CHAPTER SIX

KATIE’S POV

I could feel their intense Eagle eyes trying to penetrate my flesh as we walked toward wherever he was taking me. Almost everyone turned to look and whisper hush words to one another, making me wonder what happened in their minds.

We stopped in front of a glass door, and I watched him grab the knob and hold it open, then beckoned me to step in. It felt unsettling, but I did regardless; he stepped in and closed the door.

The whole room immediately went silent. Their eyes fixated on me. Us. The men sitting in the room, men of about Eight.

“Apology for the delay,” Maverick said, breaking the silence, and the men finally dragged their eyes away from me to land on him.

“The meeting just commenced.” One of them spoke. He was dressed in a Blue suit with a white inner and Blue tie. His Brown hair was neatly trimmed. “Do you mind an introduction?” He asked, his eyes trailing over me.

“Oh! My bad.” Maverick responded, then chuckled softly before making a way to the chair, and I followed closely behind.

He pulled out a seat for me and then settled in his.

“This is Katie, my wife.” He announced, and I watched their eyes flicker, questions running through them.

I play with my fingers out of nervousness because, for a weird yet unknown reason, I was hoping he would introduce me as his long-lost daughter or something close.

Not a wife!

“Shall we begin?” He questioned, his deep voice slicing through the thick atmosphere filled with unsaid words.

They nodded and kicked off the conversation. Explaining what the projector reflected while I sat and watched in confusion. Barely understanding where they were coming from or where they were heading.

The sound of the clock ticking echoed in my head each second it did, and the earth tended to move so slowly at that point, and I couldn't help but wish this would be over soon.

And it did.

“We shall have more discussions another day,” Maverick informed and immediately pushed his seat backward, then stopped up. “I think we should go with the plan B. It sounds more logical.” He added, and the others nodded.

His head was slightly tilted my way.

“You tired?” He asked, and I shook my head and then watched his lips flatten. “Good, 'cause we are not halfway yet. Stand.” He added, causing me to swallow a lump of saliva because, just like before, I could feel their eyes on me.

Gradually, I pulled myself up, and we walked out of the room, their pitches increasing as the door opened, and I could tell they had many questions.

“Sorry about that. I had to attend the meeting. I promise no more boring talks on today's tour.” He joked, and I hummed in response.

As we walked down the stairs, he pointed toward each area, explaining what and whom it belonged to, but heavens knew I paid zero attention because I had no interest. I, however, feigned claim and would nod at times, accompanied by some harmless questions so that he wouldn't feel bad.

When we were done checking out the inside and the outside of the company, he asked that the car take us to his other company. At that point, I was more than willing to trade anything for another minute at home without doing anything.

The other company was barely more prominent than the last, and the tour was quick, too, but the gazes they sent my way made it feel like it took years.

But soon, we were back in the car.

A breath of relief fell free the second my back touched the seat.

“We have one more stop.” He informed, and my eyes darted open to stare hard at him for seconds. “It's fine if you don't want to go. I could tell the driver to go drop you home and…”

“It’s okay. I will go.” I cut in, not knowing why I volunteered when I was tired.

Was it pity?

I closed my eyes for a quick nap while the car continued the journey, and by the time I pulled them apart, we were parked in front of one of the most beautiful buildings I have ever seen.

But I said nothing to him as we proceeded in. The gazes barely compared to the previous ones. It was almost like they didn't even know we existed.

“Give me a second,” Maverick said with his second finger sticking out, causing me to nod, and I watched him trail off. Returning a few minutes later. “Let’s go in.” He added.

I had seen him talking to the Blonde early, but I barely made out any word.

I could feel my heart beating so fast against my chest as the elevator moved. The closer we got to where we were headed, the more nervous I got. Because somehow I didn't know agreeing to this deal would automate me acting like a Wife in public.

However, I was glad we didn't have to lock hands or kiss.

The door was pushed open by him, and my eyes trailed towards the Male sitting in the car. A phone to his left ear. His eyes gently left his paperwork to look our way.

“I will call you back, Mr Clinton.” He informed me and dropped the phone.

His frown deepened.

“You didn't tell me you were coming.”

“Is that how you greet your Father?” Maverick responded.

Pushing the saliva that had formed in my mouth, I immediately bit on my lower lip as the air between them continued to thicken, and each sent the other weird stares.

“What do you want, Father? I have no time to kid around.” Blaze asked, emphasizing the ‘Father’ with his eyes barely meeting mine.

The words he said the last time I saw him reverberating in my head.

I heard Maverick sigh before settling down on a seat and gesturing me to do the same.

“Can I have a moment with you? It's something of…” Maverick was saying before Blaze’s eyes darted towards me, running over me briefly.

“If you have to talk. Let her leave. She can stay out for all I care.” He said harshly, his brows creased.

While my heart beat faster as I awaited what would play out, looking away from him, I played with my fingers.

“She is my wife, Blaze. You will show her some respect!” Maverick said firmly, his voice echoing, and it only caused my fingers to shake terribly.

Blaze let out a soft scoff.

“Like you said, your wife, not mine. She either stays outside, or you both leave. I have work to do.” He pointed out rudely and started to sort out his paperwork.

I watched him pick a pen up, and then he tweaked it as he processed his thoughts.

His face was still blank.

Maverick opened his mouth to say something, and I gently placed my right palm on his arm.

“I will leave,” I informed and heard Maverick huff.

“You will do no such thing, Katie. You will sit here and listen to me talk.” Maverick growled while Blaze completely ignored us both.

And it showed me just how cruel he could be. At that moment, I knew that if he had competed with ice for the coldest award, he would give ice a long lap. Heartless.

I looked at him, the pen on his lip, and I felt my breath hitch for a second.

“It’s fine, Maverick. I need some air, after all.” I assured them and sent him a fake smile, then got up before he could respond.

He doesn't lift his head as I turn around and walk away. My heart was brimming with joy that I at least had my pride intact.

But as I closed the door, his eyes caught mine, and I watched it darker with something I couldn't put a finger on.

And at that point, I wished I was able to tell him just how much of an arrogant asshole he was.