Chapter 226

Chapter 226
ANTON’S POV
I sat at the dining table. My laptop was in front of me. Mydinner was still untouched and I had already pushed it to one side. My fingers tapped the keys with more force than necessary as I typed in his full name.
It didn’t take long. The guy’s credentials were plastered everywhere. He was an Harvard alumni, pediatric specialist whoregularly featured in medical journals. 
To make matters worse, His father was a congressman. 
Yup. He just had to be. I mean why stop at a plate when you can just grab the whole damn buffet.
I clenched my jaw as I stared at the screen .
That’s how he did it. This sure explained how Logan had enough influence to fast-track Queenie’s clinic approval.
I scoffed as I scrolled down to a photo of him wearing a hugesmile on a hospital panel.
He looked cultured. Clean-cut. Too polished. I knew his type all too well.
I deal with them everyday.
He was type of man who knew how to play the game. The type who had the skill and charm to make himself look like a saint while he pulled the strings behind the curtain.
“It was never about helping her.” I muttered under my breathe. “It’s about getting closer to her. ”
I closed the laptop with a bit of force. There was a scowl on my face.
I wasn’t jealous. Not exactly. I was more pissed than jealous .
Logan’s timing was impeccable and his intentions too noble.
And Queenie. I sighed. 
God knows how much I care about her but she was hopeful, emotional and vulnerable. I don’t think she can see what Logan was trying to do and I can’t say I blame her, if I was really being honest with myself.
She had a ring on her finger. Didn’t Logan have the basic decency to respect that? I fumed under my breath, the scowl on my face became more pronounced.
Just then, Queenie came downstairs. Her face was unreadable. She made straight to the kitchen, grabbed a bottle of wine, and walked back up without saying a word. 
She didn’t spare me a word not so much as a glance even.
I blinked. What the hell? Wait a minute. Is she mad at me? What the hell for? 
I’m the one who is supposed to be mad not her.
I sighed as I leaned back in the chair.
Maybe I was too harsh with her. What was I thinking?
She had come home excited, and told me about her win. Rather than celebrate with her, what did I do? I undermined her victory.
“That’s one way to support your future wife”. I chided myself sarcastically.
We will be facing CPS tomorrow again. The tension is already high. The last thing we need now is more distance.
I sighed heavily.
I stood and made my way upstairs. I knocked softly before entering.
Queenie sat on the bed, legs folded, with a wine glass in hand. She glanced at me and then looked away.
She wasn’t going to make this easy. 
I sighed, walked in and sat beside her.
“I was out of line earlier,” I said in a low voice. “I shouldn’t have reacted like that.”
Queenie took a sip and remained quiet for a second. “I was happy, Anton,” she finally said. “That letter… was everything I’ve been fighting for.  You were supposed to be happy with mebut you went and made it about Logan.”
“I know,” I said as I felt guilt crawling up my throat. “That wasn’t fair. I didn’t mean to steal your moment. I just… I was concerned. Suspicious, maybe. I brought it up at a bad time. I should have let you had your win.”
She finally looked at me. “Can you just trust me? I never asked him to do anything. He offered. I didn’t even know he was doing that till I got the papers. I’m not entertaining him, Anton.”
I nodded slowly. “I do trust you. I swear I do. It’s him I don’t trust. I don’t want another Michael situation.
She looked at me with a puzzled look. “ I don’t want someone pretending to help when they just really want to have something over you.”
I noticed her eyes softened. I reached out and cupped her face gently.
“I know what you have been through because of your dreams of getting a clinic. I want you to have it all. I want it to be yourscompletely. I don’t want your dream tainted by owing anystrings, favors, and men who expect something in return.”
Queenie let out a shaky breath. “It will be mine. I’m not letting anyone ruin this for me.”
I smiled and leaned in. My lips met hers, slow and warm at first, then became deeper. 
When they pulled apart, I brushed her cheek. “Come on,” I said, standing. “Let’s go have some fun. You deserve a break.”
“Fun like what?” she asked with a raised  brow. I grinned. “Golf.”
She burst into a laugh. “Golf? Isn’t that for old bored rich guys?”
“Exactly,” I pulled her to her feet. “You’re about to marry one. It’s time you start getting used to it.”
She playfully swatted my arm. “You’re not old.”
“You didn’t refute the rich part though,” he said with a wink.
Queenie rolled her eyes but followed me. She gave instructions to the nanny, checked on Junie, then joined me outside.
As we drove, she leaned and rested on his shoulders. 
It felt good having her on my arms. I don’t think this feeling will ever get old. I could get used to this
“You know,” she said, “you can help with the clinic. I won’t stop you.”
OK! That was a quick turn around.
I glanced at her. “Really? Because I plan to be annoyingly supportive.”
She laughed and leaned in to kiss me on the cheek. “You already are.”
The golf course was quiet when they arrived. 
It was peaceful. I led her to the VIP section where a set of clubs had already been prepped for him.
“You’re a regular here?” Queenie asked as she eyed the perfectly manicured grass.
“Golf calms me,” I said simply and handed her a glove. “Especially when the rest of my life is chaotic.”
She smirked. “I don’t know if you are aware but I know absolutely nothing about golf.”
“That’s what I’m here for,” I said. “Come on, I’ll teach you.”
I guided her gently as I stood behind her to adjust her grip on the club. 
She shivered slightly when my hands brushed over hers. “You’ve got to keep your feet apart. Relax your shoulders. Then you just swing from your hips.” 
“I feel ridiculous,” she muttered.
“You look hot doing it,” I whispered against her ears. I could see goosebumps break out on her skin.
She elbowed me and I faked a grimace. She then tried again. The ball rolled a few feet. 
“That was terrible.” She cringed as she watched the ball rolled slowly.
He clapped dramatically. “You’re a natural.”
We were laughing when a voice called out behind them.
“Queenie?”
They both turned.
A woman in her early thirties stood a few feet away. She was dressed in designer golf attire and aviator shades. 
Her mouth was slightly open, her gaze was directly locked on Queenie.
Queenie blinked. “Oh my God… Candice?”
I watched as Queenie stepped forward and hugged the woman.
I stood quietly as I watched their exchange. 
I don’t think she has mentioned her.
Candice pulled back. Her eyes were full of surprise. “Wow. It’s been forever. I didn’t know you golfed!”
“I don’t,” Queenie laughed. “He does.” She tilted her head toward Anton.
Candice’s gaze shifted to me. She looked me over slowly. Curiosity obvious on her face. “And… you are?”
“Anton,” he said, offering a polite smile. “Her fiancé.”
“Fiancé?” Candice’s eyes widened. Candice turned to Anton. “Now that’s something I didn’t expect.”
Queenie chuckled. “Would you believe me if I told I didn’t expect it too?”
I smiled politely, but my chest tightened slightly. There was something about Candice’s tone put him on edge.
“I’m in town for a few days,” Candice said, turning back to Queenie. “We have to catch up.”
“Absolutely,” Queenie agreed.
I took a step closer, subtly sliding his hand into Queenie’s. Candice noticed to my chagrin.
“Well,” she said brightly. “It was meeting you, Anton. You’ve got a good one.”
I nodded firmly. “You don’t have to remind of that. I know.”
Candice smiled, gave Queenie one last hug, and walked off.
I waited until she was out of earshot. “Who was that? You guys seemed close.”
“An old friend,” Queenie said. “We used to be middle school buddies. I haven’t seen her in years.”
I raised an eyebrow. “She seemed… intense.”
“She’s harmless,” Queenie said, then bumped her shoulder into his. “ She is all bark and no bite. Let’s just say beneath all that assertiveness is a big softie.”
I brushed a strand of her hair off her face. “ You don’t say”. 
She playfully jabs me.
I laughed as the tension eased again. “Let’s be quick. We don’t have much time left.
“sounds like someone is in a hurry to leave.
“Yeah. Because I already planned our next date.”
“Oh?”
“Mini golf. Less rich, more chaos.”
Queenie smiled. “Perfect.”
“Now where were we?” He goes behind her. 
Queenie smiled. “ you were saying something of me being a natural…” She held the club and leans into him.
I chuckled a bit. 
“Queenie!” A voice called out from the back.
I felt her stiffen in my embrace.