Chapter 22: Chapter 22

“I originally had not planned for any of this.” He said as soon as they were seated inside the car. He knew she wanted explanations, so he thought to tell her clearly why he did all that.

At first, he thought he did not have to explain himself to her just like he did not gave explanations to anyone else. He always kept his matters to himself. It made him uncomfortable to share it with others. But after seeing her reaction, he had no choice than to do it.

She was waiting for him to continue.

“Just recently, I came to know that my grandfather has hired someone to follow me and inform him about my every action. If he came to know that I still haven’t found a bride, he would throw a fit. That was why I had to plan today’s events. It would at least satisfy him that I am fulfilling his wish.” He explained. They were sitting the car. He had not started the car. He wanted to clear things first before dropping her off. Silence fell upon them as she tried to digest his words.

He had come from work the other night and was passing by James’s room to find him talking on the phone. He stilled hearing his name. He was telling someone to keep an eye on his every action. He got the idea that tomorrow would be the first day of him being stalked.

He went to his room angry that his grandfather was stooping so low. He kept pacing his room but had to calm himself to think clearly.

“I have to proceed things quickly. I should not give him a chance to be suspicious.” He thought and called his PA right away. It was late, but the girl was nice enough to listen to his orders and also agreed with his plans happily.

That was why he did everything in hurry. But now, he wanted Olivia to understand his position.

He had never wanted to make anyone understand his actions. Why now?

“What about the…kiss?” He heard her ask with a bit of hesitation in her voice. She was not a talker. He had noticed that about her. He was amazed how the little explanation had satisfied her.

He looked at her who was staring at him with a bit of suspicion. He stopped the smirk that was threatening to grace his lips. He found it adorable how she was mad because of that kiss.

“Well, you saw how everyone was demanding it. I had no choice.” He shrugged and tried to appear innocent. She frowned scrunching her nose.

“You could have done it on the cheek, you know.” She complained folding her arms. The anger was returning again.

“Oh. And that would have been normal, right? The boyfriend kissing on the cheek after proposing his girl!” He taunted with a bit of frustration. He could not believe his kiss was so despicable for her. Deep down, he was sulking at the fact that she had not kissed him back.

She glared at him for some time before turning her head.

“Take me to my apartment.” She said without glancing at him. He sighed and started the car.

‘Yes, madam!’ He addressed in his head. She sure knew how to give orders.

“Here. Your purse.” He said briefly, putting it in front of her.

“Oh!” She had completely forgotten about it. Thank God, he picked it up for her. She could not afford losing the few bucks she had—and her phone.

‘Oh? That is all you have to say?’ He thought. He expected her to think him to be honest.

“How much was the dinner?” She asked. She wanted to pay for the dinner herself, but the commotion did not allow her to do so. She guessed that he ahd already paid, so she wanted to be sure to pay him instead.

“Why do you ask?” He gave her side glances. Why was she suddenly asking about the cost of the dinner? He thought to himself.

“To pay for it, of course.” She said like it like it was the most common thing. It was, wasn’t it?

He huffed and looked at her for a few seconds. He could not glare at her like he wanted to, as he had to keep his eyes on the road.

“I have already paid for it. Don’t concern yourself with these matters.” He said curtly. Sometimes, she said or did amazing things to irritate him. Now, why was she thinking about paying for the dinner? He had told her beforehand that he would pay for everything during the year that concerned both of them.

First, she refused the lifetime allowance he was offering. And now, she wanted to pay for the dinner.

She remained quiet after that despite minding his tone. The reason was that she could see he was irritated by her offer. She wondered why? And besides, she did not know how much the dinner costed him. If it was more than her budget, she would be embarrassed after pressing him to tell her how much it was.

She thought the better of it and glanced at the passing scene silently. Her conscious was hurting already. She had never depended on others. She felt like she was taking advantage of his situation by imposing all her responsibilities onto him.

It was just the day one. She was worried how she would get through the whole year ahead of her.

She felt the car slow down and looked out of the window to see that they were already in front of her apartment.

“Thank you for the ride.” She said and was about to get out of the car when he called her name.

“Olivia, there is something I want to talk about.” He said after contemplating with himself. It felt weird to be in consultation with someone. But he was aware that he had to consider her opinion this time.

“Yeah?” She closed the car door and turned her body towards him. She looked curious as to what he wanted to talk about.

“As you know that my grandfather must already know about us. His man must have shared proofs of us together or have at least given him the information. If we go with the original plan, he would throw a fit. I am sure he would want to meet you first and hold a proper wedding. I can take you to the house tomorrow to meet him.” He said gauging her expression while his hands were grabbing the steering wheel.

Olivia’s eyes widened. Why were the plans being changed so much? He was asking her to meet his grandfather. She was a little scared to be honest. Just by the ways he was conducting things according to his grandfather’s wishes, he seemed like a scary man.

How could she meet him so soon? And proper wedding…what did he mean by that?

“Do we have to do this? I mean isn’t it soon to meet him?” She asked biting her lip unconsciously while looking at him with round and wide eyes.

His eyes moved to her lips and his mind drifted off to the thoughts he had been suppressing the whole time. She was so cruel playing with him like that. But she was probably not even aware of what she was doing. She looked so innocent and genuinely worried.

He cleared his throat and diverted his attention away from her lips, “Um, yes. If I don’t take you to meet him, he will demand to bring you there. I know him that is why I am saying this. So either way, the meeting is inevitable. And don’t worry about the wedding. I will try to convince him that we don’t want a big wedding.” He said in a bit of a hoarse voice. He was perplexed at the way she was having such a strange effect on him that night.

He had to get laid soon if he wanted smooth flow of things. He would call Louisa who had been pestering him to meet. He knew what she meant by meeting.

“Okay.” She nodded unsure and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

He kept looking at her as she exited the car and disappeared inside the building. He was staring into the distance for no reason. The smooth sway of her hips, her lips, her scent and her beautiful face had overtaken his mind.

The kiss…he could not forget it. He wanted to do it again.

“Whoa! Get a grip!” He chided himself and shook his head. He quickly grabbed his phone and tapped on Louisa’s contact.

“Hello, Mr. Hottie. Long time no see.” He heard an excited yet screeching voice from the other end. He put the phone away from his ear for a second.

“Are you available tonight?” He asked getting to the point. He heard a giggle.

“Always available for you.” He shook his head at the eagerness and told her to come to the hotel the last time they went. He could not take her to the house. His poor grandfather would be shocked seeing him with a girl after he proposed the other. He was sure their pictured must have reached him by then.

He sighed and sped off the car towards the direction. It would give him the relief he sought.

That was what he thought.

On the other hand, Olivia entered the apartment hopping her mother was asleep. She always slept early, so she was sure she would be sleeping. She took off her heels not to make any sound. She felt like a bugler in her own home. As soon as she closed the door, the lights were turned on.

“Where have you been, Olivia?” She almost got a heart attack hearing her mom’s voice. She sounded mad.

She slowly turned around and met her eyes. She was glaring at her dress and the heels in her hands. She was folding her arms and was looking at her with a demanding expression.

She was demanding to know where she had been and would also question her why she was wearing such a fleshy dress when she had left in a shirt and jeans in the morning.

She was doomed! She thought biting her lip.