Veiled Affection

Chapter Forty three

The day had come, a couple of days after Gregory's visit, that Cate and I finally put our strategy into action. By then we both had gotten tired of delaying again and again and again, and so, we made our relationship known to outsiders. And that is all I really care saying about it.

I am terribly sorry to disappoint my future self, who at one point will read all of this back, who despite reading it knows everything already. But rather, the disappointment will be aimed at me as a devoted writer. Because here I am, building my story up more and more towards this certain climax, which, once there, is completely vanquished by my reluctance to write anything about it - if ever I heard a more scandalous writers mistake.

But then I remember myself that this isn't some fictitious story; nothing is made up here. And it so happens that the strategy we had put into action isn't at the least noteworthy to write about. I do not care about my family, friends and acquaintances, who pretty much all changed their attitude towards me after I told them who I was seeing. 'A woman? Really, June? You?' or 'I mean... I suppose I had always known.' and then there were the unmistakable 'Cate Blanchett?! I simply don't believe it.'.

After making clear that yes, it really was true, I ended up with invite after invite of people wanting me to come over, with a sidenote saying to make sure I mustn't forget to bring my 'special someone' along with me.

And then from her side, it wasn't so much the people closest to her that responded with overwhelm, but there was the whole media thing. For now, reading this, it would be sufficient enough to just be aware of news outlets that shared the news about us. And most of that hassle doesn't really matter to me at all. Added to that, I simply don't care to remind myself of that, either.

Then what about those two to three weeks is noteworthy to write about? Simply put, the moments in which Cate and I are together are doubtlessly the most worthy moments to write about. She is the most worthy person I have ever written about. She is and will forever be in my head. But I will not be forever. Words have a longevity I do not, and I take so much delight in knowing that she will forever be on these pages. And so, moments with her will prevail to fill these pages.

Like that one afternoon in the study, a few days into the putting-into-action-part of our strategy. I came from downstairs and opened the door to the study, catching her browsing through the bookshelves. She turned to me and caught sight at the envelope in my hand.

''Another invite?'' She asked.

''A friend of a friend of a friend this time.''

She sat down on the sofa. ''Go for it.''

I smiled, cleared my throat, then in my best announcer voice, I started, ''Dearest June,'' I huffed. ''Never has he addressed me like that.'' I continued, ''Dearest June, how is work? Any new books on the horizon? Since it has been some time since we last spoke, I would like to invite you over for a drink. I am sure we have loads to talk about! Hopefully I will see you soon. Till then. Robert.''

I lowered the invite and was met by Cate's dubious stare. Surely there must be more.

There was. I read to her the last line:

''P.s. Do make sure to bring your new Prince Charming. Or as I suppose I should now say, Princess!''

Cate laughed. ''Creative, I have to admit.''

''Give me a break,'' I went and sat down next to her, leaned my head on her shoulder and took a deep sigh.

''I seem popular amongst your friends.'' She said.

''Friends of friends of friends of mine.''

''Yes,'' She chuckled. ''Even those.''

Then she said something I didn't quite expect.