Christian stared at me for a few seconds, before he suddenly smiled. “You are amazing, Isabella Montague.” He stated earnestly as if impressed by me being one step ahead.
Blood rushed to my cheeks. “Thank you.”
Before we could exchange any more words between us, two more people approached us, one that had my shoulders slumping and my lips slanted into a downward smile as both Christian and I turned around to welcome them.
“Dad.” I acknowledged, as my father and his right hand man reached where we are. “Anderson.” I acknowledged, earning a nod from the said man.
My father’s expression was unreadable as he stared at us. “I want to talk to you.”
“Sure,” I nodded.
“Not you,” He shifted his gaze to the man beside me. “Kingston, I want to talk to you alone.” As if sensing me about to oppose this, my father added. “Alone.”
Well, fuck there goes the father talk.
***
Isabella Montague.
I have no idea what my dad and Christian talked about-neither of them would tell me, not that they had any chance to. After my father asked to speak to Christian, the man agreed and my father was quick to whisk him away, asking me to return home with Amy because he will be leaving with Christian.
I tried to argue, because having my father alone with Christian is an absolute disaster, or so I would like to believe because I know both men-one more than the other but from what I know about the other, he is not one that will back down from anything, and he did not back down from having the ‘father talk’ with my dad as well.
“It will be fine,” Christian whispered as he leaned down to my height, his hand going around to rub soothing circle on my arms. “It is just a conversation. Do not worry too much.” He tried to calm my worries, but I was having none of it.
I flashed a look of worry in the direction of my dad awaiting Christian, then back to the man, expressing my worries. “You have no idea how my father is,” I whispered back, because the man is only a few feet away from us and I were to raise my voice, he will so well hear us so whispering it is. “he is a lot to handle.” I added, already imagining what he will take make Christian go through.
The annoying man though, while I am here looking out for him gave me a joking look. “Well, I guess I see where you got it from now.” He teased, earning a glare from me.
“Not the time, Christian.” I gritted out, hoping he would stop making fun of the situation and understand the gravity of it, to understand what I am looking out for him. “Not the time.” I repeated, hoping it will sink in his mind.
Christian only chuckled, seeming to find genuine amusement in my worries. When he saw that my glare did not relent, he caved in. “Alright, alright. I will be serious.” He surrendered, though he still sported a grin.
“Thank you.” I released a sigh of relief. “Now, let us give him an excuse and get you out of this meeting.”
Christian hummed, shaking his head. “As much as I would love to do what you want, love, no can do.” He got another glare sent his way from me, so he was quick to add. “I cannot avoid him as if I have something to hide. We are getting married, remember? This is what is supposed to happen when a guy is marrying another’s daughter. I have to go through the dad talk to make him believe I am good enough.” He tried to reason, but I was having none of it.
Scoffing lightly under my breath, I muttered so only he would hear. “Believe me, I am a hundred percent certain he knows we are faking it.” I stated as a matter of fact, because even if I am to fool anyone else, I cannot fool that old man, and I do not plan to.
Just twenty-four ago I told him I have no man to marry and zero plans of doing so, and yet, here I am with Christian who I am apparently engaged too-I know better than to expect him to believe that, so I will not even bother. We will just continue how already are, we are used to it anyway. It is our thing.
But, Christian is not having any of it. If anything, my words only made him seem more determined. “Well, in that case…” He started, a teasing look taking over his features as his hand that was on my arm dropped down to rest on my hips, giving it a small squeeze, his eyes never leaving mine. His voice dropped octaves lower when he added. “…all the more reason why I should convince him he is handing you out to the right man, yeah?” He mumbled, offering me a soft smile. “I need to prove myself to your father, that is what the man is supposed to do.”
I will not lie, his words took me by surprise which I should not be because Christian is fond of talking this way, I know that. He speaks like this all the time, I should get used to it if we are doing this marriage thing, this fake marriage thing anyways. But, I doubt I would, not when he says it like that with so much intensity in his eyes.
I blinked, my throat suddenly chapped as my toes curled in the heels I am wearing. My brows drew in as I shook my head, making a tendril from my hair drop to the side of my face while I frowned. Christian reached his hand out to push it behind my ear, so tenderly, butterflies erupted in my belly. My words, whichever response I had got stuck in my mouth at the action, and I found myself unable to form coherent words again.
Thankfully, my father’s voice came, breaking whatever trance Christian had me in. “Are you going to keep me waiting?” His tone was stern when he grumbled out, “I am not getting any younger here.”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.