Page 21 of Wedding Contract
The two girls look at each other uncertainly, and then Kate, the younger one, turns away from us, hiding her activity.
“And you are?” Quinn’s chin is still up in the air, but she’s lost some of her haughtiness.
“Charles Wickham. I own Wickham Enterprises, and Bien is one of the subsidiaries under that holding company.” I tug Belle down beside me. “Belle is my wife. This is her home which she received as a bridal gift when she did me the pleasure of accepting my plea for her hand in marriage.” I bring her hand up to my mouth and press a kiss to it.
“He’s right,” I hear Kate say quietly, holding her phone up to Quinn’s face.
Quinn’s cheeks turn tomato red. “The gold piece fell off. It’s a cheap piece of shit.”
“One that you bought,” I point out.
“What’s your proof that you’re Charles Wickham?” Quinn shoots back.
“I’m his assistant,” Rise announces from the entrance. “I can vouch for him.”
“And who are you?” Quinn shouts.
But behind Rise stand two security guards. Kate catches on quicker than Quinn. She grabs her sister’s hand. “We don’t want to be here anyway. It’s so gross of you to pretend to be someone you’re not, Belle, but I guess that’s what people with low self-esteem do.”
The two run out before any of us can respond. Rise is looking shell shocked at the encounter. As for me, I’m glad the two women are gone. Belle gives us a wobbly smile.
“Look at the three of us, standing up for each other.” Sheholds out her fist. Rise and I look at her and then each other. “Don’t leave me hanging here,” she says.
I push my fist in to meet hers. “The thing is?—”
“You too, Rise. I’m impressed at how quick you were on your feet.”
I nod slightly at Rise’s questioning look. He jerks his chin up. “It’s what I’m paid for. I expect I’ll get a bonus for my work, though.”
I nod again. He smiles and puts his fist in. “Teamwork.”
We all give a little cheer, and then after that awkward moment, Rise sees himself out.
I take Belle’s hand. “Belle, I really am Charles Wickham. I know it sounds crazy, but two months ago, you were at the food tasting in your cute brown apron. I took one look at you and knew I needed you in my life, but I was going to Hong Kong the next day for a very big deal. I wouldn’t be back for at least two weeks, and I couldn’t risk losing you. I sent Rise to you with a deal I figured you couldn’t turn down. Spend one year in this apartment and you wouldn’t want to leave. I’d turn up at some point, introduce myself, and we’d…” I trail off because I can feel myself losing aura points the more I talk.
Belle stares at me.
“Say something,” I urge.
Chapter Seventeen
ANNABELLE
“Idon’t know what to say,” I sputter out. This is all too much to process. “You’re not Wick.”
“I am.” Tears sting at my eyes. “Please don’t cry.” He tugs me into his lap, and I burst into tears.
“I’m sorry,” He says on repeat over and over. His hand continues rubbing up and down my back, trying to soothe me. “Please tell me how to make it better. I can fix it. I can fix anything; just tell me and it will be done.” I keep my face buried in his neck. It's comforting.
“I'm still mad about yesterday. We haven’t even had that fight yet.” That should really be at the bottom of the list of things I’m upset about, but it also feels like the easiest to cover. I lift my head. “And these tears aren't all on you.” I sniffle. “My sisters always get me worked up. It's why I moved as far away as I could.” I hate that I allow them to affect me the way that I do.
“Well, I can help with that. If you want to stay in the States, then we'll move to Hawaii. I'll get us a place there. Now if you wish to leave the country, then we can discuss that option.” He swipes gently at the tears on my cheeks.
“Charles.” A small laugh leaves me because I think he's dead serious.
“Everyone calls me Wick.”
“Too bad,” I snip at him and then cover my mouth with my hand. A slow smile tugs at his lips.
