Chapter 07

Chapter 07

Rowan’s POV

I sat across the table with Mykayla, her smile spreading across her lips made me want to rip it apart.

The noise from our parents conversation and the tableware muted from the anger when she tried to hold my hands.

I pulled my hands away and glared at her but ignore my scowl, just like she always does in the past years. However, the longer that I get to know her the more I hate her.

Years ago, when I first met her she was different that made me thought that this arrangement wasn’t bad. But things had changed when I left abroad for college and only to come back when I graduated, she was different. It was like she was a different person.

Maybe I should blame her step-mother for raising her after her parents died. She became different then… but I don’t know there’s this feeling I couldn’t shake off. Something is off.

“What did you say about breaking the engagement?” She smiled sweetly, but it was anything but sweet. “Your parents can’t make you do anything, huh?” I glare at her.

I didn’t want to hate her but her previous actions over her the years made my hatred grow that I couldn’t stand even the sight of her in Nena’s house… my childhood home and my sanctuary when I was growing up.

“What makes you think so?” I asked lazily.

Our parents were busy talking that didn’t notice our conversation. Only Nena was attentively eating, though I know she had been listening.

“Well, you’re here.” She smirked, batting her eyes at me. “Just admit it, Rowan. You can see your future together with me. We make a wonderful couple, people had been telling me that.”

“Who’s even saying that?” I couldn’t help but scoff. “Cause clearly they’ve been lying. No one is even talking about us… only with Kayla’s name entangled to this “step-up”, that’s why they’re taking interest in you.”

She glared and couldn’t say a thing that left me with satisfaction but the food on my plate had gone tasteless as I remember my last conversation with Kayla.

She had been dominating my mind since the past few weeks, I thought I could read through her but I don’t know what she had been thinking.

She wanted to see us together. The restaurant stunt she pulled made me think that way however her recent remark made me second-guess myself.

The dinner was a formal event I didn’t want to attend but my father forced me. However, a late night tea with the Jones is my nightmare. I’m being held against my will, and only my father could do that.

We were headed to the patio when a new guest arrive that made me stopped on my feet, my body tense at the sight of her. Her scent spread across the room, consuming me, and her bold red lipstick made me want to smudge it.

“Oh! There you are!” Nena exclaimed, and almost running towards her with excitement.

Kayla looked around with a surprise expression while Nena hugged her tightly. Her eyes met mine but she immediately looked away that made me scowl.

What was she doing here?

“I’m glad you made time to see me, I have an upcoming event that needs your expertise.”

“Always happy to see you, Nena.” She replied, her eyes on me for a second.

My parents including the Jones continue their conversation after Nena announced that she would not be joining their tea time while I was still stunned.

They were about to leave upstairs when I blocked the way and gave Nena a pleading eyes. “Can I steal Kayla, for a moment. We have something to discuss.”

Kayla’s POV

My eyes widen with surprise with Rowan’s remark. I have nothing to speak to him. I didn’t even know he was here in the first place. Nena must have planned this.

I gulp as Rowan took my hands and guiding me somewhere when Alison intervene. “Where do you think you’re going?”

She tugged Rowan’s shirt and glared at the both of us. Their parents stopped at the scene including Nena who’s glaring at her.

“A little decency would be nice. Rowan, you’re with our parents discussing our marriage, you can’t just leave and talk to another woman.” Her eyes fixed at me as she said the next words, “and you have no right to barge in and steal him from me.”

Rowan tossed her hands away, and pulled me. Her dominance eating me away, my heartbeat was so fast I could hardly breathe as I stared at him but that immediately stopped when Alison pulled me away instead and slapped me in the face that sent silence to the room.

My mouth open, too stunned to move nor to speak. My cheek is burning with her slap that I couldn’t think straight, nor I could fight back. In that moment, I came back to the past where she used to hurt me, and no one would say anything and save me.

Rowan pulled me behind his back that made my heart thump with warmth. I could clearly see how his eyes darken as he stepped closer to Alison. She stepped back almost tripping when Nena interfere.

“Stop! This is nonsense! I will not tolerate this kind of behavior in my own home! Especially to my guest.”

Nena glared at Alison and slapped her face that made Karen came flying next to her while Rowan’s parents slowly approach the scene with disappointed expression.

“I-I d-didn’t mean to.” Alison whispered.

“We apologize.” Karen utter, her head bowing.

Nena shook her head as she look at them. “Such a disgrace,” she then looked at Rowan’s parents. “This is what you’re tying our family into? You could have done a lot more better.” She scowl. “I don’t agree with this marriage. I hope you will rethink this agreement of yours.”

My mouth open with disbelief with what I just witness.

“If I were to decide I would cut of this engagement.” Nena’s words cut deep I almost choke.