To say this was horrible was an understatement. Not only did they talk on and on, but James just wouldn't leave, damn it.
After dinner, a Chinese dessert was served. And then they went to the drawing room to continue their plans and I took this chance to stay behind to 'finish' my dessert. But when they were gone, I grabbed my jacket and went to the backyard.
The cool air brushed against my legs as I walked over to my orchid plantation. A smile automatically came onto my lips upon seeing there was a tiny bud on one of them. I walked closer and leaned forward. Yep, it was a bud.
I could feel the excitement in my bones. Finally it was working. The smell of sweet Jasmine from next to me filled my nose.
I haven't been taking care of them properly.
I wasn't sure how long I had been standing out here, but when I walked back inside, Darius was already in our bedroom, on his phone.
Our bedroom. It sounded so weird.
He looked up and ended the call as I walked in.
"Did you go outside?" he asked.
I nodded and took off my jacket while he narrowed his eyes. "You know, if you got sick again, Ma will kill me instead," he said.
"That's why I brought a jacket." Duh.
"So," he started, leaning back against the headboard. "Do you like James?"
CHAPTER TWENTYFOUR
"Wh-wh-what?" I can see my eyes widening as I looked at him. Did he know? Of course, he wouldn't know.
And what did he mean if I liked him? That was in the past, he couldn't have possibly known. Unless James told him, then that two-face lying f-
"James. What do you think of him? Do you like him? I was thinking of making him my business partner," Darius said as he got up and grabbed his tie from earlier.
"Oh." My heart was racing, it was practically pounding and I could feel the blood flowing to my ears. "Um," I said. What was I meant to say?
No, he was a hopeless partner and there was no way you guys should be partners. Would that be a bit too obvious?
"I-I don't know. I mean, it's up to you." I was stuttering helplessly. Damn it, Ivory, tell him now. This is the perfect chance. James shouldn't be a business partner because he is a lying, cheating, backstabbing asshole.
Damn it, why can't I just tell Darius? His eyes were staring right at me and all I could do was stand there like an idiot. I had to tell him; this would be the perfect opportunity before I make things worse.
"Actually…" I just couldn't do it. What if Darius didn't know? I can just pretend it never happened. And then no harm is done. Darius wouldn't need to know, and James just needed to keep his mouth shut.
"You know," said Darius, getting up, "it's your business too, so you have a say. Isn't that why we had to get married?" He walked into the walkin closet while I stared at the floor. That was exactly why we got married.
Not because we loved each other; everything is far from that. We were married because our stupid elders made a deal that no company can take over the other. Instead, together our companies will take over the rest. It was stupid.
I couldn't even imagine how my life would have turned out if I didn't marry Darius. I mean, would I have the chance to find someone again?
I sighed as he walked back out, with the phone on his ear again. He looked up at me and raised his eyebrow. "Are you going to sleep?"
"Oh right." I realised I had been standing there like a statue. I walked over to my side of the bed and got in. It still felt so weird sharing a bed with him. Sharing a bed with someone was such an intimate gesture and here I was sharing it with someone who was just my 'husband' on paper.
"You're not going to change?"
I shook my head and replied, "Nope." I should, but nobody got time for that. I turned to my side facing the door to the veranda. I heard a deep chuckle before the lights went off.
"Should have known," he said.
I felt the bed dip as he got in and I could see the light from his phone. Knowing Darius, he was probably going to be on that till morning.
6 Months ago
"Oh my god, it's perfect," she said, clapping her hands. I raised an eyebrow at my mother. Seriously? She thought this dress was perfect?
I could barely be seen in the mirror. All you could see was material and more material flowing out and out.
"Mother, can we pick something small? Something elegant but not extravagant?" I asked.
"Darling, have you had too much champagne?" she asked with a sigh as she picked up the glass from the sales girl. I rolled my eyes. No, it looks like you had too much.
"Go change. That dress is perfect."
I gritted my teeth, trying not to say anything, and stormed back into the room. I tore the dress off me, slipping back into my horrible tight black dress she made me wear, and marched out of the stall.
"Yes. Pack it, will you?" my mother was saying, and at the same time she was on the phone. I started heading for the door when mum pulled me back, her grip too hard on my small wrist.
"Where are you going?"
"Home?" I asked. Where else can we go?