Ch. 6 – A FAMILY LUNCH

LINDEN

The Rawlings estate had never looked more intimidating than it looked today. The marble floor was so clean you could see your soul in it, and the walls were covered in family portraits, eyes that seemed to follow you. Jensyn's heels clicked beside me, soft but steady.

She had a role to play, and today, I was taking her into the lion's den.

She was dressed to kill. Red lipstick, sleek black dress, hair cascading down her back. She didn't look like someone brought into this world; she looked like someone sent to infiltrate it and use it for her own good.

I offered my arm. She hesitated, then took it. “You don’t have to impress anyone,” I murmured.

“I don't plan to. I intend to drown."

I smirked. "Welcome to the ocean." 

The butler opened the doors when we reached them, and we entered the large house. We were then led to the formal dining room.

My father, Arthur Rawlings, was already seated at the head of the long mahogany table. His silver hair gleamed like medals. A frown crossed his face when he saw me, definitely not alone. A glass of wine sat in front of him, untouched. Lev, my best friend, sat beside him, swirling a glass of wine as though he hadn't spent most of his days researching which rival he could quietly ruin. And Derek Mills, my brother-in-law, sat across from my father, turning toward the doorway, his gaze fixed on us the moment we walked in.

Oh, his gaze wasn't fixed on US; it was on HER. Jensyn.

“Linden”, Arthur said, his tone as neutral as it could be. “You’re early.”

Yes, we always have a dinner like this once every month. Just the men in the Rawlings family. Lev was considered family. He had been my best friend since we were three. I smiled as I replied. “Figured it was time I shocked the system.”

His gaze shifted to Jensyn, sweeping her up and down. “What's that beside you?”

Arthur wouldn't mince words. He would say exactly how he saw it and how he liked it. Jensyn stepped forward of her accord and smiled. “Good afternoon, sir. My name is Jensyn Sawyer. Thanks for having me.”

Arthur didn't smile. “If you're here, you're welcome. Sit down, Sawyer.”

“She's pretty.” Lev said from his seat, tilting his glass towards her.

“Lev”, I warned lightly.

He smirked. “What? I’m complimenting your taste. You’ve been quiet about her, that’s all.”

Derek still hadn’t spoken. Still staring. Jensyn didn’t flinch.

We took our seats, and none of us moved until lunch was brought. It was a variety of lavish meals that could only come from the Rawlings family kitchen. Jensyn ate her food delicately; I forgot she was an escort. Speaking about that, I wanted to ask her what she had gone through at the hands of perverted men and how she survived.

“So”, Arthur said, his knife slicing through the meat in front of him, “Sawyer, tell me something about yourself. Where are you from?”

There it was. The first test.

Jensyn met his gaze calmly. “A small town. I left when I was four; I needed a change of environment.”

Arthur’s eyes narrowed, amused. “Is that so?”

“The town was so small that the name had no significance if I mentioned it. I am an ambitious person. I wanted more out of life.”

I stared at her, surprised. That wasn’t just a good answer; it was an answer my father would respect. Direct, calculated, and unapologetic.

He chuckled. “I like powerful women. I know I will like you too, Sawyer.”

Lev laughed. I wanted to laugh too. Arthur wasn't the type to like someone immediately. He hated Derek as much as I hated him. “Well, Jen love, you've got yourself a fan.” Lev said, leaning against the table.

Jensyn hadn’t broken a sweat to gain Arthur's approval. This was going to be fun, I thought. But the questions were just starting.

Arthur set his knife down and focused on Jensyn. I knew that look he gave her. She had passed number one of his three questions. These questions were what Arthur had asked Derek too when Willow brought him home a year ago.

He folded his hands, voice deceptively mild. “And how did you and Linden meet?”

I could have choked on the wine I sipped. Jensyn didn't look at me. Any hesitation would make Arthur smell that something was wrong.

A warm smile crept across her face. “On a cruise boat.”

Arthur blinked. “A cruise?”

“Yes”, she dropped her fork. “It was a last-minute experience for me. A friend told me to go there for a day vacation. I didn't expect to meet anyone on the boat. I met Linden.”

She said my name with practised ease, like it belonged to her.

Arthur looked at me. “You hate cruises.”

Oh, shit, I forgot. I shrugged, lifting my glass. “I needed a break, Dad.”

He narrowed his eyes. “Linden Rawlings needs a break? I don't think so.”

Lev immediately came to my rescue. “Linden isn't a machine, Dad. I specifically told him to consider taking a vacation. I didn't know he actually did it.” He turned to me. “Why didn't you tell me?”

“It was sudden.” I replied.

Arthur looked at us for a moment, then his gaze shifted back to Jensyn. “So you met at the sea. How long before you realised it was something you wanted on the next level?”

“Honestly, about two days ago. He came up with a contract and asked me to marry him.”

I choked on my wine. What?

“A contract?” Arthur echoed.

She nodded. “The way he looked at me like I was the only woman in his world, that made me feel seen. And I adore Andrea. I didn't meet her until two days ago. She's an adorable child. I promise to love her like my own.”

What she said was too real. Too personal.

The conversation continued, drifting into more lies. Jensyn did her job quite well. When Arthur asked about her parents, she said a lot about her mother and refrained from talking about her father. I saw the pain in her eyes as she spoke, and it struck a chord in me. Her father was dead, alright, but she seemed to hate talking about him.

Just as I hated talking about my mother.

We did have something in common. I wanted to ask her some personal questions, but I retreated. It was best we didn't know. anything about ourselves till the end of this contract.

Lunch went smoothly after the whole question-and-answer session. My eyes were on Derek, who picked at his food. Derek, the talkative one, was suddenly silent. His eyes never left Jensyn. He seemed angry, but I knew he wouldn't dare say anything to incriminate Jensyn. He would also be burnt.

Midway through dessert, Jensyn leaned toward me. "May I use the restroom?"

I nodded. She asked where the restroom was and then excused herself. Two minutes later, Derek stood. "Excuse me," he said, not bothering to explain.

My eyes followed him, suspicion rising in my chest like smoke. I gave it thirty seconds before I stood.

The corridor was silent and empty. I continued to walk until I heard Derek's low voice near the guest bathroom.

“You bitch! Leave when you can. Did you hook up with Linden as an escort? I made sure you didn't get a job elsewhere, you conniving witch!’

"You're threatening me now?"

“It's a warning. I don't know what games you are trying to play, but leave when you still have the chance. I won't let you rest until I've ruined you.”

That was enough. My footsteps echoed deliberately as I approached. Derek turned sharply, going pale.

“Is everything alright?” I asked, looking at Derek.

Derek cleared his throat. "Just getting familiar with your wife."

I stepped between them. “You wouldn't amuse her. She doesn't like men who cower.”

Derek mumbled something incoherent and slithered away. I turned to her. She looked shaken, but she didn't step back.

"He threatened me, Linden. I thought you had this sorted out," she said.

I smiled. Not out of humour, but pride. I leaned in, my lips close to her ear. "You asked for the 3% shares; you have the power now. Fight like you are actually a Rawlings, love. I wouldn't help you and Derek off alone. You stole his watch; deal with it.”

She blinked up at me. "What? Are you serious right now?”

“The war started the moment you signed that marriage contract. And it wouldn't stop, Jensyn. You will prove to me that I'm not wrong in giving you 3% of what belongs to me.”

And with that, I walked away, knowing she was shooting me dagger stares. Was I using her? Perhaps.

But pawns, when moved well, could become queens. I wanted to watch Jensyn become a queen.