6. Club as a Gift

** Hyacinth ** 

I stood there for what seemed forever. My eyes focus on him. I don’t know why I am still hurt. Why did he tell me to meet him at the club and meet his friends? Why was Rosie there? Why was he letting her touch him? I shouldn’t feel jealous. I shouldn’t get angry, but my heart is about to burst.

Does he still love her? I don’t understand now. I felt trapped in this marriage. 

I was finally back from wondering when Raven stood. His face was serious and he pushed Rosie. He approached me and reached my hand but I gently pushed it. 

“Hyacinth.” His voice was deep. “Let's talk later. Your sister… you can tell her to leave.” 

I furrowed at him. He’s talking nonsense again. 

“Who am I to tell her that?” I chewed my lower lip as I tried hard not to cry. No. I shouldn’t cry. I am over him. 

“Wife,” He pulled my waist closer but I looked away. He reached my chin and lifted it closer to his serious face. “You own the club now. I told you, my friends.” 

What the hell? Own the club? What nonsense is he saying? Is this his way to cover up that he’s still into Rosie?

“Did you put my name on this asset? What if this Club is illegal?” 

“No. I won’t let that happen.” He pulled my chin closer as he planted his lips to mine. “It’s part of my gift to my wife. You married me. You’ll receive a lot of assets that you can even take when we get divorced.” 

Divorce? So he plans to divorce me after all. To what? I am so stupid even to ask myself. He’s gonna go after Rosie, of course. I knew it. It was always Rosie all along. Here I thought that for years… the way he told me he loved me was only a fantasy and in the end, he betrayed me. I kept a straight face as I stared at those tantalizing eyes. 

Those eyes that I used to stare at after we made love under the moonlight were so beautiful, so pure. Was it only a facade?

“Great.” I acted happy and cool about it, although my chest hurt. Let her have some fun then. She probably misses you,” I said bitterly, as he didn’t say much. He led me to the table, where he introduced me to everyone. There were six of them, all rich-looking, beautiful, and handsome. A tall guy with ash blonde hair quickly extended his hand toward me. 

“I’m Calisto.” He flashed perfect white teeth which I found charming. All of Raven’s friends are charming and smiling at me genuinely. Even the girls. Raven introduced them to me one by one and there’s a familiar one in the group. 

“Zian, Janice, David, Penny and you’ve also met my cousin, Kelly Madison.” 

“Hello, gorgeous.” Kelly winked at me. I felt relieved that there was someone familiar in the group. 

“Sis,” Rosie interrupted us with a big smile. “I don’t know that you are married to Raven.” I finally turned to Rosie, with a fake smile. 

“Rosie, you missed the wedding,” I said to piss her with a little sneer. 

“Yeah,” She scoffed. “I have no choice but to let you marry Raven. Sharing is caring, right?” She smirked. “Also, I wasn't aware that the older guy they were talking about marrying was Raven. I thought it was some kind of old dirty man.” She shrugged. 

Sharing is caring? My ass. Raven took my hand as he gently pulled me. I glanced at him and seeing him smirking made me somewhat feel a little curious. What is he smirking at? Sharing is caring? What the fuck with him? 

I sat next to Kelly as Raven sat next to me. I was still pissed at Raven. I had mixed emotions that I wanted to let out. I already expected another scene that Rosie would make. She sat next to Raven and bent down to pull me into a hug with Raven between us. She reeked of alcohol. I rolled my eyes and glared at Raven who leaned on the sofa trying to dodge Rosie. He moved his hand to reach my waist. 

I quickly pushed Rosie, a little gently to make her know that she needed to pull out. 

“Rosie, you should go home. You drank too much.” I said but she pulled me more into her arms. 

“I am just congratulating you for marrying our stepbrother.” She said it loud for others to hear. I gritted my teeth. “You are a slut as always… marrying someone who raped me.” She whispered in my ear. I remained calm and I tried hard not to punch her although my hand was shaking. Raven seemed to notice my hand. He reached it but I gently pushed his hand away. 

“Well, it seems that you are all over my husband. Your words contradict your actions.” My voice is low but clear enough for her to understand.

I felt Raven’s hand fall over my exposed knee. 

“Goodbye, Rosie.” I stared at Rosie’s eyes as it seemed that she was taken aback. But she had to keep a face and smiled at me. She looked nice as she waved at Raven’s friends.

“By sis, bye step-bro.” She winked at Raven and left to go to her friends. 

I exhaled softly as I knew that Raven’s friends would take Rosie’s side. I might be already a laughing stock because I married my ex-step-brother. I wasn’t as beautiful or as sexy or blond as her. 

“What the hell was that?” Calisto asked which made me jumpy. He stood as he pointed in Rosie’s direction. “Raven, that girl is crazy. I read her lips.” 

Oh, fuck. Now they will think that Raven indeed raped Rosie. This can’t be. I felt my heart went to my throat. I knew that Raven didn’t rape Rosie. They had an affair. Rosie was in his room. 

“Let it go,” Raven said casually. 

“She was all over you as soon as you entered the club.” Janice chuckled. “I’m sorry, Hyacinth. But your sister is a bit.” I was more surprised at their comment toward Rosie. I thought… they would take her side. 

“Uh,” I don’t know what to say at all. I bit my lip to avoid saying anything. I glanced at Raven and he was calm leaning close to me. 

“Don’t worry guys. She’s naturally like that.” He said with a smile. “Overall, she’s quite sweet.” What the fuck he was saying. “Mostly when she needs something.” Oh, I am too early to even cuss him. 

He reached for my hand which made me freeze and place it over his thigh. 

“What would you like to eat, Hya?” He asked as he rubbed my sides. I felt uncomfortable with it since a lot were watching. But somehow, part of me was already used to it. 

“The fact that we aren’t at your wedding because it was rushed and we are out of the country surely breaks our heart…” Penny said as she reached her chest. All of them mimicked Penny. She had curly red hair and a round-shaped face… she was also voluptuous and gorgeous. I just can’t keep my eyes off those beautiful curves. Her lips were small but full… It was the shape of a heart. 

“Don’t worry, guys. I will hold another wedding for us if you want.” 

Zian laughed like it was the most hilarious joke. I don’t see it as funny. 

“Another wedding?” He squinted his eyes at Reid. “Are you trying to pile your workload on me?” 

Woah… so it was about that. They laughed at the two and I think Zian and Raven are closer to each other. But are they supposed to side with Rosie? What’s going on? I am not used to this. It felt like a fantasy. 

“By the way, was her name Rosie?” Kelly asked. “Rosie Dawson?” 

“Yes,” I answered. I felt Raven’s stare at my back as my coat slid off from my shoulder. 

But then, something caught my peripheral… I turned to where Rosie was, she’s glaring at me as she cocked her head on her phone. I creased my brows. I felt my phone vibrate inside my new designer bag. I was about to take it out when Raven stopped me. I felt my hands were cold and sweating as Raven’s friend continued discussing and opening up new topics about work and business. Mostly, the boys. 

Raven stood to excuse himself as I watched him approach Rosie. I wanted to scream at him and hit him with the expensive bag for approaching my bitchy sister. But all I could do was stay like a good wife… not to make any scenarios. I don’t own him anyway. If Rosie wants Raven, she’ll surely have him. Like all of the things Rosie always wanted… including what I had. 

“Ah, Raven,” Zian said as he chuckled. Calisto squinted his eyes at Raven. I noticed that Raven started whispering at Rosie. Is he reading his lips again? 

I looked away. I don’t wanna see my husband flirting with my sister. Even the way Rosie’s hands touched Raven’s arm was sensual. I want it off my head. I finally took out my phone to see a message from Rosie. 

Rosie: You might have him now, but he always belongs to me. You are just his plaything.