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The following morning,I climbed out of bed, made coffee, grabbed my laptop, and sat on the couch. I smiled as I pulled up my bank account and stared at the $100,000 balance. Picking up my phone, I texted Damien.
Thank you for the money.
You’re welcome. Thank you for agreeing to go along with my plan. What are you up to today?
Not much. You?
I’ll be in meetings all day. I have to head to one now. I’ll talk to you later.
Bye, Damien.
I set my phone down, grabbed my coffee mug, and brought it to my lips as I sat and figured out a name for my business. I needed to be careful because, as great as the breakup boxes were, I would want to expand into other boxes someday. So, I came up with the nameCurated Chaosand started creating a business plan.
I needed a break, so I looked up wholesalers in the area and found one in Chelsea. Grabbing my purse, I took the subway and went shopping, collecting items for the other thirteen breakup boxes I needed to send out. This was way cheaper than Target, but if I were to turn this into a proper business, I needed to be more creative and really amp up the boxes. A smile perched on my lips as an idea swirled around in my head.
* * *
It wasFriday afternoon when my phone rang, and Damien was calling. It was the first time I’d heard from him since Tuesday morning.
“Hello,” I answered while brushing my teeth.
“Why do you sound funny?” he asked.
“I’m brushing my teeth.”
“Oh. You can call me back when you’re done.”
“No. It’s fine. Keep talking.” I spat in the sink.
“Theodore Vale and his wife are coming over at seven o’clock. Can you be at my penthouse around four o’clock and bring some of your things to set around so it looks like you live there?”
“Sure. I can do that.”
“Great. Also, don’t forget to wear your wedding ring.”
“I won’t.”
“My housekeeper, Connie, will be there preparing dinner when you arrive. She’ll let you up.”
“Got it. I didn’t know you had a housekeeper.”
“Now you do. Connie is great, and you’ll like her. I’m coming, Charlie. I have to get to a meeting. Louis will pick you up around three thirty and take you to the penthouse.”
“Okay. I’ll see you later.” I ended the call and set my phone down.
After wiping my mouth with a towel, I brought my finger up to my lips and thought about what to bring to Damien’s for our fake living situation.
ChapterThirteen
Damien
On the way home, I stopped at the florist and picked up a dozen beautiful red roses in a vase with a card that read:
For my beautiful wife. I will love you forever and always.
Your loving husband, Damien.
I needed to make sure Theodore Vale believed we were happily married. Stepping off the elevator, I walked into the kitchen with the roses and set them on the island.