I wanted to wring his neck but all I could do was smile and duck my head slightly like I was consumed with shyness. The manager smiled and I could tell that she adored our display of affection for each other a little too much and then she offered to put the ring in boxes for us.
“We’ll just wear it. You can pack the boxes...” Bradon told her easily.
“Right away. About the payment, shall I put it on your account?” she politely inquired.
Since she thought that Bradon was Anthony, it did make sense that she would offer to charge it to his account just like what was done for regular VVIP customers.
“You don’t need to put it on any account. Just use this card,” Bradon replied as he handed her a card.
My eyes widened slightly when I realized that he was going to pay for it with his own money instead of Anthony’s. Perhaps it was because the purchase was high in value, and he didn’t want to bother his brother with the spontaneous purchasing decision that he had made.
“Shall we?” Bradon said invitingly to me as he placed his hand on the small of my back.
“Sure...” I murmured softly in reply.
My mind was still too preoccupied in trying to figure out the hidden intentions behind his actions to properly pay attention to what was going on. I let him lead me to the door of the boutique while Zain followed after us at a distance.
“You can head back. I’ll take Diana home,” Bradon told Zain dismissively.
“No need. I can go back with Zain,” I said immediately.
Zain gave me a confused look that made me realize that what I had said must have sounded quite unnatural. What kind of wife wouldn’t want a ride home with her husband?
“Oh, I’m just not sure if you’re done with all your work for the day. I mean, if you have something else that you have to do, I can always get Zain to drive me back. I don’t want to be a bother...” I said before smiling a little.
“You’re never a bother. You can take the rest of the day off,” Bradon said to me before turning to address Zain.
Zain nodded and after bowing slightly, took his leave.
...
It was already dark and the lights that whizzed by from outside the car’s window as Bradon sped along the road served as the best distraction for me in that stifling atmosphere that surrounded us. I cursed my fate and my luck for leading me to spend time alone with Bradon in the small, enclosed space of his car. I started to appreciate Zain’s company and driving skills all the more now that I was stuck with Bradon. The way he drove made me feel like he didn’t mind cutting our lives short. My body stiffened every time he sped to overtake another car in such close distance.
I wondered why he seemed to be in a rotten mood when I thought that I was supposed to be the one feeling like shit. Then it did occur to me that this might be the way he liked to drive. The reckless way that he was driving did match his character very well, so I had no problem imagining that I was right about my guess. Bradon hadn’t said a word to me ever since we both got into his car, and I wasn’t about to start a conversation with him either.
“Are you feeling better?” Bradon suddenly asked while still keeping his eyes on the road.
The fact that he started a conversation with me surprised me, but it surprised me even more that he was asking me if my mood had improved as if he cared. His words caught my attention and I naturally turned to look at him.
“Why do I need to feel better? There’s nothing wrong with me to begin with,” I muttered darkly in reply.
“Really?” he asked without looking my way.
His teasing tone truly rubbed me the wrong way and I could feel myself getting more irritated and annoyed.
“Really...” I replied immediately because there was no good reason why I had to feel down or bothered.
The car came to a screeching stop at a red light. I thanked Volvo for inventing the safety belt because it felt like that device had just saved my life. I whipped my head around to yell at Bradon and his reckless driving. If he didn’t care at all for his own comfort or his own life, he should have at least pretended that he cared about mine. I sucked in a deep breath as I prepared to curse loudly at him, but he never gave me that chance.
Our eyes met just at the same time that I felt the warmth of his hand sliding slightly through my hair until it landed on the side of my neck. His lips were on mine before I could truly wrap my head around what was truly happening. It was both unexpected and so sudden that I had to admit that he caught me completely off guard. Bradon leaned over and kissed me firmly on the lips before boldly thrusting his tongue between my lips.
“Mhmm...” I made a sound that sounded half like an inviting moan and a protest at the same time.
The face of that wretched woman immediately popped up into my mind as if it was her will to haunt me to my grave. I knew immediately that I shouldn’t be doing this no matter how tempting and pleasurable his kiss felt.
“You didn’t like that?” he asked with a slightly mocking look on his face.
I could feel my anger boiling up within me. That feeling of irritation had turned into pure and raw anger again and I couldn’t stand being close to him. I can still remember so clearly the way that woman smirked at me, the way she looked down at me, and the words that she said to me.
--To be continued...