Chapter 9

9

Chapter 9

Rosemary kicked the head a donkey to wait around for Maxwell. But she underestimated a man’s pace and barely made it to the door before spotting his tall, poised figure approaching.

Maxwell was decked out in a sleek black shirt, crisply ironed suit pants that fit him like glove, looking dashing and exuding an air of aristocracy His natural haughtiness was impossible to ignore.

Handsome face, charming aura, young and loaded. If one overlooked the fact that he was a total , was the definition of a dream guy. With Christ tagging along his side, his regal presence was undeniable.

In the few seconds Rosemary stood there gobsmacked, Maxwell was in front of her, his furrowed brow signaling his current displeasure, “Jason said you didn’t come home last night?”

He came all this way just to ask that?

Didn’t Jason relay my message? I won’t coming back, just last night but never.”

Rosemary turned to leave from the other side but was blocked by Christ, “Assistant Chambers, Mr. Templeton knew you were upstairs and that’s why he came,”

So what? Was she supposed to be overwhelmed with gratitude?

Christ was one of the few who knew the real deal between her and Maxwell, but he always addressed her as “Assistant Chambers” or “Ms. Chambers“,

After three years of being Maxwell’s caregiver, not just him, even his cronies never considered her Mrs. Templeton, not even bothering with a pretense.

Rosemary was peeved at Christ blocking her way.

“Rosemary.” Maxwell’s voice was tinged with irritation, “A little squabble adds spice to a marriage, but too much is overkill. You didn’t take any of your clothes, shoes, or jewelry with you. You want me to sweet–talk you into coming back, don’t you? Christ, make a dinner reservation.

After issuing his command, he turned to Rosemary, “Let’s have dinner tonight. Pick whatever you want at the jewelry exhibition coming up.”

This was Maxwell’s typical way of placating her after a fight: handbags, clothes, jewelry – anything money could buy. Rosemary used to console herself thinking he was just clueless about treating women, until she saw his tender care for Victoria and realized what slap in the face it was.

She laughed sarcastically, “Those things? I didn’t take them because they’re a gift for Victoria, She loves picking up other people’s castoffs, right? Consider that junk my wedding gift to you two!”

Tracy interjected, “Mrs. Templeton, you’ve really got Victoria wrong. She may have feelings for Mr. Templeton, but she never thought about breaking up anyone’s marriage! She just asked Mr. Templeton to help her order the bag because she didn’t have a membership to do it herself. If you like it, we’ll let you have it. There’s no need to insult her with words like ‘mistress“.”

If there were ranks for angelic bitch, this one in front of her was top–tier. Since they wanted to drag this dispute over a handbag, Rosemary turned around with a flirty smile, “Well then, I should thank you.”

That bag was really hard to get; Yolanda would definitely love it. And why not? She didn’t have to pay a dime. As for Maxwell, who cared what he thought.

As she headed towards the cashier, Maxwell grabbed her wrist, “Stop it. If you like it, I’ll order another one for you. It won’t take much longer.”

A twinge struck Rosemary’s heart, and her eyes felt a sour sting. Thinking about her three years of widow–like marriage, her own battered self, and the favored Victoria, Maxwell’s message was clear: the bag was for Victoria, not for her to touch.

Her face went pale, but she didn’t let him see, casually pointing to a men’s bag and telling the shopping guide.

This men’s bag, wop it up for me.”

Maxwell pressed his lips, seeing she wasn’t mad and even buying him a gift, his gloomy mood from the past few days lightenest a bit.

Although, Maxwell didn’t actually like that men’s bag. His voice softened, ‘Let’s go to dinner tonight, and I’ll have someone move your stuff back from Yolanda’s,”

Rosemary ignored him and continued with the guide, “Can you include a greeting card?”

The guide nodded, “Certainly”

“Then write: “Mr. Joe, Happy Valentine’s Day

Maxwell’s eyelid twitched violently, his grip on her wrist tightening, and he questioned, “Who is Mr. Joe?”

Rosemary casually replied. “Oh, he’s my date for tonight.”

She yanked her hand out of Maxwell’s grip, “Mr. Templeton, cut it out. If you like it, I’ll order another one for you. It won’t take much longer.”

His own words being thrown back at him made Maxwell’s forehead veins pop, his jawline tense.

The guide finished the transaction, but with the situation so tense, they didn’t dare speak up. Rosemary passed her card over, “Swipe it.”

Maxwell’s handsome face darkened with a cold aura, “Rosemary, you think with your salary, you can afford this bag?

The unlimited Centurion black card he had given her before was already cut off, and apart from the huge expense at the hotel the other night, she hadn’t used any money from it all year.

Even without eating or drinking and saving for a year, it would barely be over five thousand, not even half the price of the bag.

But the card was approved. Rosemary took the gift–wrapped box from the shopping guide and walked away. Maxwell watched her leave, his eyes nearly spitting fire.

Once outside the mall, Rosemary felt deflated, and seeing it was getting late, she hailed a cab to Yolanda’s antique store.

Yolanda was free at the moment and hurried to greet her, “Why are you here? Didn’t you say you were going to cook for me tonight?”

Rosemary tossed the gift box to her and slumped onto the sofa, “Don’t ask. Just had bad luck.”

Yolanda, clutching the gift box, had stars in her eyes, “What’s this? A birthday present for me?”

Rosemary, with her eyes shut, murmured a vague reply, “Mm–hmm.”

Yolanda ripped open the wrapping, all giddy, but when she saw the men’s bag inside, her excitement deflated, “Even if you think I’m not ladylike, there’s no need to rub it in my face like this.”

Rosemary replied nonchalantly, “You could re–gift it to your boyfriend.”

Yolanda was speechless. What boyfriend? Did the guys from the club – Kevin, Andy, Jeff – count?

After taking a brief break and letting her mood mellow, Rosemary recounted the whole mall incident

Upon hearing about Maxwell insisting that Rosemary move back in, Yolanda found it bizarre. After a moment of silence, she dropped a bombshell, “Don’t tell me that douchebag Maxwell fallen for you?”