Chapter 76 Invading Their Lives
I made a silent vow to myself, I would be the wife Vince deserved. I would be the woman who was saved by him, not the girl who was rejected.
“Are you sure, Ma’am? This partnership can be extremely beneficial for us.” Wick said, frowning when I didn’t bother to pay attention to the savory offer.
“So?” I replied coldly, throwing the file on the table.
“Refuse the offer. I don’t have time to join hands with a company that was left on the pawn's mercy.”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
But Arden was no longer waiting for an invitation nor did my heart.
One day, I was engrossed in my work until a package arrived. Bewildered, I found a vintage fountain pen from Arden with a note.
“Found this in a shop and remembered how much you hated your handwriting in the library. I hope you will use it. At least not ours but another.”
Shaking my head, I placed it back, taking a deep breath to discard his small gestures so they won’t prick my heart.
I won’t mistake his ‘kindness’, not this time.
Later, I was waiting for Vince so we could have lunch together but due to traffic, Vince was late.
I was waiting for him until the familiar scent caught my attention and before I could hide from it, Arden pulled out the chair opposite me, uninvited but grinning.
“You look stressed, Alyssa. Working too hard? Taking a break from the stress?”
"I’m fine, Arden. And I’m busy. I am waiting for Vince." I kept my eyes on my phone’s screen though my heartbeats increased.
“Oh, sorry. I hope I am not interrupting since Vince is not here yet.” He maintained his flawless composure, waving his hands sweetly.
“Though I am hurt, you didn’t accept my offer.” He kept his tone light and sweet.
“I had no need for it at the moment, Arden.” I glanced up at him, forcing a polite smile.
“If I want a partner of that level, Vince would be the safest option. Not your… stumbling company. I hope you don’t mind.”
“I am just worried, you know? You’ve grown up so much, but you still have that look in your eyes– like you’re stealing glances so I wanted to help.”
He reached across the table, not to touch my hand, but to slide a blueberry muffin toward me.
“Eat. You used to skip lunch when you were anxious.”
It was the kindness that was the weapon. If he were cruel, I could fight him. If he was predatory, I could tell Vince.
But how do you tell your husband that your ex-crush is being... nice?
“Anyways, I should go. Don’t want to ruin your lunch with Vince. Take care.” Waving his hand, he walked away before I could even bid him goodbye.
What was with him?
Soon Vince arrived, flashing the charming smile only made for me, “Hey, sorry, I am not too late and kept you waiting.”
“No, it’s alright.” I mumbled, glancing in the direction Arden left, “I am just happy we could have lunch together.”
The following Friday, Vince and I were hosting a small charity committee at our home. It was small, it was meaningless.
I was moving through the lounge, playing the perfect hostess, when I saw the front door open and the unwanted figure emerged.
Arden walked in, carrying a bottle of expensive Scotch. He wasn't on the guest list, yet he moved through the room as if he was some important guest.
“Vince!” Arden’s voice easily cut through the crown.
“Hope you don't mind the intrusion. I was in the neighborhood and heard you were hosting,”
Vince stood by the fireplace, his glass of whiskey frozen halfway to his lips. His eyes hardened before they relaxed and he raised his glass.
“The neighborhood is quite large, Arden. You seem to find yourself in this specific corner of it very often.”
“Old habits," Arden chuckled, then turned his gaze to me.
“Alyssa, you look radiant. I was just telling some associates today how much you’ve transformed since I last saw you.”
I saw the way Vince’s eyes narrowed when he made that comment. Forming my lips in a thin line, I quietly followed and stood beside Vince.
He stepped closer, invading my personal space just enough to be noticed, and I shifted close to Vincee who held my shoulder under his palm, reassuring me.
“I saw you left your watch at the cafe the other day while waiting for Vince. Here. Take it.”
I felt Vince’s gaze snap to me, sharp and questioning. I hadn't told him about the cafe. I hadn't told him I’d seen Arden at all.
“You saw him at the cafe?” Vince’s voice was low but the discontent was clear.
“It was just a five-minute coincidence, Vince,” I stammered, my face heating up.
“I didn't think it was worth mentioning. I was waiting for you.”
Arden let out a soft, patronizing hum.
“My fault, Vince. I probably bored her. You know how she used to be, always so polite, even when she wanted to be elsewhere.”
“Anyway, don't let me ruin the vibe. I'll leave the Scotch and your watch. Good night.”
When the last guest departed, the silence that followed was deafening.
Vince didn't go to the bar for another drink. He simply stood in the center of the room, watching me, observing me with a frown etched on his handsome features.
“A five-minute coincidence?” he asked, raising his brows.
“Left watch at a cafe? Gifts at the office?” How did he know about the fountain pen?
"Vince, I’m trying to ignore him. He’s the one showing up—"
"And you’re the one keeping it a secret," he interrupted, stepping too close to me, his face inches from mine.
He didn't wrap me in a protective hug this time. He placed his hands landing on the column behind me, trapping me in his proximity.
“Do you have any idea how it looks? To have him walk into my house and announce his 'coincidences' with my wife?”
I averted my gaze with a mischievous hint, “Are you jealous?”
“Of course, I am.” he scoffed.
“Vince. He means nothing.” I reached for his hand, but he stepped back, a bitter smirk twisting his features.
“Does he? Because every time his name is mentioned, your pulse jumps so hard I can see it in your neck.” He hissed, holding both my elbows before pinning me to the column, stopping dangerously closer to my face.
“I don’t care what he does or speaks but each time your face tenses or softens for him. It made me so damn envious, if that’s what you want to hear.”
Loosening my shoulder slowly, I tried to force a nervous smile.
“He can try, my pulse can react naturally but nothing changes the fact that I am yours and I will choose you.”
I rested my head on his shoulder, “You my hero, Vince.”
He exhaled eventually, engulfing me in his usual protective embrace while kissing the top of my head.
“I truly hope so, Alyssa…. I truly hope so.”