CHRISTOPHER
I am sitting down on this brown wooden chair, watching the door to the restaurant like a hawk. I arrived here earlier than planned but she is still thirty minutes late. Did she not get my message?
I checked the time once again and I sighed in frustration. I felt like the way I acted two days ago during dinner was rude and I want to apologize for my behavior. I also want to assure Adele that I will be the best husband I can be in our marriage and she won't regret marrying me but can I even do that when she is not even here?
Wait a minute, is she doing this intentionally? Standing me up because I refused to speak with her after dinner? I surely hope not.
I sighed for the umpteenth time since I arrived here, in this restaurant.
"Would you like to order your meal now, sir?", a voice said and I looked up, just to meet the face of the waiter who served me some water earlier.
"No, I will do that later. I am waiting on someone", I told him and he smiled.
"Very well then", he said with a slight bow of his head before leaving.
God! Where is she? Is she always this late for events?
"Boss", a familiar voice said and I looked up at him.
"Should we just head back to the office now?", Liam asked and I frowned.
"No, let's wait a little bit more, then we can leave", I told him and he nodded.
"Okay, sir. I will be in the car then", he replied and I gave him a nod.
Liam bowed his head to me in respect before walking out of the restaurant.
I stared at the door for a long time and when I got tired of it, I finally picked up the menu.
I should just take my leave actually.
I was about to stand up from my seat when a shadow cast itself on the brown, circular table in front of me.
"I hope I did not keep you waiting for too long", a voice said and I looked up, just to see her staring down at me.
I accessed her dress for a minute before replying. She is putting on a yellow spaghetti-strap dress that reached just above her knees. She covered her dress with a blue jean, long-sleeved jacket and she top it all off with black leather boots. Her hair is down and I must say, it is long.
Her face is however another thing entirely. She has her lips puckered towards me in a frown. Her sharp eyes are staring at me like she would strangle me anytime soon.
Okay, I get it. She does not want to be here but I like the fact that she is keeping the meeting simple. She even has no makeup on.
I looked down at my wristwatch and I furrowed my brows. An hour has passed since the time we were supposed to meet. She is an hour late.
"No, you did not keep me waiting at all", I told her sarcastically as I looked up at her with a small smile.
"Please, sit", I added and she sighed before placing her black purse on the table and taking her seat in front of me.
ADELE
It has been a day since we visited the Marvins at their house for dinner. A day before the day I am supposed to go out for lunch with Christopher. I haven't thought much about the dinner meeting though, I don't really want to.
I was about to pick up my pencil when the door to my room flew open. I turned my head towards it and I saw her walking towards me with her eyes so bright.
She got to the foot of my bed and got on the bed, sitting down in front of my feet.
"What is it, mother?", I asked her and she smiled.
"Guess what?", She asked again and my lips twitched.
"What?", I asked back.
"Christopher wants to meet up!", She screamed and I frowned.
"Who?", I asked back in confusion.
"Christopher Marvin", mother replied and I frowned.
"And how do you know that exactly?", I asked her with furrowed brows and it is annoying that that smile hasn't left her face.
"He called your father, just to tell him about it", she explained and I nodded my head in understanding.
"Right", I replied sarcastically and mother stopped smiling.
"You will go, right?", she asked and I slanted my lips at her.
"I will have to think about it", I told her and she nodded.
"Okay then", she said before getting up from my bed.
"But I don't see what you need to think about in it", she added as she got to the door before walking out of my room.
I seriously can't believe this. He wants to meet up after how cold he acted during dinner? Looking at this positively, he might want to call off the wedding. That's good.
Wait a minute, he called father to talk about meeting up with me? He thinks they control me or what? How ridiculous!
~
Mother gave me the address of the restaurant where we are going to meet up and the time he would like us to meet the next day.
I looked up at the time and it was finally the time he wants us to meet. I am staring at the clock with a frown on my face. I still can't believe he talked to my parents instead. I am quite sure the rich Christopher Marvin could easily get my number without even asking me about it.
I sighed as I thought of the fact that he might want to call off the wedding and walked into the bathroom instead. I should hear what he has to say.
CHRISTOPHER
I beckoned the waiter to come over to our table before facing Adele once again.
"What would you like to eat then?"
"Have you decided on something?", I asked again and she looked up at me with those sharp eyes.
I don't think I have met a woman who looks at me like that before. They are always ogling at me, but not this one.
She turned her head to look at the waiter that had just arrived and gave him her order instead and I did the same.
"How have you been?", I started and she answered quickly after I finished talking.
"Why am I here?", she asked instead and I sighed as I picked up my glass of water.
"I wanted to apologize for the way I acted during dinner the other day", I told her sincerely and she slanted her lips at me.
At last, she changed that expression but it wasn't for long because after slanting her lips, she went back to frowning.
"Mmm", she hummed as she looked down at the table.
"Is there anything else you want to say though? Order than to apologize?", she asked and her eyes told me she was indeed expecting me to say something else.
"You don't act like you want the wedding to take place", I said as I squinted my eyes at her.
"Neither do you", she replied with a chuckle and I sighed.
"Who told you I don't want it to?", I asked, mimicking her chuckle and she looked up at me.
"You do?", she asked with a raised eyebrow that just screams disbelief.
"Yes, I do. Why don't you want it?", I asked her back and she just shrugged at me.
I was about to say something else when the waiter arrived with our orders. He placed our meals in front of us and after telling us to enjoy them, he left.
"I am sure you know why", she said back to me with a smirk before looking down at her steak.
"Daniel", I said simply and she took her eyes off her meal abruptly and turned her gaze to me.
"Is he not?", I asked as she continued staring at me with surprised eyes.
She gulped and looked down at her hand before looking at her steak, and then at me. Only that her gaze is looking behind me.
"Look", I called out to her and she looked at my face but she looks furious.
"I will be the best husband to you, I promise. If you are worried about your freedom, trust me, you will have it easily", I explained to her and she made a chuckle.
"Right", she replied in disbelief once again and I sighed.
"I-", I started but she cut me off immediately.
"Let's just have our meals before it turns cold, Christopher", she said coldly to me.
"Chris", I corrected her but I don't think she heard me anyways.
We ate our meals quietly after that and when her glass went empty, I poured her another glass of wine.
I watched her stare at the glass of wine for a long time before she looked up at me.
"Thank you", she said calmly and for once, I could see the sincerity in her eyes. She has stopped frowning too.
"It's no problem", I told her and she nodded as she kept looking down at her almost-finished steak.
~
"Why wouldn't you let me pay for your meal?", I asked her as we walked out of the restaurant.
"I might not be as rich as you are but I can most certainly pay for the meals I eat", she replied sternly.
"That was not what I meant", I told her quickly and she stopped in her tracks all of a sudden.
"It is not how you think it is as well", she replied back and for the second time since I have met her, I held her gaze in mine for a long time.
"I should go now, it's getting late", she said, taking her gaze off me.
I blinked continuously when I took mine off her as well. What was that anyways?
"Okay, I will walk you to your car then", I told her with a smile.
"My car?", she asked and for the first time since this evening had started, she has a smile on her face.
"I don't have a car. I am going to take a cab home", she replied, like she expected me to be aware of that before and my lips twitched.
"Mm, how about I take you home then?", I asked her and she raised a meaningful brow at me.
"My parents are going to like that", she replied with furrowed brows, slanting her lips.
I signaled at Liam who is sitting in the car, far away from us. The car arrived in front of us immediately and I opened the door to the back seat.
"Please, get in", I said politely and Adele stared at me first with an expressionless face before getting inside the car.
I walked to the other side of the car after I had closed the door to her side. I took a deep breath before pulling the door open.
The ride to her house was pretty quiet and bothersome. Liam kept glancing at me curiously through the rearview mirror. I looked at the lady beside me and she is looking outside instead.
"You did not ask to see me, just to stop the wedding", she started before turning her head to look at me.
"I am disappointed, Christopher", she said clearly and boldly with a sharp gaze.
"It is Chris", I told her and she gave me a confused look in return.
"My friends call me Chris", I told her again and she chuckled immediately after I finished talking.
"I am not your friend, Christopher", she replied, calling my name with gritted teeth.
I shook my head at her in dismay before looking out of the window. It's past four in the evening already. It indeed is getting late.
"I am sure you would gain something as well if the union falls through", I told her sternly.
She just chuckled at my words and I furrowed my brows in confusion but I did not turn my head to look at her.
"We are here, boss", Liam said immediately after the car came to a halt.
"My regards to your parents", I said when I saw her hand grip the door handle.
"They would be delighted to hear that", she said indifferently before going out of the car.
I sighed as I watched her walk toward the front door. I gripped the car handle in my hand as well and got out of the car before quickly going after her.
I held her left wrist and she stopped immediately in her tracks. She turned slowly and when her eyes met mine, I saw the surprised look in them.
She removed her hand from mine abruptly and I gulped before placing both of my hands inside my pants pockets.
"I would really love for this marriage to work", I told her sincerely after I had calmed down.
Her gaze turned to a sharp, murderous one and after a few seconds, she walked away from me. Great.
I walked to my car and quickly got into the car.
"What do you think?", I asked Liam immediately after he drove the car away.
"She is pretty but feisty", he replied and I smirked.
"I know, right?", I asked quietly back, almost in a whisper.
"She is prettier than Bianca too", he said again and I turned my head sharply to look at him.
His eyes met mine in the rearview mirror and I told him in all seriousness with a sharp, murderous gaze.
"You really do not know when to stop talking"
"I am sorry, boss", he replied before clearing his throat awkwardly.
* * *
ADELE I walked into the house after the scene with Christopher and was quickly pulled aside by my mother. "What did he say? What did he say?", she asked eagerly and I sighed before looking up at her again. "He only apologized for how he acted during dinner with his parents", I told her and she left my arm to hold her cheeks with both hands. "What a gentleman", she replied softly with dreamy eyes and I scoffed. I know what mother is trying to do. She is only trying to implant in me that Christopher- or Chris- whatever, is a nice and good person. "What else did he say?", she asked me again and I slanted my lips at her. "That was all", I told her and she frowned before her face lit up again. Oh lord. "I saw him talking to you outside, what did he say then?", mother asked again and I frowned as I thought of what to say. I can't tell Mom Christopher wants the marriage to happen. She would be too overjoyed. I prefer leaving it as both parties do not want the marriage to take
CHRISTOPHER I stood in front of the mirror in my room as I fixed my tie. If someone told me six months ago that I would be getting married today, I would have gotten that person arrested for giving false information. I can't believe I am going to get married today but it is all for the best. Liam claims she is prettier than Bianca but I am not really sure she is. She is okay though. I had selected her out of so many girls after all. I know she is going to ask me why I had agreed to marry her out of all the ladies out there sooner or later and I would give her my sincere answer. It is not that hard to do. I loosened the tie on my neck and finally took it off. I will knot it properly later. I walked downstairs and I met father sitting on his favorite couch in the sitting room with a cup of juice beside him. "Where is Mother?", I asked him and he looked up at me. He chuckled at me before looking down at the screen of the phone in his hand. "She is busy upstairs, looking for her
ADELE We walked out of the registrar's office after we were done. We took our vows to always help each other through thick and thin and we even took the picture for our wedding certificates. Well, now I want to go back home. "Wow! You are finally married, honey", Christopher's mother said and I turned to look at her. She is holding her right palm against her son's face affectionately. "I will finally get to see my grandchildren", she said again and Christopher chuckled. "Stop being dramatic, mom", he replied to her as he removed her hand from his face and held it instead. He looked at me and I let my eyes lock with his for a while before taking my eyes off him quickly. "You finally got married, sis", Veronica said to me as she stood beside me with a smile on her face. "I am happy for you", I heard mother say and I looked at her in front of me. "I am not sure if I am happy for me though", I replied with a shrug and mother looked around quickly. "Don't say that!", she hal
ADELE Christopher honked at whoever it was that was behind the gate and the gate opened immediately. He drove into the compound before parking the car under the car shed. Christopher got down before me and grabbed my suitcase from the back seat. "Come on", he called out to me before heading towards the front door of the building with my suitcase in hand. I looked up at the building in front of me and a sigh escaped my lips. This is it. I got down from the car and quickly went after Christopher. He opened the front door easily and held it open for me to pass through before going further inside. I took a step in and sighed deeply. This place is not so bad. I mean, the sitting room looks okay and it just screams wealth. Not to talk about the pool that is outside that I can see from the ceiling to the glass window that's beside the television on the right. "Come in properly, let me show you around", Christopher said to me and I looked up at him. "Fine", I replied, closing the f
CHRISTOPHER "I got married to you because of my father's company", I said to her and she furrowed her brows at me in confusion. I knew that sooner or later, I would have to talk about this with Adele. Ever since I first saw her at the dinner meeting with our parents, I knew she would be one to inquire about my reasons. I mean, what girl wouldn't? "Do you mind explaining what you mean by that?", only when she said that did I realize that she had been waiting expectantly for me to continue. "Uh, I have to be the next CEO of the company", I said again and looked up at her to see if she was still listening to me. "So? Become the CEO then. What have I got to do with that?", she asked quickly in one breath and her face tells me she is frustrated right now. "Calm down, it is not that simple", I said gently and she huffed at my words. "You are really impatient", I said with a smile and she rolled her eyes at me this time around. "Okay, so?", she asked after a while. "My Uncle Jeffrey
CHRISTOPHER I walk into my study room with my laptop in hand. I grabbed my laptop, shifting the computer on my study table to the back, so my laptop can sit properly on the table. I checked out a few reminders from work before checking the time. It's past six already. We should be having dinner by now. I shut down the laptop and was about to stand up from my seat when an image flashed in front of my eyes. The image of when Adele had held onto her suitcase and I had reached out to take the suitcase as well, only for our hands to touch. The way she had removed her hand from mine was like I was a bad allergy or something. I understand that she is getting used to this strange and sudden arrangement but the least we can do for each other and better growth is to treat each other with care and respect and not like dirt. I sighed before getting up from my seat and going out of the study room. I walked quickly to the bedroom and pushed one of the doors open. There she is, lying down at th
ADELE I stood by the sink as I washed the plates. Truth be told, I will find a way to ask Chris to make me this dish again. It was so delicious. It is like the food just melts in your mouth but with a little spiciness in it which makes it only much better. Chris asked if I liked it and I acted like I did not. I don't want to act so casually with him, so... And I have that drawing to figure out. I should try out 'his' drawing tomorrow again. I don't know why I keep forgetting how to draw his face. I finished washing the plates and as I walked out, I met Chris sitting on that middle couch that is facing the television in the sitting room. "You are here", he said when he finally looked up at me and I just stared back at him. "Do you want to sleep? Do you feel sleepy?", his questions came again and I raised a brow. "No", I finally replied and he nodded. "I thought so too. It would be weird if you said you wanted to sleep, depending on the fact that you just woke up an hour ago", Ch
ADELE Today is Sunday. My second day being a married woman. I watched Chris as he made us some toast. He said we are going to have it with tea and I shrugged at him when he said it. I am still amazed though. I mean, out of all the married women in the world. I am graced with one who won't forcefully have anything intense with his wife without her consent. He is like a gentleman. He is rare, I can say that. He is like- Daniel. My lips twitched a bit and my eyes stung when I realized that. He is just like Daniel in that part. "Are you ready to taste the best toast ever made?", Chris asked with a smile on his face, bringing me out of my thoughts. I have noticed. Christopher like being playful with me for reasons that I have no idea about. I wonder how he always managed to do it though. I mean, he can't be that comfortable with living with someone strange. Can he? I looked down at the island table as I ignored him and a plate of toast landed in front of me. 'Toast is just toast'
ADELEIt's been a week since the competition. Everything is back to normal and Chris has even gotten up to prepare for work today as well.Oh yes, Bianca's modeling job went down because of what happened at the competition. Apparently, someone had been filming all that happened. She got out of the police jail not long after she was placed in it but I think she has learnt her lesson. Chris walked out of the walk-in closet and I sat up immediately to look at him. I felt a sharp headache and I hissed. Chris got in front of me- at the foot of the bed- in no time as he asked. "Hey, are you okay?" I pushed my hand in front of him to tell him to stop talking. I don't know where this headache came from all of a sudden. "Yeah, I am fine," I replied with a smile as I looked up at Chris. My stomach started making some disturbance and I winced when I suddenly got a stomach ache. I bent forward on my seat on the bed as I clenched the cloth holding my stomach tightly in my hand. "Adele?""So
ADELE"So, why did you do it? Why did you take my artwork?" I asked and she moved in the tight grip of the investigator. She brought her face in front of mine as she spat those foolish, unkind words. "Because I hate you," she replied as she looked into my eyes and I frowned. She moved back as a loud hysterical laugh escaped her lips. The investigators moved his feet while he pulled Bianca after him. She stopped laughing all of a sudden and screamed at the top of her voice. "I can walk on my own!" She demanded to the investigator who held on to her right arm and he let her go immediately. She walked in the front while the two investigators walked behind her. I released a deep breath as they went out of my sight. Chris arrived backstage with the two men who had collected my artwork from me outside the hotel yesterday. They were both carrying my artwork."You are here," I said as he reached in front of me and he nodded. "And let's welcome Mrs. Marvin to the stage!" I heard the Ma
ADELEThe investigators arrived some moments later in a black round-neck top and jean trousers. Two of them went into the hotel while others stayed inside the car, not far away from the hotel. I welcomed them into my hotel room and shut the door. I am only thankful that the event has started, so all the artists are in there. Chris asked me to take my seat on the bed while the two investigators stood in front of me. Chris stood on my left, not far away from the bed and not far away from the investigators. "When last did you see the artwork, Mrs. Marvin?" The nice and calm looking one of the investigators asked. "Uh, yesterday afternoon when I brought it here in my husband's car," I replied and the other one wrote something down. "Your husband explained to us that two men collected the artwork from you," he said and I nodded. "That's right," I replied and the other man wrote something down again. "Can you describe those men?"I nodded and tried to make a good description of them
ADELE"Bianca?" I asked as I squinted my eyes at her and she giggled. "Surprise!" She said back cheerfully and I furrowed my brows at her. What is wrong with her?"Oh right, I did not know you would be here as well," she added in her normal self as she slanted her lips at me. I must say, she is still looking beautiful as always. "What are you doing here?" I asked and she sighed. "I am here for the art competition," she replied and my mouth went round in surprise. I thought she was a model, how can she be here? Or does she perhaps paint as well?"Wha-? How?" I let out uncontrollably and she chuckled again. "Well, I might have lied to my new boyfriend that I know how to paint. Then, he signed me up for this and here I am," she said with a shrug and I nodded at her words knowingly. Well, that sounds like her. "Nice to see you again then," I greeted as I forced a smile at her and she smiled back instantly."Same here," she replied and I hummed before getting into my room. "I wil
ADELE"Chris? What are you doing here?" I asked with my eyes wide in surprise. "Can I come in?" He asked and I moved away from the door immediately. "Of course," I replied as Chris pushed his body in with a sigh. I closed the door and turned around to look at Chris immediately. "I called your phone," he said with a sigh as he sat down at the edge of the bed. "My phone is dead," I replied as I moved forward and stood in front of him. "Oh, I got so worried though," he breathed under his breath and I took my seat beside him. "I know"Chris pulled me into a hug immediately I sat down and I gasped in surprise. I became comfortable in his arms and just hugged him back tightly. "I missed you," he breathed into my neck and I chuckled. "I missed you too," I replied as I rubbed his back with my right hand. We stayed like that for a short while before he finally let me go slowly. "How are you?" He asked as he held my hands in both of his. "I am fine," I replied with a small smile on
ADELE"My artwork?" She asked and I nodded. "Some guys asked for my painting when I got in front of the hotel-," I started panicking as I explained but she cut me off midway. "Oh, those guys. I forgot about them," she replied and I took in a deep breath, waiting for her to continue. "They collected mine as well, saying they had somewhere allocated for each artwork," she added and I released the breath I was holding. "I guess that is how it works then," I said with a smile and she nodded. "Yeah"She faced the stage before turning to look at me again. "I am Veronica," she introduced herself as she stretched her hand which had three rings on them towards me. "Wow," I said out in amazement anyways and her expression turned into one of deep confusion. "You have the same name as my younger sister, that's all," I replied quickly before taking her hand. "I am Adele, Adele Marvin," I said proudly and her eyes widened. "I knew you looked familiar," she said cheerfully with a huge smil
ADELE"He knew my name, it was pretty weird," I came out to Chris as I furrowed my brows at the direction the men had gone in. "Oh?" Chris asked back and I turned to look at him. "Yeah," I nodded and Chris raised a brow. "You realize that is not strange, right?" Chris asked with a chuckle and I frowned in confusion. "And how is it not?" "Because you are pretty popular. At least, a bit." Chris explained before using his index and thumb to hold his jaw as if he was thinking about something."Uhn?" I asked with a raised eyebrow. I am still confused. He brought his focus back to me before explaining more clearly, "You are Mrs. Marvin, remember?" He asked and my mouth went round in shape in realization. "Oh yeah! Yeah, that's true. I almost forgot," I said the last sentence as a silly joke as I chuckled but I don't think Chris understands. He is looking at me in surprise and confusion at the same time. "Come on, I have to get my baggage out of the car," I said as I hit him playful
ADELEIt's finally a day before the day of the competition and I am very excited about it. Chris is carrying the little baggage I packed into the car. The baggage contains the little necessities I might be needing during my stay there. He returned to the art room and I took my gaze off the covered artwork- that is standing against the wall- to him."I seriously can't peep at it?" Chris asked and I rejected the idea immediately. "No! It is going to be a big surprise," I replied with a tired sigh. "Help me get it out of the house?" I asked and he walked closer to where I stood. "Sure!" He replied before holding the artwork from his side. He tried lifting his side and he dropped it back down instantly. My eyes widened in fear when I heard that slight sound it made against the tiled floor. "Don't you dare hurt that thing, Chris, or I am going to get angry at you," I warned with a frown on my face as I pointed my index finger at Chris and he chuckled. "I seriously don't know why you
ADELEI have moved back into my art room since the moment I started working on this competition project. I don't want Chris to see what I am making or it would ruin the big surprise. The competition or event is in two weeks and Chris has really been helping me a lot. He has been buying all the art supplies I ask for while I collect them from him, just at the door of the art room. Then, I shut the door right in his face. It had been fun to shut the door in his face in the beginning but now, I miss him so much, that I close the door slowly. A knock sounded on the door and I raised my head from the painting quickly. Chris is here. When did he get back from work?I dropped my brush in a can before walking to the door. I pulled it open and Chris's face appeared in front of me. "Hey," I breathed out and he smiled. "Hey," he replied before pushing his hands into his pocket. "Dinner is ready," he added as he took his left hand out of his pocket and pointed behind him. "Oh oh, I will b