CHAPTER 21: UNTITLED I
Still inside the car, Diana's heart skipped a beat as James held her hand and kissed her knuckles. It was a small gesture, but it radiated warmth through her. "So, did you enjoy your visit with your family?" he asked, his voice laced with genuine curiosity.
"Oh, yes, very much," Diana responded, her blush deepening. "They were thrilled to have me."
James smiled. "It's obvious they adore you," he said, his eyes twinkling. "Perhaps you should visit more often?"
Diana hesitated, feeling a pang of responsibility. "James, I have a new responsibility now, to you. Spending time with them is important, but you come first."
James squeezed her hand reassuringly. "I understand. It's just... their joy when you're around is infectious."
Suddenly, James recalled the gift she had brought for her family. "That reminds me, why did you insist on getting them a gift in my name?"
Diana chuckled. "I couldn't arrive empty-handed, and having a present from you seemed like the perfect excuse to sing your praises, to give them a glimpse of the amazing man I married." Her words sent a flush of warmth through James.
"So am amazing huh", James said smiling down at her.
"Well your not that bad", Diana replied back.
"But i've been nothing but a dick to you this past few days?"
"At least your here now, so it should count as something".
"You didn't have to do that," James whispered, touched by her thoughtfulness and kind words. He felt a ray of light filtering into his black heart.
Diana's smile faltered slightly. "Perhaps not," she admitted. "But I want my family to see you through my eyes, to understand how important you are to me, even though things are kind of stretched between us right now."
Diana leaned into him, resting her head on his chest. Silence descended, punctuated only by the gentle rhythm of his heartbeat. "James," she began, her voice barely above a whisper, "were you really that angry with me about yesterday?"
His arms instinctively wrapped around her, anchoring her. "Not really," was his only response to her. "I understand why you didn't tell me about the... incident at the shopping mall yesterday". James continued. "From now, i need you to tell me whenever something like that happens. I need to know so i can protect and keep you safe at all times. Well What matters is that you're safe now."
Diana sniffed, feeling tears welling up again. She didn't know why, she just wanted to cry hearing his words now. He was really a far cry from 3 days earlier and it was very relieving and refreshing. "I promise," she choked out, "I'll always tell you everything from now on."
James pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. "Don't cry, Diana," he murmured. "Just rest here, and let me hold you."
"Did you cry so much yesterday? Considering you pulled an all nighter," James asked.
Diana nodded in the affirmative.
"I'm sorry Diana, James said as he planted a kiss on her forehead. You really are the different one". He said the last part absent mindedly and Diana understood him enough not to ask now.
In James' embrace, Diana felt a newfound sense of security. The events of the previous day still lingered, but his presence grounded her.
A sudden curiosity blossomed within her.
"James," she said, her voice muffled against his chest, "seeing your no longer so angry at me, can you tell me something about your work? What's it like running Stone Group?"
James chuckled softly. "Stone Group is the lifeblood of the UK economy, intricately linked to the Crown. It's a constant challenge, requiring a certain... discretion."
Diana's eyes widened. "You mean, people don't even know you own it?"
He nodded. "Privacy is essential in my line of work. But yes, my decisions can reverberate throughout the nation."
Diana couldn't help but marvel at the quiet power he wielded. "Wow," she breathed. "My husband is so rich and powerful, she cried in awe.
"Well am not just rich. I can do anything with my wealth and power, so try not to make your husband too angry in the future"
Diana kept nodding like a robot and repeating 'never' until James pinched her cheeks, did she laugh and keep quiet.
She raised her head to look at him, "so why is it called Stone Group?"
"Well that's because we are into everything. Aluminium, Petroleum, oil, and the works. Our hands are into any business you can imagine. We are concrete, solid and reliable. Aside our hands being into almost every business, there are other countries aside the Uk that have come to seek shelter under us too. Some Arabian countries we are in affiliate with them and big world countries like the USA, Germany ecetra".
"Its No wonder you don't have a government position."
"Titles aren't important to me," James said. "I prefer to operate from the shadows, ensuring the country thrives."
The weight of his responsibility seemed to press down on him, and Diana ached for him. "It must be lonely," she said softly.
He sighed. "There are moments," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.
Suddenly, Diana felt a surge of determination. "James," she began, "I want to contribute. I want to build something myself, carve my own path so i can be able to really deserve you even if its a bit and stand proudly by your side".
James looked at her, his eyes filled with a mixture of amusement and tenderness. "Diana," he said gently, "you don't need to prove yourself to me. You are already proving to be so much more than any wealth or enterprise."
Diana smiled and said nonetheless, "you are not listening James". Diana stretched her hand and pinched his neck. "You suffered on your own to make Stone Group what it is, let me make my own too".
"Well that's the essence Diana, so you don't have to go through what i did".
Diana shook her head, her chin held high. "It's not about proving anything to you, James. It's about me, about fulfilling my own dreams."
James chuckled, but his amusement faded quickly. "You could have everything, Diana. Money, power, anything you desire. Why waste your potential on foolish dreams?"
Diana's jaw clenched. "My dreams aren't foolish. I want to build my own life, not live in your shadow."
James sighed, the playful gleam fading from his eyes. He reached out and brushed a strand of hair from her face, his touch both tender and possessive.
"I understand your desire for independence, Diana. But the world is a harsh place, and I can protect you."
Diana met his gaze, her voice barely a whisper. "But at what cost, James? My freedom? My soul?"
James hesitated, the conflict warring within him. He wanted to control her, to keep her safe within his gilded cage. But he also saw the fire in her eyes, the fierce determination to defy him. And for the first time, he wondered if maybe she was right.
A slow smile spread across James' face. "I admire your spirit, Diana," he said. "And if that's truly your desire, I will support you every step of the way."