HIS FIRST LADY(SANDRO MARCOS)

Chapter 27: Afraid of a Good Thing

Back at her house, Cloudine pours me a tall glass of wine. I've already recounted my entire encounter with Sandro twice, yet she still looks at me incredulously. "You told him no?"

"Of course I did. I don't need to remind you what a terrible idea it is for me to spend more time with Sandro than absolutely necessary."

"Actually, you do need to remind me," Cloudine insists, raising an eyebrow. "Because from where I'm sitting, you're absolutely out of your mind for turning down his proposal."

She pours herself an equally tall glass of wine. After returning the bottle to the fridge, she plops down next to me on the couch and hands me my glass.

"Ferdinand Alexander Marcos is the solution to all your problems, Rafha," Cloudine says. "I can't believe you don't see that."

I do see it, and that's exactly the problem. "I don't want to depend on him like that."

"But he offered," Cloudine counters.

"He's done enough," I reply. "He saved my life today, and last week he gave me the best sex of my life—"

"All I'm hearing are reasons to keep him around," Cloudine cuts in. "Those are pretty great qualities in a man."

"I've been dependent on Samuel since we got married. I can't just jump from one man to the next like that. What do I even have to offer Sandro? I've done nothing but be a homemaker all these years."

"You're underselling yourself. You've raised two amazing kids and kept your home from falling apart. I can't even imagine how Samuel's managing without you."

He isn't managing. I stopped by the house earlier to spend time with the girls and ended up cleaning the kitchen and scrubbing toilets. Samuel clearly isn't interested in keeping the place tidy and hasn't even bothered to hire help.

This only strengthens my resolve to win the custody battle. The alternative is moving back in with Samuel and sleeping on the study couch, just so I can be with my kids. It wouldn't be fun, playing housekeeper for him and my sister, but at least I'd be near my daughters.

Cloudine takes a sip of her wine, studying me closely. "Want to know what I think?"

I'm nervous about what she might say, but I nod. Cloudine has always been honest with me, even when the truth is tough to hear.

"You've been under Samuel's thumb for so long, at the mercy of his moods and tantrums, that you've forgotten how to live for yourself." She shrugs. "I think you're scared of your own success."

I want to argue, but I can't. For years, I've been propping Samuel up, and now that I'm on my own, I have no idea how to do the same for myself.

"You need to push forward with the divorce," Cloudine says firmly. "The sooner you're free from him, the better. Here." She jumps up, disappearing into her study for a moment before returning with a business card, which she hands to me.

It's for a divorce attorney.

"I won't lie," Cloudine says. "She's expensive as hell, but she's also ruthless. And the fact that she's a successful woman will drive Samuel crazy, which is a bonus."

I don't have the money, but I'll find a way. I have to.

"She got me this house and a hefty alimony," Cloudine continues. "She'll get you custody of your kids."

Determined to earn extra money, I mentally prepare what I'll say to Mr. Carter as I drive to the country club on my next workday.

I had to take two days off—partly because my body ached, and partly because both Mr. Carter texted me, insisting they'd personally escort me to the hospital if they saw me on the property without being cleared by a doctor.

I didn't need a doctor to tell me to stay off my swollen ankle, so I reluctantly called out to rest and take care of myself.

Those two days were agony. I needed to work. But they were also necessary—my ankle is less swollen now, and I feel more put together and calm.

"Rafha!" Chris calls out when she spots me entering the clubhouse. She hurries over, inspecting me for injuries. I still have a few fading bruises that look worse than they feel, and though she frowns at them, she doesn't say anything. Instead, she gives me a warm smile. "It's good to have you back."

As she looks me over, I notice her nervous glances and the way she's wringing her hands.

"What's wrong?" I ask.

"My son's getting married next weekend," Chris says.

I'm confused. Does she not like her future daughter-in-law? "Isn't that good news?"

"It is," she replies quickly. "But there's an event here that same weekend."

I try to recall the schedule. "The golf tournament?" We have lots of tournaments, so I'm not sure why this one would be different. "I'm sure Mr. Carter can handle it alone. Not that you're not essential, Chris. I didn't mean it like that."

"I know," she says with a reassuring smile. "But the thing is..."

"Oh, there you are, Rafha," Mr. Carter calls out, approaching us. "You look well. I'm glad to see it." Before I can respond, he continues, "I need to ask you something."

"Yes?"

"The golf tournament next weekend," Mr. Carter begins, hesitating.

"I know about Chris son's wedding," I offer, trying to help.

"Yes, well... Mrs. Carter surprised me with an anniversary gift."

"A cruise," Chris interjects.

"To the islands," Mr. Carter adds, frowning slightly. "I wish she'd checked the dates with me first, but she said, 'You're always busy.'" He sighs. "The dates overlap with the tournament."

I see where this is heading. "You both need me to cover." Convenient, since I wanted more hours and they're falling right into my lap.

Still, their nervousness makes me pause.

"The club handles golf tournaments all the time," I say. "It practically runs itself by now."

"Usually, yes," Mr. Carter admits. "But this time, the tournament is for a very special guest. Very elite. Very important."

"Who?" I ask, intrigued. They're making it sound like someone really high-profile is coming.

"That would be me," says a deep, confident voice behind me. I turn and freeze.

I've never met the man standing before me, but I know who he is. Everyone does.

Vincent. Heir to the Harbinger News Network.

Our version of royalty.

"Hello," he says, giving me a warm smile. "I'm Vincent."