She and Ceaser turned to look at the person who called his name.
A good-looking woman, around her forties, blonde hair, really pretty accompanied by a man who seemed to be in his fifties walked up to them.
“Mum.” Ceaser said when they approached them.
Holy sh*t! Jules thought.
The woman hugged Ceaser.
“My boy, I thought you weren’t going to come. I almost lost hope.” she said to Ceaser.
“I told you I was going to come, mum” he told her. He looked at the middle-aged man “Dad.” he hugged the man.
“How are you son?” The man asked.
“Good” he turned to me and smiled “This is Jules Jenna, my date” he said “Jules, these are my parents.”
“Good evening Mrs. Thom…” Jules offered her hand to his mother.
“Oh, please call me Selene.” she cut her short shaking her hand in the process and Ceaser let out a sigh when his mother interrupted Jules.
Jules smiled and nodded.
“It’s great to meet you Selene.”
“Same here.” Selene smiled.
“You can call me Eric.” Ceaser’s dad reached out to shake her hand.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” She smiled at him.
“The pleasure is all mine.” he said and let go of her hand. “Never met any of this boy’s woman after…” Eric said referring to Ceaser.
“Dad please.” Ceaser said.
“It’s true” Selene said “Always avoiding dating women like the plague. Don’t know how he made it this far. He still has me wondering how he even got married in the first place.”
Married.
Married?!
Jules looked at Ceaser who was looking at her “Married?” Jules asked looking at all of them.
“He hasn’t told you, has he?” Selene asked looking guilty.
“I’m afraid not.” Jules shook her head.
“Well I’m sorry for being the one whom you heard it from.” she said and looked at Ceaser looking apologetic. “He’ll tell you when he’s ready.”
Jules swallowed and nodded at her, forcing a smile even though she felt hurt. She didn’t know why, but the idea of Ceaser being married and not telling her that he was married hit her like a wave and made her want to run away. She shouldn’t feel the way she did but she couldn’t help it.
“Well we should probably go back to our seats. The auction will soon begin.” Eric said.
“Oh yes.” Selene said.
“After you my love” Eric said to Selene and Jules smiled at that.
Ceaser’s hand rested on the small of her naked back and she almost jumped at the contact. She felt his gaze on her as they followed behind his parents to their seats. She didn’t want to look at him, she couldn’t. She didn’t want him to see the emotions that played in her eyes in that moment.
Ceaser pulled out a chair for Jules when they arrived at their table which was reserved for them and a few other people.
“Thanks.” she said as got comfortable.
“You’re welcome” he whispered into her ear which sent shivers down her body.
Ceaser got into the seat on her right with Selene on her left and Eric next to her then and two other middle-aged couple completed the circle round the table.
A few minutes later everyone was seated and the auction began.
Jules’ mind was still processing the marriage thing but she made sure it wasn’t obvious.
“So, what do you do?” Selene stuck up a conversation with her.
“I’m in the legal affairs department in Thompson’s Publishing.” Jules said.
“Thompson’s Publishing?” Selene asked.
“Yes, it was rebranded on Monday.” Jules said “It was formerly Freddie and Co. Do you know it?”
“No, this is the first time I’m hearing of it.” Selene answered truthfully “So, do you work closely with the CEO?” Selene asked.
“No, that’s someone else’s job. I go through contracts made with other companies or individuals who want to publish books, magazines or newspapers. I make sure the contract doesn’t have loop holes that can affect the company badly, if I do find things like that, I send it over to the company’s lawyer.”
“That sounds fun.” she said.
“It is. But sometimes, some contracts are either too long, or it gets boring and isn’t straightforward. Some gets tricky” Jules explained.
“But from the way you talk about it. I’m sure you love it” she said.
“I do.” Jules smiled.
“What about your family?” She asked.
The smile immediately fell from her face.
“I have a daughter – Ivy.” Jules smiled.
“Oh. How old is she?”
“She’s one.” Jules said “She’s adorable. She never troubles me. She’s the only kid I know that doesn’t cry for little things except she needs a change or she’s hungry. Anything else, she tells you in her own way without crying. I just… I love her.”
“I’d love to meet her. You talking about her reminds me of Ceaser when he was little. He never cried for little things. He was the happiest baby I’d ever come across.” She said happily. “Is Ivy’s father in the picture?” She asked but added “I don’t mean to pry I just…”
“No, it’s fine and Ivy’s adopted, so there’s no father in the picture.”
“What about your parents?”
“Uh, my parents died in a plane crash.”
“Oh!” A cloud of sadness passed Selene’s expression “I’m so sorry dear.” she said.
“It’s alright. It’s been almost two year now, but sometimes it feels like it was just yesterday. But not with Ivy around. She keeps me happy.” Jules smiled.
“I can tell.” Selene smiled at me “You know Ceaser’s never brought anyone to any of these things. He likes keeping to himself and I was shocked when he told me he was going to bring you today. I was surprised.”
Jules didn’t know what to say or feel.
“I like you, you’re good for my son.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“Say ‘You’ll take care of him’. He’s been through a lot since his wife died, at least that’s how it looks from my end. I don’t really know what he feels. He shuts himself out from everyone. He doesn’t like to share anything except it’s work related.”
Jules glanced at Ceaser who was in conversation with the man next to him.
“I’ll try.” Jules smiled.
I’ll try? Try what?! Jules scolded herself.
She and Ceaser had just started seeing each other and she wasn’t sure for how long he’d be around. She had no say in his life or anything relating to him. How would she ‘try’ when she was just getting to know him.
Jules sighed as her mind went ballistic with different thoughts, all about Ceaser.
So, for the sake of putting herself out there like Andy and Sofi had suggested, she’d try.