Chapter 86: Mrs. Fiona, a refined woman
"Now, young man, how about I help you to your room, or do you like sleeping here?" Fiona's voice was laced with humor as she addressed Jaegar.
Turning his head to face her, Jaegar's slightly intoxicated gaze met hers. He responded with a hint of playfulness, "Mrs. Selfridges, you can go and sleep too. I can take care of myself. But before you go, can you lend me some wine or something? I need a drink."
Fiona sighed softly, a mixture of exasperation and amusement at Jaegar's persistence. Understanding that he wouldn't easily relent, she made her way to the basement, retrieving a wine bottle. Returning to the balcony, she beckoned Jaegar to join her.
With a slightly unsteady movement, Jaegar complied, positioning himself on the balcony as Fiona poured wine into a glass for him. She also poured herself a glass, settling in beside him. She wanted to have a drink herself, feeling a little under the weather.
The rich aroma of the wine wafted in the air as Jaegar took the glass, swiftly downing its contents. The taste lingered on his tongue, momentarily diverting his thoughts from the events of the day.
As he looked at Fiona under the soft moonlight, his mind drifted back to their encounter in the bathroom and the current scene before him.
Fiona appeared to be a refined woman, her elegance and grace emanating effortlessly. Despite the passage of time, she defied age with her appearance. The silver strands of her graying blonde hair and the faint lines near her eyes were the only subtle indications of her years. Her youthful demeanor deceived observers, making her seem at least a decade younger than her actual age.
The fabric of her silk robe clung to her slender figure, accentuating her form and prompting thoughts of how her body had carried and birthed two children. Jaegar's thoughts momentarily strayed to the concept of having children, a realm he never quite understood or related to. It was simply not a role that resonated with him.
Jaegar produced a cigarette from his pocket, a gift from Parkar. "Do you mind if I smoke, Mrs. Selfridges?" he inquired, making a respectful gesture in acknowledgment of her presence.
Fiona looked at him and responded with a casual grace, "No, carry on." With a practiced movement, Jaegar lit the cigarette with his lighter, the tiny flame flickering in the night's breeze. As he took a long drag, Jaegar exhaled a cloud of smoke, momentarily escaping into the familiar comfort it provided.
Fiona stood beside him, a calming presence in the midst of the quiet night. Her posture was poised, her arms crossed lightly over her chest, and her gaze fixed upon the moon that hung luminously in the sky.
As he smoked, Jaegar found himself observing her, truly taking in her beauty and aura. It was a rare feeling for him, a departure from the carnal encounters he was accustomed to.
Thoughts of his past liaisons surfaced in his mind, a series of fleeting encounters driven purely by physical desire. His encounters had been devoid of emotional connections and characterized by brief, intense moments of pleasure. Except for the unique bond he shared with his aunt, no other woman had stirred his emotions or thoughts as much as Fiona did now.
He didn't want to think about her like that; she was Pierre's mother, but he couldn't help but be drawn to her. He found himself captivated by Fiona's magnetic presence and the way she effortlessly commanded attention. Despite his internal conflict, he couldn't deny the growing attraction that made it increasingly difficult to resist her allure.
Under the moonlit sky, the two individuals stood, each wrapped in their own thoughts and emotions.
The night held a certain tranquility, an atmosphere that invited reflection and contemplation. As the minutes ticked by, the quiet was punctuated only by the soft rustling of leaves and the occasional sound of distant buzzing noises.
"Is everything all right?" he asked, taking in another puff.
Fiona turned to him, her eyes filled with a mix of sadness and longing. She hesitated for a moment before finally speaking, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know," she admitted, her words hanging in the air between them.
For the past few months, she has been staying home alone. Her husband was never home for more than one day, and he was always going on trips or spending most of his time in his office. Fiona had grown accustomed to the silence and solitude, but lately, it had started to weigh heavily on her.
She had suspicions that he had another woman, but she didn't try to confront him about it.
She turned to look at Jaegar; she remembered the scene where she saw her naked. She remembered the look in his eyes, and right now he was staring at her with a gaze that made her move towards him.
Jaegar still hesitated to make a move himself, thinking of Pierre. He didn't want to, but he wasn't sure himself about what to do now, as his mind was telling him to move towards her.
"I can't remember the last time I had a drink or had a good time with my husband. Right after getting married, we are so busy with business and children that we forget what it feels like to have time for ourselves," she explained, looking away from him and turning her eyes back to him.
"This balcony, we used to sit here late at night and just stare at the moon, waiting for the children to fall asleep."
"He would smoke," she said, "before going to bed." She turned to him, looking him in the eye.
Jaegar was actually surprised that he was standing here right now, smoking. He exhaled, directing the steam away from her.
She moved a step closer to him, standing a few inches away from him. She put her hand on his cheek; her eyes locked with him and were full of desire.