Chapter 32 They Know Now
After Vince dropped me off at my workplace, I entered, greeting the suspicious gazes of my people, judging me, studying me with a sour look.
They were whispering and the second I glared, their breaths hitched in dread, unable to risk their jobs.
Unbothered at this point, I came and saw Wick frowning at me.
“What?”
“You should have at least told me. I wasn't going to tell anyone. Didn’t you trust me?” He mumbled in disappointment, following me while explaining today’s schedule to me.
“It's not about trust, Wick. I wasn’t ready,” I sighed, entering my cabin.
“His actions make sense now. Sheltering you, silencing the media to not speak against you, and that recent… scene,”
“Hmm. Although, I wouldn't have told anyone now either…” I paused, nodding in agreement, picking a file and taking a seat.
“But?”
“But, Vince didn’t want to hide. He grabbed the first opportunity Ken provided and announced. He disliked hiding it,” I chuckled nervously, scratching my neck.
Although declaring wasn’t my intention, concealing wasn’t his. I wasn’t mentally prepared to accept myself in a new bond after all.
But, after witnessing Vince’s dedication, I couldn’t resist either.
“I can understand, he didn’t marry to hide it. But, I am curious when did this happen? How? He wasn’t interested before,” Wick asked, holding his chin.
“My failed marriage converted his compassion into… this,” Humming, I leaned back, extending this lie as well.
And even if it turned out to be true, that would be the only reason. Only mercy could evoke feelings, ‘if’ he wanted to love.
Which none of us did so we didn’t have to be vexed about this shit.
“Ah, I see. Good luck,” He smiled sweetly and turned to leave but stopped in his tracks hesitantly.
“Did you talk to your father about it?”
My tenderness faded, replaced with austerity, “I don’t want to hear further allegations or be more insulted.”
“But-”
“Enough. Go back to work, Wick,”
“Yes, Madam,”
After what my father had done to me, I didn’t even want to see his face. He had disgraced his own daughter without remorse.
He had fallen too low in my eyes, I won’t even allow him at my funeral. He had been eradicated from my heart.
“Huff, forget it, Alyssa,”
Puffing, I shook my head and decided to solely focus on work and not let unwanted thoughts disturb me yet during lunchtime, my fingers unwillingly called Vince.
A smile adorned my lips, hoping I hadn’t disturbed the busy man and still failed to resist to not call him as he answered quickly.
“Hey,” I greeted him sweetly.
“Hey, is everything alright? You don’t usually call, you know?” He panicked, worried something might not occur.
It relieved me, to find someone caring this much about me.
“No, everything is fine. I.. um.. I just wanted to ask when you will be free?” I asked hesitantly, checking the time.
“It might take me a few hours, I will be free around 8. If you want to go home, you can,” He informed me softly.
Checking my stack of work and time, I knew I would be free around 6 but if I go tardily, I could extend it to 8, if I wanted to.
I shouldn't. There was no need for it.
“No, no, I… uh.. I also wanted to tell you that I have some work too and might be late. So if you don’t mind, will you pick me up as well?” I requested sheepishly.
To halt myself from not doing so was hard and faking a chuckle, I lied, praying he won’t catch my lie.
But, I wanted to spend a little more time with him, a few more minutes and dive deeper into the depths of his mysteries.
“What a coincidence. Sure, why not?” He chuckled.
“Thanks. Bye,”
“Bye,”
Soon Vince picked me up from work and my felicity was high. The way everyone went silent to find him next to me was thrilling.
None dared to whisper anymore, they lowered their gaze as he opened the door of his car for me and we left for him.
I smirked, “Oh, look, got their tongue in your presence,”
“Am I that scary?” He asked worriedly, checking and realizing I was right.
“You are not, I am too weak to speak for myself at this point, I guess,” I mumbled, pinching my bottom lip, drowning in thoughts.
“Yeah, they speak whatever they want, thinking you won’t mind. But, don't forget you are the Boss. You rule,” He reminded me sternly.
“Okay,”
“Don’t let them trample over you. They need to work. And if they won’t listen-”
I completed his words mindlessly, “Then I know you are here for me,”
He was taken aback but soon relaxed, contented when I latched my trust with his and nodded, “Obviously,”
“Thanks,” Smiling, we went home where his parents were waiting for us.
Greeting them politely, we freshened up and were having dinner.
“So, you guys are staying for a few days?” Vince asked casually.
“Yeah, I want to stay with my daughter-in-law. Though I had many dreams for your marriage but ah, well, whatever.” Mrs. Laysander chuckled, observing me.
I felt unsettled, not wanting to speak something I shouldn’t and choosing silence over spouting nonsense.
“I want to ask you guys many things,”
“Can we do this later? I am exhausted.” Vince groaned, wiping his mouth with the napkin.
Mrs. Lysander smiled sweetly, “It’s okay. Alyssa, can-”
But, disliking it either, Vince cut her off firmly, placing his attention on me, giving a look which indicated I must go along.
“No, she can’t. Alyssa, can you make me a cup of tea, please? I am going back to our room,”
“Sure, Vince,”
I agreed innocently. He got up and left in a hurry. I thought he was being normal but even his mother mumbled, "What's with him?"
"I don't know." I shrugged.
She said nervously, "Ah, well, he must be really tired."
"Yeah... I will make his tea,"
"Sure, Dear, we can talk later,"
"Sure, Mrs. Lysander,"
I was bewildered what he meant by this yet followed him nonetheless and went to his- our room after making his tea.