Chapter 21 CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE: ACED TWICE AND MORE
AIDEN
Leo’s call came in as soon as Zara’s car disappeared into the distance. I picked it up and placed it against my ear.
“Should I bring the car?”
“I will be working from the bar.” My response was short, but he got the message.
My father hadn't understood my reason for getting married to Zara in secret, and he didn't want to. This is a strategic collaboration that should help the entire family and not some boot camp for you both to test out your feelings. His words resounded in my brain.
My father hadn't cleared me for the honeymoon, so every night when I was sure that Zara was fast asleep, I'd creep downstairs and make sure to complete my work for the day. It had always left me exhausted, but I managed to cover my tracks better with time.
The bar we had met at belonged to me, and that night I was working the counter like I usually did when I was trying to cool off. Watching how people treated me without the title was fun to witness, which was one of the reasons I couldn't help but be worried that Zara thought I said something I'd never say.
“Sir…the chairman…” Leo was startled by my revelation, but it was either that or get busted by my wife. If she showed up at the bar and I wasn't there, then suspicions were going to begin, and it was too early for that.
“I will explain it to him myself.”
I knew it was going to be hard to convince my father, but I had to at least try.
“The bar has an office out back; set it up. Have the lawyer draft an NDA for all the bar employees; if word gets out, then they face legal consequences.”
“Would that be all, sir?”
“I want some jewellery for Zara,” I explained. I hate how it felt like I had only been receiving from her all this while, when I had enough to give her the entire world.
“But sir, don’t you think that would blow your cover?”
“I’d find a way around it,” I said.
She had been suspicious from the start, but it seemed like after a few days together, she was learning to trust me just a little bit.
“If I may, sir? ”
“Speak.”
“There is a jeweller my father used to take my mother to; it is not quite pricey, but given the situation, I think it would be something that Michael Black would be able to afford.
“Send me the details then.”
“I will be at the bar in about two hours.”
“Okay, sir.”
I was ready to go to the bar when a car came for me from my father; it was useless to refuse and test what he could do, so I got in.
“What are you doing?”
“Didn’t you want me to get married to Zara Crawford? You thought the Crawford family was the best for a man like me,” I said with a smirk.
The arranged marriage had been a plan of both fathers, and I would have agreed either way, but Zara had specially rearranged it all.
“I did, but not like some low-level bartender, like a knight.” His voice carried spite. He had always told me how foolish it was that I sometimes wanted to serve drinks at a bar.
“I am handling this. I want my marriage to be filled with love and not just duty.”
I had seen firsthand what duty had done to my parents' relationship and how they grew apart over the years until my mother died.
“You can’t be worried about love when the family name is on the line.”
“The family name seems more important to you than your son.”
“It's about legacy and not some stupid emotion that would go away with time.” he cleared his throat and looked up. “I didnt build this life so you could choose who youd love.”
“I should have earned a bit of trust from you now.”
He had never been too obvious, but I had watched him test me to see if he could leave the company for me countless times. He would say he was checking if I could handle it.
“I aced all your tests; I should be trusted.”
“This shouldn’t hurt the Knight name.” He protected the name like it was some kind of honour bestowed on him for saving the earth in his past life.
“I will make sure of it.” I was determined not to drag the name my father had spent his life protecting through the mud.
I knew he already knew all of my plans by now; I never underestimated his prowess in things like this.
“I am giving you two months to wrap it up and return to your rightful position,” he said as I got up.
“Two months with or without her.” I nodded in agreement.
By the time I had gotten to the bar, the manager, Antonio, reported that all of the staff had been briefed on what to do at all times. If I were working in the back and Zara showed up, all they had to do was alert me.
I would come and speak to her myself. It was better that way.
I was rounding up my meeting when I received a message that she was at the bar. I pulled off my jacket and pulled on an apron before walking to the counter to meet her.
“Hi,” she said with a nervous smile as she lowered herself onto one of the bars. “What are you doing coming from the back?” she asked, her eyebrow going up in confusion.
She never let a single detail fly by her, as she always questioned it all. One piece after another. Did she come here again to figure out my lie or was this a genuine visit?
“I went to get something,” I said casually. Her mouth stayed open for a minute, like she was contemplating whether to trust me or not, before she nodded.
“I know you didn’t come here for a drink.” I tried to make the conversation flow smoothly; she had replaced the suspicion with a smile.
She pulled out a fancy box. I stared at the brand name—Century. How did she know I liked this brand?
“I had no idea what you liked, so I got this.” She slid the box to me. I pulled it open, and a diamond-studded watch was staring at me. It was from their newest collection; I had been so busy with the wedding and being a husband, I hadn't had time to check it out.
“Princess?” I gasped.
“Let me help you put it on.” She pulled my hand and then froze almost immediately. “What is this?”
I knew what it was, and I hated how I had to lie once again. What would I say about the luxury watch from the same brand strapped against my hand?