Reborn As Mr. Coldwell's Wife
Chapter 23: Accept

Chapter 23: Accept

"Good, Aubrey, yes, give me that smile!" the photographer called out enthusiastically. Aubrey stood on the set, surrounded by bright lights and a busy, bustling crew. She wore a sleek, form-fitting red dress that hugged her figure perfectly, her hair styled in loose waves that framed her face perfectly.

Gerald watched from a distance, a satisfied smile on his face as he observed Aubrey. She moved effortlessly, each pose more captivating than the last. He waited patiently until the shoot was over, admiring her grace and professionalism. As the photographer called for a wrap, Aubrey gave him a radiant smile and thanked the crew for their hard work. She spotted Gerald and waved, her smile widening as she walked over to him.

"Bree, you look beautiful," Gerald said warmly, his eyes sparkling with admiration.

"Thank you, G," Aubrey replied, her cheeks tinged with a light blush. They began to walk together towards the fitting room.

"It’s nice to see you back on your feet again," Gerald commented, his tone carrying a hint of meaning that Aubrey understood all too well. She simply smiled in response, acknowledging the weight of his words without letting it show.

They entered the fitting room where Aubrey offered Gerald a drink, which he gladly accepted, while she grabbed a bottle of water for herself. She took a sip, then turned to him, her eyes curious. "So, how’s your day been?"

"Everything’s good," Gerald replied, leaning back in his chair. "Even better now that I get to see you."

Aubrey chuckled softly at his comment, a light, melodic sound that filled the room. Gerald’s presence was comforting, a constant in her life that she had come to rely on. He had been there for her through thick and thin, always supportive, always encouraging.

As they chatted, Gerald’s expression became more serious. "Are you free next Saturday?" he asked, a hint of anticipation in his voice.

Aubrey thought for a moment, then said, "I’ll need to check my schedule first."

"I want you to come to my birthday party," Gerald continued, his eyes hopeful. "It wouldn’t be the same without you."

"Oh, right, your birthday is next week," Aubrey said, her eyes lighting up with realization. "What do you want as a gift?"

Gerald smiled, a playful glint in his eye. "I’ll love whatever you give me."

Aubrey laughed, a genuine sound that made Gerald’s heart lift. "If my schedule allows, of course I’ll come," she said, removing her earrings and placing them on the vanity table.

Gerald watched her for a moment, then added casually, "I invited Mason too."

Aubrey’s movements stilled, her eyes locking onto Gerald’s in the mirror. "Really?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady. The thought of seeing Mason again sent a thrill through her, a mix of excitement and nervous anticipation.

"Yes, really," Gerald confirmed, watching her reaction closely.

Aubrey took a deep breath, composing herself. She turned back to Gerald, a determined look in her eyes. "Then I guess I have to make sure I can attend."

***

"Gerald invited me to his birthday party?" Ellen asked, her voice tinged with disbelief. She stared at Mason in shock, her spoon hovering in mid-air.

Mason nodded, too busy savoring the dish in front of him to notice the grim expression on Ellen’s face. "Yeah, he mentioned it."

Ellen’s mind raced. She knew the next part of the novel—Gerald’s birthday party. Mason was invited, of course, as was Aubrey. But not Ellen. What about the change?

"Gerald is so nice to invite me," she said, trying to keep her voice steady.

Mason finally looked up, his gaze meeting hers for a brief moment. "Yeah, he said he wanted to get to know you better or something like that."

Ellen forced a smile, but inside, she screamed, Bullshit!

She knew Gerald was Aubrey’s number one supporter. Even though he realized helping Aubrey to get Mason back was wrong, given that Mason was already married, he still did it. He helped Aubrey in any way he could, even if it meant getting rid of Ellen.

It was either Ellen’s intuition as a woman or her survival instinct, but she knew something was up. She knew Gerald had a plan for her. She could feel it in the pit of her stomach.

Mason’s sudden words pulled her from her thoughts. "It’s okay if you don’t want to come. Gerald will understand."

Ellen quickly shook her head. "Of course, I want to come."

Mason raised an eyebrow, surprised by her insistence. "Are you sure?"

Ellen’s eyes met his, determination shining through. "I want to go. It’ll be nice to get to know your friends better."

To know their plan better, she continued in her heart.

They finished the dinner in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Mason savored the last bites of his meal, while Ellen picked at her food, her mind swirling with questions and concerns. When they were done, Mason stood up, giving her a brief nod before heading off to either his room or his office. Ellen wasn’t sure which, and honestly, it was the last thing she wanted to think about right now.

Ellen collected the plates and headed to the kitchen, the sound of running water filling the space as she started washing the dishes. The rhythmic motion of scrubbing and rinsing usually calmed her, but tonight, an uneasy feeling gnawed at her.

Accepting Gerald’s invitation had felt right in the moment, but now that she had time to think, a sense of unease settled over her. She wondered if it was because she had changed the part where Aubrey got into an accident. It was supposed to be a turning point, but now things were different. How would that impact the story? And more importantly, what was Gerald planning?

Ellen paused, her hands still in the soapy water, staring out the kitchen window into the dark night. Gerald’s invitation had seemed genuine, but she knew better than to accept things just as they seemed.

A shiver ran down Ellen’s spine as she thought about Gerald’s motives. She had to be on her guard. Whatever his plan was, she needed to be prepared. She took a deep breath, reminding herself of her plan.

She was ready to face whatever Gerald threw at her.