♣ CHAPTER 30 ♣
The Dray's mansion was alive with the soft whispers of maids and guards. They were chatting and moving about quietly.
Kate rolled from one side of the bed to the other. Her phone buzzed on the shelf beside her bed. She reached for it and noticed it was an unknown number.
She sat up, rubbed her eyes, and yawned like a hungry lion before answering.
"Hello," she said lazily.
"Hey, girl. Good morning," came a cool and smooth voice.
"Please, who is this?" she asked.
"It's a friend from Texas," the voice chuckled.
"I really don't know... I'm not that social with people."
"I know. I won't beat around the bush. It's Lucas."
Her eyes widened. "What? Lucas? Is that really you?" Her voice brimmed with surprise and happiness.
"Yes, the one and only Lucas."
Kate jumped out of bed. "Are you in Greensville?"
"Yes, I'm right in front of your mansion."
"Really?" She rushed to the window, pulled the curtain aside slightly, and peeked out. Lucas was standing beside his car, smiling broadly.
She dashed out like a storm.
William was heading toward her room when she raced past him.
"Good morning," he greeted, but she didn't even glance his way.
He turned, puzzled, watching her run off in her pajamas.
"Where's she going in her pajamas?" he muttered.
He walked to the window and looked out. He saw Kate hugging a man he didn't recognize. They were laughing and holding hands. William's expression darkened instantly. His posture stiffened, and his eyes clouded.
Later, Kate returned inside and got dressed. She put on light makeup and a simple dress. As she was about to step out, a voice stopped her.
"Who is he?"
"William... You're back. I thought you'd still be at the office."
"So you could bring in more men to have fun with?" His voice was cold.
"I can't believe you just said that."
"Then tell me—what does it look like? Is he another business partner? Just tell me who he is!" he barked.
She flinched.
"You don't understand."
"What don't I understand? You were hugging him and holding hands like he's your boyfriend!"
"Can you just let me explain?"
"What's there to explain? That it's nothing? Another lie?"
Her phone buzzed. She looked at the screen—it was Lucas.
"His name is Lucas," she said, showing William the phone. "He's my friend from Texas. He helped me back when I was studying there. We're just friends, nothing more."
William's tense face slightly relaxed. Just then, Lucas walked in.
"Kate, what's taking you so long?" he asked cheerfully.
Kate turned. "Lucas, meet my husband—William Dray."
Lucas smiled and stretched out his hand for a handshake, but William frowned and ignored him. Lucas lowered his hand and smiled awkwardly, sensing the tension but trying to stay calm.
"Are you ready?" Lucas asked her quietly.
"Yes, we have a lot to catch up on."
She turned to leave, but strong arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her back.
"Where do you think you're going?" William asked.
"We're just going to the park," she replied.
"You're my wife. You can't be running around with just any man."
Kate laughed. "What is this, William? You're not being yourself. Get it together." She pulled free from his grip.
"Let's go, Kate. It's getting late," Lucas said.
The two of them walked out, chatting softly.
William dropped onto the couch. His mood was stormy. He didn't like the way Lucas smiled at her. He didn't like how he looked at her. He didn't like how he touched her.
He didn't even understand why he felt this way... but he hated seeing her with another man.
That evening, when Kate returned, she found William on the couch, staring blankly.
She walked over, puzzled.
"What's wrong?" she asked, placing her hand on his shoulder.
"You don't need to know."
"Hmph! I just want to help," she said, rolling her eyes as she sat beside him.
"I'm sure you had a great time with your new boyfriend," William hissed.
"William, you're jealous. Just admit it."
"I'm not," he shot back.
"You are. If you weren't, you wouldn't be sulking like this."
"Fine... I admit it. I was jealous. I don't like him around you. The way he looked at you, the way he touched you... I hated it."
Kate blinked in surprise, caught off guard by his honesty.
"He's not looking at you like a normal friend should. His eyes say something else."
"There's nothing wrong with the way he looked at me," she replied calmly.
"Don't think I'm cool with it. I'm not. I care about business, not emotions."
"You can feel whatever you want to, William. But don't shut off your emotions. You can't force them away," she said.
William stared at her, like he was searching for something on her face. A flicker of something crossed his eyes, but Kate couldn't read it.
"Lucas is just a friend. Nothing more," she said firmly.
"Are you sure?"
She pouted. "He's just a friend."
She stood to head to her room, but tripped—and fell right into William's arms.
He caught her by the waist. Their eyes locked. His hand cupped her cheek, sending butterflies fluttering in her stomach. His fingers grazed her lips, and she shivered.
"William..." she whispered.
He leaned in, their faces just inches apart. Their lips were about to touch—
When both of their phones buzzed.
Kate's caller was Tina. William's was Liam.
"Oh... fuck!" they both cursed at the same time.
Kate pulled away abruptly, her chest rising and falling as she glanced down at the screen.
"Tina," she muttered.
William groaned lowly, frustrated, his hand slowly falling from her waist. "Liam," he said through clenched teeth.
They both stepped back, the tension between them still hanging heavily in the room like an unfinished sentence.
Kate turned away first and answered her call.
"Hello?" she said, her voice slightly breathless.
Tina's excited voice rang through. "Babe! You won't believe it—I just saw Lucas's photo on someone's Insta story! Are you two hanging out again?"
Kate swallowed. "Yes, we… just caught up today."
"Girl! I hope your husband's cool with it. That man looks like he could light a match just from glaring."
Kate's eyes flickered toward William, who was already on his call, pacing. "It's… complicated," she replied quietly.
Meanwhile, William's voice dropped as he spoke to Liam. "Yeah, I'm here… No, she was with a guy—Lucas. He's back."
Liam sighed. "So you're finally feeling something, huh? Jealousy looks good on you, Dray."
"I'm not jealous," William growled. "I just don't trust that guy."
"You don't trust yourself around her either," Liam said knowingly. "Maybe it's time to stop pretending you don't care."
William ended the call without replying and turned to see Kate already watching him, arms crossed, her eyes sharp.
"You look upset," she said carefully.
"I'm not," he replied, too quickly.
Kate stepped closer. "Then why does it feel like you are? You didn't even shake his hand, William. That's not like you."
William shrugged and shoved his hands into his pockets. "Maybe I didn't feel like being polite to someone who stares at my wife like she's dessert."
Kate blinked. "Your wife? You've never used that word with so much emotion."
There was Silence.
"You were going to kiss me," she said, her voice quieter now. "Why?"
William looked at her, his eyes intense. "Because I wanted to. And maybe I still do."
Kate's breath hitched, but before she could reply, a loud knock echoed through the hallway.
They both turned toward the door.
Another knock. This time louder.
William frowned. "Are you expecting someone?"
"No."
He walked to the door and pulled it open.
Standing there was a tall woman with striking features, a confident smirk on her face, and a large designer bag slung over her shoulder.
"Well, well… if it isn't the famous William Dray," she purred.
William's brows furrowed. "Do I know you?"
She laughed softly and stepped forward, heels clicking against the marble floor.
"Maybe not… but Kate does."
Kate's eyes widened. Her throat went dry.
"Rachelle?" she whispered, heart sinking.
William looked between them. "Who the hell is Rachelle?"
Rachelle's smile turned venomous. "I'm the reason she left Texas."