Chapter Eight

Anticipating The Storm

Maria's POV

“Let him in.” I told Helena then rushed to my room to wash my face again, comb my hair out then change from my skimpy gown to a cashmere loungewear set.

After checking my appearance in the mirror to be certain that I looked presentable, I headed to the living room where Helena engaged in casual conversation with Sebastian.

He stood up immediately I entered and gave me a slow once over, momentarily forgetting that Helena stood close to him.

Helena cleared her throat loudly and said “I'll leave you two to talk.” then she exited.

We stared at each other quietly for a while but I didn't bother to initiate any conversation not because I was being proud but I honestly didn't know what to say at that point, after the embarrassing stunt I pulled.

“I received your message.” Sebastian finally broke the silence.

“I know.” was all I could reply.

“What changed?” He asked softly.

“Look, it was just a momentary thing. I was angry and irritated and for a brief moment in my life, which will not repeat itself again, I acted irrationally. That's all.”

He looked at me incredulously then asked. “It was just a momentary thing? You act so nonchalant as if you sent me a message indicating that you don't want pizza anymore instead of something as serious as not interested in the marriage contract.”

“I apologize for any inconveniences caused.” I replied him begrudgingly.

“You apologize for any inconveniences caused? I am not a business associate, Maria Belluci.”

I tilted my chin and replied. “Technically, you are business associate, Sebastian Bolt. We signed a marriage contract.”

I just explained what happened so why was he going on as if I made him marry my sister instead of me.

He cocked his head to the side and studied me for a while.

And I folded my arms in front of me as defense against his scrutinizing gaze.

My attitude since he came in had been defiant but it was either this or cry like a baby in his arms and I'd rather stay rude than allow him to see me in my weak state.

I expected him to get angry but then he smiled and asked calmly “May I sit?”

“Go ahead, you're here anyway.” I gestured for him to sit down then I sat down on the sofa farthest from him.

“You don't have to hide how you really feel behind this rude attitude and persona that is not really you, Maria.” He said suddenly and I was so surprised by how well he had seen through my ruse, I blinked twice.

He reminded me so much of Nathan and I finally realized that Nathan got his intuitive nature from his father.

With this realization, I decided that I have to be more careful when around him, same way I had to be careful with my emotions when around Nathan.

“How did you get here?” I asked him, instead of replying him. I wanted to change the topic.

“I came up through the elevator.” He replied simply.

“I know that. I mean, how did you get here and the door man did not notify me of your presence?”

“One of my staff also resides in this building. He was so shocked when I told him that I would pay him a visit.” He laughed at his own stunt and I shook my head in amusement.

“You just made realized that we have to be more careful in this building because any body could just visit anybody.”

“Not really, I had to go an extra mile to get to your door undeterred. I will inform you next time.”

I understood what he meant immediately and decided to let it all slide.

“What do you intend to do about your family?”

I raised my forefinger and said. “Wait, before I answer your question, answer this. What would you like to drink? Wine? A glass of crystal waters? Whiskey?”

“A glass of wine is fine, thank you. Anything with grape in it.” He replied and gave me what I had come to recognize as his signature boyish grin.

I cleared my throat and gave myself an imaginary face-palm as soon as I realized that I had stared at his face a little longer than necessary.

“Get a hold of yourself, Maria. He's just another cute guy.” I berated myself quietly.

I ringed for my maid and instructed her to bring a bottle of grape wine from my expensive collection in my wine fridge with a wine glass.

She opened the wine and served Sebastian who thanked her and she retreated inside.

He asked if I wanted wine and I declined quietly prefaring to stay level headed when he was around.

I remember all too well, the last time I was drunk with him around.

“So i asked a question earlier. What do you intend to do about your family? You know they won't stop until they get what they want or something or most likely someone forces their hand.”

“I can handle my family on my own but it becomes a little bit complex when you are involved. I have to come up with better plans.”

He shifted forward on the sofa. “I like the fact that you know that I am involved in this too. We have to do this together, Maria.”

“Okay, what do you suggest we do?” I asked him quietly.

“We have to be at least two steps ahead of them every single time. We cannot allow them catch us unaware and we should always be in a position where we can predict their next point of action.”

Watching him go on about the strategies we need to outsmart my family, I laughed. “I see why the corporate world calls you the boardroom beast.”

Sebastian laughed as well and said. “When it's business, it's business and right now, strategically handling your family and even mine is my business.”

“I can predict my family's next line of action. That's easy peasy. They'll pay me a visit again but I don't know the exact location. I predict my office or most likely here.”

“That's good, and what tactics do you think they will employ?”

I sighed as I thought about it. “My father will try to make me see reason and when that doesn't work, they'll switch to what the know how to do best, verbal stings.”

“Mmmm” He replied as he studied my face and when I realized that he was trying to read my expression, I rearranged my facial expression to depict no emotion.

“I've got it covered because I know how to handle them just fine. The only detail I don't know is when they will show up.”

“Okay, that's good but if you don't mind me asking again, what happened with your family? What did they do to you, Maria?”

I looked at the handsome man seated across me and thought about different ways to send him out of my house.

There's no way I am telling him anything and opening old wounds that I had carefully sealed.

I smiled when I finally realized the tactic I would use to send him out of my house without answering his question and also not coming off as rude.