Page 34 of Marriage Masquerade

The sooner they got things back to normal, the better.

As if Nikos heard her thoughts and agreed with them, he became the perfect host to a guest in his home. The afternoon passed pleasantly as they explored superficial topics of conversation.

Hal prepared a wonderful meal for a wedding dinner, complete with champagne. Gemma took only a sip of hers.

“This is delicious,” she murmured, wishing she dare drink more.

“My favorite aunt is from France. Her knowledge about fine wines is amazing. She’s Allessandros’s mother. You’ve met my cousin.”

“Yes,.”

“He has an American wife. I’ll have to ask him for pointers.”

She gave a mock frown. “A little consideration is all I’m asking.”

He laughed and raised his flute.

“May all our days be as delightful as this one has been, Gemma.”

Pleased with the toast, she touched her own glass to his and sipped.

Gemma hadn't expected a honeymoon. But Nikos had told her yesterday that he had planned for them both to take the rest of the week off from work. She was astonished when she rose the next morning to discover Nikos had left.

Weren't they both going to take the time off?

When she dressed and went to the dining room, Hal came in from the kitchen.

“I am to give you this note,” he said when she asked where Nikos was.

Gemma opened the note and scanned the contents. Nikos had gone in for an errand. If she awoke before he returned, he hoped she'd make herself at home. Hal was available to prepare her breakfast.

And perhaps she'd move her things into his room. Tonight they'd share a bed to answer the INS’s questions with all the honesty possible.

Another paragraph suggested she shop today for something to wear to the party. What was suitable for a personal assistant might not be suitable for his wife.

Gemma crumpled the note into a ball. If he’d been near, she’d blister his ears with her thoughts about his suggestions.

“Madam?”

“I’ll take a poached egg on dry toast and some herbal tea.”

“There is an assortment of teas already at the table. I’ll bring you boiling water and prepare your breakfast.”

Fuming, Gemma followed Hal into the dining room. How dare Nikos suggest her clothes were not suitable. They were stylish and of good quality.

Suitable for the wife of a wealthy international businessman?a voice inside whispered.

She sat and picked a packet of tea. Fixing the hot brew, she considered her options. She could feed her anger and let loose when he returned. Or she could go buy the most expensive dress she could find and charge it to him.

She didn’t care that her reaction was childish. He made her so mad sometimes. It'd serve him right if she sent him the bill.

He won’t mind, that voice said.

Which was probably true. He had enough money to buy any boutique she’d try with pocket change.

After dawdling over breakfast as long as she could, Gemma gave up waiting for Nikos. If he didn't care enough to return this morning, she'd put the time to good use.

Her first stop was the boutique she'd visited before. Recklessly, she told the saleswoman that she wanted the most outrageous dress they had. It would put a huge dint in her savings, but she didn’t care.

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