Filed to story: The Hidden Queen: My Husband’s Mistress Ruined My Empire (Serena & Christian) Book PDF Free
Still, I had managed to accomplish a date with Serena and it was with a certain degree of smugness that I made my way back into my large mansion home. Tomorrow night would prove very interesting indeed, and I intended to use that date to press forward with my suggestion of a contract marriage. All I had to do, I thought, was persuade the woman. I had a feeling it was not going to be as easy as I anticipated.
Serena POV
It felt good to have the upper hand for once. Grayson’s home was unlike any other I had seen. It was a mansion, but it was also unpretentious. The interior was warm, instead of cold and forbidding. It looked lived in, with throws across the sofas and comfortable chairs instead of luxurious chairs that were uncomfortable and pretentious. The man himself had also been surprising. He was of course, as handsome as I remembered him being, but he had been charming and witty as well. He had shown a graciousness despite the fact I had intruded on him and his company had been enjoyable.
“How was it?” Rachel asked as I let myself into the apartment, her body lounging on the sofa, a glass of wine in one hand, her eyes sparkling.
I smirked “Well, let’s just say I can sign the divorce papers” I sighed, putting my bag down and taking the glass of wine that Rachel grabbed from the coffee table and proffered to me.
“Who cares about that?” Rachel rolled her eyes “I’m talking about handsome himself” she cried “What is he like in real life? Is he cute? Sexy? A douchebag?” she demanded.
I sat down on the armchair and folded my ankles, regarding her with amusement. “Actually he was very nice” I allowed “he looked over the divorce papers,” I said with a small smile “and he is no friend of Christian’s so that’s a bonus.”
“I told you,” Rachel said excitedly “So what happens now? Don’t tell me that’s all that happened,” she said suspiciously as I gave a nonchalant shrug “I knew I should have gone with you.”
I laughed “He’s invited me to dinner tomorrow night, is that better?” I teased.
She perked up “Well now, that is exciting,” she said, sipping her wine and enjoying herself now “What are you going to wear?” she asked eyeing me.
I frowned. All my clothes were ones that Christian had approved of in our marriage. Which meant they were a mixture of looking like a nun or seductive for meeting his clients. Somehow they didn’t seem particularly suitable for a date with the infamous Grayson Oakes. Rachel read my mind. “You can’t wear Christian’s choices. You need some clothes that you genuinely enjoy wearing Serena. That man was so damn controlling with what you wore. We need to find clothes that you like. You can hardly go in your yoga clothes” she exclaimed.
“Well, I could but it wouldn’t result in a second date,” I told her wryly as she giggled “so what are you proposing? It’s been so long since I’ve chosen clothes, I’m not sure what I like and they have to be sustainable and ethically sourced.”
She rolled her eyes at me smiling “Always trying to be eco-conscious and saving the world” she teased “It’s simple. You don’t have to worry about budgeting with your clothes now and it’s not like Christian can see your bank statement. We’ll go to an upscale boutique, find some nice clothes” she paused and raked her gaze over me “and some sexy lingerie” she purred.
My mouth dropped open “What exactly do you think we’re going to be doing on a first date?” I asked indignantly.
“Oh, honey, I can only hope you do what I would,” she said, flipping her hair over her shoulder and regarding me with amusement “Besides it’s better to be prepared. I refuse to let you wear granny panties.”
She shuddered. I sipped the wine and sighed. I kicked my heels off and relaxed. “Rachel, I’m not going to be sleeping with a man on a first date. He’s a lawyer remember” I reminded her “I’ve already been hurt by one already, I’m not looking to get my heart broken by another.”
“Christian is an A grade Asshole,” Rachel said tightly “and Grayson Oakes is in a different league entirely. This man is an infamous bachelor. The fact you’ve even caught his eye, is freaking amazing. Stop underestimating yourself,” she said, shaking her head at me “and stop assuming the worst. Not all guys are like Christian. Some men really do want to settle down and love their wives. Not all of them are cheaters,” she said wisely.
“What is this obsession you have with Mr Grayson?” I asked her.
She coughed. “I read the gossip papers. He’s in them all the time. The amount of women he’s gone on a date with, I could count on one hand. He’s dedicated to his career. He built his law firm from the ground up. I’m just saying, you could do a lot worse than this guy” she said, peering over her glass at me.
I sighed “I’ll give him a chance, but don’t get your hopes up, Rachel. If he’s as infamous at being a bachelor as you say, then it may just be a one-time thing.”
“Not if he wants to live it won’t be” Rachel muttered under her breath, making me laugh at her antics.
“Let’s just enjoy ourselves,” I said with a smile “you can take me shopping tomorrow. You should know a boutique that meets my requirements, you go shopping all the time.”
“Ooh, am I sensing a whole new wardrobe change?” Rachel said eagerly.
I nodded “I think it’s time. A whole new Serena to go with the divorce.”
Rachel put her glass down on the coffee table and clapped her hands. “Yes,” she squealed “Oh we are closing the studio tomorrow and spending the day shopping. I know a boutique that will knock your socks off.”
“A whole day?” I asked incredulously as she looked at me open-mouthed “why would it take all day?”
“Oh Serena,” she said shaking her head and picking her glass back up “it has been a long time since you’ve been shopping hasn’t it?” she asked kindly “You’ve forgotten what it entails. That’s okay, Rachel will take care of you.”
I eyed her suspiciously. Rachel was notorious for dragging you from one shopping complex to another in search of the perfect shirt or bag. She was fussy, but I was more relaxed and easy-going.
“Rachel” I began warningly “I am not going from shopping centre to centre or boutique to boutique.”
She pouted “Fine.”
I finished my wine off. There came a knock on the door. I frowned and shot a confused look at Rachel.
“Are you expecting someone?” I asked.
“No,” she said bewildered.
I stood up and gingerly made my way to the door, opening it cautiously. I was greeted with the sight of a large bouquet of roses covering my sight of the delivery man.
