Chapter 71:
Alicia hailed a cab and made her way to the beauty salon, keeping her attire simple and modest. Once inside, she wandered over to the counter, her eyes scanning the various beauty packages on offer.
The beautician, quick to notice Alicia’s refined demeanor, wasted no time in guiding her toward the more luxurious options, each more extravagant than the last. Alicia, however, kept her focus on her real objective—connecting with Rachel Gray, Randolph’s wife. With that goal in mind, she selected a package priced at a staggering $100,000, sealing the transaction with a calm smile.
Moments later, her phone buzzed. It was Joshua.
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“What did you just buy?” he demanded.
Alicia smirked, a sarcastic curve to her lips. Even through a text message, she could sense his irritation. Funny, she thought, a mere $100,000 purchase had him questioning her, yet when he drained millions from her accounts, he never blinked.
She typed back a quick reply. “The autumn weather has dried out my skin, so I’m getting a facial.”
Time passed, and by the time she was lying in bed, winding down for the night, his delayed reply arrived: “It’s good to prioritize your looks.”
A beat later, another message followed, more suggestive than the first: “Is your period over?”
Alicia rolled her eyes in exasperation. “Not yet,” she replied dismissively.
She then promptly turned off her phone, wanting nothing more to do with him for the night.
The next morning, knowing Rachel’s routine, Alicia made sure to position herself strategically. Sure enough, not long after, Rachel arrived for her usual beauty treatment. Alicia smiled and greeted her warmly.
Rachel paused, her eyes lingering on Alicia’s familiar face. After a moment, recognition dawned. “Ms. Bennett?”
On the surface, Alicia remained calm, but secretly she was surprised that Rachel recognized her.
Rachel, with her impeccably maintained appearance, exuded elegance as she settled into the bed beside Alicia. “What a coincidence,” she remarked smoothly. “I’ve never seen you here before.”
Alicia smiled, sensing the opportunity she had been waiting for. Plus, it seemed like Rachel liked her, which was an unexpected bonus.
“Mrs. Gray, you have an impressive memory. We’ve only crossed paths a few times, yet you managed to remember me.”
Rachel chuckled softly, her eyes gleaming with a hint of warmth. “How could I forget? Gerry’s movie was the talk of the town, and your voice made its theme song unforgettable. I always take notice of beautiful and talented women like you.”
Alicia smiled graciously. “You’re too kind, Mrs. Gray.”
“Are you here by yourself?” Rachel asked, glancing around as if expecting someone to appear.
“Yes.”
Rachel’s expression shifted subtly, as though lost in a fleeting thought. She didn’t press further, but Alicia could sense the woman’s curiosity.
To Alicia’s surprise, Rachel was far more charming and personable than she had anticipated—gracious in a way that felt genuine, not forced.
As they finished their beauty treatments, the two began to get acquainted, turning what seemed like a “chance” encounter into the beginnings of a budding friendship. By the time they were ready to leave, Alicia had already taken the initiative to add Rachel on WhatsApp.
Rachel, now in a private room, carefully changed out of her spa attire and began applying some makeup. However, something seemed to unsettle her today. Perhaps it was because she was next to a younger face, but she took longer than usual, touching up and examining her reflection with a faint, unsatisfied grimace.
“Do you have plans later, Mrs. Gray?” Alicia asked, interrupting her thoughts.
Rachel offered a graceful smile as she applied the finishing touches to her lips. “Yes, my husband is meeting a rather important guest tonight. He’s invited me to join them for dinner.”
“You must adore your husband.”
Rachel’s smile faltered slightly as she lowered her gaze, her voice softer now. “Of course. We’ve been together for so many years, after all.” She left her words hanging, a wistful air settling between them.
Quickly, Rachel shifted the mood, stepping away from the mirror and turning toward Alicia. “I feel like something’s off with my look today. Would you mind taking a look and making some touch-ups?”
Alicia hesitated for a brief moment before moving closer. She examined Rachel’s appearance.
“Your complexion looks lovely with the white pearls and soft lipstick,” Alicia remarked thoughtfully. “But I think it feels a bit too… delicate. Maybe try a bolder contrast—perhaps some darker jewelry to balance it out and add a bit of edge.”
Rachel sighed softly. “I didn’t bring any dark jewelry with me today.”
Alicia’s eyes sparkled with an idea.
The salon had just released a new collection of jewelry. Without hesitation, Alicia went ahead and bought a set.
Moments later, she returned with a sleek, dark-colored jewelry set—bracelet, necklace, and earrings. With her keen eye for style, she carefully helped Rachel adjust the accessories. The result was striking. Though nearly forty, Rachel’s new look retained her elegance while adding a touch of boldness.
Rachel looked at herself in the mirror, a satisfied smile curving her lips. “I must admit, this is quite impressive. Thank you, Ms. Bennett. How much was the jewelry set?” Rachel’s tone had grown much more relaxed around Alicia. “I’ll pay you back.”
Alicia shook her head with a soft smile. “A new restaurant just opened downtown,” she said. “Next time, let me treat you to a meal, Mrs. Gray. I’m new to the area and would love to get to know you better.”
Rachel, however, had a different idea. “Why wait for next time? Randolph’s here; why don’t you join us tonight?” Alicia blinked in surprise, caught off guard by the spontaneous invitation.
She hesitated. “Mr. Gray is meeting a client, though. Wouldn’t it be improper for me to tag along?”
Rachel waved a hand dismissively. “Oh, it’s not really that formal. Mr. Ward has a big deal with the bank, and Randolph thought it would be good to connect with him, so it’s more of a casual gathering.”
The informal nature of the event eased Alicia’s worries, but it was the name Rachel mentioned that truly piqued her interest.
“Mr. Ward?” Alicia asked, her brow arching in curiosity.
“Yes, Caden Ward,” Rachel clarified. “He just returned from overseas. You’ve heard of him, right?”
Alicia’s heart skipped a beat. What on earth was going on? It seemed the universe was determined to send Caden her way when she least expected him.
Rachel caught Alicia’s brief hesitation and, sensing her discomfort, added, “Oh! I almost forgot. You’ve written songs for Gerry before, haven’t you? I remember hearing about that. He’s going to be there tonight, too. You two will have plenty to chat about.”
Alicia felt her tension ease. Gerry was a familiar face, and the thought of seeing him again made the idea of joining the dinner much more appealing.
Meanwhile, Gerry found himself in the middle of the cocktail party, lazily swirling a glass of wine in his hand. He enjoyed a good vintage, but his current company was proving less than entertaining.
Glancing at Caden, who was absorbed in his laptop despite the social setting, Gerry couldn’t help but roll his eyes. “You’re still getting over that cold. Why don’t you give yourself a break and relax?”
Caden leaned back in his chair, seemingly unfazed. “It’s nothing,” he replied with his usual calm, brushing off the concern.
He’d always been in good health, so a cold hadn’t worried him at first. But his hectic schedule and lack of sleep had caught up with him, leaving him looking paler than usual. This, combined with his reluctance to socialize, only made him seem more aloof.
Gerry sighed dramatically. “With you brooding over there, no women are going to come over and chat with me.” Irritated by Gerry’s whining, Caden shifted away slightly, hoping for a bit of peace.
His attempt to escape worked almost too well when a striking woman approached their table.
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Gerry, spotting her first, flashed a confident grin and started to pull out his phone, but to his dismay, the woman completely ignored him.
Her gaze locked on Caden instead, and with a sweet smile, she asked, “Mr. Ward, may I add you on WhatsApp?”
