C10 Chapter 10

“Mr Clinton is too tired to join you all for dinner today so he has to retire early” the nanny said and leave. The table was set with a romantic atmosphere and the dishes were served.

Vienna always thought that according to the stories she read, after the female gets betrayed by her friend and fiance then a rich and handsome CEO will appear and sweep her off her feet and also help her to avenge her ex and best friend but her own case is different.

Here she is staging a fake relationship with her ex and about to eat dinner with her so called best friend. Benita dismiss the maids and everyone else leaving just the four of them at the table.

Vienna open the dishes and start to dish it out for herself, she hasn't eaten enough then and after waking up she need to fill her tummy but then she felt Benita’s hand on hers.

“Vienna, how have you been?” she asked with a low and concerned voice. Vienna remove her hand cursorily.

“Since when does she use a low voice like that?” Vienna wonder.

“i don’t think we are a good term for you to ask me such question” she replied and Benita reach for her hand again, Vienna shake her hand off and continue dishing her food.

“Vienna am really sorry about what happened. I couldn’t explain things to you later because I didn’t get to see you before you move out of your house then and I tried looking for you but there was no clue about where you were” she explained with an innocent look. Vienna look at her disdainfully. Of course she is acting like those antagonist in the stories but just the rich Ceo is missing.

“i heard you bought our house immediately we move out” she replied.

“huh? Oh I bought It because of us, I mean for us” she stuttered.

“really? Then that must be why you couldn’t find us for nearly three years, you must be busy taking care of the house for our return” she answered sarcastically. Alan acted like he can't hear them and continue eating his food while Karen keep looking at Vienna the whole time.

“so you two are back together again?” Karen asked Alan.

“dinning is for eating not chatting” he answered and continue with his food.

Vienna poured some water for him and place it where he can easily reach it, she wish he was a handsome CEO who fights for the female lead but he is not.

Everyone eat in silence and after eating the maids came to get the plates and clear the table. Vienna and Alan stood up and wanted to head upstairs but Karen stop him to discuss something leaving Vienna with Benita in the living room.

“Vienna can we talk?” Benita asked.

“what else do you have to say again?” Vienna said getting irritated with her.

“everything that happened back then is really not my fault. Alan asked me to pretend to be in a relationship with him so as to break off his engagement with you. I wanted to reject him but I can't dare to go against him and I swear I didn’t know that something had happened to your dad” she explained.

“your dad? Have you forgotten that you always refer to him as dad then but now I guess he is just my father and not yours” she replied.

“no I don’t mean it like that. You are misunderstanding me”

“i don’t understand what in the world you are trying to do right now. Why are you trying to explain? You didn’t bother to explain three years ago. It was everywhere in the news that dad was found guilty in court and sentence to six years imprisonment. We stayed in the city for about a week in the city hospital but you were tied down and couldn’t find us isn't it?”

“i know am wrong but I really meant well for you. You are my best friend and I don’t want to lose that” she said desperately.

“ex-best friend you mean and also you are not explaining because you are sorry but because you see that am back here now and Alan is going to take over everything from Karen so you want to play your cards well and use me to achieve your aims once again. And for your information, I remember every word you said that night so stop trying it won't work’ she said and walk away.

“not even when she is just here for a period of three months” she thought as she head to the room.

~

Karen took out a cigarette park and offer one to Alan. They smoke for a while before Karen spoke.

“so you really want to marry her?” he asked. Alan did not answer as he continue smoking.

After the last time they fought because Alan discover that he is in a relationship with Benita and didn’t inform him about it making a fool out of him, they haven't really been on a good term but occasionally talk when necessary and also knowing more about his true intention Alan felt tired about pretending.

“for how long do you want to pretend for this time?”

“not for long” Alan answered. Karen smiled at his reply. Of course the Alan he knows will never get married and not to Vienna, not after what happened.

“but then I must say you are capable, to be able to get her to agree to your terms after discarding her three years ago”

“that’s the power of money” he replied. And pull off the light of the cigarette in his hand.

“i will head back now, we will see tomorrow” he said and turn to leave.

“are you sure you don’t like her? Not even one bit?” Karen asked and move closer to him.

“i know you must have make quite an effort to get her to agree for this” Karen added

“goodnight” Alan replied instead and went away. For some reasons, he felt like he doesn't know the answer to Karen’s question but he knows for sure that he doesn't want to marry a girl like that.

He obviously can't get her out of his head but then he also hate her for toying with his feelings and thought to make her suffer, frustrate her but he can't just bring himself to do that at all after all, he also has a fault in everything that happened.

He had difficulty finding his way to the room and stood on the spot for a minute so he could calculate the right way then he heard a footstep near him and waited to see who it is. Vienna got to him and held his hand.

“this way, lets go” she said and lead the way for him. Alan followed her without a word.

This is the fourth time she will come so close to him since they got here, the third time was when he carried her to the bed. When he finished with Kellie then, he found out from her that she is sleeping on the chair and offered to wake her so she can lay down to sleep properly but he decline and ask her to leave then he heard her murmur something in her sleep.

Alan walk up to her unsteadily. He got to her then touch the table and continue moving his hand to get the chair but he accidentally touch her chest.

It's took him few seconds to realize where he just touched. he retract his hand fast and wait so she wouldn’t wake up then he lean in and try to find her arm, he tap her gently but she didn’t wake up so he decide to carry her to the bed.

He place her on the bed after much effort but still she didn’t open her eyes then he left the room immediately before she wakes up and intend to tell her when she wakes up and ask him that it was Kellie who help her to the bed but she did not ask.

They got to the room and Vienna release his hand. She wanted to ask him about who took her to the bed but decide against it and besides, Alan will not do such so it's must be Kellie. Vienna stood by the door.

“so, will you like to go first or should I?” Vienna asked.

“what are you talking about?” Alan also asked confused.

“i mean taking a shower” she answered.

“you go first” he replied. Vienna walk to the bed and pick up the nightgown place there by the maids. She entered the bathroom and came out in about thirty minutes.

She sat down in front of the mirror to blow her hair. When she finished she wanted to climb the bed to sleep but wonder how Alan will be able to take care of himself in the bathroom alone. She sat down and listen.

After thirty minutes he came out dressed and went straight to the bed to sleep. Vienna wonder if she should join him or not.

“are you not going to sleep” he asked. Vienna stood up and went to the bed and lay down at the other side of the bed. Five minutes later she heard Alan’s soft breath.

“so he sleeps early” she thought and slowly turn to face him. She move nearer a bit and stop. They are on a contract so she shouldn't cross the line.

She wanted to move away but Alan suddenly turn to her bringing their face nearer to each other. Vienna was startled. She stay calm for a minute and when she saw that he is not waking up she relaxed and keep staring at him until a smile appeared at the corner of her mouth before she realize what she was doing.