Chapter 66: STUCK IN BETWEEN

When we arrived, I saw a girl about my age standing and pacing around like she was waiting for someone outside the building. Wow, so this is Xender’s family house. It's beautiful, and it smelled like home.

A beautiful smile appeared on the girl's face when she saw Xender and I approaching.

“It took you long enough to get here. Mum and Dad have concluded that you weren't bringing a girl home,” she said to Xender, who shrugged his shoulders before replying to her.

“What can I say? I'm not one of the early birds.”

"Well, please introduce me." She drew her attention to me, staring at me with her beautiful grey eyes. Same grey eyes; maybe that's the family code. I could already tell she was Xender's sister. She is very beautiful and full of life.

“Hi, I'm Kate; it's nice to meet you,” I said, extending my hand towards her for a handshake. She stared at me while coming close to me. I felt nervous; did she recognise me? I spent lots of time on my make-up just to look different.

I was surprised when she hugged me, but that warmed my heart. It made me feel relaxed, so I hugged her back.

“You are welcome, sweetie, and I am Emily, Xender's younger sister.” She said, introducing herself as we pulled away from our hug.

“Thank you, Emily.” 

"Okay, ladies, let's head inside, but before then, I need to talk to Kate alone.” Xender said. Emily just glared at him and turned to me with a smile.

“I will see you inside, and once again, you are welcome.” 

“I like your sister.” I said to him:.

“Alda, you know you should have told Emily your real name. She is my family, and it is okay to be yourself with them.”

“I wish I could, Xender, but I don't want to drag your family into my mess. If I knew a way to get you out, then I would have done that a long time ago.

Let's be frank; you and I know this is a dangerous game. I intentionally showed my face to Seth because I didn't want to hide anymore. I want the war to begin, but knowing the lengths Seth could go to silence me is getting me worried.

He saw you with me, and you introduced me as your bride-to-be. Who knows what he is already plotting against you? I can't drag more people into a danger zone, so let's just pretend that I'm a different person for today.”

“And what about you? Why are you not talking about your own safety? If Mr. Sebastian is as dangerous as you pose him to be, then you are not also safe to begin with.”

“Don't worry, Xender; I know I'm not safe, but what is the worst that can happen? He has already killed me once, and luckily for me, I'm now immune to death.”

“What are you talking about? No one is immune to death." I saw the concern in his eyes. I wish I could tell him everything, but then will he believe me? I'm even tired of carrying the burden all to myself.

“But I'm not; I have a protector, someone Seth can never hurt, even if he were to use the most powerful weapon in the world.” He stared at me with so much confusion visible on his face.

“Let's just go inside; we don't want to leave your parents waiting.” I held his hand and smiled at him. He looked sad as he stared right into my eyes. I'm sorry, Xender, but I don't know if I can tell you everything.

“Okay, but we will continue this conversation once we get home.” He entwined our hands together as we headed inside.

“Oh my God, they are finally here.” The woman in front of me said it with a beautiful smile on her face. Her beautiful grey eyes shone with kindness as she hugged me tightly to herself.

"Oh, sweetie, you are very beautiful. How was Xender able to woo you over? Don't answer that; I'm just being unnecessarily serious.” 

"Mum, you are making her comfortable,” Xender said with a scolding voice, but his mum just glared at him, and Xender immediately raised his hands in surrender.

"Oh, sweetie, you are welcome. Come this way.” I followed her into the sitting room, where Mr. Armstrong was waiting for us.

Our eyes met, and I quickly averted my glance at him. The last thing I need is for him to recognise me.

"Sweetie, what's your name?” Mrs. Armstrong asked, making me sit besides her.

“It's Kate, ma'am,” I said to her.

“You can call me mum; you look like a shy type.” I just smiled at her before Mr. Armstrong stood besides his wife. 

“You are welcome, Kate.”

“Thank you, sir," I replied, still not looking him in the eyes.

“Mum, Dad, why don't you both let the visitor breathe? How about we all go set the table? Mum, you will serve the food. Dad, take Xender with you to get the wine while I show Kate around, okay?”

I watched the couple leave and couldn't help missing my parents.

“I'm sorry about that; my parents can be hard to deal with sometimes.”

“It's okay. They were both nice, and I don't mind having them around.”

“Come, let me show you around. My parents are just being like that because you are the first lady Xender has ever brought home. That dude has some serious issues with ladies, and I don't know why. But I'm glad he found you.”

Emily extended her hand to me, and I took it as we both left the room. I'm already loving this family. 

Xender's POV

Even as I walked into the wine cellar with my dad, my mind was on Alda. She is hiding something, or, should I say, she is finding it difficult to open up to me.

“Son, are you even listening to me?”

“Yes, I am.”

“Good, I will take it that you accept everything I said. We can start planning the wedding immediately.”

My only problem was that I didn't hear anything he said. I was too distracted to hear what he was grumbling about.

“Son, I'm very proud of you.” He said and took about two bottles of wine and left me behind.

“Thanks Dad.” I said it even though he couldn't have heard me. I grabbed about three bottles and went after him.

“You know, I was thinking we should make your marriage a big celebration. We should invite all the important people.”

“Dad, that's not necessary. I need to talk with Alda—I mean, Kate. I need to discuss this with her.” 

“What is there to discuss? You both are engaged, unless this was just staged to get your mum and me off your back,” he said, looking at me suspiciously.

“What? Why would you even say that?” Thank God my dad didn't read meaning into my mistake.

“Then we are discussing the wedding date over dinner." I knew there was no way to talk him out of it. I just hope that Alda can be able to stand everything.

“Fine, do whatever you want; just don't invite the entire New York City to the wedding.”

“I will try.”

Alda's POV

“So Xender used to be a racer?” I asked, staring at the picture in my hand. It was Xender in a racing competition, and he won.

“Yes, but he never had a passion for it, but my dad wanted him to be like him—crazy about racing and full of life. Xender has always had a passion for fashion, but my dad literally disowned him for it.

But my brother, being as stubborn as he is, actually went against my dad to pursue what he had a passion for. He moved away from home and started M & J Suit Up.”

“Wow, so he started M & J Suit Up without your dad's support?”

“Yes, they actually didn't speak to each other in years. In those years, I left the country to get my diploma, just to prove to my dad that I could handle the family business. I know Xender thinks he put me in a tight position for going against my dad's will, but he actually favoured me.

I have the same passion as my dad, but all he ever did was ignore me. He never believed I could handle the family business, but today I'm the CEO, and so far I'm doing great.” Emily said. She was smiling, but I could tell it wasn't easy for her.

“It must have been hard on you, right?” I asked, giving her the photo she gave me.

“Was it that obvious? I was able to hide it from my family; how come you figure it out?” She asked, placing the picture back in the album before keeping it back inside the safe.

“Because I can see your pain visible in your eyes. I have been through so much that I can sense someone's pain even from afar. You should really start opening up to your family about things that are bothering you.

I made the same mistake, and it cost me a lot. Trust me when I say that I regret it, but what can I possibly do? It’s already too late for me, but it's not for you. Just tell them how you are feeling, whether you are hurting or not. Just do it; you won't regret it.

Can you point me the way to the bathroom?”

“Yeah, there is one down the hall.” I got up and rushed outside. Why am I letting my emotions mess with me?

“Alda” Siofra called for me; there was trouble written in her voice.

"Siofra, what's wrong?”

“We have a problem; the portal followed us here.”

“What?”

“What are we going to do? You can't just disappear when dinner hasn't even started, and we need to go.”

I felt everything spin in my eyes. I never thought I would be stuck in between.