joy.
“Mr. Bamford said you can buy whatever you want?” exclaims one of Lisa’s friends, “Oh my God, Lisa, Mr. Bamford is so thoughtful!”
The woman’s loud voice attracts the attention of all of the salespeople, including the ones gossiping about Lisa.
“Miss Lisa, look at this dress,” says one, “It will suit you well. You’ll be enchanting in it since you have such a good figure.”
“Look at the color of this dress,” says another, “It looks amazing with your skin tone. My God, Miss Lisa your skin is perfect.”
Leilani hears the flattery in the store as clearly as if the salespeople are speaking to her.
“It’s amazing what people will do for money,” Leilani thinks, “What is Waylen trying to tell me? Does he want to rub it in that he’s going on a date with another woman?”
She smiles bitterly to herself, and walks out of the store, but she can still hear the loud, flattering voices coming from within.
“Lisa, don’t fail to take advantage of Mr. Bamford’s kindness,” urges one of her friends “There are so many dresses that suit you well—why not get them all?”
“No! I just need this one!” Lisa objects, “I don’t want Mr. Bamford to think that I’m greedy or vainglorious woman.”
Lisa points to a black velvet dress. Everyone looks at the dress and gasps. It is the same as the one that Leilani just bought.
It’s already 7:00 PM by the time Leilani arrives back at the staff dormitories. It’s still raining outside and the storm shows no sign of relenting. Though the weather is terrible, the guests at the hotel are just as determined to seek entertainment and pleasure as ever. The waiters rushing out of the dormitory to work seem to be on their way to the battlefield. As the night gets later, the frenzy increases.
After taking a shower, putting on her new underwear and nightgown, and drying her hair, Leilani falls into bed. As soon as she closes her eyes a man’s face flashed across her mind. It’s the man who kidnapped her on the plane. Though she only got a brief glimpse of his face before she was blindfolded, she remembers it perfectly.
“He snatched the ring Charles gave me,” she thinks, “No matter what I have to find a way to get that back. For all I know, someone is still trying to poison me.”
Robert knocks at the door, interrupting her thoughts.
“Mrs. Bamford, Mr. Bamford wants to see you,” he announces, “Please get dressed and come with me.
“Where are we going?” Leilani asks.
“Just come with me and you’ll find out.”
Leilani smooths her hair and prepares to follow, but Robert stops her from leaving the room.
“Mrs. Bamford, please get dressed,” he says firmly.
“Can’t I wear this?” she asks gesturing at her nightgown.
Robert looks at Leilani again. She is wearing a simple but short white cotton nightgown. As she lazily leans against the door with slightly messy hair, Robert can’t help but think she looks like a beautiful princess. He doesn’t dare to look at her for too long and immediately lowers his head.
“Mr. Bamford is not in his suite at the moment,” he says delicately, “It’s too undignified for you to appear in public like that.”
Leilani is silent for a moment, wondering why Waylen wants to see her.
“His date with Lisa tonight has absolutely nothing to do with me,” she thought bitterly.
Her eyes darken at the thought of the date.
“Just tell him I’ve already gone to bed,” she snaps.
Leilani closes the door in Robert’s face and locks it behind her. Then she lazily stretches out on her bed. Robert bangs on the door and calls her name, but she ignores him. Suddenly a loud splintering sound fills the room, and Robert kicks the door open.
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Bamford but I can’t disobey Mr. Bamford’s order,” Robert said, “He was quite insistent that the consequences would be severe if I fail to bring you to him tonight. I had no choice.”
Robert casts an apologetic look at the broken door.
“Did you kick the door open to watch me change my clothes?” Leilani asks.
She artfully slides one of the straps from her shoulder as if she were alone in the room. Robert blanches with fear, turns immediately and shuts the door as best he can behind him. His face looks as white as a ghost.
Leilani sighs. The door is broken and she knows she won’t have any privacy or peace until she agrees to go. Leilani combs her hair and arranges it simply, she puts on light makeup and changes into one of her new dresses. The black skirt clings to her body and enhances her perfect curvy figure—the daring slit reveals the seductive skin of her thigh. Finally, she takes a small black handbag and places two cards inside: one to the presidential suite and another to her room in the staff dormitory.
When she opens the door, Robert is standing right there. He gives her a strange and surprising look before gesturing down the hall.
“Mrs. Bamford, this way, please.”
The bar is famous among pleasure seekers for its many opportunities for luxurious dissipation. There are tiers of circular booths arranged around a large stage. A dozen women in black leather tights perform a tantalizing pole dance on the stage. Their soft bodies coil like snakes around the hard chrome poles, constantly teasing and flirting with the male patron’s most primitive desires.
The smell of wine fills the air. The colorful crystal lamps hanging high above the stage, emit dim and ambiguous light. The atmosphere is perfect for indulgence—and many of the country’s richest and most famous come to the bar to give vent to their most secret desires.
The booths are divided into tiers according to cost, privacy, and exclusivity. The most distinguished guests naturally take the private rooms at the top of the lounge. Though a VIP room is worth millions, they’re always in short supply.
Robert leads Leilani to the most luxurious VIP room. People like Waylen don’t need to reserve a private room in advance or wait in any lines. The hotel owners would practically beg him to come if they thought it would do any good.
It’s quiet inside the private room. As soon as Robert opens the door for Leilani, screams, whistles, and cheers come into the room in a steady stream. Lisa sits on the red circular sofa chatting and laughing, but Waylen’s demeanor remains icy. His indifferent attitude is out of tune with the woman’s flattery. Waylen lifts his head when he hears the door open and Leilani catches a rakish glint in his eyes.
Leilani’s presence seems to darken the room. Most of Lisa’s friends have the decency to go quiet, and they look at their drinks in awkward embarrassment. Leilani frowns at her husband and casts an unreadable expression at the woman by his side. She finally understands Robert’s strange look upon seeing her dresses: Lisa is wearing the exact same dress.
Lisa deliberately feigns amazement.
“Well, Mr. Bamford, it seems that your wife and I have the same taste,” she giggled, “We both chose the same dress.”
The other women look at Leilani as if they are enjoying a funny show. Quickly, they turn to look at Waylen, eager to see his reaction.
“That seems like quite the coincidence, no?” Veronica sneers, “Lisa, didn’t Mr. Bamford buy you your dress?”
“Did Mrs. Bamford buy the same dress on purpose?” another woman asks in a stage whisper.
“Did she buy the same dress on purpose?” Waylen repeats with amus.e.m.e.nt.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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