Mac was still surprised at how easily Antonia could say certain words to him. She had asked him to face his phone like she was doing. Had she forgotten that there was someone who reported to his parents how they had related with each other?.
No way he was going back to be schooled on her to keep conversations alive with a woman.
He adjusted in his chair . He had not picked out the clothes which he wore to come see her. His assistant, Patrick had picked the outfit and had spent ample time fussing over the clothes and complimenting him. Patrick was good with words especially with the women. No wonder he was one of the biggest rakes in town, having even the most hot headed women in town..
"You are still looking at me. You know, we could both sit here all evening without having to look at each other or even saying anything to each other. It is not important that we speak!"
She said. He locked gazes with her and stared at her intensely.
"I do not know what you aim to achieve by being a troublesome woman. I will have you know that I am as uninterested in this arrangement as you are. I would rather spend my time doing profitable business than come to sit across a shrew all evening, fighting__"
" How dare you refer to me as a shrew!".
She spat. Her eyes seemed to be on fire and she looked like she would tear him apart if she had the opportunity to..
" Easy now. I know no one is watching but then, you have to be civil"
" Damn you and all the things you say. You bring the worst out of me and I will not stop telling you that".
"perhaps, you could tell that to your parents. They want this "
" Think I have not?" She threw her head back and gave a throaty humorless laughter. She was the brazen daughter that did not ever posses the grace of a Noble person. She was reckless and would yell and speak in a loud voice in a room where everyone was hushing.
"I have no idea about that. For tonight, wer are meant to spend the night together. Did anyone mention the arrangements to you?"..
"What bloody arrangements? I am not spending a night with you!"
"Ah, my dear.. perhaps, you should calm your nerves and stop putting up a show. The hotel in San Diego, only one room is reserved for us and we must spend the night there."
That cracked her up.
" Your father owns the hotel and you could have all the rooms if you wanted. Why ask for one?"
" I did not do the booking, now I must oblige__"
" Stop it. You sound ridiculous. We are not kids. You are a grown man. Stop acting like there's anyone tossing you around and making you do all the things you do not want to do."
She demanded. Mac ignored her. He was going to spend the night in the same room with her and his mind was made up. He rose up.
" We are leaving now, Antonia".
He said grimly but she did not budge .
" Like hell we are leaving! I am not going anywhere with you!"
" Then I am not sorry I will have to carry you ".
He said. She had not yet processed the words he just spoke when he reached his hands to her thighs and lifted her effortlessly to his shoulders. She was stunned for a moment but soon began to fight and pound on his back. He ignored her and continued to walk briskly to the door, only stopping once to spank her buttocks when she had refused to stop fighting him.
"How dare you spank me, you Imbecile!"
She cried. He did not reply her. Her reached the car and his aide opened the door, quickly looking away as he did. Perhaps, he was embarrassed to see Antonia being carried in that manner but of course she got drunk everytime and every time she was drunk, she had to be carried to the car and taken home. She had spent her entire youth schooling and travelling around the world and of course, making friends and getting spoiled. She was also headstrong and adamant. She had told her parents that she had no desire whatsoever to get married and have children and they had been worried. Now she was matched with the arrogant billionaire and heir of the Sergeyevich olive oil exporting campany. She had first seen him in the business papers and she had agreed that he was hot. Well, handsome enough to have a good number of ladies swooning around him. And lawd he was beautiful, with all those biceps and broad chest and the perfect pair of eyes that she was always afraid to look into lest, she lost herself. She had been attracted to him from afar but had changed her mind about him when she had been match made with him. She did not want a man as ruthless andn mean as him and she was sure she would never let herself appear too meek and loyal for him. For as long as she was with him, she needed to do nothing but show him the worst of her and then maybe he would agree that she was too immodest to be made wive and then she would be free. She would not be very bothered if her parents had not dared her to walk out on the arrangements at the expense of her inheritance. Of course she had nothing to go back to if ever she was denied her inheritance. She would have to marry Marconi, against her wish. Against her wish?
She was soon dropped into the car and Marc got in next to her. Her cheeks were pink with embarrassment and her chest heaved from the anger slowly building up on her.
"Why did you insufferable man embarrass me so much? What did I do to you?"
She demanded. The driver got into the car and began to drive away. To their hotel room. Shit. She did not trust her self enough to resist him if ever he made any advances.
"I had only done what you deserved, lady. Perhaps, if you had been civil and had dutifully followed me, we wouldn't have had to embarrass ourselves".
He turned away from her and she began to straighten her skirts. He had picked up her handbag right after he carried her and she now wanted it. He was still holding the bag mindlessly. She reached out and snatched the bag from him.
" Don't ever touch my belongings, demon!"
She said..
"Maybe you could stop beating yourself up over nothing until we arrive our destination?"
That was all he said. She sat there, tensed and anticipating what was to come next. She had no idea what it would be..would he make advances at her? Did he intend to have sex with her? She could not tell. Nothing have his thoughts away as he looked out, away from her. Not the set of his jaw or the arched brow. Nothing. He seemed to not be aware of his immediate environment until they arrived the hotel. The driver opened the door first for her and before he could reach Marc, he had flung the door open and was walking round to her.
"Give me your hands and let us go in together".
"Give me your hands and let us go in together".
He demanded. She shook her head but then changed her mind when she remembered that he could carry her again, maybe to prove his strength or maybe to embarrass her. She did not know which of these motivated his actions and so she gave him her hand as they walked into the luxurious stretch of glittering items. The receptionist would not stop saying the nicest things to them and at last, a special assistant went before them to open the luxurious suite. Immediately they stepped in, Antonia snatched her hand back and took a good distance away from him.
"I wish I did not have to be here with you! How I hate all of these!".
She exclaimed. He looked at her and shook his head.
"You make a fool of yourself by talking too much on what you ought to lay to rest, Antonia. I am not happy about this arrangement but since it makes no sense that I should continue to talk about it, I have decided not to and that means you should not talk about it too!"
"I do not make a fool of myself, I will not have you say such words to me".
"Ah, Antonia. What would you do to me? Is there perhaps a way you can hurt me?"
He asked..he had walked up to her and she did not realize until he was standing so close to her. His steady breathing tickled her face and her feet turned to pudding as she stood there. Had he enchanted her?
She made to take a step back but his hand snaked out and held her by the waist.
" Where do you think you are going?"
He asked her..she shuddered..
" I am not going anywhere. I only want to step away from you".
She said. He laughed and lowered his mouth to her ears.
" Does it scare you that you can not resist me?"