NIRELLE - Chapter 24: Chapter 24

Theo explained that this was like killing two birds with one stone; I being in the restaurant could endorse it as Lucien's newest investment, and I could appear in public. "There would be lots of cameras but I would be three tables away; all you have to do is sit pretty and eat something and then we can leave."
It did not sound like more than it was, but then when Yvette told me that we were going to the Thamore mansion, it did not seem like more than it was until I got the rudest shock of my life, and since then I thought I must have learnt not to underestimate anything, but I was wrong.
"Are you sure you are up for it?"
"Didn't you think that I could do it? Isn't that why you brought me here?" he looks like a child who has been caught in a lie and looks down at his feet.
"There would be lots of reporters there; it won't be as quiet as the store from earlier," he explains again.
"Are you worried about me?" I gasp, feeling what worry felt like. Unfamiliar, but I seem to be getting better at receiving emotions from others. "Don't worry, I'll be fine," I say, not because I am sure of how to act, but because I want to just believe that I will be. My mom never taught me the right way to act as the daughter of a wealthy man, so I am clueless, but I've seen the way they act in movies, and maybe I can borrow a leaf from them.
"Yes, you will be," he says, and the door opens for me to step down. I walk into the restaurant, trying to feel confident with my steps. I hope I won't look like a wannabe in the images that will be uploaded.
"Hello, Mrs. Vexley, we are so glad to have you here." a man met me at the door and introduced himself as the manager of the place. He walked me to my table while the bodyguards situated themselves around the room in a kind of formation. Moments later, other people who I did not recognise walked in, and of course, they did not know who I was. Like my husband, I had also been hidden away for a long time.
Theo walks in and he sits three tables from me, and now the restaurant is bubbling with waiters bringing out food and attending to customers. I know very well that Lucien does not need me to promote his business; his reputation speaks for him, it makes me wonder if this was an attempt of some kind. I sat there trying to figure out who the photographers were, but I was having a hard time, so after trying for a while, I let it go. "I do not need to know them."
The meal was fantastic, and I was ready to leave when a familiar scent caught my nose. It was familiar because I spent days washing it off his clothes and in his room, tidying up, so the smell alone left me sick.
"Dearest sister," his tone was fake, but the smile on his face was huge. He took a seat without me asking him to, and I stared at him. How dare he act as if we were chummy? He should have ignored me and walked away. 'Maybe this was the test.' My heart beats inside my chest uncontrollably. Was he trying to see how I would act with my family in public? Wasn't this manipulation? I know that none of the scenarios I'm painting in my mind are confirmed, but I can't help but judge him in that moment. How did he get past the bodyguards? It had to be a test
"So nice to see you," he said; he sounded like he was really happy to see me.
"Sure," I say, not because I think this was a test and this was the way I had to act if I had met him outside. I could not let the entire world know how dysfunctional our family was.
"Since you got married, you are practically glowing."
"It's been three days, but okay," I say, and he frowns. He was not used to me talking back, and I had barely even said anything in response.
"It's been, but I miss you so much." I was about to ask him if it was because no one was willing to pick up after a dirty pig like him, but I was not here to cause a scene.
"I must have everyone at home as well," I say, and he is shocked at my reaction. I lean in and try to whisper. "Although I am glad to be out of that nightmare," I pull away, and now he has horror written all over his face as if he had seen a ghost. "I am sure you understand and you'd feel the same way if it were you."
"You are all mouth just because you married Lucien Vexley?"
"I want to see you beat that." Why was I so bold? Was leaving all I needed to stand toe-to-toe with him?
"Are you a big shot now? The bodyguards only let me through after I had proven I was your brother."
"Well, it's protocol; what can I say?" I was enjoying this way more than I thought I would and now I was convinced that taking revenge would be sweeter. After all, it was what they deserved.
"Are you boasting?" The smile on his face was gone now.
"Of course not, I am grateful to you and da fro sending me to Lucien. I mean, he is everything I have always wanted in a man." The lie flowed out freely, and I can't believe it. Why did I need to prove I was doing better when it was obvious that I was?
"Not a beast?" he asked. He could not even hide the fact that he would have preferred if I had been miserable with him. How cruel of him to still think of hurting me while I was away? Why did I expect more?
"Of course not; you of all people should know that baseless rumours are wrong." he knows what I am referring to and does not look pleased that I would even bring it up. "I have to go now; my husband is waiting." I stand up and Cory looks up at me with shock on his face; he can't seem to recover.
"My love to mom and dad, I'll call them."