His eyes stared at mine, mischievousness glinting.
Butterflies erupted in my tummy, my toes curling as I stared at him, my voice a breathless whisper as I asked, “What are you doing?” My heart was hammering behind my ribcage at the sudden close proximity, and I was aware of our bodies pressed against each other.
Christian’s eyes dropped to my lips, before he met my gaze again. “What does it look like I am doing, love?” His voice was low, deep, and velvety-sending chills, the good kind, straight to my core. His hazel eyes were firm on mine when he added. “I am kissing my wife, of course…to seal the deal.”
My tongue darted to wet my suddenly chapped lips on instinct, and the corner of his lips tilted upwards at the action. Then, he slowly leaned down, having to lower his head to meet my short frame. My eyes closed on instinct, my hand grasping a handful of his shirt-the small, reasonable voice in my head that would have talked me out of this flying out the roof, leaving me too caught up in the moment to care.
I could feel him getting closer, and he was mere inches away, our lips even brushed, but as he delved down to fully press our lips together, the door was suddenly pushed open, followed by a voice.
“Alright, Christian, it’s late enough already you need to leave–” The person stopped, then exclaimed. “-holy shit! I did not see anything!”
My eyes flicked open, my senses setting in almost immediately making me push him back, putting as much distance between us as possible, suddenly flustered at being caught-like someone doing something wrong. I looked away, patting my cheeks to get rid of the blood that rushed there, while my heart thumped behind my ribcage.
“Carter,” I heard Christian curse under his breath, sounding frustrated.
I looked over my shoulder, to see the man named Carter, with his hands covering his eyes, as if to confirm what he just said. But, he did peek between the fingers, then added. “I did not see anything. You two can continue. I will just…uhm…I will come back later. Yeah, later.” Even he sounded nervous.
I was quick to speak before he could leave and get any further wrong…thoughts. “No, it is okay. I-I, will leave.” I hastily picked up my bag, snatching my copy of the contract and leaving his on the table. “I’ll just get going. I will see you, uhmm…around I guess. Bye!” I said, not turning around to even spare him another glance.
“Wait, Isabella–” Christian tried to call out and even follow me, but I was faster, or maybe he realized from me running around like a headless chicken that I need my alone moment to gather my thoughts and get over my embarrassment.
Thankfully, there were any workers on the floor-no doubt having gotten off work so I all but ran into the elevator, hastily tapping the button that would take me to the parking lot. The moment the doors closed, my knees weakened and I found myself leaning on the wall, my eyes closing as I released a deep breath, my free hand going to where my heart is, to calm it.
Only one thought crossed my mind throughout.
‘What the fuck just happened?’ Which changed to. ‘I am so screwed.’
Did I make the wrong choice? Because Christian does not seem to be good for my health in the slightest. Especially not my poor heart.
***
Isabella Montague.
BACK TO THE PRESENT TIME-THE SHAREHOLDERS’ MEETING.
“Your husband?” A new voice came, slicing the air of shock that took over from Christian’s confession that seemed to have left them all stunned. The new voice though had our gazes all turning around, welcoming the new members that joined our now growing circle. The owner of the voice, Josephine, had her questioning gaze on me, then to Christian, before fixing it on me again. “Vivien, darling, when did you get married without us knowing?” Her tone was soft, and laced with feigned hurt.
Her expression, she sported the same look that resembles that of a mother being left out of her child’s life. If I did not know any better, I would have fell for the look. Unfortunately, those around me do not know just how much of a two faced person she is, making this situation harder than it should be for me.
“Wait, really?” Sebastian inquired, sounding genuinely confused as he trailed behind her, all decked up in his three-piece suit as well, looking more representable than I thought he would following his whole audit team drama that is. His gaze was fixed on me when he added, “You really got married?”
Pretty much everyone else yawed their gazes to us-to be specific, to me, awaiting my response to the entire situation where even my own family did not know of my apparent ‘marriage’ by the look of it.
My lips slanted into a smile, my eyes fixed on the woman standing across me. “We are engaged,” I said instead, earning a slight brow arch from Josephine. “But we are getting married, yes.”
Christian free hand went to the side of my arm, his thumb rubbing soothing circles on it as his own answer came, his eyes on the woman that held my gaze in a staring contest. “Since she said yes, I already consider Isabella my wife, wedding or not.” His words had the woman shifting her gaze from me, to him.
Her eyes, the same that a lot find intimidating zoned on Christian, in a way she does to any one she is trying to intimidate by her presence. She plays the role of the hostess of an old money family more than she is supposed to really. “She is not your wife until it is official.” She said, without batting an eye lid. “I don’t recall her discussing this with her family, much less us agreeing to her marrying again.”
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.