Page 56 of Married to Lies

“I own it.” There was a hint of pride in her voice that matched her squared shoulders. “Radiant Cleaning... Rei Li... Rei… diant. C… Li… ning. Get it?” She chuckled softly at her own joke.

My lips opened and closed as I thought of Rei doing back-breaking labor every day, emptying out trash cans, scrubbing the floor in a worn jumpsuit, all while owning the company. The name had to be a coincidence.

But we were sitting in her house. And I remembered her expensive-looking clothes and the high-priced car she drove to our first date. The diamonds that studded her ears at this very moment and dripped down her neck. It didn’t make sense.

“But I’ve only ever dealt with Conrad,” I said. “Any time we’ve had contract issues, I’ve negotiated with him.”

“He’s the CEO,” she explained. “That’s his role.”

“And your role is?” I asked. “Janitor?” I found it hard to believe. She could command a boardroom just as well as Conrad could. That guy would be better working on a used-car lot with his perfectly done hair and oily drive to gain sales.

“Quality Assurance Manager,” she corrected. “And I like my job. It’s honest work, and it makes a difference.”

I could see what she was trying to say, but I still didn’t understand. “So you don't want to be CEO?”

“I could be.” She shrugged, but I felt like there was more to her answer. She added, “If I was in the office, how could I make sure everyone’s doing a good job?”

I laughed. “Quality Control...” I breathed, taking it all in.

“What are you thinking?” she asked me with guarded eyes.

I’m thinking you might be perfect for me.

But I’d never get those words off my tongue.

Instead, I spoke a different truth. “You’re nothing like I expected.”

“Is that a bad thing?” she asked, seeming shy for the first time.

I reached out, running my fingertip over a scar on her thigh. The shimmery patch of skin had been drawing my attention all day. It bubbled up, forming a ridge on her perfectly smooth skin. “I’ve wanted to know you for so long. Everything I learn feels like a gift.”

She covered my hand with hers, but behind her smile, there was something more. An expression I didn’t understand.

She’d let me in, told me more about herself, but I still felt concerned. If Rei had so effortlessly kept a secret like this... could she be hiding more?

I shoved the thought away. Just because I’d been betrayed in the past didn’t mean Rei would do the same. “Are you free tomorrow?” I asked her.

“I can be. What did you have in mind?”

26 Rei

A sleek black town car pulled into my driveway the next morning. For the first time in years, George wasn’t behind the wheel.

I grabbed my vintage Fendi purse off the coffee table and wrapped a red and white Hermés shawl around my shoulders to go with my white, midi-length sweater dress. Feeling put together and ready for a date with a billionaire, I tucked a trench coat over my arm and hurried outside to find Quentin leaning against the car, waiting for me.

Of course I noticed his fashion. The dark-brown denim with a plaid shirt and dark caramel-brown vest looked good on him. Especially accessorized with light brown sunglasses, a shining watch on his wrist, and gold rings on multiple fingers.

“I need to meet your stylist,” I said. “She’s doing the Lord’s work.”

He chuckled, the sound a warm, low rumble that made butterflies lift in my stomach. “Good to see you too.”

Sarcastically, I said, “Fine, good morning.”

He held the door open for me and stood aside so I could get in. Brushing past him, the subtle hint of his cologne filled my nose, and it took all my willpower not to sniff him again. Damn, he smelled good. Did he also have a professional perfumer?

Unaware of my internal monologue, he shut the door behind me and walked around to the other side of the car. While he did, I said to the driver, “Hi, I’m Rei. What’s your name?”

The guy seemed surprised to hear me speaking to him. “I’m, uh, Divian. You can call me Divi. Nice to meet you.”