Chapter 11: Chapter 11

“C-cole? Why are you here?” My eyes are still shocked. How did he get here? I looked around and tried to find who I could be. Where did Adonis go?! He should have told me that Cole was going to meet me here! Is this the reason he left?!

“Oh! I must be the one asking that. I reserved this day to shop for my clothes. Shouldn’t I be the one asking why you’re here?”His question made my heart beat faster.

How do I answer that? Adonis said nothing about it! I thought we would just buy clothes, then I would get ready for Cole and my dinner later! I took a deep breath, then answered the thing I thought. I don’t know if he will believe it. This is better than not telling him anything, and he will be even more skeptical.

“Oh! I have reservations too. Could it be that they just made a mistake that coincided with the dates? What do you think?” I walked around slowly to look like I was looking for clothes. He quickly went behind me. Because he is still dressed in a tuxedo, I believe he just came from his office or will soon.

“In that case ... can we just look at the clothes at the same time? I will also look for something to wear later when we meet.” He looked at the floor and smiled as if imagining. Is this how he treats all women? Ha!

Suddenly, a question entered my mind. I just hope he doesn’t doubt my question. My heart was pounding. I suddenly had second thoughts, but when I saw he did not doubt my answer to him earlier, I continue.

“Cole, do you know the Everdeen’s?” I continued rummaging through the dresses as if I wasn’t too interested in his answer, but in my peripheral vision, I could see he was standing up properly after he flinched. His straight and ironed posture suddenly made me sad. The reaction is what I usually see whenever someone doesn’t want to talk about something asked of them.

He stood up properly, then did not say a word. When I told him not to worry about it, he suddenly turned to me. “Why did you ask that?” He was still awkward with the question. I don’t know if it’s because he was the real perpetrator of the crime or he was just so embarrassed that I found out he was one of the suspects.

“Nothing.” I turned to him and smiled broadly. I know what I’m doing and saying is in a hurry, but if I can handle it, I’m sure I’ll get the answer little by little. I continued to exchange words. “Someone told me they have landed in Madrid.” He straightened up and let go of the polo shirt he was holding. “I would have liked to buy that land so that I could build a business. What do you think?”

“W-well. First, who told you?” He averted his eyes from me and didn’t know where to look, but for him to answer properly, I pretended to look at the time on the phone. That was effective because his answer to me suddenly became consecutive. “That information is forbidden to come out because of the terrible thing that happened to the Everdeen’s. So they can prosecute anyone who spread that information.”

“Someone close to them. Maybe that information is not exclusive if known few of his relatives, aren’t they? And ... wouldn’t it be easier if I approached their sole heir to buy that land?” Now I stared him in the eyes and put the phone back in my bag. I adjusted the placement of the shoulder bag on my arm.

“The assets of the deceased Everdeen are now on hold in court. It cannot be taken back until their child returns or their child takes it. Also, it’s been a few years since Everdeen’s sole heir disappeared. The last time she was seen was when she was included in the Sex Slave auction. Maybe now different men are fucking her and now tiring of it.” He laughed as if it was funny what happened to Luna — what happened to me.

“What if the heir’s daughter did not take her property because no one told her? And isn’t it a pity that no one told her during the two-three years? She lived thinking that she had nothing left?”

“You have a point, but why do you seem to involve yourself so much in that Everdeen heir. Shouldn’t you be happier because it will be easier for you to buy the land you want as long as you get her consent? All you have to do is find her and pay for her consent. She would be even happier because she would have money. She will be free from the men she is tired of.” When he said that, my jaw tightened. Disgusting things were running through his mind. How could he say that? And another answer is missing to my most question. Eventually, I got no answer from him either, but I only saw his greed for power and money.

I didn’t speak anymore because I was afraid I would just say something bad to him. I went straight to the counter. When I got there, Mark was there and waiting for me, along with the other women who had followed me earlier. My eyes searched for Adonis, but he was not there. Mark and I looked at each other as if he wanted to convey something. When they finished wrapping my clothes, he took them and opened the door for me. Before I turned around, I looked at Cole.

“See you later.” I pretended to be excited about our dinner, but I just wanted to know more details about his company. I just hope I can do that sooner to make everything easier for me. I don’t have to act like this anymore.

When I got to the car, Adonis was sleeping with his arms crossed. He woke up because I hit him with my bag. He even jumped up and looked at me wickedly. This mischievous man! I wasn’t even told Cole was there! What if I didn’t solve his question! Everything is gone! What we have long planned is done! I pinched his arm hard while he was crouching. I thought I wouldn’t get a reaction to him from my pinch.

“Why didn’t you say Cole was going there! Do you know we are about to break our plan?!” I still couldn’t let go of his hand that my finger was pinching.

“How can our plan not succeed? He won’t notice anything and the only thing he will ask you is why are you there. That question is straightforward to answer.” He was already removing the pinched finger on his arm, then he spoke again. “I also didn’t know he was coming. The owner told me late that someone had made a reservation. And then wouldn’t our plan get destroyed when he saw you with another man? What will he say and think?” He stared at me and his face now looks like a real woman.

Until we got home, I annoyed him even though he had a point in what he was saying. Once inside the mansion, I immediately went upstairs to the dresses we had bought.

I don’t know why I think more of what people think when they see me with Adonis. I seem to be more worried about their opinion and Adonis’ opinion than Cole’s. Even the purpose when we bought them was because of that plan.

As I was arranging those clothes, suddenly someone texted my phone. I didn’t look at it right away because I was busy choosing what to wear. When I saw that what dress I was going to pick up suddenly the face of Adonis flashed in my mind.

I suddenly touched the back of my nape because I felt it was red. I moved toward the phone to read the text. At first, I thought it was Cole again, but the message surprised me and I felt my face would explode with extreme heat.

“Show me first before you leave. I will judge if what you are wearing suits you.”