[ Nicholas ]
The press conference went well. Surprisingly, my imposed wife answered them confidently and never gave them a chance to dig into our marriage, she even laced our fingers to show them our wedding rings as the symbol of our holy bond.
Holy bond my foot.
I knew since the beginning that this witch has so many faces. She can act all innocent and naive in front of outsiders, specially my parents who has been giving me cold shoulders since they learnt that I don't treat her like a husband should do.
"Can you sit still and let me treat your bruises properly?" My sister scolds me and dab the cotton with antiseptic on my bruises, it burns but I show no signs of weakness, in fact these wounds intensifies my hatred for the Andersons more than before.
"I swear, Nick if you don't stop moving, I'd pluck a scissors in your eyes." Nicole threatens me like I am still her ten years old younger brother whom she used to threaten.
"I'll do it myself, Nicole. You should go back to your home. Breece is alone and must be missing you." I try to take the antiseptic bandage from her but she pry off my hand with a glare.
"Breece is staying with Mom tonight as I've to attend a friend's birthday party tonight but what about you?" She asks finally completing her nursing.
"What about me?" I rise from my chair and walk to the mini bar in my office to pour myself a drink.
"Make it two," She points her finger on the wine." I am talking about your pathetic wife and her savage brother. I wonder why the military hasn't disqualified him yet. He has no sense of discipline but what else should we expect from those Andersons who eclipsed our lives like the family of Satan." She scoffs.
"I'd invite them over the dinner on this weekend and ask for a sincere apology for my behavior towards their daughter. " I tell her my plan and place her glass in front of her.
"Did he hit you on the head as well?" She asks, her eyes searching for a wound on my thick haired skull.
"No, he didn't but why do you ask?"
"You just spit non sense that's why I want to confirm if your brain is working properly or you just forgot a fragment of memories in recent weeks." She says mockingly.
I roll my eyes on her comment.
"C'mon, big sister, you know me well. I mean how can you even let such idea cross your mind that I will be yielding to the fucking Andersons and specially to that son of bitch, Rainard." I let the venom drip from my words which I only stock for my wife and in-laws.
"Then what is this whole ordeal with the dinner idea, please enlighten me with your actual plan, Nick." She takes a sip from her Chardonnay.
I lean back on my chair and assess my bruises in the mirror wall," I don't care about them but I can't take our parents' hatred anymore. I miss Mom and her cooking. I miss playing golf with Dad or go for hiking with him and if I promise to be a good husband from now onwards and work on my marriage, it would help me to rebuild the damaged bridge between us. It just a act and I am the main villain who disguises himself in the hero's cloak." I smirk at the end.
"You're a bastard but I am impressed by your excellent plan, brother. It's easy to play with emotions sometimes if we're doing it for a good cause. Our parents must see their true faces sooner or they'll come for our everything, this company, the house and most importantly they'd ruin our family. Please do something quick or we'd loose this battle even before we realise." She expresses her worries.
I place my hands over hers and give them a reassuring squeeze," I would never let them destroy our family, I promise you, Nicole." I kiss her palms.
"Okay, then keep updating me with your plans, little brother. I need to go for my salon appointment. I can't miss it for anyone." She stands up from her seat and collectes her belongings.
"Let me drop you in my way back to my house. I am not in a perfect shape of mood to do business right now, so it's better if I return home and watch soccer with my friends." I also rise from my chair.
"Oh don't trouble yourself. I have my car and my salon is definitely not in your route. Please don't forget to call Breece in the evening, she's constantly pestering me to call you and tell you to talk with her?" She waves me off and walks out of my office.
"I will do it in the evening." I shout behind her.
I check the time, it shows half past three and I have the whole day ahead of me. I usually leave my office at seven or sometimes around eleven, depends on the nature of work on a particular day.
I hear the intercom buzzing, with half mood I pick up the receiver.
"Yes, Zachary." I ask my secretary in a cold tone. I really dispise his name. I have no reasons but I never get used to it's pronunciation.
"You have a meeting with the marketing department scheduled at 4:00 PM and a formal dinner with Mr. Xi Giang's team." He replies in a trembling voice.
I feel satisfied to see others fearing me. Fear is the only weapon which I can use to force them work properly and with their zeal, we'd be on the pinnacle of success very soon.
"Reschedule the meeting for tomorrow at sharp 9:00 AM and speaking of the dinner with Mr. Xi Giang, book a reservation at the finest Chinese restaurant in the city. We have to grab this deal or they're planning to go to Andersons next. The deal is ours." I tighten my hold on the receiver as the name of Andersons leave a sourness on my tongue.
"Okay Sir, I'd do it right now but there's a problem-" He sounds hesitated.
My ears perk up on the word 'problem'.
"What is it, Zachary? Just speak up!" I practically bark on him.
"Mr. Xi Giang wants you and Mrs. Blackwood to join the dinner as a couple as his wife will also be joining us. The man deeply respects the value of family and specially the spousal love. Perhaps, he wants to test your credibility by judging your relationship with your wife, Sir." Zachary says and also adds his opinion on our new client who might bring us a billion dollars and an expansion in the south Asian countries, a vast market for our products.
My mood worsened than before. I didn't expect Mr. Xi Giang to believe in such shits but I can't give him a reason to move on the next equally potential client when my own wife is their daughter.
Fate is a real bitch to me.
"Alright, just send them the confirmation mail with the address and time of our dinner." I instruct him and place the receiver back.
"Why are you not leaving my shadow, Rain? The more I grow hatred for you, the more you're being hanged around my neck like an anchor." I groan.
All my plans to spend good hours with my friends go in the trash bin. Now I must make a call to my house's landline and tell Elle to inform her about the dinner.
Yes, it would be a good idea.
Picking up my personal cell phone, I dial my house's landline number and wait for anyone to pick it up.
After a few rings the phone is picked by someone.
"Elle, is that you?" I ask first because I don't trust any other maid with my secret.
"Its..it's...me..Rain." I hear soft stutters of my wife.
Despite of having an urge to shout on her, I found her voice very soft and gentle. I can hear it again and again but everytime they'll feel like music for my ears.
"Hello, are you there, Nick- Mr. Blackwood?" She repeates when she didn't receive any response from my side.
I clear my throat and regain my cold tone," You have to attend a dinner with me that I've arranged for my Chinese client. Be ready at sharp seven and wear something sophisticated. I don't want my wife to look like a cheap seductress who would try to impress the men and make them sign the deal. Mr. Xi Giang isn't one of those men. So, keep it in your mind when you get ready." Saying this, I hung up the call and lean back on my chair.
Life has really caught me in a whirlwind labyrinth from where I can't find a way to get out.