Chapter 84 - HEIRESS'S SECOND CHANCE BILLIONAIRE

Chapter Eighty-Four “Kingston Women.”

Isabella Kingston.

Christian had to leave on an impromptu two-day trip that came up out of the blue, meaning I could not see him again later. That was partly the reason why Mrs. Kingston swooped in to my rescue, a very much needed rescue by the way and tasked it upon herself to spend the rest of the day with me.

I thought it was just be the two of us, but when she basically dragged me off to the spa for what she calls Kingston women day, I realize it is indeed for all the ‘Kingston’ women, which I am apart of too…apparently. We met Grace at the spa already, along with little Allie whom I did not think would join the little hangout as well, but I could not be any gladder that she is here as well.

The moment Gloria and I walked into the spa and met with the sight of Grace, the woman simply made her way over to me and pulled me into her arms, then whispered the words, “It is going to be okay, we are all with you” along with a pat on my back. I will not lie, I nearly broke down in her arms then because I realized then that in the Kingstons, I have something I did not get in the Donnelly family-love and acceptance along with care. Even little Allie rushed to my arms the moment her mother let go of me, and refused to leave my side, intent on keeping me company.

I managed to keep my emotions in check though and just focused on enjoying the day with them. It turned out way better than I expected, because between enjoying the entire spa treatment—the full package offered and getting the much needed relaxation, down to the hours of shopping that follow after Louis came and took Allie with him after the spa date, as she has been engaged in enough already, every moment spent with them all managed to take my mind off everything going on.

We had conversations about everything and nothing, they filled me up on stories about Christian when he was younger along with his relationship with Grace, along with most of the fun events that occurred throughout the course of their lives. I will not lie, I enjoyed listening to the two women converse about their lives, because they had something I did not growing up—familial love and adoration. I yearn to have something like that, and being part of them, I feel as though they will fill in the missing pieces well enough.

“So, what are your plans for Christian’s birthday?” Grace asked casually, as we sat in the dressing room of one of the stores in the mall, trying on their latest collection and seeing what would fit us, and did I mention it is our second hour into this haul? No? Well, it is.

My brows drew in, lips slanted into a frown as I moved my gaze from Grace whom was picking out a dress of her liking from the rack, to Gloria whom was seated beside me. “Wait, his birthday?” Gloria nodded, as a phone call came, and she excused herself from us. I focused my questioning gaze on Grace instead, since she is the one I am left with. “When is his birthday exactly?” I trailed off in a small voice, hoping my question does not come out weird.

It did, judging from the look Grace gave me. But, her question showed the oddness of it did not come from me being unaware of my own husband’s birthday, but from another angle. “He did not tell you?” She sounds as though she has concluded it all on her brother.

I shook my head softly, hoping I did not trouble him by confessing. But, this is Grace. What is the worst she can do to him? They are used to everything at this point—the banter and bickering I mean.

Grace huffed out a breath of annoyance, then shook her head. “I cannot believe this man,” She muttered in not a small voice. Then, she added as she stopped what she is doing, and turned around to face me. “It is this Friday.” Friday? That’s only two days away. How am I just finding this out now? If she had not mentioned it, would I have been in the dark throughout?

Wow. It appears there is a lot I do not know about Christian—even something as simple as a birth date.

“Mom usually hosts a close family dinner with our extended family and a bit of business partners turned family, and was planning on doing so this year as well but after what happened with you…” She folded her lips in, trailing off as she gave me an apologetic look. “…she is thinking of cancelling it to a dinner with just us.”

My eyes dilated slightly, and I found myself shaking my head almost immediately. “No, no, please don’t—not if it is because of me,” I held my hand up, trying to convince them. “If it is because of me, please don’t cancel it. I don’t mind.” Sure, what happened at the Karl & Rose Ball traumatized me, but I do not want that to be a reason to ruin Christian’s day.

It will be different; this will be for the Kingstons—for Christian. Surely, I only want what is best for him. I do not want to ruin what is supposed to be his happy day.

Grace shook her head, waving it off. “Don’t worry, Christian hates it anyways.” She stated, sounding earnest matching her expression. But, then it changed, her tone more serious. “It is just that mom loves hosting it you know, for his sake. To serve as a reminder that he is a part of us, and will always be no matter the roots.”

I could tell there is more to her words, it holds a back ground story that I do not quite know to be a honest, and I am coming to a realization even more how less I know of Christian beyond that which everyone knows as well.

Who is Christian Ian Kingston truly? What is his backstory? Who is he truly? There is so much I do not know and Grace’s statement only raised more questions in my mind. Before I could dwell on that though, she shook her head, her smile returning as she held my gaze again.

“Anyways, party or not, I have an idea what gift you would give him,” Her lips curled into a mischievous smile, and I could feel it deep in the pit of my stomach that I might not like what she is about to suggest. “Believe me, he would love it.”

I narrowed my eyes at her slightly, already fearing for my life. “No,” I shook my head no. “I do not like the sound of your words, not in the slightest.”

Grace waved off my fear, taking steps in my direction to close the distance between us. Leaning down, she took my hands in hers and dragged me up. “Come, it is going to take mom a while to finish the call it seems. In the mean time, why don’t we go shopping for birthday gifts?”

“No,” I dragged the word, trying to avoid it but it was pointless. She eventually did get me to where she wants for the gift, and I meant it when I said I was appalled to a certain extent but to another, it was not such a bad idea.

But, going along with her plans means unlocking another stage in my relationship with Christian. Am I ready for that?