Even though I began to feel annoyed, I braced myself and regained my composure from the shock.
"No. We are not. I don't know him at all." It was my response to Rowan's ridiculous question, but his face told me he didn't believe what I said. "I don't know him, so what's wrong with your brother?"
With what I said, Rowan seemed to realize something. He asked me, "Is it true that you and my brother have no relationship?"
I shook my head and ranted. "No. I was shocked when he suddenly attacked me. What did I do to him, and he is irritated when we cross paths?"
My question became a weight on Rowan. He hurled a long sigh and released them.
He then apologized to me.
"I'm sorry about that. I thought you were in a secret relationship with him, so I have this assumption. But you told me you don't know him, so I'm trying to figure out why he seemed to hate you."
He appeared to be in a difficult situation because of George, and our encounters prove he is stringent to be handled and difficult to please as a boss. I bet that the surrounding people carry so much frustration in their hearts.
If my brother had an attitude like George, I would also reach out to people he was harsh with and apologize on his behalf, like Rowan is doing now.
It doesn't mean that George is from a wealthy family; he can attack someone anytime and anywhere he wants just because he assumes this person is someone's mistress.
'That is so wrong!'
"Should I file a report against him?" With what I said, Rowan's forehead started sweating. His face becomes pale, and concern glints in his eyes. So, I smiled. "I'm just kidding. If he leaves me alone, I will consider not suing him."
Rowan breathed out a sigh of relief when I said this. He chuckled nervously and said, "Please forgive my brother. You don't have to worry. He rarely approaches a woman unless there is a certain reason. So I'm kind of confused about why he speaks to you."
Looking up at Rowan, I pursed my lips and smiled timidly. At first, I thought he knew about Florian having an affair with someone, and, like George, he would also mistake me for his mistress. After then, the possibility he would insult me and accuse me. But he doesn't seem to know anything, so I would not threaten him to report Mr. Crazy George for assaulting me.
If I do that, the consequences will be on Camilla.
Now I understand she is trying to hide her forbidden relationship with a married man.
Of course, I would not tolerate her. Instead, I will lecture her and let her recollect why her elder sister commits suicide.
But before that, even though what she did was wrong. However, I didn't know the entire story—neither did George. Maybe there is a profound reason why Camilla entered this forbidden love.
"We're here…."
I was in deep thought when Rowan spoke close to my ear. I look up and meet his eyes.
Because of what he did, I snapped back to my senses.
Rowan was looking at me with intent, and I could not fathom what impression he had about me.
"What's wrong? Did my lipstick smear?" Suddenly, I felt anxious when he kept staring at me, but he said nothing but smile.
In fact, there is amusement glimmered in his eyes.
"Rowan!"
Somebody must be in a bad mood. Rowan and I had a moment, then someone shouted at us. After I recognized who it was, I took a few steps backward. Rowan noticed when I became restless. He stepped forward and hid me with his giant frame, shielding me against his brother, George.
I don't know why Rowan did that. But I was moved, and it caused my heart to go wild. He was like a knight in shining armor.
"George? What's up?"
"Why are you with her?"
The brothers talk, and their topic is me. Even though I did not see George's face, I could imagine his dagger stares throwing at me.
It felt awkward. Thus, I left without saying a word to Rowan.
I could not stand how malicious his older brother was to me. And if I would not leave sooner, I don't know if I could stand more of his insults thrown at me.
~
ROWAN'S POV
"We met in the lobby. So we came here together. What's wrong?"
After I told George this, I walked up to him and patted him on the shoulder.
I lied to him, but I have my reasons.
Earlier, I went to look for Krishna, but then I saw her being intimate with George. I don't understand, but my chest seems to be stabbed by a knife.
I felt like I don't want Krishna and George so close, nor to be together. Besides, George's life is too complicated. The elders are forcing him to marry a daughter from a noble family, and Krishna seems a pure and innocent girl.
"Rowan, I want you to stay away from her!"
George snapped me out of my thoughts. I looked at him with questioning stares, but he only avoided my eyes and then turned around and walked away.
"George! I don't understand! Why don't you enlighten me so I can do what you say?" I followed George and matched up his pace. He halted and faced me.
"She's a home-wrecker, so I want you to stay away from her!"
After George slapped me with this information, he resumed walking and left me with a conflicted feeling that overwhelmed me.
'Is it true?' I'm still trying to decide if I should believe George. But we were brothers for two decades! I have all the reasons to regard his words.
Why would he make up a story?
Why did I catch him pinning Krishna on the wall? Is he purely bullying her because she is a homewrecker?
And I have my biggest question playing in my head…
Who's a husband? Is she a mistress? Why does George hate her so much?
"Did our dad have an affair, and the woman is Krishna, the reason George is workup toward her? George never cared about other people, even if they were our relatives, except our family. I noticed how irritated he was all day, which worsened every time he saw Krishna. However, an impossible fact is that dad would cheat on our mother. The couple has a healthy marriage, and I witnessed how dad was in love with mom. So who in our family had a mistress?"
I'm losing my sanity the more I ponder deeper. Besides, my heart doesn't want to accept that Krishna is that kind of woman.
"George must be mistaken. I have to investigate this matter to learn the truth. And to do that, I need to get close to Krishna. I will invite her out. If she rejects my invitation, it will confirm that what George is saying is true."