Secret Designs (17 page)

Dylan grinned. "Glad you approve, Jazzie. I'm sorry I won't be around to plead for your life. Ari would kill me first before she hunts you down."

"Well, let's hope Sylvie doesn't turn us away."

"That's why you're here. Less chance of that happening," he responded lightly. "Thank you for coming with me, Jaz," he added sincerely.

"No problem. I'm more than happy to do this with you."

They climbed the stairs to the second floor and knocked on the door of unit eight.

A woman whose resemblance to Ari was unmistakable opened the door and greeted them with a friendly smile. "Hi. You must be Jasmine."

"Yes. How are you, Sylvie?" Jasmine asked, reaching out to hug Ari's sister.

"Fine, thank you," Sylvie replied, returning Jasmine's hug warmly. "I've heard so much about you, Jasmine. Ari talks very fondly of you."

"Thank you," Jasmine replied.

Sylvie turned to Dylan. "And you are Kane? Jasmine's fiancée?" she asked.

"No. I'm Dylan," he replied with a smile. At Sylvie's blank look, he added, "I'm Kane's brother."

"Oh, okay. Good to meet you, Dylan," Sylvie said without recognition. "Please, come on in."

Dylan lost his smile as they followed Sylvie inside her small but tidy apartment. So Ari had spoken to Sylvie about Jasmine, and even Kane. But clearly, she had never brought him up—not even once—for Sylvie to recognise his name.

Apprehension rained on him. Was he that unimportant to Ari? Was that why she could handle not seeing or talking to him, while he was going out of his mind from not being with her? Perhaps he had exaggerated Ari's feelings for him from wishful thinking?

His heart grew heavy as sadness saddled it.

"I'm really curious about this surprise to Ari you mentioned over the phone, Jasmine," Sylvie said as she motioned for them to take a seat. "Well, curious is probably too tame a word. I'm actually dying to know."
 

"I think I'll let Dylan talk about it," Jasmine said with a glance at him.

He nodded and forced a smile to his lips.

"Okay, I can't wait," Sylvie replied, looking intrigued. "But first, can I offer you tea or coffee?"

*******

"We were wondering, would you and Kenny like to take a trip to Sydney as a surprise to Ari for her birthday next week?" Dylan asked Sylvie.

Sylvie gave him an indulgent smile. "That's a nice thought, Dylan. But I'm afraid it's not something I can afford. Things are pretty tough for us at the moment."

"Oh, you don't need to worry about the expenses. I'll take care of them for you. Where is Kenny, by the way?"

"He's at little athletics. I'm picking him up in an hour," Sylvie replied, disbelief frozen in her face. "Did you say you'll take care of our expenses if we travel to Sydney next week for Ari's birthday?"

"Yes."

"Oh...why, may I ask?"

Dylan pressed his lips together as he considered his answer. His mind was whirling and his heart was aching. He had assumed that Sylvie knew that he was Ari's ex-boyfriend. He had intended to divulge to Sylvie that he was planning to get her sister back, and that the Sydney trip and the other offer he hasn't mentioned yet was part of his plan to show Ari how much she meant to him.

But doubts assailed him when he realised Ari had not breathed a word about him to his sister. What if Ari didn't care anymore? Was it fair to drag Sylvie and Kenny to his whole drama if Ari was only going to reject him again? It would merely serve to make Sylvie and Kenny feel bad, to say the least.

He nodded to himself, reaching a decision.

"A friend of mine, who wishes to remain anonymous, wanted to give away part of his Lotto winnings to some deserving person," he said, glancing at a startled Jasmine. He gave her a look that conveyed 'follow my lead'.

"He asked me for suggestions on whom he could donate the money to," he continued. "I remembered Jasmine mentioning Kenny and his dream of becoming a Paralympic athlete. I thought Kenny would be a deserving recipient of my friend's generosity. Fortunately, my friend thought so, too. He also agreed that you and Ari deserve some of that gift, for your love and dedication to Kenny's future.

Sylvie gaped at him, her mouth forming a perfect O.

He took a deep breath, saying a little prayer that this last-minute fabrication sounded believable enough.

"The main intention is for you to get Kenny the best prosthesis you can get him," he continued. "The trip to Sydney, plus some left-over cash for whatever else you and Ari may need right now, are just little add-ons."

Sylvie remained motionless for long seconds before tears flowed down her face. "I don't think I heard you right."

"I think you did," he chuckled.

"But why? It's so generous," Sylvie whispered, shock etched on her face.

"Hey, why do some people win Lotto?" he replied lightly.

"Are you sure about this, Dylan?"

"One hundred percent."

"What if your friend changes his mind? He doesn't even know us," Sylvie worried.

"He won't. He already gave me the money for safekeeping. It's all yours, Ari's, and Kenny's now."

"Oh my God," Sylvie cried, her shock transforming to excitement. "Does Ari know? She would be so excited."

"She doesn't know yet. You're going to Sydney as a surprise, remember? You can tell her all about it when you're there. But my friend has one stipulation, Sylvie."

"What's that?"

"He is strongly against anyone knowing about his charitable act. It might create jealousy and envy among his circle, you see. Some would question why he chose you, and not others. Since Ari knows me, and she knows that friend, it's best that you don't mention to Ari that I'm involved with this—just so you can protect the identity of my friend."

Sylvie frowned. "Okay, I get that. But Ari is discreet. She won't tell anyone. And I'm sure she would love to thank you and your friend for this."

"I'm sure Ari could be trusted not to tell anyone. But this is what my friend wants. That is his stipulation. In gratitude to him, that's all he asks of you. Keep this to yourself."

"Okay, I understand. But what do I tell Ari?"

He shrugged. "Can you tell her you won Lotto? Unfortunately, it's not first prize."

Sylvie laughed. "Yes. I guess I can tell her that. But how much exactly have I won? She'll want to know."

Dylan gave her an amount that would be enough to cover Kenny's needs for the time being, plus a little bit more to ease the cash flow for her and Ari. He didn't want to appear over the top, in case Sylvie thought it too generous and refused it. He'd just have to watch over them and concoct a new story when they required some top-up funds.

Sylvie slumped on the sofa, silently sobbing with...gratitude? Surprise? Relief? Disbelief? He couldn't tell.

"That's good," Sylvie hiccupped. "I can give Ari back the money she'd saved to start up her business."

Dylan felt happy about that. It helped mask the ache in his chest.

*******

"Why didn't you tell Sylvie the truth, Dyl?" Jasmine asked as they left Sylvie's apartment. "I thought you wanted Ari to know how much you care about her, and to enlist Sylvie to show her how ridiculous it is to hang on to her 'gold digger' issues?"

He smiled despondently. "I just realised I'm not important enough in her life, Jaz. She hadn't mentioned me once to Sylvie."

"But she has feelings for you," Jasmine insisted.

"Not enough to want me in her life."

Jasmine stared at him. "So, what now?"

He shrugged. "At least I know she and her family will be fine. Jaz, it's probably for the best that she doesn't know what I'm doing. This way, she wouldn't have the opportunity to decline my help."

"I don't think she'd decline if it's for Kenny."

"No, but she'd refuse it for herself if she knows it's from me."

"So you're not going to chase after her anymore?" Jasmine asked with surprise and consternation.

He felt his eyes sting and glanced away from Jasmine. Ari didn't want him. It would be better for her if he stayed away.

"No, Jaz. I'm not going to chase after her anymore."

"Oh, this fits perfectly again, Ari. Thank you so much!"

"My pleasure, Linda," Ari said, running a critical eye over the dress she'd made for Dylan's mother to wear to Jasmine's wedding.

"By the way, I have a couple of phone numbers for you," Linda said. "I had a few women commenting on the dress I wore to Faye's wedding. I told them it was custom-made and two of my friends want to talk to you. They have events coming up."

"Oh, thank you, Linda. I really appreciate that."

"Don't mention it. You're very talented. You make beautiful clothes. You should set up your own shop one day."

Ari blushed as she graciously accepted Linda's praise.

"Well, I'll be off now," she said to Linda. "I'll see you at Kane and Jaz's wedding in three weeks."

"Please, stay for dinner, Ari. Jasmine and Kane are arriving soon."

"Um." She should decline. She didn't want to bump into Dylan, in case he was going to be there tonight.

"Thank you. I'd love to stay," she answered.

Shit.
The part of her that missed him like crazy had managed to speak first.

"Great. I have to start preparing dinner. Feel free to watch some TV or something while we wait for the others."

"Can I help in the kitchen?"

"Sure, if you want to."

"Who else is coming tonight?" she asked casually.

"Just Kane, Jasmine and Dylan. It will feel strange not having all of my kids here tonight, but the twins can't make it and, of course, Faye and Ray are on their honeymoon."

*******

Ari was about to prepare some onions when the doorbell rang. Her heart started racing. Would that be Kane and Jasmine, or Dylan?

"I'll get it!" they heard Fred call.

"Thank you, sweetheart!" Linda called back to her husband.

A couple of minutes later, a woman walked into the kitchen and Ari went cold all over. It was Rosalie.

Fuck.

Suddenly she wanted to go home.

"Hello, Rosalie," Linda greeted the young woman warmly. "This is a surprise."

"Hi, Linda. I thought I'd drop by tonight and say hello to everyone. I hope you don't mind," Rosalie replied.

"Of course not. You're welcome to drop by anytime. Do you remember Ari, Rosalie?"

"Yes. How are you, Ari?"

"I'm well, thanks. And you?"

"Good, thanks."

Was it her imagination or was Rosalie's voice colder toward her?

"Rosalie, you're joining us for dinner, yes?" Linda asked.

"I was hoping you'd ask," Rosalie said with a chuckle. "I take it Dylan will be here, too?"

"Yes, he'll be here," Linda replied with a knowing smile.

Ari refrained from rolling her eyes. Was it too late to leave? She bet Pretty Miss Rosie was going to try to get her paws on Dylan again tonight. She didn't think she'd be able to take it if Dylan flirted back. She just might scratch them both.

Her eyes stung, not because of the onion she was chopping, but because her heart was being squeezed tight. If Dylan did flirt with Rosalie tonight, it would serve her right. She was pushing him away, and it was only a matter of time before he got sick of it.

Deep in her heart, she knew Dylan was suffering just as much as she was. She could hear it in the phone messages he'd been leaving and the texts he'd been sending.

Could she really be so unforgiving? Could she really be so proud that she was closing the door on the man she was in love with?

I love him.

Tears fell from her eyes and she hastily wiped them with the back of her hand.

"Ari!" Linda cried. "Don't use your hand. You'll just make your eyes burn more. Here." Linda handed her a tissue.

"Thank you," she murmured.

"Hello, Mu —. Ari, what's wrong?"

Ari glanced up, her eyes locking with stunned blue ones that made her heart stutter.

"She was chopping some onions and then used her hands to wipe her eyes," Linda tut-tutted.

"Are you okay?" Dylan asked, his tone laced with concern.

She gave him a watery smile. "Yeah," she said, sniffing.

Oh Dylan. I've missed you.

"Dylan," Rosalie purred, placing her hand on Dylan's arm. "How come we haven't seen you at the clubs for weeks now? What's been happening, darling?"

Darling! Grrr.

"Been busy," Dylan answered rather brusquely, then turned to Linda. "Mum, I'm afraid I can't stay tonight."

"Oh? Why not?"

"Too much to do. I just came by to say hello."

Disappointment stabbed at Ari. Now that she'd seen him again, she didn't want Dylan to go. In fact, she wanted to throw herself at him right there in his mother's kitchen, with his mother and Rosalie looking on. But she was too shy to do that.

"But you must stay for dinner, Dyl! You can leave straight after, if you really need to," Linda insisted.

"Yes, Dylan," Rosalie interjected. "Sounds like you're working way too hard. Chill out with us tonight."

"Yes, Dylan. Please stay," Ari heard herself echoing the other women.

"Okay," Dylan agreed, gazing at her with an unreadable expression.

*******

Ari sat uncomfortably next to Jasmine at the dining table. She was seated opposite Rosalie, who had placed herself conveniently between Dylan and Linda.

After her fake greeting when she arrived, Rosalie had practically pretended she didn't exist. Not that she cared. She couldn't bear to look at the woman either, when every time she did, Pretty Miss Rosie was making cow eyes at her Dylan.

Yes.
Her
Dylan.

It took her a while to figure out that not being with him killed her more than her fear of being judged. Besides, if Dylan said he didn't think of her as a gold digger, then she'd take that at face value.

She was ready to move on now—with him.

If only he'd look her way. She could tell he was at pains to avoid her. Why was that, when just two days ago he'd sent her a very sweet text saying he was missing her and to please talk to him?

Come to think of it, she hadn't received anything from him after that. She used to get at least two messages daily without fail, even though she never responded.