Our Wicked Lies by Gledé Kabongo (story read aloud TXT) 📗

floor-to-ceiling windows let the beautiful spring light in.

Alicia threw open the doors that led to their private balcony. Iconic views of the Paris skyline greeted her. The Eiffel Tower stood splendid and proud, surrounded by the heartbeat of the city, spread out like a large canopy of architectural wonder. She closed her eyes and reveled in the cool air caressing her skin. The sound of humming traffic below gave her the sense that there were still surprises in store for her.

She felt warm, gentle arms wrap around her.

Glancing up at her husband, she said, “This place is perfect, Eliot. It reminds me of our wedding.”

He wiggled his eyebrows. “That’s why I picked it. It’s the perfect place to celebrate twenty years of marriage.”

She giggled when he nibbled on her earlobes.

“We don’t have to go out if you don’t want to,” he whispered suggestively. “We can have lunch right here in the room, and dinner, too.”

She turned around, so they were face-to-face. “No way. I’m looking forward to dinner at Le Jules Verne. We’ve never been there.”

He pouted dramatically. “You’re such a spoil sport.”

“Arnie called in a lot of favors with the Paris office to get us reservations on short notice. The waiting list goes on for months. Can you imagine, dinner at the Eiffel Tower?”

“Okay, okay, you’ve convinced me. Le Jules Verne, it is, for tonight.” He kissed her on the neck. “As long as I can have you for dessert.”

Without thinking, she pulled away. “Can I ask you something?”

“Anything.”

“I need an honest answer.”

“One honest answer coming right up.”

“I’m serious, baby.” A light breeze blew strands of hair across her cheek. She tucked them behind her ears.

He searched her face for signs of distress. “What’s going on?”

“Is everything okay at work?” she asked.

He took a step back. “Of course, babe. Why would you ask me that?”

She shrugged. “Oh, I thought something terrible happened, and you were trying to protect me from it.”

“What gave you that idea?”

“The other night at dinner. I know you said it was nothing, just work, but you placed the phone face-down after you ignored the call. That was unusual. You take work calls when you’re home all the time. But this was different. It upset you.”

There. She finally got it out of her system. This trip was her truth serum, and she had no choice but to bring the question out in the open if she wanted to enjoy her Parisian holiday. If she wanted honesty from her husband, she couldn’t keep things bottled up and sneak around behind his back.

He pulled her into his arms and stroked her hair in a smooth, soothing motion. “You have nothing to worry about, I promise. Arnie works hard to keep me happy. Rival law firms have been trying to lure me away for years and haven’t stopped.”

She broke their embrace again. “Then what was the other night all about?”

“I had a rough day, tense negotiations. Coming home to you and the girls calmed me. It helped get me out of that negative head space. The last thing I needed was to spend more hours on the phone with my boss when I should be spending precious time with my family.”

It was a reasonable explanation. Eliot worked hard, often too hard, for his firm. It made total sense that after a long day, he just wanted to forget the pressures of his job.

“That’s a relief. You had me worried. Sometimes I forget the intense pressure that goes with your job. You handle it so well.”

Le Jules Verne sat on the second floor of the Eiffel Tower. The muted, sensual ambience of laughter, murmured conversations, and clanking glasses and silverware enhanced the panoramic views of the Paris skyline. Four hundred and ten feet above the now glittering nighttime version of the city, the place buzzed with a radiant energy and dreamlike quality.

For her first night out in Paris, Alicia had carefully chosen her outfit: an ivory, button-detailed, ruffled midi dress by Matériel, with seams at the waist and a softly pleated skirt. She liked the designer’s precise tailoring and clever draping, which made it easy to flatter her figure. She accessorized with gold strappy sandals and a gold satin mini tote covered with embellishments. Her special Cartier bracelet added glamor and sparkle to her ensemble. Eliot, who didn’t even have to try to look debonair—and who would look dapper in a trash bag—had ditched the tie and settled on a white, open-collared dress shirt and linen sport coat.

Once they were seated, Eliot ordered a bottle of 1996 Dom Perignon, the same champagne they drank when they toasted each other on their wedding night. Alicia was touched that he remembered.

They agreed on the seven-course tasting menu for dinner. She had her eye on the scallops with lime zest and caviar, while Eliot leaned toward the Foie gras.

The waiter appeared and poured their champagne. After he disappeared, Alicia shifted in her chair. Her eyes roamed around the restaurant and at the view outside the windows. Her wandering gaze caught Eliot’s attention.

“What is it?” he asked.

She didn’t want to ruin the mood, but something else was on her mind. A relaxed Eliot would be agreeable, so why not?

“I’ve been thinking about going back to school to finish my bachelor’s. Maybe even grad school afterward.”

“You have?” He leaned in and caressed her arm. “Baby, that’s great.”

“You’re not just saying that to make me feel good, are you? Because this is important to me. I’m not sure whether to go back to Suffolk or transfer elsewhere, but this could be really good for me now that the girls are almost grown.”

“Seriously, baby. I’m so excited for you.”

She’d hoped that Eliot would react positively, but she paused before continuing. “I’ve also been thinking about getting a job, too. Maybe part-time.”

“Oh, wow. A job, as well as going back to college. You’re taking on a lot.” He slowly withdrew his hand from her arm. “Why do you need a job?”

Alicia glanced at the waiter serving the dinner