Chapter 38 “Love Story”
We all gathered for dinner at a fancy restaurant where everyone was intrigued to know our ‘love story’.
Thankfully me and Alyssa prepared it before it and played along to not evoke any sign of unwanted discomfort.
“I am so proud of my son. That’s the man I raised. Look at my nurturing,” Father beamed when he heard about the news, giving my back a pat.
“Yes, all credit is yours, Dear, I merely watched,” Mama muttered from behind.
Father chuckled nervously, “Umm, I mean ours,”
“Good,” She grinned as he kissed the top of her head before we all sat down.
“But seriously, Vince, you did great. No one should have the right to badmouth my daughter-in-law,” Mama blew a kiss at us.
“Of course,”
Honestly, I didn't expect such support from my family. In my mind, I was prepared to argue for months before soothing their lava.
But, surprisingly, they accepted Alyssa as a part of our family quickly after knowing the true reason.
‘Did they regret their actions too? Did they also experience the same helplessness as I did?’
I shook my head to let these thoughts out, grateful that I didn’t have to deal with this shit.
“Hear you hear, Alyssa?”
Her gaze shyly lifted to mine, “Hmm?”
“No one should have the right to badmouth her daughter-in-law,”
She giggled.
I smiled widely, relieved when I could attain my objective and end this painful tingle that won’t let me sleep peacefully
“So, how did that love story start?” Cynthia asked cheerfully.
“After the slap, obviously," Draven smirked playfully despite knowing ‘everything’ in detail and wanting to see my limits of lies.
“Please don’t embarrass me by reminding me about it,” Alyssa said in embarrassment.
“Draven, come on, Baby, don’t make her uncomfortable,” Cynthia scolded.
He laughed, “Okay, okay, I am sorry,”
Exchanging a firm glance, keeping the scenarios we created mutually, I cleared my throat and started the tale.
“At a party, I saw that asshole Ken hurting her. I couldn’t bear it. It broke my heart when her love failed,” I started with the truth.
Lies were forgettable, they were hard to take track of but the beginning of truth would always be remembered nor would it ever change.
But then started the first lie.
“So Vince approached me many times. At first, I kept my distance but his affection, his care, his calls, all of it began to drive me insane…”
One should say an exaggerated truth. I did approach her but not with such a strong devotion as she mentioned.
Acting proficient, she tugged her hair behind her ear, ending in a giggle.
“When did I sway along his charms, I don’t know myself.”
Maintaining the rhythm, I cleared my throat.
“We mutually decided to stay in a secret relationship for the time being, looking for the right time to become one,”
Everyone was listening very carefully.
“But then Ken cheated on me and it became the last straw for me,” Alyssa pointed out another truth.
“So it was true that you left his house with Vince in the middle of the night?” Mama asked in disbelief.
“Yes. And not only that,” She nodded, shifting to me with admiration shimmering in her gaze.
“Like a true gentleman, he dropped me at my home respectfully but when Papa disowned me, he dropped at Uncle Andrew’s,”
“He didn’t take you to his home?” Cynthia questioned.
“She was… too shy. But since I couldn't stay away from her, I offered her to marry me,” I shrugged, taking a bite of my food.
“Oo, how secretive. You guys did everything behind the doors,” Draven smirked, giving me an impish wink.
He was highly amused to find me twisting a simple but desperate approach into a forbidden tale.
“And then suddenly burst on Ken. Ah, I love the way you beat that asshole,” Cynthia beamed, showing me a thumbs up to approve of my actions.
That honestly came from within, my forbearance was shattered. Those people challenged me by hurting my wife.
So I gave them an outcome I found befitting.
“I told Vince to keep quiet, to not announce the wedding since I am not ready yet but this minister couldn’t control himself,”
Playing along, she pinched my cheeks, surging a delightful sensation in me. Her grin warmed my heart, praying it remains forever.
“I couldn’t control myself, Dear, especially when you were finally fine,”
Chuckling sheepishly, I also acted, holding her hand to display affection before everyone.
They grinned at the show of our happiness, believing in our story.
The rest of the dinner was fine. We discussed a few things and I suddenly remembered.
“Anyways, I have to leave for London for a business meeting, it’s a business tour so it might take some time,” I cleared my throat, eating my food nonchalantly.
“I am leaving Alyssa in your care. Please take great care of her, make sure she doesn’t need anything,” I warned my family playfully, pointing my fork at them.
They laughed, “Of course,”
But, among the content and endearment showering, I failed to notice the dejection that shone in her eyes upon the mentioning of my departure.
We returned home after dinner and Alyssa was coming after me with a constant frown and desperation.
“Do you really have to go for two weeks, Vince?”
“Yes, Alyssa,” I sighed, replying to the same question for the fifth time.
She whined, stomping her foot on the ground. Arching an eyebrow at her discontent, I faced her finally, folding my arms at my chest.
“Why are you perturbed? They will be here for you. If you feel bad, you can go to Uncle Andrew too,”
“They are not you, Vince. I want you here with me,”
She made an almost crying face, fidgeting her fingers around her dress anxiously.
Unknowingly evoking a tickle in my beats, I ended up smiling, content when someone desired me to this extent.
Maintaining the smile, I hesitantly gripped her shoulders for assurance, using my gentlest tone to make her understand.
“But, Alyssa, try to understand, I have work, I must go. Don’t act stubborn, please,”
Her lips parted to argue but defeated, she lowered her gaze, an adorable pout adorning her features.
I chuckled, circling my thumb, “Okay, tell me what you want, I will get it-”
But then another great idea clicked me, I grinned, trying to sound excited.
“In fact, for the next fifteen days. Tell me each day what you want, I will get all those things for you. Okay?”
My gaze expectantly waited for her approval. She glared at me for the next few seconds before ending in a discontented sigh.
“Okay…” Tilting her head to press her cheek against my knuckle, she murmured desperately, “Be back soon,”
“Alyssa…?”
Before we both could melt in the keenness of her actions. Her senses returned.
Flinching, she realized what she was doing. A blush decorated her cheeks and before I could comment, she ran away.