An involuntary scowl etched on his face as he looked at the woman who had joined them—a woman with an aura that screamed control and confidence.
He watched Claire's smile brighten as the woman approached.
"You're here. You look even more beautiful in person than I've heard," Claire said, her tone turning soft and sweet.
The woman smiled graciously, her eyes locking with Claire's. "Thank you," she said, her voice smooth like silk. "It's nice finally meeting you, ma'am."
"Call me Claire, please," Claire said with a sweet smile of approval as she looked Vanessa over.
Alex's stomach tightened as Vanessa's attention shifted to him. She looked poised and elegant. Despite himself, he felt a jolt of recognition. Deep down, he already knew who she was from how she was interacting with Claire, but he just didn't want to admit it.
Please, not her, he silently begged. Let it be someone else. What was she even doing here? Had Claire asked her here to set them up? He mused, hoping that wasn't the case since he wasn't going to take it easy on Claire if it was true.
He sighed deeply, trying to take his anger when Claire said the words he dreaded hearing. "Alex, meet Vanessa King," Claire then turned to Vanessa, "Vanessa dear, this is Alex."
Vanessa smiled and then extended her hand toward Alex for a handshake. Alex just stared at it for a moment, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on him. Vanessa King. The name echoed in his mind like a final sentence. She was here, and Claire had set the trap.
Claire was obviously pushing things, but he was happier knowing he had anticipated this and worked towards it.
"It's nice to meet you, Alex," Vanessa said, still holding her hand, her smile still in place.
Alex looked down at her hand, but he didn't take her hand. Instead, he turned toward Claire, his voice low and tight. "I didn't know we were having company."
Claire, ever the diplomat, brushed off the tension as she kept her warm smile in place. "Vanessa is not company., Alex. She's family. She'll be family, considering she'll be marrying you. Don't you think so?" Claire asked, raising her brow at him.
The words hit Alex like a cold gust of wind. He clenched his jaw, his hands tightening around the edge of the table. His voice was harder now as frustration simmered beneath his calm exterior.
He had a wife now, and there was no way he could've married Jake's mistress even though he wasn't married. He looked at Claire, and the thought of telling her about Emma crossed his mind.
He opened his mouth to say he was married but snapped it shut when he realized the drama that revelation was going to cause. He wasn't sure Emma was ready for any of that, especially since she just got out of one and was merely managing.
"I've already told you, Claire. I'm not interested in getting married," he said instead, after careful consideration.
Claire's smile faded, but only for a second. She had always been stubborn, just like Alex himself.
"I'm not taking that as an answer anymore, Alex. It's been over seven years now, Alex. I gave you space while you were away, but you're back now, and It's time you moved on. It's time you settle down and have a family. I won't let you push this aside anymore," Claire said, causing Alex's pulse to quicken.
Move on. Settle down. Words people loved to throw at him as though they understood him. Alex's gaze shifted to Vanessa, who was now watching him intently, her expression unreadable.
He could tell what Claire was trying to do—force him into something he wasn't ready for, something he didn't want and was never going to want. He wished he could just tell Claire about Jake and Vanessa's affair, but he couldn't.
He would need evidence. Enough to prove that Jake had been seeing Vanessa before now and was pushing Vanessa his way for something deeper beyond his knowledge.
"Alex, are you even listening to me?" Claire said, cutting through Alex's thoughts, and he shook his head.
"I never said I wouldn't marry," he replied, his voice sharp, "but it will be to someone I choose," he added simply.
Claire sighed, her patience wearing thin. "Vanessa is a wonderful woman, Alex. That's why I invited her tonight. I invited her so you could see that for yourself. I want you to spend time with her. Get to know her..."
She stopped talking when Alex pushed his chair back, rising abruptly. He was done. "I'm not interested in doing any of that with Vanessa," he said, his tone firm.
Vanessa's calm expression faltered for the first time, a flicker of something darker flashing across her face. How could Alex say that to her?
Who did he think he was? She mused angrily. Still, she remained quiet, watching the exchange.
Claire stood, too, reaching for him as if she could physically stop him from leaving. "Alex, please—"
But Alex didn't let her finish. "Clearly, this dinner wasn't for me. It's best if I take my leave," he said. Without waiting for another response from Claire, he turned on his heel and walked out, ignoring Claire's voice even as she called after him.
He could feel the anger building inside him, each step away from the dining room a reminder of the constant pressure Claire had been placing on him since his return, even though it had been barely three days.
After he left, the dining room fell into an uneasy silence. Claire slowly lowered herself back into her seat, turning to Vanessa, whose face had gone cold from anger even though she was trying to mask it.
"I'm so sorry for how he acted. He's not usually like this. He's just… going through a lot," Claire said, knowing Vanessa was probably angry.
Vanessa, her lips pulled into a tight smile, waved off the apology. "Don't worry about it. I understand. He needs time, and I understand. I'll give him time to come around," she said without much thought, making Claire believe she meant everything she said.
Claire looked relieved, her shoulders relaxing as she settled back into her chair. "Thank you, Vanessa. I appreciate your understanding," Claire said, deciding that Vanessa was very understanding.
Vanessa nodded but said nothing more. Even though she tried to push what had happened aside, she couldn't.
No man had ever dared to reject her. No man had ever ignored her like that. And it pained her to know that an adopted son like Alex would behave so arrogantly with her.
How dare he? She thought, her anger rising within her. No one had ever done that to her, and she wouldn't let Alex be the first.
Adopted or not, Alex was still just a man, and no man had ever turned her down. She wouldn't let it happen now.
She glanced down at the table, her perfectly manicured fingers tracing the rim of her wine glass as Claire filled her plate with food.
She would make him see her, choose her, whatever it took. She was going to get him by all means, and when she did, she would make sure she made him pay.