Silence came from both our ends-for while he awaits to hear me do just that and possibly risk what he said becoming true, I was too stunned by the sudden change from him. Obviously, I am simply pulling his leg but he seems to take it seriously, and truth be told, I do not want to find out whether he is being serious or not. At least, not right now.
So, I decided to drop it, unwilling to have to end up in court for whatever reason related to this. “Why did you call, Christian?” I asked instead, closing the folder and dropping it beside me. Crossing my legs, I leaned my head on my palm, running my fingers through the hair and pushing it back. “I doubt you called just because you missed me.”
“Actually, I did.” He replied, almost instantly, though there was nothing rushed about his tone-only honesty. “I figured you were missing me as well.”
I scoffed, “You wish.”
“It’s not a wish, love. I know it.” He sounded way too cocky for my own liking. “Or you will tell me you haven’t been thinking about me the whole day? Worrying about me? Wondering why you have not heard from me since your father whisked me away?” His tone was teasing, but he sounded way too certain for someone that might be guessing.
My brows cinched together, lips slanting into a frown. “Who told you that?” I did not deny it because he seems to be aware already, he was not guessing. He spoke of it as if he knew already. Then, another thought crossed my mind as I found myself lifting my head up to look around the waiting room, as if he will pop up any second now. “Wait, are you here right now?” I know it sounds ridiculous, but we can all agree by now nothing is impossible with Christian Kingston.
His laugh came, deep, and mellifluous. It had my insides turning, another thing I hate to admit. Then, his response came as his laughter died down. “As much as I would love to, I know you are busy so no, I am not there with you right now. Unless you want me to.” He said the last part in a suggestive tone, as if he is giving me an opening in case I would want to take it, he will be more than willing to show up.
But, I want no part of that. “Don’t you dare.” This time around, I was the one that warned him because I know once he comes, the last thing I will be doing is work-he is a distraction, and I have too many things to focus on than him. “Also, if you are not here then how did you…” I trailed off, my head tilted to the side.
“A little birdy told me?” He tried to joke it off. “Or would you rather believe me if I say I could feel it? You know soulmates are wired to each other. You can feel it when your partner is missing you.”
I ignored his words, knowing he is only trying to steer me away from my earlier thoughts. The wheels in my head turn, as I thought of how he could possibly know. When realization and a particular face dawned on me, my eyes widened. “Don’t tell me…” I whipped my head in the direction of the door, where the one person that has been stuck to me the whole day just left.
Christian did not confirm or deny anything, but like I said, no news is good news, or in this case, it is a confirmation that my assistant and only friend just betrayed me for a man she could not have known for long. The betrayal!
Before I could say anything more, his voice came again, light and warm like honey. The kind of laid back tone one has when there’s no big issue looming over his head. “Anyways, I don’t want to take up much of your work time so, I will just get straight to the point,” he said, as if he did not just spend the first five minutes playing along with me-which I am also at fault for, I know. “My family has this family dinner every month, and today is it for this month. My mom wants me to bring you along.”
“WHAT?!” I exclaimed, unable to help myself. “What do you mean tomorrow? What do you mean your mom wants to meet me tomorrow? No, no.” I shook my head, already imaging a hundred ways this could go wrong. I know I have to meet them sooner or later, but I did not expect it to be tomorrow. “And wait, you are just telling me this now? I only have what? Twenty-four hours to get ready?”
Oh God, this is bad. I have always thought mothers are more difficult to meet than fathers, not that they are any better but to be fair, I do not have a mother-I don’t know how I am supposed to act or what to do. The last mother I met was Mrs. Donnelly, and she made it known from the first meeting that she doesn’t like me.
Too many what ifs filled my mind, and I could not help but voice them out. “What if she does not like me? What if I say the wrong this or dress the wrong way? What if all this goes down the drain? God, Christian, I don’t think I can do this.”
I didn’t realize I was nervous rambling until his voice came, soothing through the phone. “Isabella, love, calm down, take a deep breath, okay? Listen to my voice, take a deep, calming breath, then exhale. Do it.”
I closed my eyes, and did as he said, taking in a deep breath, and exhaling. I repeated the act, my hand going to the spot where my heart is, feeling the racing organ slowly begin to calm down. When he senses I had finally gotten myself in check, his voice came again, in the same soothing tone as earlier.
“Don’t fret, trust me. She is really nice; I have no doubt you’ll get along.” He tried to assure me, but it was not working. Still, he continued. “She will like you, just be yourself. And remember, I am right there with you, so, it will be fine.”
I shook my head, still unable to say anything because I cannot help it. I am scared of this; I can’t even lie to myself about it. I can remind myself that this is all fake, so there is no reason for me to worry but it still counts. He made time for my dad, and accepted his invitation, even willing to put effort-I cannot refuse. It will be selfish of me when we are in this together after all.
Christian’s voice came again, warm. “If you still don’t want to go though, let me know, and I’ll tell her we can’t make it. Let’s go somewhere else.” Then, he tried to joke. “It’s the end of the week, and remember, you owe me one date a week. You can’t back down now, Miss Montague. Else, I’ll tell everyone in the business world the CEO of Montague Concept backs down on her words.”
His words, though he tried to feign seriousness elicited the smallest of chuckles from me, easing my worries easily. I could hear him release a sigh of relief as well upon hearing my chuckle, and I finally found my voice. “You won’t do that.” I said, referring to his last words. “If you do, and I go under, you’ll have to hire me.”
His own tone was filled with amusement when he answered. “Of course, I’ll make you the CEO if you want.” If possible, his tone softened even more when he added, his voice dropping. “Just come over to me when it gets difficult, my arms are wide open for you, always.”
For some reason, I feelas though his words weren’t referring to the business joke. No, it feels as though he is talking about life in general, it just feels that way. The knowledge has my heart softening a million times more.
I shook my head to rid my head and heart of such emotions, reminding myself to not be move and just focus on what I have to do.
“It’s okay.” I finally found my voice, coming to terms with it. “I’ll go to the family night tomorrow. Just let me know the time and place.” I am still anxious, but I will deal with it.
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.