"Let's head out. There's still a lot to do tonight," Gurceneu spoke and gestured her to stand. He took his phone and the screen flashed as he was calling his driver. In a split second, the call connected and he casually informed his driver," We are ready to leave."
"Huh? ---" Maisie may be smarter than other women, yet, it took her a minute to comprehend what he meant. Since he called the driver, it only meant they would not just leave together, but, they would also be living in the same roof!
Maisie pursed her lips and finally stood. She slowly gathered her things before facing the man. "You won't ask me if I'll go with you?"
Gurceneu looked at her with a strange expression. "Won't you go with me?" His voice sounded as if he just heard a ridiculous question from her. Or perhaps, this man had assumed that the two of them would go home together.
"Hah!" Maisie rolled her eyes. 'At least, have some courtesy of asking my opinion.' But this complaint could only be voiced out in her mind. She suddenly became conscious of her situation.
"What does that 'hah!' mean?" Gurceneu asked as he adjusted his posture. He glanced outside and saw their ride parked near the exit area. "Maisie, if you have complaints... speak it now. Don't make me guess what you are thinking. I do not have the power to read your mind. But, your expression clearly says that you have something to say."
"I just did not anticipate the two of us going back to the residence starting tonight," Maisie curtly replied. "You are rushing me."
"Didn't I send you an invitation to have time for you to decide? Since you are here, it's only natural that we go together, no?" Gurceneu prompted.
Maisie silently hovered beside him, not finding any proper words for her response.
The two soon walked towards the exit of the restaurant when Gurceneu spoke again, "I'm not rushing you. Surely, you understand that your situation is the reason why there is a need for an urgent solution. If you have some arrangement plans better than mine, by all means, let me hear it."
"I was just expecting your courtesy. The invitation that you sent was for dinner. Going with you back to the residence is different, " Maisie defended while biting her tongue. She had to hold back her emotions.
Hearing her, Gurceneu raised his brow and smiled. "Courtesy... Fine. Shall we go home?"
His expression may look sincere but Maisie felt that there was a mockery in his tone. After all, who is she to demand a courtesy? She had lost the level of authority she held.
Maisie entered the car. Gurceneu followed and sat next to her. She spoke of no words anymore and could only close her eyes to maintain her composure. Or perhaps, she wanted to hide the emotions that would reflect in her eyes.
Just as she was about to relax, her shoulder stiffened when she felt Gurceneu's arm looped on her waist. Then, the man pulled her body until she sat on his lap.
"Oh!" Maisie reacted as her eyes abruptly opened. She was quick to look at the driver's side with a thought, 'What is this man thinking!'
However, she realized that the private curtain separating them was already set, completely giving them privacy. She sighed in relief. But it was a momentary relief as she felt the exploring touch of the man.
Gurceneu's palm caressed her skin, from the shoulder to her hands. Maisie could feel goosebumps from her touch. How could she not? She remembered that the hand caressing her had also beaten someone before!
He then traced the ring finger on the left hand and a cold metal slipped on. "That's for agreeing to remarry," he whispered before kissing the back of her hand...
Maisie blinked her eyes a couple of times before staring at the metal on her finger. But the darkness of the night obstructed her eyes from seeing the ring design.
Gradually, some vivid memories resurfaced in her mind. She then remembered her previous engagement with this man... it was such a Deja Vu.
*
Previous Engagement Flashback...
"I'll give you this," Maisie handed a red jewelry box to Gurceneu. She was smiling, ear to ear when the man took it. "Open it," she spoke with excitement while the man was examining the box.
"You are giving me a ring?" Gurceneu commented with a stunned look on his face.
"Yes. That's for making me your bride. I have not given any gift to you yet. I hope you like my first gift."
End of flashback...
"You have no originality," Maisie scoffed and traced the metal with her thumb. Gurceneu was still holding her hand.
The man only grumbled with incoherent words and kissed the back of her neck down to her spine.
"Maisie," Gurceneu called her in a low tone.
"There is a proper place for this... not in a moving vehicle," Maisie protested.
"If I wait to arrive at the proper place, I would still be the same as what you have claimed..."
The message was clear for Maisie to hear. He was referring to her reason for their divorce!
"Haha... " Maisie laughed awkwardly. "Haha---"
Gurceneu suddenly silenced her agonizing reaction by claiming her lips.
"Are my kisses really boring?" Gurceneu suddenly asked her. And when she did not answer him, he teased her again, "Come on, we all know that feedbacks are important in business. Why don't you give me some?"
"..."
"Maisie," Gurceneu called her again. "If there is no feedback from you, how else could I improve?"
"Could you stop with that attitude?" Maisie finally snapped and sat back on the seat. She carefully combed her long hair and glared at the man. "I really reap what I sow. What a bountiful harvest of sarcasm!"
"Hahaha... You know, if my kisses are boring, then, I have no choice but to practice with you every day until it becomes interesting. That way, you won't be bored to death while living with me."