"I think Miss Mercer is furious. Why don't you try talking to her?" Robert asked. Irwin dropped the tablet, staring at him. "I'm sorry, I was just suggesting,"
"Exactly, what are your suggestions? What do you think I should do?" Irwin asked.
Robert couldn't believe his ears. Was he just asking for advice?
"A date would be nice, but since it isn't a love marriage, a date would be a skip,"
Irwin's shoulders sagged. "So, what do you suggest?"
"Why don't you have breakfast? I think you could start by having breakfast," Robert cleared his throat. He looked at the time, and it was past noon.
"Grace, tell her to prepare some steak," Irwin moved forward, gulping.
Robert's brows raised, "Really? Do you want to have breakfast? I mean, lunch with Miss Mercer, but you said it was forbidden. You don't like having breakfast with other people because of their eating sounds,"
"True, but I'll try, I think I was a bit harsh to her last night," He cleared his throat and grabbed the tablet, going through some PDF files.
"Aren't you hungry?" Irwin looked at her. His eyes seemed warm, all this time he was going out at night. Had that been what he had been doing? "Can't you speak!" Irwin angrily slammed the table. The servants in the room shook, and they all began to leave, including Grace.
"No, I'm not hungry," Eisley folded her hands at her front. He nodded.
"Suit yourself, but be out before 2. We need to be somewhere," he walked past her.
A deep laugh covered the dining room as soon as Irwin left. It was Magnus walking towards her.
"Just come home, Eisley, I can protect you. You don't need to go through all that," Magnus said.
Eisley scoffed, "It's better than being beaten," She replied. About to leave, Magnus caught her wrist.
"Listen to me before it's too late,"
"Are you supposed to be here? This is Irwin's personal space," Eisley asked.
Magnus frowned, inhaling and fuming. "Shut it, you brat, what do you know,"
Eisley rolled her eyes, "Ahh, what do I know? Exactly, I know that our marriage was never real. You never registered it and wasted five years of my life,"
Magnus blinked, nervous. He swallowed. Nothing had prepared him for Eisley's boldness.
"I did it for your sake, Eisley," Pain invaded his cheek as Eisley slapped him. Before he could speak, another landed on his other cheek.
Magnus flared, "How dare you bitch!"
"Go ahead! Touch me! And get kicked out," she said with the most sickening smile he had ever seen.
"I'm going to kill you,"
"Yeah, sure, catch me if you can. This feels really awesome, and oh, tell your mistress— your girlfriend - I won't be coming to that house, do you understand?" Eisley smiled and whined wider across her face. She giggled, walking away.
Eisley slammed the door, entering into her bedroom. She grabbed her phone from beside her table, staring at it, and the smile suddenly disappeared.
She had gotten used to being alone and had no one to talk to. Now, she's free. She's all bored and follows Irwin around whenever he wants.
The door barged open, and Grace walked in. She gasped, "Oh my! Miss Mercer, you need to get prepared,"
"Why? I don't feel like going anywhere," Eisley lay on her bed, rolling to the other side. Her phone was still glued to her hand.
"Ohhh, Mr Kent is going to kill me," Eisley's gaze met hers, and she quickly jumped off the bed, dropping her phone.
Last night had been a huge torture for her. Not Grace, she wouldn't ever allow that.
Eisley took a shower, and Grace picked out an outfit for her.
A wrap mini dress with d'Orsay flats. Grace helped pack her hair in a half-up-half-down hairstyle. Her makeup was mild and nude. Once she was done, she grabbed a small bag to complete the look.
"What's going on?" Eisley asked, not forgetting to take her phone along.
"Mr Kent didn't say he made a small gathering. You should ask him yourself,"
Eisley sighed heavily, walking out of her bedroom. Suddenly, there was a loud noise, accompanied by hasty winds. She sighted Robert, and he bowed slightly.
"Mr Kent is waiting for you. This way," he said, Eisley followed behind until the wind became too much, and she found a helicopter landing on a free land.
"What's going on, Robert!" She yelled.
"Mr Kent has somewhere he wants to take you," Robert said, and there he was, standing by the helicopter.
Eisley walked towards him, and the moment she was closer to him, she found him holding a bouquet. Eisley smile curled her lips.
"Robert asked me to give you this!" He yelled, handing it to her. Her smile disappeared, and she blinked, looking back.
"Robert?"
"Come on," Irwin took her hands, helping in. Once, everything was set to leave. He held her hands, and Eisley yelled cheerfully.
"My gosh!" Her eyes went misty. She had never flown a plane, let alone a copter. "It's so pretty," she tightened her lips.
Irwin's heart softened, and finally, she was smiling again. Although he was sure he had no feelings for her, he didn't want her to stay mad at him and loved it when she acted stubborn despite being the one in debt.
"Where are we going?" She questioned.
"Somewhere, trust me, you'd like it," he held her hands dearly in his.
Eisley's heart skipped, and her face immediately flushed.
"Mr Kent," Eisley called, Irwin looked at her. "Are you a romantic?" Irwin's hands tapped her, and she looked down.
Eisley gasped, her mouth dropping at the most beautiful thing she had ever seen.
A garden decorated with the word MARRY ME with lights shining. Eisley froze because never could she have thought Irwin would go miles for her. It looked so beautiful
"Marry me, and no, I am not a romantic," Irwin said.
The helicopter landed slowly, and once it finally landed. Irwin helped Eisley out of the copter. He walked with her gently, and Eisley's heart had frozen all this while.
Each step Eisely took, felt like a date with a different man. Irwin had sides to him that she wouldn't understand, and even though she was frightened, his hands were warm. Finally, they arrived at the setting of two chairs, a table, and one bed with men who played the violin, while another held a bottle of wine.
Irwin stopped, standing in front of her. He took a deep breath and pulled out a small box.
"Ughh, you haven't said anything but here," He opened the box, and a diamond ring shined.
Eisley stared at him. She blinked multiple times, awaiting the question, but Irwin said nothing.
"Aren't you going to take it?" He asked.
"Oh, right, yes, I guess," She took the ring and pushed it into her fingers. "Let me guess, Robert also prepared this?"
"I didn't say that, what would you like to eat? I have the finest chef here ready to prepare anything you desire,"
He walked towards the table and pulled out a chair. Eisley stared at him from afar. This was it. This was her chance to never leave him until everything ended smoothly.
Even though she had seen him kill someone, he was more dangerous than Magnus, but if Magnus knew she was no longer under Irwin, then he would hunt her down and kill her just like those boys. There wasn't much difference. Her safety is more important.
She took a step, but for how long was this her escape route?
Eisley's managed a smile and sat down.
"What would you like to eat?" Irwin said, signalling to the waiter.
"Meat," Eisley said, her heart skipping so fast because she had forgotten the taste of meat. Magnus never let her eat meat. He was allergic, so it was a forbidden thing, although he was never really allergic, just like the tomatoes. "Barbecue," she added, gulping hard. The thought of finally eating one after all these days made her mouth water.
"Wine," Irwin signalled.
The waiter poured their glass, but Eisley had ordered him to fill her glass up, leaving Irwin completely stunned.
She took the first cup and ordered more. At the third cup, Irwin stopped her.
"I want to assume you're happy, not sad,"
"Yeah, I am, very happy, can't you see, I'm having Barbecue meat. What kind of meat is it again? Pork?"
"You're getting drunk because you're happy?" Irwin dimmed his eyes, confused.
"Thank you," her lips thinned. "Thank you for making this gesture for me even though you have no feelings for me,"
"Suddenly? I only did because you'll need a real story of how I proposed to you," Irwin said, urging to roll his eyes. He adjusted his jacket, reclining on the chair.
Eisley laughed, blushing in embarrassment. "That still counts, that's so thoughtful, I have—" her voice cracked, her eyes gliding on the table. "Five years, and I was never treated this way,"
Magnus and Robert rushed to where Irwin was, interrupting their conversation. As Irwin spotted them, he sighed heavily.
"What are you doing?" His light brow arched sardonically.
Eisley quickly wiped her eyes, taking a sip from a wine. However, Magnus and Robert looked scared. They could barely speak.
"What is it—" Irwin's eyes fell cold instantly. A woman walked behind Magnus and Robert. Red heels, black dress. She was really pretty. She had light reddish blonde hair and cool grey eyes. Her hair was pinned down.
"Hi, Love," Tess Richardson said. Her gaze met Eisley, and she shot her a dark look.
Irwin exhaled, fury rose in him. "Get her out of here, Robert," he said.
Robert walked towards Eisley, and shock washed through her. Her gaze searched his, but he avoided hers.
"Now Robert!" Irwin yelled, his face visibly tensed.
"Yes, Sir! Miss Mercer?" Robert whispered, Eisley's eyes dimmed. She looked at the blonde. Who exactly was she to put Irwin in such a mood? Eisley got up. She was starting to have a good time with him, but she smiled at the lady instead, Robert helped her clear the way as she walked out of their presence.