Unspoken

Unexpected Guest

As Eiden mingled with the guests, he suddenly felt a tap on his shoulder. Turning around, he found himself face-to-face with Victoria, a woman he hadn't expected to see. Though shock flickered briefly in his eyes, he quickly masked it with a composed expression.

"Hey, Eiden, how are you?" Victoria's voice was smooth, laced with an undercurrent of something more—something he didn't want to dwell on.

"Vic—Victoria?" he stammered slightly before regaining his composure. "What are you doing here?"

She tilted her head slightly, an evil smirk playing on her lips. "Uh, I was here because you invited me," she said, her tone teasing as she lightly traced a finger down the lapel of his coat.

Eiden cleared his throat, his discomfort growing. "What? When?" he asked, his brows furrowing as he turned to face her fully.

She chuckled, clearly enjoying his confusion. "Ha, you're so funny, dear. Well, don't you remember? I got married." Her voice dripped with mock innocence as she twirled a strand of his coat between her fingers.

His jaw tightened slightly, though he kept his tone even. "I see... You're married to Mr. Percival. My bad, I didn't remember it." He pinched the bridge of his nose briefly, a subtle gesture of his irritation.

"Well, you wouldn't, would you?" she replied, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "But where's your wife, hmm?" She glanced around, feigning interest.

"She... hmm... she must be somewhere here," Eiden replied, his gaze shifting uneasily as he scanned the room, trying to spot Maevie.

Victoria's smile widened, her amusement evident. "Well, well, it's fine. I have no intention of seeing her anyway. It's not like she's "that" close to you, darling," she purred, her words dripping with insinuation.

Eiden's patience was wearing thin, but he forced a tight smile. "She is," he countered, though his voice was strained. "Well, nice to see you, Victoria. But I have some important things to attend to." He turned slightly, hoping to make his escape.

"Wait," Victoria called after him, her voice saccharine sweet, yet with a sharp edge. "Why are you avoiding me, hmm? And where are your kids? May I see them?" she asked, her eyes dancing with malicious glee.

Eiden's hands clenched into fists at his sides, his knuckles turning white. "I don't have kids," he said through gritted teeth, fighting to keep his tone neutral.

"Oh, sorry!" she exclaimed, feigning surprise. "I just assumed you would have some by now. It's been four years, hasn't it?" Her words were a deliberate jab, twisting the knife in further.

Eiden's jaw tightened, his temper barely under control. "It's personal, Victoria," he snapped, his voice low and dangerous. "Can you stop with the questions?" Without waiting for her response, he turned on his heel and strode toward a room designated for the family's personal use, eager to escape the suffocating encounter.

Victoria's laughter followed him, light and mocking. "Oh, Eiden, don't be so sensitive!" she called out, her tone playful yet taunting. "I was just trying to catch up. But I'll see you around, I'm sure."

Eiden ignored her, his mind racing as he pushed open the door to the private room. Once inside, he let out a breath he didn't realize he had been holding, his hand running through his hair in frustration. He paced the room briefly, trying to regain his composure, the encounter leaving a bitter taste in his mouth.

Why did she have to come tonight? he thought, his frustration evident as he loosened his tie. And why did she have to bring up... that? The questions lingered in his mind, and he couldn't shake the sense of unease that had settled over him. 

Friend group 

As the party was in full swing, Maevie found herself in a circle with some of her friends—Isabelle, Celia, and Lavinia—who were all sipping on their drinks and giggling. Maevie smiled politely, though she felt slightly out of place. The conversation had taken a turn she hadn't quite expected.

"So, the other night, James surprised me with a weekend getaway," Isabelle said with a dreamy smile. "And let's just say, we didn't leave the room much. He can be so...creative when he wants to be."

Celia laughed, nodding in agreement. "Oh, I know exactly what you mean! Last week, Roger brought home some fancy new lingerie for me. He said it was a gift for me, but we all know who it's really for." She winked, and the other women laughed.

Maevie took a sip of her drink, trying to hide her confusion. She didn't have these kinds of conversations often—if ever. The whole discussion made her feel like she was missing out on some secret knowledge.

"And what about you, Lavinia?" Isabelle asked with a grin. "Does your husband still do that thing you mentioned last time?"

Lavinia blushed but nodded with a mischievous smile. "Oh, he does. And he's gotten even better at it. Honestly, I don't know how he keeps coming up with these ideas. It's like he has a manual or something."

The three women erupted into laughter, while Maevie forced a chuckle, not entirely sure what "that thing" was but hoping no one would notice her discomfort.

Isabelle turned to Maevie, eyes twinkling. "And what about you, Maevie? Eiden is so serious all the time. Does he ever surprise you in the bedroom? I bet he's got a wild side hidden under that calm exterior."

Maevie felt her face heat up as she quickly tried to think of something to say. Eiden was certainly attentive, but she had no idea what they were really asking. "Oh, um, well... he's... thoughtful," she stammered. "He does make sure I'm comfortable."

The other women exchanged amused glances, clearly reading more into her words than she intended. Lavinia leaned in closer with a teasing smile. "Comfortable, huh? That sounds... interesting."

Maevie smiled awkwardly, feeling more clueless by the second. "Yes, well, he's always concerned about my, um, well-being."

Isabelle raised an eyebrow playfully. "Concerned? Oh, Maevie, you make it sound so clinical! I'm sure there's more to it than that."

"Maybe you should give him a few hints," Celia added with a smirk. "Men can be dense sometimes, but a little suggestion can go a long way."

Maevie nodded, feeling utterly lost. Hints? Suggestions? She wasn't even sure what they were talking about. As the conversation continued, she realized that she was completely out of her depth. The women were talking about things she hadn't even considered before.

"Excuse me," Maevie said suddenly, her voice a little higher than usual. "I just remembered I need to check on something."

She hurried away from the group, her heart pounding in her chest. As she walked away, she could still hear their laughter, and she couldn't help but wonder if she was missing out on something important—or if she was simply in over her head......