Things between us have gotten better, I'm happy and he seems really happy and sweet.
Sometimes from work he would bring me flowers or jewelry.
Everything just seemed to be going perfectly atleast until last night.
~♤~
"Whose birthday?" I asked Carlos as I continued baking a pie for dinner.
"Elder Thompson." This peaks my interest. Ever since the debacle involving his grandchildren and apparently him coming to beg Alex to let them go the very day. He's been pretty quiet. They're whole family has. I guess too much scandal too soon.
"Oh really. Are you going?" I ask him.
" It's not like I have a choice. Unlike you who married into a family that can compete with them. I can't afford to offend them." I gave him a side eye before continued what I was doing.
"Wow," I say.
~♤~
A woman stops by the house in the afternoon with a parcel for me. It was from Alex. Apparently, even with what happened between our family and the Thompsons 3 months ago, in order to give a front of not having bad blood. He as the head of the family needs to attend this birthday, Grandma said she wouldn't make it.
Of late she hasn't been well. Moreover, her age is not making things any easier on her.
I'm not happy with this decision. That family tried to kill me, I know they weren't happy with the appearance of some random girl into the life of a person they sure thought they has. Especially, as a wife by the request of a dead man, not on his death bed but as a condition in his will. It truly looked fishy and manipulative even to me.
I decide to not fight it and go with my husband. Things have been great between us, with just 1 more month until our anniversary. Grandma and Mrs. Smith have been helping me prepare the party. I guess before we have it Alex and I need to at least make a few more appearances as a couple to shut up the naysayers.
~♤~
I look into the mirror as I finally finish dressing up, the silver loop earings are going well with the scarlet dress. It's a birthday, i would have preferred wearing black but that would have seemed like I was wishing him ill will.
Gotta look like I'm bringing blessings and red is a color of fertility. Just as I've finish doing a fit check I hear a wow.
I turn to find a stunned Alex behind me. He's dark hair had been styled back, he was dressedvin a black suit but equally scarlet evening shirt.
He looked Bad, but not bad bad more sexy, bad. Makes me think of the novels I read, all the mafia, bad boy protagonists. Yeah.
I blush before saying thank you. I look back to the mirror trying to decide on what jewelry when he walks up behind me and pulls my body to his front. This has my whole face turning red almost trying to match my dress. He sweeps my cascading hair to the side and kisses my neck. Ever since what happened last time in the corridor hes avoided to much contact with me.
This, before a dinner to hell, just felt like the right amount of assurance I needed. I feel good having him come here, he doesn't need to say the words, his actions alone show me that I am not alone in this and I'm glad.
He reached out and should me a beautiful silver chocker. I had him help me do my hair up before he put the chocker on me. It was perfect.
We both went down stairs, I had silver shoes match the theme.
"He's birthday gift?" I asked.
He held my hand whilst we walked to the car.
"Prepared." he said whilst he ushered me into the car.
~♤~
We arrived to the Thompson family home. We met so many people I knew just as we reached. We entered the venue and I could few so many curious eyes on not me but Selene. She looks amazing, I understand why they are stuck looking. She's had a simple life growing up so I know it baffles a lot of these old crows why she's more beautiful than most of their daughters. Moments like this I'm grateful. I have a waiter bring our drinks whilst we do a few rounds around the place.
"Hey man."
I turn to find Damian and Brian. We all start talking business, I know Selene is lost and would prefer not being here so when I notice she's seen that friend of Carl or something, I let her go to him. I know she'll be safer with him away from the prying vultures.
"Who's that?" Damian asks.
"That's Selenes childhood best friend." I answer.
"And she's gone to him?" Brian asks. I raise a brow to the question. Honestly, I don't like the idea of only having a male friend and especially him. I don't know, the only reason i tolerate is becauseof the way he looks at her. It's not love or yearning but it's more like fear, respect and the look of a subordinate. This helps me know she'll be in safe hands because he always seems alert around her.
"Yeah, whats wrong with that?" I ask them. Fred Thompson, Emma's father walks up to us.
"Glad you came," he says as way of greeting. He looks to his side and there's this girl.
"Meet Kimberly Thompson, my youngest sister. She just came back from America where she was studying at New York University." he says all of this as if he's trying to get a rise out of me. She raises her hand to shake mine, I ignore it.
I just turn to look for my wife. She's seated at one of the side couches lost in story with her friend.
Noticing my disinterest in the conversation happening in front of me, the guys take over the conversation with Fred.
The girl comes closer to me.
"Who are we looking at?" She asks me in hopes of starting conversation. Her presence is just beginning to annoy me but I decide to at least giving her a courtesy of an answer.
"My wife." I state as I finish my glass and put it on a passing servers tray then start walking towards my wife.
She notices me coming and smiles. I sit right next to her and she asks me how my conversation with the guys went. I say it was okay.
Her bestfriend starts whining about how she started to ignore him when she saw me, she turns red at his reproach and promises to give him her undivided attention. She looks adorable as she listens and inputs into their conversation.
The hosts go around announcing the dinner is starting as people move to the banquet hall.
We all settle at our tables. I notice we are seated with a few of the Thompsons. Particularly, the girl I ignored is next to me. I'm not happy about it and Selene and her friend have been separated. I'm glad, it means I have her all to myself.
The greetings begin and the food is the served. The food was okay but Selene seemed to enjoy it. We ended up talking about food, comparing the chefs here what they're strong suits are in judging by how the food tastes.
In between it all the girl next to me tried countless times to get my attention but Selene had it all and I'm glad.
I'm not stupid, I know the Thompson family has given up on trying to set me up with Emma so they've brought a new one.
~♤~
"So how was his reaction to her?" A voice asked.
"Disinterested, I still don't understand why he had to marry that girl, it ruined all our plans." A male voice responded. "I need to get back to the dinner."
I look outside the window and I call my most trusted maid.
"It seems like everything is in place. we just have to wait a little bit but you can still go ahead with that plan for next week, make sure everything seems seamless. Before their anniversary, it must happen." A woman said