Earl immediately stood up, his face pale. "I was…"
"What?" Amber snapped, not allowing him to speak. She walked up to him with a deep scowl on her face. She threw Yasmin an unpleasant look before focusing her gaze on him. "Why did you come here? Are you doing something with her?"
"Excuse me," Yasmin interjected, rising to her feet. She didn't like it when Amber tried to smear her character. She was not like her, who would flirt with another man in front of her husband. "We are just talking. Why are you getting upset?"
"You…" Amber pointed at her, a warning look on her face. "Keep your distance from him and focus on your husband. Come with me." She held his hand and walked away, pulling him along with her.
Yasmin glared at them, her mouth twisting. "She does not hesitate to cling to Tina's brother, and now she comes here to show her possessiveness towards her husband," she muttered. "Such a pretentious. And Earl…" She snorted. "Why is he so scared of his wife? What does Amber do in a closed bedroom that makes him tremble in front of her? He has the courage to stand up to Sean but can't protest against his wife. What a wonder!"
She sat down dejectedly. "I am stupid to expect anything from him. How can he help me if he cannot help himself?"
While she was engrossed with herself, Declan stormed out of the study sullenly. Gerald had just handed Sean the 'Smart Port' project that Declan had signed with the client. He reasoned that Declan couldn't concentrate on it because he was working on another project with Mr. Lee.
Declan objected firmly but failed to change his father's decision. He was so enraged that he stormed out without even listening to him. He walked right out into the courtyard.
"Fuck…" He gritted his teeth and groaned. Rage nearly consumed his entire being. He balled his fingers into a fist and threw it in the air. "Fuck, fuck," he cursed again, his voice low and thick like earlier.
"Okay, Declan. Calm down." He inhaled and exhaled deeply, as he always did to calm down each time he got mad. That was what his doctor friend advised. And, surprisingly, he found his calm after doing this breathing exercise every time.
He ran his fingers through his hair and murmured, "You played well, Sean. No worries, no worries." He adjusted his grey jacket. "I will snatch each and every project of yours."
"Declan, you are here. I searched everywhere for you."
Declan spun around and saw Tina approaching him. Two deep vertical lines formed between his eyebrows. She was the last person he wanted to see at that moment. The flames of rage that had just died out were reignited.
He thought of avoiding her and going to find Yasmin. But then a wicked idea crossed his mind, making him stand there firmly.
Tina smiled as she came in closer. "I'm glad I found you here. We can sit down and talk for a moment." She held his hand and took him to the fountain. "Do you remember how we used to sit here for hours talking?" Her eyes shone as she reflected on the past. "I always miss those days."
She sat on the low-level concrete edge around the fountain. "Come on. Sit down." She patted the spot beside her.
Declan sat down as well, stretching his legs ahead, ankles crossed.
"You used to bring me here or to the backyard, not allowing me to spend time with Amber," Tina continued. "You were so envious of her when I was with her." She giggled. "I'd like to tell you a secret. I always waited for you to take me away from her."
She took his hand in hers and looked him in the eyes with nostalgia. Declan also stared at her. He neither shoved her hand away nor said a word.
"I like you, Declan," Tina spoke again. Her tone was heavy as if she was struggling with the urge to cry. "It hurts to see you with another woman. Why did you agree to this marriage? The Declan I knew never bowed down to anyone, no matter how much pressure he was put under. What made you give in to your father's demands?"
"Let me tell you one thing very clearly," Declan finally opened his mouth, drawing his hand back. "No one, not even my father, can make me do anything. I agreed to this marriage because I wanted to. So don't erroneously assume I was forced into it."
"Whom are you lying to? To yourself or to me?" She squinted at him with disbelief. "Everyone in your family, except your father, is unhappy with this marriage. I heard you were mad when Uncle Gerald asked for the wedding. You can't ruin your life because of a business deal. You don't like Yasmin. This unwanted marriage will only make your and her lives miserable. You should end this relationship."
Declan held up his index finger and asserted, "First, my family and I are happy with this wedding. It makes no difference what my father's wife thinks. She is never happy with anything that is related to me. Secondly, this is not an unwanted marriage. I have already told you."
"Do you mean you like her?" Tina almost yelled, her eyes turning watery.
"Yasmin is nice and sweet."
"Uh…" She laughed bitterly, looking away from him. "You can't even lie properly." She looked back at him with a pitiful expression on her face. She blinked her tears away. "You can't answer my question… because you don't love her."
Her gaze turned fiery in the next moment. "You love only me. Me…" She directed her index finger towards herself and added, "You have had feelings for me since you were a teenager. There is only me in your heart, and no one can take my place. You are well aware that I have wished to marry you since my childhood. You and I are in love with each other. How can you let someone come between us?"
"Things change over time, and so do people's likes and dislikes," Declan said flatly. He was calm while Tina was fuming. There was a feeling of satisfaction in his heart as he saw her cry. It felt soothing as if some unhealed wounds had been healed.
"I used to enjoy riding my tricycle as a child. It no longer appeals to me. I now enjoy driving various high-end cars. My tastes have evolved over the years, and a lot of things I liked as a kid I no longer enjoy. Likewise, I no longer like you. This is as simple as that. So, don't keep saying that we are in love."
He got up and walked into the house.