CHAPTER FIFTY FIVE - COLE'S FREE

"Uh, my husband?" I repeated Jenny's question, as my thoughts started running away from me. Why does she want to see Cole?

Jealously starts raging.

Remembering the cheque for Jenny, I pulled it out of my pocket, trying to avoid calling Cole, "uh, I believe this is the amount we settled on?" I opened the check handing it to her, but I found her eyes were gazing behind me.

Darn! Because behind me is non other than my handsome husband, whose deep blue eyes, chiseled chin with the perfect body that can weaken any hot blooded woman. Now Ms. Jenny wants to see him and why the hell did he come out?

I smiled as I felt Cole's arms wrapped around my waist, my back hitting his perfectly chiseled abs.

"Hey babe," Cole greets me kissing my head, leaning his chin on my head, "are you guys done?" Cole asks Jenny, who seems flustered as she stares at Cole, which honestly irritates me.

"Uh, yeah, everything your wife and I discuss has been done." Jenny confirms, turning to point towards the kitchen, "Uh, I was wondering if you need to see the patio to add or omit anything that I did." she invites him, forgetting that the decorations were done with a team effort. Jenny indicated that we should follow her.

"Sure" Cole agrees, hugging me, as we followed Jenny outside to view the decorations on the patio.

I looked at the decor and I loved it but she was not seeking my approval so I look towards Cole for him to respond to Jenny, who stood by anxiously awaiting his answer.

Looking down at me, "what do you think sweetheart?" Cole asks me instead.

I know in the dark, it would be even more beautiful than it already looks, "it's beautiful." I told her in all honesty.

Chuckling, Cole hugs me tighter, "well if wifey loves it, then it's perfect." Cole says his eyes on me, while Jenny stood in front of us fidgeting. "How much do we owe you?" Cole asks and I gave him the cheque I already made out. Cole studies the cheque, but I have a feeling he is not looking at he amount but the signatures of my grandfather and I.

Cole takes the cheque and hands it to her, which she willingly accepted, "do we owe you anything additional?" Cole asks politely.

Jenny stares at the cheque in her hand, her eyes widening before giving it back to me, shaking her head, "I'm sorry but this is too much." she says,

Smiling, I closed her hand with the cheque inside the palm of her hand, "it's Christmas, for you and your workers." I said, smiling at the workers around her.

They all chorused thank you before a stunned Jenny recovered.

"Thank you Ariana. I guess I'll see you in the new year when we come to take down the decorations." she says reminding me that, this is the arrangement I made with her company.

"You're welcome and I will be in touch." I told her.

Cole joins me, "yes thank you guys for a great job. I can assure you that my wife will be enjoying the view in and around the house during the entire season." Cole chuckles.

After the happy decorators left, my grandparents sent lunch out to the security guards on the compound, so Cole and I left, informing them that they could use the sheltered areas on the compound to have their meals comfortably.

Aunty Jan also prepared a light meal, which the three of us enjoyed in the kitchen.

"Where is Neville?" I asked, concern because he is out there on behalf of Cole, while we are home relaxing.

Putting down the sandwich Cole was eating, "he went to the police station on behalf of me." Cole informs us, with his eyes on me longer because he's apparently waiting for me to panic.

Tapping my feet under the table, I looked at him curiously, "should I be concerned?" I asked, realizing I never ask how the investigation at the plant is going.

Twitching his lips, "it's over for me, but thought it was the proper thing to do, because I don't want to be dragged into this mess again.

Aunty Jan, looked briefly between Cole and I. "Between just us here, who do you think is responsible for the incident at the plant?" she asks Cole.

Cole smiles, thoughtfully and shakes his head. "Antoinette is definitely involved" he looks at me, "but I have no idea why and what she hopes to achieved from it.

Standing up, " well Ariana, do you still have Christmas shopping to complete?" Aunty Jan asks curiously.

Shaking my head, "I did all of my shopping online, because my grandparents didn't want me outside." I explained to aunty Jan, but staring at Cole

Surprise, Cole lifts an eyebrows, "you do know that shopping is all part of the Christmas thrill, right?" Cole says winking at aunty Jan.

Nodding, because I know that it is, but this year is to complicated and I did promise my grandparents to stay hidden until all of my father and his family's wedding plans are done before venturing outside.

"Well other than groceries, I already bought gifts for the children and the homes that I support so it's just us, now."" I shrugged lowering my eyes. Happy that this is the first time since mom died, that I am celebrating a Christmas and finally Cole is with me.

When I lifted my eyes, I saw a quick silent eye exchange take place between aunty Jan and Cole and I wonder what they are planning.

"We'll sort it out when I speak to your grandfather." Cole smiles and I can see the excitement in his eye. I figured that I should just wait and see what great idea he has.

Nodding, I stood up, "don't you think, you should call Neville?" I look at him expectantly and for once I notice him hesitating. "What?" Aunty Jan and I ask simultaneously.

Chuckling, Cole stands up to pick up his dishes, "hey" I swap his hand, taking the dishes from him, "call Neville" I reminded him.

Shaking his head, "give me your phone and you speak to him, in case my father or someone from the company is around him." Cole and continues when I frown, "Arie, I've cut ties with the company, I honestly feel light and free. I'm not ready to deal with my parents, so are you going to speak to him?" Cole smiles vanishes as he stares at me with bland expression.