CHAPTER 6: FETCHING BREAKFAST

A couple of moments later, Sloane arrived with Carlo at one of the big eateries in the city. She parked and walked in. Carlo followed her immediately. When they were seated, a waiter approached their table with the menu.

“Good morning, ma'am," the waiter said. “Good morning, Sir. Please, what would you love to have?"

The waiter tried to hand the menu over to Sloane. But she gestured that it should be passed to Carlo. Carlo took it and went through the prices of the meals there. It was clear that the watery was not a place for the average person to go and have a meal. So, he had to act in that line.

He cleared his throat and adjusted uncomfortably in his chair. Then, he stole quick successive glances at Sloane.

Sloane could tell something was wrong. She just didn't know what.

“Is there a problem?" She asked him. “Have you made your choice yet?"

Carlo shook his head. "Are..they not expensive?” He asked her with a conscious attempt to keep his voice low. "I can't…afford this place. Sorry, but can we go somewhere else?"

Sloane simply grinned. She was somewhat surprised at his attempt to try to chest the bills.

She shook her head. "It's fine. Please, order whatever you want. I will pay.” She looked at the waiter. "Add something juicy for him to wash down the meal. Thank you.”

“What about you?" The waiter asked.

Sloane shook her head. “Nothing for me. I'm okay."

Carlo made his choice and the meal was served. Without any attention to his manners, he dove into the meal and started consuming what was right before him. He made it look perfectly like he was yet to have any meal in the past couple of days and was clearly dying of starvation.

Sloane watched him in shock and at the same time pity for herself. To think that she had for a moment hoped that Carlo would be who Ms Barbara had said he was— the heir to the multi trillion dollar empire— made her sick. Nothing seemed to have any meaning at the moment. If anything was certain, it was the fact that Bradley would be so pissed off at their family.

Carlo stole a glance at her and paused.

“Are you ..not hungry?" He asked her.

Sloane shook her head and smiled. “I'm okay."

Carlo pressed on. “Is this because of me? Don't you have money to buy for yourself? We can share mine, if you don't mind."

He pushed the plate of food to the center of the table, just between him and her. Sloane smiled over it. She appreciated the gesture. But that was the least of her troubles at the moment.

“Mr Carlo Alistair, like I said, I'm okay," she replied and moved the plate back to him. “Please, go ahead and have your meal. If this won't be enough to satisfy you, I will have the waiter get more food for you."

“Why are you being nice to me?" Carlo asked her. “You don't have to pretend to be happy when you are not."

Sloane cleared her throat.

"I haven't told you that I'm happy,” she said. "And that I chose to show you care doesn't mean I'm happy with the situation. Now, if you don't mind, please, be done with your meal. You can meet me in the car when you are done with your meal.”

Carlo eyed her suspiciously. "Is this an attempt to leave me with the bills and go?”

Sloane laughed. It was not expected. She was stunned that he thought so little of her.

"Don't worry,” she said. "I will settle it now. Just eat.”

Sloane got up and went on to clear the bill. After that, she went out to the car while waiting for him.

When Carlo was done eating, he came outside and saw Sloane leaning on the car with both hands crossed against her chest. She had her sunshade on.

There was just something about this woman that seemed to draw Carlo in. Perhaps, it was her carriage. From a distance, anyone could see how classy Sloane looked. That included Carlo.

He walked to her with a sheepish grin on his face.

“Thank you, ma'am," he said politely.

Sloane's face was now serious. It was time to get down to the actual topic— their signed marriage.

She took off her glasses and cleared her throat.

“Please, call me Sloane," she said. “Take off the title you attached to it." She worked her tongue in her mouth. "Firstly, I want to apologize for what has happened. Although, I am not to be blamed for this mistake entirely. I mean, you could have said something when we were about to sign the documents.”

Carlo kept mute. He just watched her speak. He loved it. Her voice was just too smooth.

Sloane shut her eyes for a moment. Then, she said, “Look, Mr Carlo, I understand the situation. And I have no problems with us calling this off and continuing with our lives like it used to be."

Carlo could see a different story in her eyes. Of course, she would have a problem if they called it off.

"Why do your eyes tell a different story?" He asked her.

Sloane was stunned. “What?"

Carlo smiled and took a step closer. “I mean that your eyes say something different from your mouth."

“What are you trying to say?" Sloane asked him.

He came to her side and leaned on the car too.

“It appears your family wants you to get married to someone else. I mean, you mistook me for someone else. And I think that person isn't someone you are willing to get married to."

That was true. There was no denying it. She was hesitant for a while, but eventually admitted it.

“While that may be true, I wouldn't go against your wish. And like I said, I will understand if—"

Carlo cut her off before she could be done with the rest of the statement.

“I'm in," he said. “I will be your husband."