Chapter 85 Chapter 85
Selena
Silence stretched throughout the dinner; only the gentle clink of cutlery on plates could be heard.
My stomach started to hurt, Even the steak I’d placed in my mouth tasted so dry as I chewed quietly. I could only pray not to choke on the food or even water so as not to interrupt the silences, and draw everyone’s attention towards me.
Being beside these people was intimidating and I would have bolting out of this place if not for Theo’s hand on my thigh.
He wasn’t eating. No, his full attention was on me.
And that brings comfort to my weary bones. Even Larisa who had defended me earlier felt so intimidated as she sat beside me.
This wasn’t how families ate. I may not have grown up in a family, eaten at a table filled with laughter. But I knew it wasn’t done this way.
Not with the chances of me having indigestion on a pretty large scale, and I couldn’t wait to be let out of the stifling air.
“Sweetheart, I heard you are Theo’s assistant.”
My head moved upward at Dominika’s voice.
“ You must come from a pretty good background to get into the company, why don’t you tell me your family name?”
My hands stilled in the cutlery as Dominika asked.
On the papers the lady provided, I was given a different family. It says I schooled outside the country, at an American private school where all information was consumed from the public. Josh and I were the kids of a business couple.
When I had researched this, there was indeed a rich business couple with the same surname. They were never captured by the public.
I looked at her and smiled, aware of the eyes on me. “My parents run a—“
“Why don't you do your research, Domininka? I heard your family is good at that, I’m sure you will get everything.”
‘God.’
I said in a sharp breath as Theo interrupted us. But won’t that get him into trouble, Dominika was his uncle's lover at that.
But Dominika didn’t look offended, instead she smiled more warmly.
“It’s good that you are already protective of her, but there is no need to be alarmed, I only want to get to know her, after all, we are family now.”
Family?
Was it so easy to be included as their family?
I looked at Theo, and his grip on my thigh only tightened.
“I can’t be alarmed as Selena would always be protected.” He commented, his voice stern.
There was tension that I couldn’t ignore.
Dominika posed no harm right? Because it seemed Theo found her to be.
Just then, the door opened and a man in a white suit entered.
“Everyone is here, Mr. Mateo.” He bowed.
Now that I think about it, why was Theo bearing his uncle’s name? What of his parents?
“Good.”Mr Mateo answered, and the man rose and walked out.
I turned to look at Theo, my gaze questioning, but he only stared at me, and his hand moved to hold mine.
“Everyone must stay guarded tonight.” Mr Mateo's eyes moved over everyone then it stopped on me.
“We can all just skip the formalities and go home. We aren’t business-bred elites now to entertain them.” Larisa spoke beside me, her tone displeased.
“When are you going to learn, my dear little sister. Our goods are being bought mostly by business personnel, the cartel won't……” He pressed his lips together as Larisa’s eyes met his.
Cartel?
That means the drugs that killed those innocent people could likely be part of theirs.
My hands grew cold in Theo’s hand as I looked at him.
“Let’s leave.” They all stood up and I followed, my ability to control myself on a loose leash.
I knew this and here I was in his hands as he led me after the others, to the people all dressed in fine clothes as they sipped from their glasses in the dimmed light room. Soft music played in the background.
“You know what to do if you sense danger.” His eyes looked down at my purse. “And,” He closed the space between, leaning down to my ear, my body tensed.
“I’ll never harm you, Selena. And I won’t let anyone take even a strand of your hair.” He leaned back. “Keep your AirPods on.”
I nodded, his words sending chills down my spine.
“Svetlana would accompany you,” Theo said.
“What?”
It didn’t get out of my mouth, before I saw Svetlana walking towards us with Zac, a small smile on her lips.
She bowed, “Boss, Madam.” She let go of Zac’s hand and stepped beside me.
With a glance at me, Theo walked off, Zac following him.
And there was a sudden emptiness watching his tall build walk away.
“Oh, you are missing Boss already,”
I turned to giggling Svetlana by my side. She looked so beautiful without the regular uniform —the little blue hugged her figure.
“You are beautiful,” I commented, ignoring her past comments and her cheeks flushed.
“Zac picked it,” Her hand moved to keep a strand of her hair behind her ear, her face a shade redder.
Something was definitely going on between them or she could be crushing on him.
“You like Zac?” I asked, leading her towards a table at the side. I couldn’t see any of the family members. Maybe they were together or just meeting others.
“I don’t….how could you say that, Madam?” She avoided my gaze.
“So you do like him. You don't have to hide it, you know. Does he like you back?”
She looked at me and sighed, a sigh of defeat on her face. She sat beside me. “I don’t know anymore. Sometimes, he is really warm, but other days he treats me so coldly like the maid that I am. But he always saves me occasionally, so maybe that’s something I should look up to?” Her voice lowered.
I held her hands. “Don’t worry, if he truly likes you, it won’t take long before you are sure,”
“Did you see Ms Hannah? She is beautiful as always. I heard she holds so many positions now. Later try to speak to her.” A voice passed by us, but I didn’t bother to look.
“Though everyone seems to know Ms Hannah, you shouldn’t worry about that. Very soon, she will be forgotten. After all, the boss holds deep affection for you,” Svetlana spoke, her gaze sharp.
My lips curved into a little smile. “I don’t care abou—”
“Even maids have no shred of respect now,”
My body stiffened hearing Hannah’s voice beside me, Svetlana tensed instantly, she rose immediately.
“I… I.., ” No words came out of Svetlana‘s mouth as Hannah stepped in front of us.
“A disrespect to the family members—especially me. You must have forgotten your place already.” Her eyes scan down Svetlana’s body.
I licked my lips, caught up, “I should apologize to you.” I stood up, blocking Svetlana from her. “ Though Svetlana spoke out of turn, I had enabled her. So I apologize.” I bowed to her.
“Then you should kneel.”