Audrey's Pov
We settled on having breakfast and my supposed doting husband sat beside me, Amelia looked red and angry while her mother just glared at my soul from across the table. They probably wished I was dead now, unfortunately, I don't plan on joining my mother anytime soon. I'm still stunned by the stunt Xander pulled out in front of them, not that I do not appreciate it but we never really discussed anything like getting intimate. My father sitting at the head of the table cleared his throat and everyone diverted their attention toward him, my stepmother wore a concerned look but I knew it was fake. “Are you alright Dad?” I asked and he nodded waving it off in a dismissive manner, I beckoned at a maid standing on the threshold of the kitchen. “Is there enough milk? Bring some for my father” I ordered and she rushed to go get some milk, my stepmother was still glaring at me like I did something wrong but I just ignored her. “You didn't have to, I'm not going to die anytime soon so stop worrying about me,” My father said gruffly, I averted my gaze from him and my eyes met with Amelia's. “If I don't worry about you who else will, I'm not comfortable with leaving you alone here” I enunciated. I do not trust my stepmother not to do something while I'm gone and my father will be her perfect target, she knows it will hurt me and she couldn't care less because it's no secret that my father doesn't love her. The only woman he ever loved died and she is just here to take care of him, and he is generous enough to let her bring her bastard child here. Amelia desperately needed to be humbled that was why I said those words earlier, I know how much it upsets her and I can still tell she hasn't gotten over the fact that Eric isn't her real father. A useless girl with daddy issues. “I asked us to have breakfast together so we can break bread and settle our differences over breakfast,” Eric looked pleased with himself by the time he finished and I simply rolled my eyes. “Thank you for letting me join you, Sir, I appreciate your hospitality” Xander expressed coldly beside me and I remembered he was there, my father waved off his gratitude and Amelia's grip on her bread knife tightened. “And suddenly you are comfortable with seeing my father because you decided to get married to my useless elder sister” She voiced out all of a sudden and I chuckled. “The only useless one I see here is you, Sissy” I reached for the jar of jam but Xander got it for me instead, I ignored the funny feeling I felt at the pit of my stomach when his fingers brushed mine. What in the world is wrong with me? This is all for show and he is doing pretty good at convincing them we are married. “That is enough now, both of you” Eric groaned and my heart pounded on my chest when he started coughing. “Are you alright?” I stood up from my chair and rushed to his side but Amelia beat me to it because she was sitting close to him, he held up his hand as a sign that he was fine but I wasn't getting any of that. There was something wrong with him, my father might not be too healthy but he wasn't this sick either, the maid came back with the milk and he took a long gulp at it. I went back to my seat and turned on the gears in my head, “We will be on our way now, Sir” Xander announced and I glared at him as he took my hand. Zachary who was sitting at the edge of the table scoffed as I stood up. I didn't have time for his stupidity so I just let it slide, we walked out of the house and I stopped as soon as we were out of sight. “What do you think you are doing?” I demanded angrily, he just made me look like I was running away, he sighed and tucked his hands in his pockets. “Can't you see they are baiting you, they want you to act ill-mannered. Your father needs a caretaker too” He stated and I arched my brows, “He already has one, he has a lot not just one” I frowned when I saw Amelia coming out of the house, as usual, Zachary was following her like a puppy. “What do we have here, my slutty sister and my ex-boyfriend” She scoffed and I could hear the pain in her voice. Was she in love with Xander? Or is she just hurt that he refused to give in to her whims? Good. Cause I intend to make it hurt the same way she and Zachary hurt me, “I can buy a lot of tissues for you, you'll be needing it Sissy” I mocked and Zachary glares at Xander who wore a blank look. He always makes it hard for you to know what's going on inside his head, “Are you done gloating over your failure, because I have work to do at the office so why don't you go do whatever it is you do, go chew your toys or take a nap after all that wailing you ought to be tired” I commended and she turned red, not waiting for her to make a comeback I veered and took Xander's hand and headed for the car. After we hopped in the atmosphere was tense and quiet, I badly wanted to say something but I was expecting him to say something first. “He looks like he will end up in the hospital anytime soon” He stated and I was forced to look at him. “What are you talking about?” I asked. “Your father” My eyes widened as he explained his reason for saying so, “I suggest you do something or hire a new caretaker before it gets out of hand” He advised and I nodded. He is right, Eric looks pale and I don't know what they feed him with, I missed taking good care of my father but I'm married and I can't stay at his house forever. I didn't even think this through before I went ahead to get myself married, “Why did you do that back there?” I raised an eyebrow when he feigned ignorance, “What do you mean?”. “You know what I mean, we aren't an actual couple and you know that” I frowned as he smirked, “Are you saying you are just using me, love?” I shuddered when I heard the nickname, “Am I not?” I glowered at him. “Oh, I had no idea you were using me” He replied in a blank tone, he didn't say anything to me after that and I knew he was angry or irritated by my behavior. Forgive me if I do not want to fraternize with my sister's ex the same way she is doing with mine, and I don't know what is his end game in all these. I ignored the weird feeling of apologizing for what I said, it was rude to say I was using him but I'm trying to set boundaries. He doesn't want that judging by the way he is always possessive of me in front of my family, I have no interest in falling for a man again, and if it wasn't because of my father's will I wouldn't have bothered to get back at Amelia. We got to my company and the car came to a screeching halt, I sighed wanting to clear the air but I couldn't say it. “I will see you later” I mumbled and I didn't wait for a reply before I opened the door and hopped out of the car, I walked into the massive building and the security guards bowed their heads as I passed them. I went straight to the elevator ignoring everyone I came across, for some reason I felt angry that he didn't reply or say anything to me. Why do I even care? My assistant was waiting for me by the time I got to the office, “Good morning ma'am” Anna greeted and bowed slightly while I hung my suit coat on my chair. “How was your off day?” I asked sincerely curious, like I said before I love relating with my employees. “It was great, I had a blast with my couch and TV” She beamed and I chuckled shaking my head at her naughtiness. “So what's my schedule for today?” I asked checking the documents on my desk, my father owns Fields Golden Industry and it's the most successful food-producing company in this city and the country at large. “Um... Boss, there is someone downstairs asking to see you” She said with a frown on her pretty face, I arch my brows. “Who?” “Your boyfriend” She replied with a tight smile and my great skipped a beat. Why did he come back?Audrey's Pov I wasn't expecting my boyfriend to be Zachary, I was more than disappointed because it wasn't who I thought it was. My assistant brought him in and he wore a remorseful look, okay here we go again. “Hey, I... Um I just wanted to let you know that I didn't want to do it I was only following Amelia's introductions, she threatened to kill me if I didn't give in to her. She would never be like you and you know I love you too much” He finished his rubbish speech with his sad puppy face. “Are you done? Cause you need to leave” I affirmed and he went down on his knees like the pathetic asshole that he is, I roll my eyes at his facade. “You know how much I love you Baby please, I don't know what Xander told you but I know him, he lies and manipulates you to do things you don't want to do. He is using and the same way he did with your sister, just listen to me this one time and I swear I will never do you wrong again” He begged looking like a clown to me, “Are you still going
Audrey's Pov I left home earlier than I planned to the next day, not because I was running away from him but because I didn't know what to say to him. I don't need a soothsayer to tell me he meant those words he said to me, I don't even know what is his endgame in all these. But those words he said kept replaying inside my head all day long, I got a text when it was time for lunch and it was from Xander. Asking if we could have lunch together I badly wanted to say no but that would look weak so I accepted, “Ma'am you have a visitor” My assistant announced with flushed cheeks, I wouldn't blame her Xander is the kind of good-looking that slaps you on the face. Do I find him attractive? Yes, but I have no interest in claiming him. I don't even know what that means but it sounded so scary and possessive. He was standing outside my office with a bouquet of roses and my eyes widened, now I know why my assistant was giving me those looks. “Uh.. What's the occasion?” I asked as soon as
Audrey's Pov My blood boiled as I glared at the excessive amount of makeup on her artificial-looking face, she looked like she got some work done on her nose. She also looks like she got work done on her face with her plum lips looking like a duck, Xander turned at the last minute and she kissed his cheek instead. “Sarah, it's also nice to see you again. I guess you haven't changed much” He said in an exhausted tone, I just watched the interaction ignoring the thought feeling in my chest. I might have thought of leaving the table for them but I'm not a chicken and it will make it too obvious that I'm pissed at her for disrupting us, I'm not jealous I just hate the fact that he is paying her so much attention. “You know I love..” “Ahem” I cleared my throat interrupting her speech in case she forgot there was someone else there, she averted her gaze from Xander and her blue eyes fell on me with a frown on her face, then it was gone in a blink as if it wasn't there in the fi
Audrey's Pov I stood up to leave and he chuckled as I picked up my purse, “I have no intention of enduring this torture, lunch break is over I have work to do” I uttered blankly. “We are the bosses, that rule doesn't apply to us we can go back anytime” He probed but I had already made up my mind to leave, I would rather leave than hear him speak to me that way. I left the restaurant and went back to work leaving him to his devices, his driver can always go pick him up whenever he is ready to go. I finished all my work for the day and decided to go see my father, I didn't bother you to tell Xander I only told him I would be coming home late today, I drove straight to my father's house after leaving the parking lot. I was told that my father had a visitor when I got there, I wasn't surprised to see my father's attorney with some documents on his hand. “Hello Dad,” I smiled at him and his face brightened, “Audrey my dear, you came at the right time I was just writing my wi
Audrey's Pov By the time I got back to the living room my stepmother and Amelia were there with my father, Amelia frowned when she saw me coming out of the kitchen. I didn't want to cause any drama in front of my father so I bowed slightly and walked towards the exit, “You should visit us soon, come with your husband” Eric said then he started coughing again, our lawyer must have left because I didn't meet him here.“I will do just that” I replied walking out the door, however, my stupid sister followed me just like I presumed she would. “He is tired of you so soon? I wonder why you are always here when you are supposed to be with your dear husband, perhaps he doesn't love you and poor Audrey thought she got a second chance to love, unfortunately, she went to seek it where there is none” She mocked and I halted in my tracks. She is right, I took that bargain without thinking and I might be in for a loveless marriage of convenience for the rest of my life, was it really
Audrey's Pov My heart raced as he placed a little box in my hand as soon as I pulled away from our embrace, I smiled and opened the box a shiny diamond 'A' shaped necklace stared back at me. I gasped as it catches the light and it glittered as I turned it but I can't accept this gift, I can't accept this. I lied when I said I deserved him because we are in this marriage for a selfish reason. “Thank you, I don't understand why you did this anyway” I mumbled trying to sound ungrateful, he ignored my comment and pulled me towards the dining area then I spotted a beautiful cake on the dining table. “Wow, you really planned this whole thing all by yourself?” I asked bewildered, “No I had help from our housekeepers and the decoration team, I would have loved to throw a party but I didn't know if you would like that” He replied and I smiled at the purple and silver color balloons, I would be a fool if I say this doesn't make me feel special. “Thank you so much” I really appre
Audrey's Pov Did he just ask me to kiss him? I cleared my throat pretending to be thinking about it but I already made up my mind. “I thought we agreed on asking for something less outrageous,” I remarked and he chuckled. “I guess that is a no then, I'm not surprised that you refused” He chuckled cutting more meat and transferring the pieces into my plate, “I'm sorry, you can ask for something else, anything that doesn't involve intimacy” I asserted. He didn't say anything or even try to protest so I let it go, “Are you going to ask me questions now?” I asked as soon as I was done with my food, he stayed silent cutting the cake and placing a piece on another plate beside me, “Eat first, we will talk after you are done” He mumbled and I nodded. I gave up on eating after three big pieces of cake and the amount of meat I ate was enough, I couldn't try the other dishes so I called for the staff to clear the table and gave the rest. They thanked me and I was worried
Audrey's Pov He showered kisses on my neck and then inhaled the scent of my shampoo, “You should always let your hair down, you look gorgeous with your hair down” He complimented and I pushed him off unwrapping his hands from my waist I stood up. “Thank you for your concern, if you don't mind I would like to be left alone now” I replied ditching my plan to make him squirm, I shouldn't complicate things more than this. He stood up and headed for the door, “I ordered your dress and I'm done with sending invites, before you start getting worried about your father I told my guards to bring him here specially”I smiled at those words, I don't know how to thank him for always being so thoughtful. I ate my breakfast as soon as he left and a few minutes later the maids came to take the tray away, looking at how far I have come I feel proud of the choices I made and Xander has proven to be a good partner. I was still lost in my thoughts when someone knocked on my door, I told