Even though Stephanie and Lisa couldn’t hear their private conversation, they certainly could see Braylee kiss Alex, and they both looked at each other surprised. Only Stephanie dare to comment. “Public displays of affection coming from Braylee Hinsdale. Never thought I’d see the day.”
Lisa chortled. “Wow, me either.”
Braylee returned their remarks with a dirty look.
They both ignored her. Lisa jiggled her keys. “I better get going. I’ll call you later, Braylee to see if you need anything.” They hugged, and Lisa left.
Fabi had been mostly quiet observing everything. Once the funeral was over, he mainly watched Stephanie. As casually as he could muster, he asked Stephanie, “Hey, I’m heading back towards the house, did you need a ride?”
She looked to Braylee not sure if she should ride with her and Alex or not. “Um…”
Braylee needed a little bit of alone time to lick her wounds, so she was a bit grateful Fabi had asked. “It’s fine, Stephanie. I can meet you back at the house.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah. I’m sure.”
Fabi and Stephanie wasted no time leaving.
Alex threw his arm around Braylee’s shoulder as they started to walk back towards his car. Something was bothering her, though. The crowd had thinned out, and Braylee noticed that Cara was no longer talking to Malcolm. He was nowhere to be found. Cara was talking to someone Braylee didn’t recognize.
“Alex, I need to ask Cara a quick question. Can you wait right here for a moment?”
“Of course.”
Braylee quickly walked over to Cara and tapped her on the shoulder. She turned around. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but I was hoping to ask you a quick question.”
The person Cara had been speaking with gave her their heartfelt condolences and left. Cara gave Braylee her full attention.
“Why was Malcolm here? Do you work for him?”
Cara hesitated, at first, then responded. “Yes. I work for the Agency.” All the pieces started to fall into place. All the strange people were there for her.
Braylee nodded. “Of course, you did, and most of these people that I didn’t know worked for The Agency too.”
Cara nodded in agreement but dropped the bombshell when she continued. “Yes. But, so did Nate.”
Braylee’s mouth almost hit the floor. “What? No. He would have told me.”
“No. He wouldn’t have. Malcolm swore him to secrecy. Nate was new to the Agency when he assigned him to watch over you. After a couple of years of us dating, Nate realized he didn’t want the kind of life one would have to live if they worked for the Agency. That’s why we never married—and he never returned to The Agency. Although, he did continue to keep an eye on you for Malcolm.”
Braylee swallowed deeply. “Why would Malcolm do that?”
Cara shrugged. “He felt he owed it to you for some of the things you’d been entangled with in the past. I can tell you that in the beginning, I didn’t like it. Nate seemed to worship you. I half thought he was in love with you. Both him and Malcolm. Slowly I came to see, at least with Nate that he did love you. He loved you like a sister. Malcolm on the other hand, I know he’s married, but I haven’t been able to quite figure that one out.”
“Malcolm is just a dear friend—a sneaky—conniving—the end justifies the means kind of friend but a friend none the less. Not much surprises me these days, but I can honestly say, this revelation was quite a surprise.” Braylee touched her shoulder and hugged her tightly. “Take care, Cara. And, please call me if you ever need anything.”
Braylee walked away from Cara and her past. She looked ahead and saw Alex waiting patiently for her. Braylee walked towards her future, Alexandro Manchetti.
Chapter 23
Tea time in China…
Gina stood staring out of the window wearing a taupe colored pair of riding pants and a billowy blouse a shade lighter than the pants. Her shirt was tucked neatly into her pants, the huge bow tied around her neck draped all the way down past her waist in dramatic fashion. It fit her mood; whimsical and hopeful. She glanced down at her feet and admired the pair of chocolate colored riding boots that came up above her knees. It was the wrong season for them, but they served a purpose. They were a present from her father for her Fifteenth birthday. It seemed like only yesterday when he gave them to her. However, here she stood almost twenty years later, and they still looked almost new. Except for the muck she’d gotten on them from the lesson Chang tried to teach her. If she could recall, Gina hadn’t worn those boots since that day—until now. As she remembered, a hint of a smile appeared on her face. Yes, today was going to be a good day; Tea with her father and maybe a bit of shopping afterward.
Inhaling deeply, Gina exhaled slowly while she continued to stand in front of the massive window peeking out from behind the dark, heavy draperies. This was the Tea Room. She had been in this room too many times to count. Except for these curtains her father had no say in how it was decorated.
Laurette Audrieux worked for her family when she was a child, and she decorated this
