Page 69 of Blue Gold

Even though he had his back to me, I recognized Elliot immediately, as no one had such astonishing raven hair like his. My heart galloped in my chest as the room turned hotter, or maybe it was just my panic that slowly simmered inside me like boiling water that was turning my palms sweaty. Yet, before I had any time to adjust or digest the meaning of it, Claudia had already called for me, causing Elliot to turn in his seat as well. Our eyes met, and all the air in my throat vanished, leaving it raw and dry like the Sahara Desert.

What’s he planning?

Clearing my throat, I took a deep breath and then walked toward them, my stomach flipping as if I were on a boat in the middle of a storm. Despite all that, I kept my cool and smiled upon reaching the table.

“Elliot, I didn’t know you’d be joining us tonight,” I said before sitting in the chair beside my wife.

Fluttering his eyelashes like some innocent boy, he smiled from ear to ear.

“Is I not welcome?” he pouted when Claudia gasped.

“Of course you are welcome, sweetie. Daniel is thrilled you’re here.” She turned to frown at me. “Isn’t that right, honey?”

I gave them a strained smile. “Of course.”

“Really? Because it look like the pussy is on your tongue.”

My brows snapped together as Claudia burst out laughing.

“I believe the phrase you’re trying to say is ‘cat got your tongue’,” I said, voice tight with my nerves as I grabbed the wine bottle from the ice bucket beside our table and filled myself a much-needed glass.

“Oups, mince alors.”

Your mistake, my ass.

“Sometimes I mix word in English.” He pushed his glass closer toward me, and understanding the message, I filled it.

“So no pussy on your tongue, hein?” Elliot purred, and my eyes shot to his as I stared at him with fury. Too caught up in the taunting smirk he had on, I nearly spilled the wine. I would have if not for him covering the glass with his palm, forcing me to stop.

I knew what I did to him was wrong, but did it give him permission to humiliate me this way?

“To be fair—” Claudia sipped from her drink. “—we did plan this dinner as a little surprise.” She wiggled her finger at Elliot, who had just brought the now full glass to his lips. “You see, it was Elliot’s idea not to tell you. He thought it would be funny, and he was right.”

Putting his wine down, Elliot smirked. “It is true.” His accent thickened with each word. “I said to Claudia, we need to keep secret from Daniel so it is be funny.”

Clueless to the game he was playing, my wife laughed at Elliot’s act. “You’re such a little tease, Elliot, truly.”

Pleased with himself, he took another sip from his wine before glancing at me. “What is the matter, Daniel? Je croyais que tu aimais avoir des secrets.”

I thought you liked having secrets.

My lips twisted at his implications while Claudia went on and on about how she wished she knew French, too.

Thank God she doesn’t.

Fully aware it was Elliot’s way of punishing me, I kept my lips sealed and didn’t take his bait. But then, he took off the jacket he wore tonight, revealing the necklace adorning his neck. The sapphire stone hung there, the one I once claimed reminded me of his eyes, mocking me so cruelly I nearly hated him at that moment.

“Oh my, Elliot, this jewel is stunning!” Claudia gasped as she leaned a bit closer to examine it, while I tried distracting myself by emptying my glass as quickly as possible.

“I know.” He put his hand on it. “It is gift from a lover.”

My eyes widened before I choked on the damn wine and began coughing like a fool.

“Oh dear, do you need a glass of water?” Claudia asked and patted my back as I attempted to wheeze some air back into my lungs.

“Maybe hit him harder,” Elliot so kindly suggested while trying to hide his smile.

“I-I’m all good.” Cough. “The wine went down the wrong pipe… that’s all.” I rubbed my throat and loosened my tie just a bit.