Chapter 41: 41
"Hubby!" I called with an innocent smile, not failing to catch the mischievous expression on Nix’s face. Mischief sparkled in his eyes, with a smile of indecency playing on his lips.
How did I get here?
It wasn’t jealousy or anything like that. I was on my way out when a sudden nosebleed had me rushing to the women’s room. After cleaning up, I received an urgent call from our TA.
"What trouble have you gotten yourself into?" she demanded, sounding panicked.
"Excuse me! What are you talking about?" I responded, feeling lost and oblivious.
"The professor said, and I quote, ’Ask Carmela to submit three portrait drawings of Tomline Dean in the next seven days.’ If you don’t complete this, it’s going to affect your scholarship."
"What the f..? I thought we were on holiday break. And who is this Tomline Dean?" I cursed.
"Yes, I thought the same too... but it seems the professor is under pressure from some authority figures. But that’s not the main issue. The issue is where you’re going to find Tomline. I did some research and found out he’s a final-year student who doesn’t attend classes but aces his exams. No one knows what he looks like," she explained. Frustration welled up inside me as I ran my hand through my hair.
I ended the call and splashed water on my face, trying to figure out who I had offended to deserve this sudden punishment.
"Tomline Dean..." I muttered, biting my lip. Why did his name sound so familiar?
"Tomline Dean... Tomline Dean... Nix Dean! They have the same surname, so they might know each other." I said half jumping
I hastily grabbed my bag and phone, heading out of the bathroom. My steps faltered as I was confronted by a sudden commotion caused by a woman claiming to be Nix’s betrothed.
What were they doing here? Wasn’t the restaurant supposed to be closed for a private event the owner was hosting?...
"Oh my, could Nix be the owner?" I wondered as I made my way closer to the scene just to find the big guy.
The restaurant hummed with muted chatter and clinking silverware as I approached Nix, my heart pounding in my chest. I needed him to lead me to Tomline Dean, submit those portraits, and secure my scholarship all while cementing my role as Mrs. Dean.
"Hubby are you done with your business?" I asked, stepping closer. For a fleeting moment, I thought I saw a smile play at the corner of his lips, but it vanished as quickly as it came, leaving me questioning my own imagination.
"Oh my..." I feigned surprise. "Hello, Mrs. Betrothed. I didn’t know we’d meet here again. What a small world we’re in" My voice dripped with sarcasm as I took a seat beside Nix.
"You seriously chose this?" She sneered at me, her eyes flicking back to Nix over my shoulder. "Well, isn’t it obvious why he chose me? I’m obviously prettier, smarter, and..."
"You’re a leech trying to feed off him!" she retorted. I swiftly grabbed Nix’s hand, sensing his desire to intervene. This was my battle to fight.
"Leech?" I stood, pulling out my phone. With a few taps, I brought up my profile. "Can you read this?" I shoved the phone in her face before pulling it back with a click of my tongue. "Never mind I’ll read... Artist Carmela, whose surname is unknown to the general public, is a student at the prestigious École des Beaux-Arts. Although just a student, she is worth fifty to two hundred million dollars." I glanced at the screen, ensuring they were indeed talking about me. "Fifty million dollars... Damn, I’m a hot commodity in the market" I grinned, still staring at my phone.
"It’s clear who’s the leech here. I don’t even have my family name, yet I’m worth this much. Without your family name, you’re nothing." My tone was even, my gaze unwavering.
"I’ll kill you if you say that again," she spat, stepping closer. And a smirk curled on my lips at her impulsiveness.
"You’re nothing without your family name," I repeated, watching her fist fly towards me. I caught it mid-air. "Too slow. Try harder." I teased her with a winked, as I stepped aside watching her hurled a flower vase in my direction.
"You daughter of a slut," she cursed and I knelt down, picking up a red rose from the floor. "One dirty mouth you have there. I must commend you, but I’d advise you not to curse my mother."
"Unless..." she started, but I cut the rose petals, leaving only the stem. Smiling, I advanced without warning and pricked her with it.
I smiled even more as she gasped, clutching her throat and chest. While I turned to Nix, whose questioning look bore into me. I shrugged, sighing. "She won’t die. That is.. if she gets to the hospital in the next thirty minutes. Anyway, I’ve lost my appetite. I’ll see you in the room." I walked away without a backward glance, feeling my anger surging through me.
My eyes did not leave Carmela until she disappeared from my sight. Her fists clenched despite the smile on her face. Her aura had shifted, and I turned to the woman gasping for air, wondering what on earth Carmela had done.
I picked up the rose stem, examining it for anything unusual but found nothing. "Help," I heard Ella croaking, trying to grab my arm and I couldn’t help but scoff.
"You just couldn’t stay away from trouble, could you?" I said flatly. I had no intention of getting involved in their feud. Because her demise would only work to my advantage.
"You’re obligated to protect me," she whispered desperately.
"You’re mistaken. I’m only obligated to protect the real daughter of the Dalton family, and you... you are just a substitute." I paused, watching her despair. "But I’m a generous man, so I’ll help you. Call a doctor or take her to the hospital in the next twenty minutes." I instructed the security personnel, then walked away.
"Manager," I called as I entered the elevator and he followed. "Send the dishes I ordered to my room, along with a glass of orange juice and a chocolate cake." I instructed before the elevator doors opened once again to reveal my room, noticing the door was ajar.
I walked in, ready for an ambush, only to spot Carmela’s blood-stained shirt on the floor. "What in the name of the lord did I get you into?" I muttered, frustrated.
But , I heard her voice coming from the bathroom as if in a feud "Carmela!" I called, knocking fiercely on the door. "Open the door, Carmela!"
The door creaked open slightly, revealing her head. "Are you okay?"
"I need a tampon," she said, avoiding eye contact.
"A tampon?" I repeated, confused. "What’s a tampon?"
She sighed, her face falling. "You can ask for a gun and I’ll provide it, whatever you want, but you’ll have to tell me what this tampon is for me to be able to get it."
She chuckled softly. "You’re cute."
"What?"
"Can you get me a sanitary pad? It’s not a tampon, but it serves the same function," she explained, looking away. I nodded, stepping back to have her jam the door close
Women. Such a confusing creation.
I placed a call to the manager, requesting for the sanitary item before heading back to the bathroom. There, I found Carmela soaking in the bathtub, her chin resting on the edge, staring intently at the floor.
"What are you thinking about?" I asked as I walked in, catching her eye roll at my question. Was she annoyed with me, despite my innocence in whatever was bothering her? Or was this one of those mood swings they say women experience at times?
"When are we getting married?" Her question landed like a ticking bomb in my ears. I sat down on the side of the bathtub, my hands instinctively moving to gather her hair into a simple bun to keep it from getting wet.
"Why the hurry? We still have time. Don’t worry, I won’t extend the contract. A year is a year," I said, but she gave no reaction. "Since you started bearing the title of Mrs. Dean today, then today marks the first day of our marriage. We can make it official tomorrow at the courthouse. But I must ask, why did you suddenly wear the ring you once rejected?"
I watched as she raised her hand, examining the ring. "I’ve been bullied ever since I was young, and today I finally got the chance to strike back. What better revenge than taking the position she lost?" She turned to me with a mischievous smile. "And I don’t get it. Why is she so fixated on marrying you? I don’t see what she’s so obsessed about," she added, her face mocking.
"If you were in her place, wouldn’t you want to marry me as well?" I teased, tapping her nose. but she shook her head in objection.
"I wouldn’t, unless there was a benefit. If this were my novel, the reason she’s so keen on marrying you would be because you hold a position of power, and being your wife would give her influence." Her explanation, though sounding like fiction, held a ring of truth. Marrying into the Dalton family would solidify my standing against other competitors for the dynasty’s heir.
"I know it’s out of place to ask since our marriage is a charade, but when will I meet your family?" Her question caught me off guard.
"Your paternal family, not maternal," she clarified, biting her lip nervously. I took a deep breath, choosing my words carefully. Despite the progress in our relationship, Carmela’s vulnerability made her sensitive to words.
"Whenever you want," I replied with a smile, lighting up her eyes like twinkling stars.
"Really?" she asked for confirmation, and I nodded. But her next words left me speechless.
"Can you arrange a meeting with Tomline Dean for me?" Her request confused me.
"Who is Tomline Dean?" I asked, seeing her face fall.
"Don’t tell me you don’t know him. He obviously has the same surname as you," she retorted.
"Beloved, there are tens of thousands of people with the surname Dean. It doesn’t mean they’re related," I said softly, trailing water down her back to have her sigh
"I’m doomed," she whispered, her voice just loud enough for me to hear.
"What’s wrong?" I asked, puzzled by her interest in meeting a stranger.
"I got a call from our TA. The professor wants me to present three portraits of Tomline Dean by the end of the week," she sighed, frustration evident.
"But you’re on holiday," I added, watching her nod.
"Our TA hinted that she’s under pressure from higher authorities, and if I don’t submit them, it could affect my scholarship," she explained. Her words sounded absurd. I was the one sponsoring her education, a fact kept secret from everyone, including the professors. Who would dare bully my woman?
I stood, texting Tom some instructions to check on the activities at the university
"Have you always been this tall?" Carmela suddenly asked, making me smile as I placed aside my phone
"You just noticed?" I retorted, setting my phone aside,I turned to find her head in both hands.
"Are you okay?" I asked, rushing back to her side. She nodded but looked away, blinking several times.
"I’m okay. I think I’m dizzy because I haven’t had breakfast. Please, help me with the towel," she pointed to it with a wry smile. But that didn’t change the fact that I felt worried about her. I hurriedly brought it to her, wrapping her in it before carrying her back to the room.