His Wife's Place Was Never Mine

I picked up the place card.

"Where am I sitting?"

Sylvia paused.

"You'll be at the second table. Easier for you to look after the guests."

Sabina looked up quickly.

"Aunt Sylvia, why don't I take the second table instead?"

Sylvia pressed her back down into her seat.

"You'll be spending the whole evening talking design with several of the ladies. How would it look for you to sit at the second table?"

I looked down at the place card.

After Sabina's name it read: Delgado Brand Consultant.

I asked Sylvia.

"Is this your arrangement?"

She frowned.

"Didn't you study PR in college? This sort of thing is right up your alley."

Sabina said softly, "Mavis, Aunt Sylvia only trusts you with it."

I gave a small smile.

"Sure."

I set the place cards out and went to the kitchen to check on the refreshments.

The housekeeper said under her breath, "Ma'am, Mrs. Delgado said not to come out too early. Wait until the guests are seated before serving the tea."

Ma'am. That title only existed in the kitchen.

At seven, the guests began to arrive.

One of the ladies took Sabina by the hand.

"Miss Pruitt, you must be Mrs. Delgado? I've seen you in the news. You're even prettier in person."

Sabina flushed a little.

"You've misunderstood."

Sylvia jumped in at once, smiling.

"Sabina is very close to our family. Whether or not she's called Mrs. Delgado, she's just as dear to us."

I walked over carrying the tea, and the lady glanced at me.

"And who is this?"

Sylvia said, "Mavis. Family help."

Family help. Not the daughter-in-law, not Mrs. Delgado. Just someone around the house who could pour tea.

Morton walked in right then and heard it.

He looked at me, and for a second his expression turned uneasy.

I set the tea down.

"Mr. Delgado, your tea."

Morton's face changed.

"Mavis."

I didn't look at him. I turned and went back to the kitchen.

After the dinner got underway, Sylvia handed a gift box to Sabina.

"Sabina, this watch is from Morton's IPO. I picked it out just for you."

Sabina hurried to refuse.

"Aunt Sylvia, I can't accept this."

"What do you mean you can't? You've walked all this way with Morton. You've earned it."

I sat at the very edge of the second table.

My phone buzzed.

It was a message from Morton.

【Don't read too much into it. Mom's just thanking her.】

I replied.

【Read too much into what?】

He didn't answer again.

Before long, Morton came over holding a glass of wine.

"Go sit at the head table. I'll have my assistant switch the seats."

I lifted my head and looked at him.

"Switch them now?"

"Yes."

"Why didn't you switch them before?"

He pressed his lips together.

"There were too many people just now."

I laughed.

"Are there fewer people now?"

Morton's face stiffened.

Just then, someone at the head table called out to him.

"Mr. Delgado, Miss Pruitt says the two of you even slept at the office back when you were starting the company. Is that true?"

The whole table laughed, and Sabina ducked her head, embarrassed.

Morton glanced at me, but he still turned and went back.

I stayed where I was, and all at once none of it seemed worth it.

After the dinner broke up, Sylvia walked Sabina to the door.

"It isn't safe for you to go back alone. Let Morton drive you."

Sabina looked at me.

"Mavis wouldn't mind, would she?"

I picked up my bag.

"I mind."

Everyone froze.

Sylvia's face darkened at once.

"Mavis, what has gotten into you today?"

I looked at her.

"You asked whether I minded, didn't you? I answered."

Morton came over.

"I'll have the driver take her."

Sylvia said immediately, "The driver can take an outsider, but how could you let the driver take Sabina?"

I gave a small laugh.

"So the driver's for outsiders."

Sabina's eyes reddened again.