“What do you think?” My voice rose. “You brought me to lunch with a man and his wife. A man I met last night with his girlfriend.”
“So?” He shrugged.
“You don’t think that’s shady.”
“It’s not my life. Not my relationship. What Richard does is his business.”
“That’s horrible.” I shook my head and turned away from him. “You’re a pig.”
“I’m a pig because Richard has a mistress?”
“You’re a pig because you can’t see that what he’s doing is wrong.”
“Lots of married men have mistresses.”
“And they are all pigs as well.”
“I think I’m a good guy.” He paused. “I have no plans to marry, so I will never have a mistress.”
“Oh wow, great for you.” I said sarcastically. “That makes everything so much better.”
“I’m just being honest. I know you’re not seriously mad at me for not telling you he was married, are you?”
“Yes, I am upset. In fact, I’m pissed. How could you not tell me?” I hissed. “Especially as I mentioned Elizabeth this morning.”
“I know, I should have said something.” He sighed and came closer to me. “I knew you would be upset.”
“So why are you acting surprised now?”
“I was hoping you wouldn’t overreact.”
“Overreact. I’m an accomplice now.” I bit my lower lip. “How can I look her in the face knowing I was having a conversation with someone last night who was telling me how good Richard was in bed. Someone who is not his wife.”
“I’m sorry, I realize this is a delicate situation for you.”
“Delicate doesn’t even begin to cover it. This is awkward.” I sighed. “This is more than awkward. I’m a fake fiancée meeting a man and his wife, when I was just hanging out with his mistress.”
“Keep your voice down, Lola.” He frowned. “I get it. You’re upset. We will talk later.”
“I don’t want to talk later. And by that I mean if you think talk means sex, you’re going to be waiting a long time. I don’t sleep with pigs.”
“Lola, grow up.” His voice was mad. “You’re blowing this out of proportion.”
“I really don’t think I am.” I shook my head. “I think that I’m as upset as any other caring human being would be. Cheating is wrong.”
“And I’m not saying it’s good.” He grabbed my hands. “Look at me. I don’t agree with Richard’s choices, but it is not for us to judge him.”
“So you think it’s wrong of him to commit adultery?” I asked softly, slightly mollified.
“Yes, I think it’s wrong.” He sighed and kissed me lightly on the lips. “I do not believe in adultery.”
“Okay then.” I stared into his eyes to see if he was telling the truth. “That’s good then because I don’t believe in it either.”
“Can we go inside now?” He asked me softly. “They will be wondering what happened.”
“I’m not cool with this, you know. I’d rather go back to the palace.” I let out a deep sigh. “But I’ll stay for a quick lunch. However, I’m telling you now, if you do something like this again, I won’t be so patient and I won’t go along with it.”
“Duly noted.” He said with a small smile on his face. “I’m glad to hear you stick to your principles.”
“I do and you better not forget it.” I gave him a look and he nodded slightly as he took in my angry appearance.
“I don’t think I’ll forget.”
***
“I’m going up to the room.” I said to Xavier as we arrived back at the palace after the lunch. “I need a shower to wash the shame off of me.”
“Lola, no need to be so melodramatic.”
“Whatever.” I shuddered, thinking back to the farce of a lunch. Charlotte had spent most of the hour talking about what a good husband Richard was and I’d felt so sorry for her. I hurried up the stairs and was walking down the corridor when I saw Tarquin.
“Oh you’re back.” Tarquin grinned at me. “I have something for you.”
“For me?” I frowned. “What?”
“Well, it’s from Violeta.” He shrugged. “She dropped it off this morning with a card. I guess she wanted to apologize.”
“Oh, really?” I said doubtfully.
“Yes, hold on. Let me go and get it from my room.” He ran back down the corridor and I waited patiently, wondering what Violeta had bought for me. I really didn’t believe she was going to apologize to me and a gift as well? Something seemed off, but maybe Xavier or Casper had talked to her and told her to be nicer to me. “Here we go.” He walked back with a small box wrapped in silver paper and a cream envelope. “I wonder what she got you.”
“I’ll let you know later, when I open it.” I took the box and card from him. “Excuse me, I’m going to go and lie down now.”
“Oh, okay.” He looked disappointed. “Maybe we can hang out later.”
“Yeah, that sounds good.”
“Oh, I forgot to tell you. Sebastian is coming back to Romerius.”
“What?” I was surprised. “When?”