Chapter 2

Jennifer Patterson

I ruffled the hair of the kid, who was grinning at the box I just presented him, while his mother Emily looked at me warmly. 

She then shifted her gaze to her son and patted his shoulder. “Leo don't you think that you are forgetting something?” The boy looked at her confusingly, while I shook my head knowing very well what was coming on his way. 

I must say she is a dutiful mother. No wonder Leo is such an amazing kid. 

Leo pouted his lips for a while but soon it got converted into a beautiful smile. “Thank you so much aunty for the cake and blueberry cake is my favorite” 

I fondly looked at the kid and bent down to kiss his chubby cheeks “And you are my favorite.” 

The kid reciprocated my action “Aunty may I ask you a question?” I nodded in affirmation towards him.

 “Why did you bake a cake? Is it your birthday today?” My smile got faded after hearing his innocent question while his mother passed me an apologetic smile and pressed his shoulder to shush him. 

“Ma'am we should take your leave. Leo is getting late for his piano classes and I can never be enough grateful to you for doing so much for my son.” I patted her arm. 

 “And I can never be enough grateful to you for doing so much for this house. Now go fast or else he will get punished because of us.” I waved back at the kid and made my way towards our bedroom.

 I looked around the room to ensure that all the decorations from last night are taken off, otherwise Mike will again blame himself for spoiling my hard work. 

Emily has done her work so well! 

I was rechecking the room when my gaze lasted on the photo frame that was proudly hanging on the side wall. I walked towards it and observed it thoughtfully. It was a Joseph and Pearl wedding picture.

 I looked at their smiling faces and then shifted my gaze towards my man, who was looking devilishly handsome that day. After all, it was his sister's wedding. 

Do remind me of a day when he didn't look handsome, mocked my conscience! 

I shook my head amusingly, He always does. But that day, something was special about him, about us. After all, it was the day when we crossed each other's path for the first time. My mind goes back to the time when our journey started. 

I disgustingly looked at my cousins who had been Eye-rapping the poor guy for the past half hour. 

Poor guy! Don't you think smoking hot would be more appropriate for this dude? Teased my conscience. 

“Jenny I got to know that he is Pearl's brother. Do you know him personally?” Linda poked me with her manicured nails, which was enough for other girls to turn their attention towards me. 

Now this is something I really hate! Becoming center of attraction. 

“ His name is Michael. Pearl had mentioned him, the day when her alliance got fixed with my brother. He was away to complete his studies but now he will get settled here only and will soon take over Patterson empire. I know only this much about him.” 

I vomited everything I knew about him so that these girls can leave me alone. I breathed in relief when they again shifted their attention towards him and left me alone. 

Thank you almighty! Now I can live in peace. I closed my eyes in sheer joy. Not so soon! Cursed my conscience as I saw Pearl coming towards me and her hot-shot brother following her like a pup. 

I waved awkwardly towards her direction, whereas she greeted me with a sweet smile. “Jenny meet Michael, my brother, remember I mentioned him that day” I spared a glance towards his direction and nodded back to Pearl.

 “And Mickey she is Jenny, my sister- in- law” I widened my eyes on discovering his cute nickname whereas Michael glared his sister for her stunt, but nevertheless he shifted his gaze to him and forwarded his hand towards me for a formal greeting 

“Hello Ms. Miller”. I heard his deep voice and battled with myself to look into his hypnotizing eyes.

 I could feel my palms getting sweaty, not wanting to sound rude, I slowly raised my eyes towards him and held his forwarded hand. 

"Hello Mr. Patterson! It's nice meeting you. I have heard so much about you” My body shivers when he slightly caressed the back of my palm with his thumb. 

“I hope whatever you have heard about me, doesn't disappoint you.” I immediately withdrew my hand from his burning hold and looked down. 

Pearl as if sensing my discomfort elbowed him slightly “Jenny don't mind his words. He is like this only. He doesn't know how to differentiate and behave between people.”

 I slightly nodded on her justification because all I wanted to do was to run away from here and hide somewhere, so I blurted out whatever came to my mouth. 

“I think Mom is calling out for me. I would like to take your leave.” And without waiting for their answer, I actually ran away from the spot, without paying any heed to Pearl's calls. 

I chuckled lightly when the memories of that day trespassed my mind. I was a fool back then to believe that I can run and hide away from him, because the truth is, the more I ran away from him, the more he came closer to me. So close, that today we have completed 2 years of our wedding anniversary. I raised myself slightly towards the frame and pecked his lips.