"Did I wake you?"
Rella smiled at the obvious concern in Stefan's voice.
"No. It's perfect timing actually because I was about to give you a call myself."
" Good thing I beat you to it then. What kind of a husband would I be if I let my wife do all the heavy lifting."
She rolled her eyes. " Nobody's keeping score."
" I am."
" Jeez you're so full of yourself. How did the meeting go?"
" The investors could not resist my charm." Rella made a sound in her throat that made Stefan chuckle. " Anyway, I didn't call you to talk about boring business. I miss you."
" You've been gone for barely a day."
" Precisely! I can't stand to be away from you for even a second. "
" You are such a sappy romantic."
" And whose fault is that?"
" Touché." Rella said with a chuckle.
"How has your day been?"
"Not bad. I got an invitation from the the White Rose."
Stefan was quiet for some time and his expression changed from playfulness to serious.
"Did Lucille give you a hard time?" He asked suddenly.
Rella wasn't surprised he knew Lucille was the chairlady. Rella contemplated telling him about the side talks and how hostile the women at the White Rose were but she decided against it. That wasn't something she can't handle, she refused to be that wife who hides behind her husband all the time expecting him to come save the day.
"No." She said instead.
"Good and it better stay that way." She sensed a threat in that one sentence and suddenly remembered he'd promised to take of the problem between her and Lucille before. She wanted to ask him how it went but she had a feeling he might not want to talk about it.
She yawned out of nowhere which elicited a chuckle from Stefan.
"It seems like I've kept you up for too long." She had no idea almost two hours had past until she glanced at the phone screen.
"It would seem so."
" Right now I am imagining you beside me, in my arms kissing you deeply until we both forget to breathe." Rella blushed furiously suddenly feeling hot and heavy with his suggestions.
" Please stop it or I might not be able to sleep tonight."
" Good, I want you to dream about me so you can tell me all about it tomorrow. I love you." He said.
Rella smiled biting her lower lip as she said, " I love you too."
And just like that Rella's life spiraled into a a haze of tea parties and brunches. The side talks didn't stop but Rella thought it wise to ignore them. With the big charity ball coming up this Saturday, the White Rose was busy with putting together the guest list consisting of the VVIPs in the city after all their fat purses are what's important. Lucille ignored her for the most part which Rella thought was for the best but then surprisingly she approached her at one of the tea parties.
"I see you've settled in quite well." Lucille said with a saccharin sweet smile that might give someone tooth ache. Rella offered her a tight-lipped smile. She would not be fooled into thinking that the woman will suddenly cosy up to her. A snake is always a snake.
"The White Rose is very welcoming I guess. Everyone here is friendly and sweet it's like we've known each other for a while." If Lucille caught the sarcasm she didn't indicate.
"That is good to hear. If you need anything don't hesitate to ask me I'll be happy to help."
"You're so sweet thank you."
This conversation is getting weird. Rella thought she had a feeling Lucille has no idea she was aware of her being behind the prank calls. Whatever does she hope to accomplish with that?
"And I hope we can be friends."
"Sure why not?"
"Great! I'll see you around then." And with that Lucille walked away with an exaggerated sway of her hips that made Rella want to roll her eyes.