She watched his tall figure disappear into the sea of suits and sparkling gowns. Her body, which had tensed up earlier, calmed down. She didn't even notice how long she had held her breath for, but she eventually found herself sighing heavily.
Her gaze fell on the waiter coming to her side with glasses filled with wine. She hurriedly stopped her and took a glass, bringing it to her lips to take a sip. The taste of the wine in her mouth was foreign, it had a sweet taste, yet it burnt her throat.
"Oh darling"
Just as she was about to place the glass on the table, she heard a woman's voice say with clarity. Her voice was smooth and certain.
Estelle looked up.
A small group of elegantly dressed women had gathered near her table. All of them were older, effortlessly regal in a way that came from inherited wealth.
"Estelle Astor" the one that had spoken earlier said again, a gentle smile that didn't reach her eyes appeared on her face. "We have been wanting to catch up with you for ages, but I heard that you are always caged at home. Anyways, you look simply exquisite tonight"
Estelle hadn't met this woman before and didn't know her name.
She squirted her eyes to read the name tag on the woman's chest.
Clarisse Veldon.
Estelle stood up just as she was taught to, poised and respectful as she said softly. "Thank you, Mrs. Veldon"
Another woman stepped forward, her lipstick a shade too red for her age, clutching a silver clutch that screamed wealth. "You are such a lovely girl" she said with sincerity that felt like she was mocking Estelle. "And so… calm. I remember when I was your age, I was already juggling a toddler on each hip"
Estelle raised a brow.
Clarisse gave a soft laugh. "Oh yes! And it makes me wonder, darling… How come you and Blaise haven't had a baby yet?"
Her head tilted and her voice dipped with fake concern. "I mean… you both have been married for what now? Three years?"
There were many reasons for everything that happened in Estelle's life, most especially her marriage and mode reasons came with unbearable pain for her.
Estelle's fingers grabbed her dress, tightening slightly. She kept the smile on her face. "We have been focusing on work…" she said gently. "... and charity"
"Ah" another woman nodded, tapping her glass with her long nails. "But don't wait too long, sweetheart. These men, well, their attention span is like champagne bubbles, beautiful, yet short-lived"
They all burst into laughter.
"I mean not to scare you, but men like Blaise tend to get… offers and some girls these days didn't mind being the other woman especially for a man like that"
The second woman leaned in slightly. "I've been hearing of it lately that Blaise is always seen with another woman"
The smile on Estelle's face froze and her heart skipped a beat.
"Oops, you haven't heard" the woman placed her hand over her mouth, her eyes widened in surprise. When she saw the expression on Estelle's face, she hurriedly said, "Oh my darling, I didn't mean to… but I'm very sure it's a rumor. I mean, Blaise won't definitely cheat on you. He is a good man and he loves you so much. Also, I'm very sure you trust your husband completely, right?"
Estelle could only force a nod and smiled; a forced one at that.
However, under the table, her fingers were pinching the side of her palm so hard that it left a little crescent mark from her nails.
Clarisse gave a knowing look. "You are strong. I can see it in your eyes"
Estelle only stared at her and didn't say a word. She knew what those women were trying to do.
She watched as they all turned and walked away one after the other, laughing so loud that Estelle felt like they were indirectly laughing at her. Slowly, she sat down, and rubbed her damp palm on her dress as she thought of what those women had told her.
These past few weeks, she had noticed Blaise always acting sneaking. She wouldn't say she had seen signs, but the sudden late night arrivals, the calls he wouldn't take near her. She noticed that whenever his phone vibrated around her, he would quickly turn his phone face down.
Some nights, he wouldn't come home at all. Other nights, he would stumble in at dawn, reeking of a perfume that definitely wasn't hers; it belongs to a female. Blaise didn't bother to explain anything to her. He would just head straight to the shower without saying any word to her.
Of course, she didn't dare to ask him questions. Her questions were, what if he lied? What if he didn't confirm the thing she was trying so hard not to believe?
It wasn't that she was scared of hearing the truth from him. No… she was scared of breaking down, mentally again if she finally heard the truth from him.
Her hands trembled as she reached out to grab the glass wine, slowly bringing it to her lips to take a sip. Her hands trembled violently that the glass almost slipped from her hand.
"What's wrong with you?"
Estelle saw a familiar hand reach out to grab the glass from her before it slipped from her hand. She raised her head and saw Blaise's face. He set the glass on the table and sat beside her. "Are you okay? Are you feeling cold?" He reached out to grab her hand, but she pulled her hand from his almost immediately.
Blaise frowned.
He leaned closer, his lips gently brushing her ear and said in a very low voice. His voice held that certain coldness that almost made her tremble.
"Behave! We are in public!"
To everyone around, they seem sweet and romantic. Only Estelle knew what was truly happening.
"And what if I refuse to behave?"