Lena: [Babe, did you find someone new and forget about me?]
Whitney chuckled softly, her fingers dancing over the screen as she replied: [Honey, how could I? You’re my one and only queen.]
[Good. Then your queen commands you to come to Jade Spa right now and get gorgeous with me.]
A smirk played on Whitney’s lips; she couldn’t resist the playful banter. [Sorry babe, but I’m already gorgeous.]
–
Thirty minutes later, Whitney stepped into the tranquil oasis of Jade Spa, the air thick with the scent of lavender and eucalyptus.
Lena, her face adorned with a thick layer of mud mask, looked up with a grin that was both mischievous and welcoming. “Whit, my favorite concubine, you’re finally here!”
Whitney couldn’t help but laugh at the sight of her friend, her lips moving animatedly despite the mask. “I’ve been so busy lately, my love. I’ve been neglecting my royal duties.”
Lena let out an exaggerated sigh, her eyes sparkling with mock exasperation. “At least you know it.”
As Whitney reclined on the treatment bed, the beautician began the ritual of removing her makeup with gentle precision. “Ms. Moore, your skin is still so delicate and smooth,” the beautician remarked, her tone filled with genuine admiration.
Whitney felt a wave of pride wash over her. It was almost absurd how soft her skin felt, like silk under the touch of a feather. ‘If only I had Whitney’s skin,’ the beautician mused silently, ‘I wouldn’t bother with spa treatments at all.’
“Just give me a basic hydrating facial,” Whitney replied, brushing off the compliment with practiced ease.
Lena, her voice tinged with envy, lamented, “Whit, I wish I had even half your genes. I went on that trip and got sunburned to a crisp.”
“Ms. Harris, your skin is beautiful too,” the beautician interjected, eager to spread her compliments evenly.
Once the beautician had finished her flurry of praises, the two best friends leaned into their conversation, their masks setting in place like a protective shield.
“Whit, my mom just told me that my brother’s actually getting married to Emily next month,” Lena announced, her tone a mixture of disbelief and irritation.
Whitney chuckled softly, memories of her recent encounter with Emily flooding back. “I know. I just ran into her, and she was practically rubbing it in my face.”
“Who?” Lena shot up, her eyes wide with indignation. “Emily actually had the nerve to brag about it to you?”
Lena’s anger flared, her teeth clenching at the thought. “She is-“
“It’s alright, Lena,” Whitney interjected, her voice calm. “You don’t need to worry about me. I’m over it. Whether they get married or not, it’s not my concern anymore.”
Lena huffed, crossing her arms defiantly. “Fine. But Whit, my brother doesn’t deserve you anyway. Let those two stay locked together. One’s a scumbag, and the other’s a homewrecker. They’re going to make each other miserable.”
She paused, her expression shifting as she recalled something. “Oh, but I heard from my mom that Uncle Klein was the one who brought it up to Grandpa this time.”
Before she could elaborate, Lena’s phone rang, cutting through the tension in the air.
Whitney’s heart skipped a beat. ‘Klein?’ she thought, anxiety creeping in. ‘What did he say to James? Could he have mentioned something about us?’
The call interrupted whatever Lena was about to say next. Dustin’s voice came through, casual and smooth. “Hey, sweetheart, there’s a new restaurant on New Street that’s pretty good. Wanna come try it? My treat.”
Lena’s mouth twitched in annoyance. “Dustin, can you just call me by my name? Sweetheart? Ugh, that’s so cheesy.”
She scrunched her nose in distaste. “I’m not coming. Whit and I are at the salon right now.”
Dustin raised an eyebrow, glancing at the man lounging on the couch beside him. ‘Well, his woman is there too,’ he thought, a smirk creeping onto his face.
“Then come together,” he suggested, his tone teasing. “Lena, if you pass this up, it’s not gonna be so easy to get me to pay next time.”
Lena’s eyes lit up with excitement, and she quickly covered the phone’s mouthpiece. “Whit, wanna grab dinner together tonight?”
Whitney hesitated, a part of her wanting to decline. She knew Dustin was the doctor Klein had taken her to see a few times before, and the thought of being in his company made her uneasy.
But Lena didn’t give her a chance to refuse. “We’re coming. Send me your location.”
With a resigned sigh, Whitney relented.
Lena hung up, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Hehe, Whit, you have no idea how stingy Dustin is. This time we’re going all out and ordering whatever we want. I’m gonna make him pay through the nose.”
They had been rivals for years, and Whitney knew better than to argue with Lena’s enthusiasm. Instead, she simply smiled in agreement.
Dustin waved his phone triumphantly, a grin plastered on his face. “Alright, Mr. Harris, I’m heading out now.”
“Wait.” Klein’s brows furrowed together, his gaze cool and assessing. “I’m coming with you.”
Dustin scoffed, a teasing glint in his eye. “Didn’t you say you were busy tonight? What happened-suddenly you’re free because a certain someone’s going?”
Klein let Dustin’s banter slide but didn’t rise to the bait.
Dustin’s curiosity piqued, he leaned in. “Hey, that news about the Moore family’s second daughter online-you leaked that too, right? Just because she pissed off your girl?”
Klein let out a cold laugh, the corners of his mouth twitching. “She pissed me off too.”
‘Did she really think my bed was that easy to climb into?’ he thought darkly, the memory of her audacity gnawing at him.
He’d only been away from the country for a few years, and already someone had gotten bold enough to try crawling into his bed.
His bed was reserved for one person only.
Dustin clicked his tongue, impressed. “Damn, Mr. Harris, are you getting serious about your nephew’s girl?”
Klein shot him a frosty look. “Watch what you call her. She’s my girlfriend. Though if you want to get technical about family hierarchy, you could call her your little aunt. Emily is my nephew’s fiancée, and they’re getting married next month.”
Dustin stared at Klein’s rapid-fire clarification, admiration flooding through him. “You’re something else, man.”
He couldn’t wait to see Carter’s face when he found out Klein had set his sights on his ex-girlfriend. ‘This is gonna be one hell of a show,’ he thought, excitement bubbling within him. ‘I’m claiming a front-row seat right now!’
–
Lena pulled Whitney into the restaurant, and the moment they stepped inside, the breathtaking view halted them both in their tracks.
A small bridge arched gracefully over a stream of flowing water, while lush green plants entwined around everything, creating a serene garden oasis right in the heart of the bustling city.
As they navigated towards their reserved private room, Lena slid open the wooden door, only to freeze in surprise.
“Uncle Klein?” Lena exclaimed, her voice a mixture of shock and delight. “You’re here too?” She was almost certain her Uncle Klein despised dining out, often opting for the comfort of home-cooked meals.
Sometimes he seemed so old-fashioned it was almost comical, like he had stepped out of another era. She had even wondered if his years abroad had turned him into a recluse. So, seeing Klein here, of all places, was utterly unexpected.
“Hey, sweetheart, come on in,” Dustin called, waving them over with a warm smile that radiated charm.
He nodded politely at Whitney. “Whit-“
Before he could finish, Whitney was overtaken by a sudden coughing fit.
Dustin felt Klein’s piercing glare bore into him, and he immediately fell silent, realizing that the tension in the air was thick with unspoken words. ‘Right,’ he thought, ‘these two are still keeping things under wraps from Lena.’
Lena’s concern was palpable as she turned to her friend. “Whit, are you okay?”
Whitney, flustered and nearly giving herself away, waved her hands dismissively. “I’m fine. Just need some water.”
They settled into their seats, and of all the unfortunate luck, Whitney found herself seated directly across from Klein, whose infuriatingly smug expression was almost unbearable.
His long legs stretched beneath the table, his dress pants hugging the firm muscles underneath.
For just a fleeting moment, concern flickered across his features, and his voice emerged low and rough as he offered her a glass of water. “Take it slow.”
Whitney accepted the glass, her fingers brushing against his, and sipped carefully, grateful for the soothing relief it provided her scratchy throat.
She lowered her gaze, murmuring a quiet thank you, feeling a mix of embarrassment and gratitude.
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.