Chapter 72 Estefan

Chapter 72 Estefan

ESTEFAN'S POV

Anna and Esteban's wedding was in two days which is why her parents were in Spain. The rest of their family was to arrive the following day along with their guest that would be attending the wedding.

Anna's family were close friends with ours but I had taken a dislike to Damien since the first time we met during Anna and Esteban's engagement ceremony. He was a playboy who sleep with anything that has a vagina and the fact that he has been eyeing Rhea since he met her fuelled the hatred I had for him.

We all sat around the dining table, having dinner as our parents talked about the preparation for the wedding. Rhea shifted on her chair when she noticed the lustful look that Damien was giving her.

Taking her hand that was resting on her lap, I squeezed it and whispered in her ear, "Relax, I'm right here."

She smiled at me before focusing on her food. I narrowed my eyes at Damien but the idiot ignored me and kept staring at Rhea. Andrea must have noticed what was going on which was why he jabbed his brother with his elbow. Damien rolled his eyes in annoyance before focusing on his food.

If not for the respect I had for his parents, I would have made sure he doesn't see anything with his useless eyes of his ever again. But I wouldn't want to ruin Anna's wedding because of her worthless brother, so I decided to keep my cool and let his stupid act slide.

"Mom, don't forget you promised to take me shopping tomorrow," Esmeralda said amidst their conversation.

"I won't just remind me tomorrow morning," Queen Carina answered before turning to Rhea. "Rhea, would you like to come with us? I can book the entire boutique for some time if you wish to come along."

"That's not necessary." She shook her head.

"Come on, Rhea." Esmeralda urged. "Even if you won't be attending the wedding, there's nothing wrong with shopping for a dress. Who knows? it can come in handy someday."

"Why won't you be attending the wedding?" Andrea asked, giving Rhea a confused look.

"Rhea has agoraphobia which means she is scared of crowded places," Anna explained.

"I wish to attend your wedding but I can't help it. I'm sorry." Rhea sent Anna an apologetic smile.

"It's nothing to worry about. I mean you couldn't even attend your reception party so why should I expect you to attend my wedding ceremony." She chuckled. "We are no longer strangers, so I completely understand."

"Does that mean you will be alone in the palace?" Damien asked Rhea. "I can stay behind and keep you company if you want." He winked at her.

"Thanks for your concern, but it's not needed when I'm more than capable of keeping my wife company," I emphasised the word wife to make him get whatever stupid thoughts he was having out of his head.

"You won't attend the wedding?" Anna asked as her face fell.

"I'm not comfortable leaving Rhea alone, so I will stay in the palace with her."

"You don't have to do that. I'm not a kid, I'm capable of taking care of myself," Rhea said, trying to make me change my mind.

"I'll be the judge of that." I raised my eyebrows at her. "The last time I left you alone, this happened." I pointed to her bandaged head. "So I'm not taking any chances."

She turned to Anna and gave her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, I will make him attend your wedding."

She had no idea that I was doing that to keep her safe from the predator that was stalking her. If I attended the wedding, my mind won't be at rest because I didn't know what was going on in that stupid head of Damien. So no matter what she planned to do to convince me, I won't attend the wedding and leave her behind.

My father cleared his throat and dropped his cutlery. "Estefan, I want you and your brother to meet me in my office." He stood up and left the dining room.

Esteban and I glanced at each other before we stood up from our seats. I bent down to whisper in Rhea's ear. "You either stay where everyone is present, or you go to our room when you're done and make sure you lock the door behind you."

She nodded and I walked out of the dining room behind Esteban.

"Are you not going to attend my wedding?" He asked as we stepped into the elevator.

"As much as I want to, I can't," I replied. "I don't feel comfortable leaving Rhea alone with Damien lurking around her like a predator."

"I know he has been looking at her inappropriately but you also know he's going to be at the wedding too." He shoved his hands into his pocket as he cocked an eyebrow at me.

"What if he leaves and comes back without anyone noticing?" I raised my eyebrows at him.

"You're right. I didn't think about that. Anyways, I will be expecting an expensive wedding gift from you and Rhea since you won't be attending my wedding."

"I'll think about it." I shrugged.

"You'll think about it? So you weren't planning to give me a wedding gift." His eyes widened as the elevator stopped on the fifth floor where my dad's office and room are located.

"You are the crown prince of Spain which means you can afford anything I can think of giving you." I stepped out of the elevator. "If I'm going to give you anything, it will be something you can't afford."

"Just say you don't plan to give me anything," he whined as he walked behind me to Dad's office.

We stepped in to see Dad standing by his desk as he sort out some documents. He glanced up at us and turned his attention to Esteban. "How long are you planning to go on your honeymoon?"

"Umm, a month," he replied and I gave him a surprised look. He noticed the look I was giving him and said, "What's wrong with that? I'm always busy with work here, so I want to spend enough time with her."

"It's fine." Dad chuckled and then turned to me. "From tomorrow, you are going to be taking over all Esteban's work until he comes back, is that okay with you?"

"Yeah, sure." I glared at Esteban. "Don't even expect any wedding gifts from me after this."

"You're the best." He gave me a cheeky smile and I rolled my eyes at him as my dad handed me so much paperwork that needed to be done.

He held Esteban's shoulder. "I'm doing this so that you can have time to prepare for your wedding and enjoy your honeymoon. Once you get back, you'll resume your duties back."

"Thank you, Dad." He smiled.

"Congratulations, son." He started at the both of us with teary eyes. "You don't how happy I am that my sons have finally settled down. I just need to get Esmeralda married and see my grandchildren from the three of you, so I can die as a happy man." He smiled amidst his tears.

"Don't worry, you get to see them soon, starting with Estefan's." He winked at me.

"Shut up and let's go." I glared at him and walked out of the office.

I wondered how they would all react to Rhea and I's divorce. One thing was for sure, they wouldn't take it lightly with me.

"Wait up." Esteban ran and caught up with me as I stepped into the elevator. I pressed the fourth-floor button and the door closed. "So I noticed you and Rhea are getting closer, should we be expecting Rhea and Estefan junior soon?"

"Don't get ahead of yourself. We are not that close."

There was a bit of sexual tension between us and I enjoyed teasing her a lot but that didn't mean we were in that stage with each other yet.

"Who are you guys kidding? I can tell things are different between you guys. For example, you were acting like a possessive caveman around her since Damien came while she, on the other hand, looked very relaxed around you." He pointed out. "The last I remembered, she couldn't stand you but now, you guys are acting like lovebirds. I wouldn't be surprised if you didn't realize that you are starting to develop feelings for each other."

The elevator stopped and the door opened for us to step out. Esteban followed me into my study to drop off the papers that my dad gave me.

I turned to him after I arranged them on my desk. "Do you think Rhea's impression has changed about me?" I asked out of curiosity.

"Isn't that obvious? One could tell by just looking at the way she interacts with you. I believe she has finally come to accept you as her husband."

If that were the case, she might reconsider getting a divorce and choose to stay with me. But the question was, did I want that? To answer that question, I imagined her not being with me anymore, not annoying me with her talks, not being so shy when I teased her and not being so stubborn and dramatic. At that moment, I realised that I didn't want her to leave me.

"Thanks, man." I patted his shoulder and exited my study, making my way into the room to see if Rhea was there.

The only thing coursing in my brain was to make Rhea stay with me at all costs because I didn't want to go back to my dark life without her light to brighten it up.

"Rhea," I called as I pushed our room door open, only to find it empty. She must still be with everyone else downstairs.

"I just realised I've never been to your room since you got married," Esteban said as he stepped in behind me.

"That's why you should get out." I narrowed my eyes at him and he responded by rolling his eyes at me.

"What's this?" He picked up a note on the bed before a stupid smile spread on his face. "I can't believe you guys still send notes to each other in this modern age."

"What are you talking about?" I grabbed the note from him and read it aloud, "Meet me by the pool, from Estefan." I looked up at Esteban in confusion. "I didn't write this."

His smile dropped as he mirrored my expression. "Then who did?"

My mind went directly to someone but I hoped against all hope that it wasn't him, or that Rhea has not seen the note and gone to the pool.

"Go to the living room and check if Rhea is with everyone. I will go to the pool," I ordered as we rushed to the elevator which took us to the first floor.

I ran in the direction of the pool house in the backyard while Esteban did as instructed. The moment I opened the door that led to the swimming pool, all the colour drained from my face at the sight in front of me.

"Rhea!!!"