Pretend Perfect

Part 15 - Unspoken Tensions

Flight Landed at Westover Airport...
Ella stood with her luggage in hand, bidding a warm goodbye to Zoey and Peter. Zoey gave her a quick hug, her eyes sparkling with their shared excitement for the upcoming project.

"Make sure to get some good rest today," Zoey reminded her, wagging a playful finger. "It's going to be a busy month. I'll see you at the office tomorrow."

"I will, I will," Ella replied with a smile, though the wheels of work were already turning in her mind.

They waved one last time, then headed their separate ways into different taxis. As Ella settled into the backseat, the weight of the journey began to sink in. But even as fatigue tugged at her, the thought of the project kept her mind buzzing.

Lee Manor Dining Room..

The dining room in the Lee manor was as grand as the rest of the estate, filled with elegant decor and soft lighting. Margaret was already seated at the head of the table, a serene smile on her face as she awaited George and Caroline's arrival. She looked every bit the gracious hostess, delighted by the evening's prospect. The long table was set perfectly, with polished silverware and delicate china in place, the air filled with the soft scent of freshly cooked food.

As George and Caroline entered, Margaret's eyes lit up. "Come, sit," she said warmly, gesturing to the two seats beside her. She called for the maid, who promptly brought out the first course. The evening felt carefully orchestrated, with every detail planned by Margaret, her hopes for George and Caroline evident in the way she glanced between the two.

Caroline, attempting to keep the atmosphere light, smiled brightly and made small talk with Margaret, thanking her profusely. "I'm so happy to be here, Mrs. Lee. Thank you for inviting me," she said, her eyes flickering occasionally toward George, who sat silently, focusing more on his wine glass than on the conversation.

The maid moved efficiently, pouring them all wine and serving the dinner. It was a lavish spread—perfectly roasted meats, fresh salads, and rich side dishes. But George seemed distant, pushing his food around his plate and occasionally glancing at his watch. When he finished his glass, he motioned for the maid to pour him another, a quiet but telling sign of his impatience.

Margaret, ever the optimist, ignored her son's silent discontent. She looked at Caroline with affection, and with a hopeful smile, said, "You two make such a wonderful couple."

The comment lingered in the air for a moment, heavy with unspoken tension. Caroline beamed, her heart racing with hope, but George stiffened in his seat. His face contorted slightly, clearly irritated by the suggestion. He set his wine glass down a little too forcefully, making it clink against the table.

Dinner passed with little conversation after that. George remained mostly silent, Caroline tried to keep the mood light, and Margaret's hopeful smiles went unanswered. Finally, after dessert, George pushed his chair back and stood. "I'm going outside for some fresh air," he muttered, excusing himself.

Caroline wasted no time in following him, her heels clicking against the marble floors as she hurried after him into the moonlit garden.

In the Garden

The garden outside the Lee manor was vast and beautiful, the night air cool and crisp. The sky above was clear, scattered with stars, and the soft glow of the manor's lights illuminated the pathways. George stood by a stone bench, his hands in his pockets, his gaze distant as he breathed in the fresh air. The cool breeze offered him some respite from the dinner, but his mind was still cluttered.

Caroline approached him, her voice soft but persistent. "George, I was thinking... How about we go out next weekend? Just the two of us. A proper date." She stepped closer, her eyes searching his face for any hint of enthusiasm.

Without turning to look at her, George replied in a neutral tone, "I've got work. Maybe some other time."

Caroline wasn't having it. "Come on, George," she said, her voice playfully insistent. "You're the CEO of Lee Groups. You have so many people working under you. They can handle things for one weekend. It's just a date. And it's already decided—we're going, and that's final."

George sighed, clearly frustrated, but before he could respond, she took a step closer, closing the gap between them. "We're going," she repeated softly, her tone more intimate this time.

George shifted, trying to put some space between them. "I really do have work to take care of," he said formally, his words cold. "Thank you for coming tonight, though. It was... nice."

He made to walk away, but Caroline stepped in front of him, her fingers lightly brushing against his shirt, running slowly up to the collar of his shirt. She leaned in, her lips only inches from his, her intention unmistakable. "George," she whispered, her voice thick with desire. "I've waited long enough for this."

But George's expression was anything but receptive. His jaw tightened as annoyance flickered in his eyes. Just before her lips could meet his, he took a deliberate step back, breaking the moment entirely. "I—uh, I just remembered, I need to send out an urgent email," he said hastily, his tone flat and detached. "I'll catch up with you later."

Without waiting for a response, George turned on his heel and walked briskly back inside the manor, leaving Caroline standing alone in the moonlit garden, her outstretched hand falling back to her side. Disappointment washed over her face as she watched him retreat, the night not going at all as she had imagined.