“Careful what you say to my wife,” Christian jumped in before I could respond, his voice deep, and warning-despite not looking at his face, I was sure as hell his expression was dead serious as well. Even I had chills running down my spine due to his words, what more, her? When she slanted her gaze to him, he added. “I am not so kind when it comes to who messes with my woman.”
Josephine scoffed, it slowly turning into a small laughter. When it died down, she stared at me, then shook her head and met Christian’s pinning, cold gaze again. “You should really consider your choices, Christian–“
“It is Mr. Kingston to you,” He cut her off, his tone cold, leaving no room for her to argue.
Her expression cracked slightly, shock at his blatant calling her out like that registering but she was quick to mask it, but holding up her earlier sickly sweet smile. “Mr. Kingston.” She gritted out. “Do you even know the woman you married? Do you know anything about her really that you are doing all these for her?” Her lips slowly curled upwards into a knowing smile when she met my gaze-the unvoiced words lingering in the air like a thick fog.
My stomach was in uncomfortable knots even at the mere thought of memories I like to keep a lid on and shut out. I tried to mask it, but I do not know if I am doing a good job at that and not giving myself away. I released a small, discreet, shaky breath-my hand curling by the side.
To my surprise, as if knowing what I am trying to hide, Christian’s hands slipped over my curled ones, uncurling it and interlacing our fingers together, it fitting like a puzzle made for each other. The uncomfortable knot my stomach was in unfolded, my heart rate slowly back to normal.
“I know enough.” That was Christian’s response, cool, collected, and unbothered by whatever she is inclining which he knows nothing about-as if he really could not care less what it is.
Josephine shook her head, her grin widening. “Out of paper,” She said, her voice dropping into a taunting whisper, just like I did earlier as her eyes glint with mischievousness. “you do not know her out of what is written on paper.”
I tightened my grip around Christian’s hand unknowingly, and to offer comfort I desperately needed, he gave my hand a small squeeze back. “I appreciate your…’concern’.” Christian’s voice came, still unbothered, “But whatever my wife and I have is none of your concern.”
“Suit yourself then.” Josephine shrugged, easily backing off though she still sported a grin, as if knowing she had planted a seed of doubt in his mind, and now it is left to him to dig into her words-which I hope he won’t. Then, she fixed her gaze on me. “We should have the family meeting soon so both families would know each other since we are about to become one,” She said, like the caring mother she is feigning to be, “I will cook your favorite so you should also drop by sometime before you get married. We don’t have much time together it appears.” The underlying meaning behind her words did not go unnoticed any of the four Montagues there, including I.
I knew she was trying to get under my skin with her words, so I did not let her. Instead, I offered her a small smile. “Not needed,” I brushed her off. “I will send you the wedding invitation though. I would need my…extended family there.”
She held my gaze with her own in a slight glare at being addressed as an extended family, basically being cut out of the family meeting because there is no way in hell I would allow her there, or any of them-unless I am not given a choice.
Wordlessly, she turned around and walked away, Sebastian following behind her. Alexander lingered, his cold and impenetrable gaze moving from I to Christian, the wheels in his head no doubt turning at the extent of mine and Christian’s relationship. Then, he suddenly smiled, it creepy as hell.
His lips parted, the words escaping his lips calm and knowing. “For a fake couple,” He stated blatantly, with no iota of doubt in his mind, his smile widened. “you sure are doing a good job.”
Instead of shaking like a leaf at the prospect of being caught by him, not that I expected it to get past him and anyone else really, I shrugged, my own lips slanted into a smile that mirrored his. “As good as you and Victoria?” I inquired, “Nah I think we still have a long way to go to meet up with you two.”
He chuckled, it deep and dark. Taking a few steps towards me, he came to align his shoulders with me before he leaned down so he can whisper. “You should look over your shoulders; you never know what is going to happen.” He pulled back to meet my gaze, before he grinned in a way that would send chills down anyone’s spine. “Just a piece of advice.”
I glared at him, dropping my own voice as well so I can whisper. “You should take a sleeping pill, or two tonight. I am sure you will need the sleep,” I said, then offered him a grin as well. “Just a piece of advice.”
His contorted into a wider grin, as he shook his head. Then, he looked up, his gaze locking on Christian. “Congratulations on your engagement by the way. I look forward to getting my invitation. I will be sure to be there, anything for my baby sister.” His hand went to shoulder, tapping it lightly. “We are family after all.” With that said, he turned around and walked past us, approaching his awaiting wife that is conversing with her father and some other stock holder’s by the entrance.
Naturally, his arm snaked around her, earning a smile from her as he joined the ongoing conversation there. My shoulders slumped as I released a small sigh, relieved to finally be out of the three’s sight-they can be exhausting mentally and physically.
“Are you okay?” Christian gave my hand a small squeeze, his tone warm and laced with genuine curiosity. He turned me around to look at him, his eyes giving me a onceover to see whether I truly am.
I nodded, though I was too worn out to even feign a smile. I have had too many fake smiles; I do not have the energy in me to feign another. “Yeah, I am…” I am fine, I just went through our every day threats and banter-nothing new. It is as exhausting as it was, which reminded me yet again of another reason why I did not stay back in England. I cannot be having this kind of conversations every day.
Christian did not seem to buy my words, but he knew better than to press it. Instead, he changed the conversation to something else. “You knew didn’t you?” His tone was not criticizing like theirs was, just knowing.
I held his gaze, then released a small shrug. “What? That my dad will not choose the next Chairman today and that everyone’s plan will go down the drain?” He nodded, so I bobbed my head as well in confirmation. “I realized it later, but yeah, I came here knowing that.”
“That is why you did not ask me to vote for you.”
“Because there will be no votes whatsoever.” I offered him a genuine smile. “It’s just any other stock holder meeting, plus the conditions he set for whoever will inherit the position anyway.” I shrugged, “Nothing much.” I cannot hide just how happy the news made me. Up until a few hours ago, I was stressing myself over this when there is no need for it to begin with.
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.