Chapter 46 I’m not a push over either.
Isla’s POV.
After the long love saga with my husband, I made arrangements to visit my siblings.
The car was ready by the time I finished dressing up.
I hadn’t seen my siblings for almost a year now, and I missed them so much.
I was very excited, until the thought of my father flashed through my memory.
The happiness on my face vanished in one go.
“Damn that useless man.” I clutched my fists by my side, surge raging.
“I shouldn’t let him ruin the remaining joy I had in me.”
My husband had already started my day in an unforgiving way, I couldn’t afford to let the rest get ruined.
I tried to shake those thoughts off my head, making my way toward the car garage.
I was almost at the entrance that led to the car park when a voice came from behind.
“Going for a ride?” When I turned, I saw him, Damian.
“Hey,” I said, waving at him. “You’re here.”
“Are you visiting home today?” I walked closer now.
“Yes. I just wanted to pay respect to my mother, today’s her death anniversary. I also wanted to see my siblings too.”
“You should’ve told me. What if something happens to you?”
My heart sank. Did he care about me that much? My cheeks flushed.
“I didn’t want to… I thought you would be busy…”
“You know I can never be too busy for you, sweetheart.”
I shied my face away.
“It’s fine,” he turned to his assistant.
“Cancel my schedules for today. Tell the board the meeting holds tomorrow, I have something important to attend to.”
My chest rose and fell so fast, in rhythm. “No, you can’t just…”
“Anything for my lady,” he opened the door for me to get in.
The ride home was a nervous one.
He said funny things that made me laugh uncontrollably.
I haven’t been this happy in my life. I just wanted that moment to last forever.
The way he spoke to me softly, he paid attention to everything that had to do with me… even the way he looked at me, made my legs part.
When we arrived home, my father was already at the door waiting.
He’d be shocked to see Damian with me. I never mention bringing him along.
I knew how mad he would be, because he wouldn’t have that chance or the audacity to manipulate me today.
When we walked to where he was standing, the expression on his face was way more disappointing than I had expected.
I knew that even while he was pretending to be happy, his heart was boiling in frustration.
“Isla, you’ve arrived,” he said, patting my shoulder.
“Yes, father.”
“You didn’t tell me you were coming together, I was expecting…”
“She doesn’t need your permission to bring me along right, Mr. Bennetti?” Damian cut him off.
“Of course not, Mr. Romano.” He replied, leading us inside.
“Where are my siblings?” I asked, voice cold.
“They’re inside,” he laughed. “They were waiting for you…”
“Isla!” Iris screamed my name, rushing down the staircase.
“Easy, sweetheart. Don’t fall down.”
Josie followed. I could see the enlightenment on their faces.
My heart pumped so hard, we almost fell while hugging each other.
“I miss you guys so much! Look at you!”
“We missed you too,” Iris grabbed my hand, leading me to a seat.
“You look bigger now, almost taller than me,” I teased.
“Mr. Romano, please.” My father led Damian to a seat.
“I got something for both of you,” I handed over the packs of gifts.
“Josie, Iris, meet Damian, my brother in law.”
“Hello Damian,” they greeted him.
“Damian, meet my siblings. Josie and Iris.”
He waved at them, “hello. I’ve heard a lot about you…”
“Really?” Josie cut in. “My sister must have told you a lot about us.”
“No, not from your sister. From your father,” he faced my father.
My father nodded slowly, face fuming. Eyes barely steady.
“I’ll be right back.”
I excused myself. And headed to visit my mother.
I opened the door to our ancestral room. It looked the same as the last time I visited.
My mother’s tablet was right in front of me. I lit some incense sticks, and bowed before the tablet.
“Mom,” I started. “It’s been fifteen years since you left. How are you doing over there? I know you’re watching over me…”
My eyes were watery, I couldn’t hold back the tears in me.
“Mom, you told me to be strong… but I don’t know if I can carry on anymore, it’s all heavy on me…”
After a long conversation with my mother, I turned to Josie’s mum’s tablet.
“Mum,” this was the first time that word left my mouth. I never had the courage to call her that.
“I promise to take care of Josie. And I’ll make sure Charles pays for everything he has done to us…”
Damian walked in.
“What are you doing here?”
“To pay my respect. To my mother-in-law.” He lit incense, and bowed to my mother.
“Hello, mother-in-law. I promise to take care of her. You don’t have to worry about her. She’s safe with me…”
We left the room together.
Back at the living room, my father invited me to his office.
“Isla, come with me for a moment.”
I followed him inside. Why was he calling me?
What’s he planning this time?
“Why didn’t you tell me he was coming with you?”
“That isn’t in your place to ask. What do you want to do this time?”
He chuckled. “I see the way he looked at you. I can tell he’s into you…”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“This is your chance,” he purred.
“A chance for what exactly?” My lungs bumped so hard.
“To get pregnant. Even if your husband doesn’t want you, you should get pregnant for his brother…”
“You need to gain a foothold in the Romanos. Or we won’t get them to help us for a longer time.”
“What? You want me to get pregnant for my brother in law?”