18: Macho-man

•Odette•

With the use of my peripheral vision, I watched Draven, finding it difficult to peel my eyes off him. We were seated at the back of one of his cars on the way to meet with his grandfather for dinner.

I should be nervous. I should be thinking of how to perfect a loving act with Draven in front of the man. Yet, all I could think about was two nights ago.

An incident that I half remembered. I couldn’t remember from the point where Draven had reminded me to pick up my purse in the private lounge. I couldn’t remember how I got home.

I damn well couldn’t remember who had taken off my heels and given me a foot massage. Even though I couldn’t remember, I knew that it wouldn’t be anyone other than Draven.

Only he would know my address and how to get into my house without my personal assistance. As crazy and criminal as he was.

I never thought he would care about me enough to the point where he would rub my feet. I must have been in pain, no doubt about that. Every day in heels from dawn to dusk was quite the torture for me.

And though I could even run on them without acting like I was about to trip and pass out, it didn’t mean they didn’t hurt.

The question was, why did Draven ease my pain? The man had been nothing but insufferable to me since we got acquainted with each other.

I really wanted to know the answer. But I didn’t know how to ask. I never acted familiar with him when we were in private. He was still ‘Mr. Lockwood’ to me.

Getting too close could only lead to one thing, and I, for sure, did not want that one thing in my life.

“You’re gonna bore a hole into my face if you keep staring like that.” Draven faced me with an unamused expression on his face.

I inhaled sharply, feeling caught, then turned my face to the window and locked in. “I wasn’t staring.”

Quite an obvious lie, but I wasn’t going to straight up tell him I was staring so I would somehow know the truth of his soul.

“Sure, you weren’t. I’ve told you before, if you have any questions, ask. Don’t act like some awkwardly reserved girl all the time. We’re gonna be husband and wife soon. Get comfortable.” Draven said with an easygoing voice, scooting closer to me and making me shift even further to the window side to glue myself to the door.

‘Get comfortable.’

That was such a Draven Lockwood thing to say. I should just ‘get comfortable’ with him since we are going to be married soon. Did Draven truly know who he was and the kind of energy he exuded??

A noticeable amount of time passed before I eventually spoke up, daring to say the thought that had been running round in my mind.

“You helped me.”

“Huh?” Draven gave me a pointed look.

“That day you took me home. When I was drunk… You gave me a foot massage, didn’t you?” My voice was so low and shy. So unrecognizable to my own ears.

Draven didn’t hesitate to respond. “Of course, I did. You were yapping all about the place that you were in pain. And thanks for reminding me. I’ve wanted to speak with you about that.”

I was slightly taken aback. I thought he would try to deny it to keep up his ‘machoman’ vibe.

“I don’t want to ever see you in pain,” Draven continued, and I raised my brows in question. “During this period when we’re about to get married and stay married. I’d like it if you kept your health in top-notch state.

“Whether it’s your feet hurting from heels or the pain from a broken nail or even a sting on your lash line, I don’t want any of it. I don’t want to see you in any situation that would have you writhing with affliction. You hear me?”

Draven spoke so fast that my brain didn’t process his words immediately.

“Do you understand me?” he ground out, expecting a verbal response.

“I do.” I said in a whisper.

“You do what?” Draven seemed unsatisfied.

I felt like pulling my hair out in annoyance due to how difficult he was acting, but I had to keep my composure.

“I understand you. I won’t put myself in any kind of harm. Even as small as getting stung by a needle.” I droned on mechanically, not giving much thought to my words.

But they seemed to please Draven just fine, prompting him to say, “Good.”

There was no talk in the car after that until we reached his grandfather’s modern mansion. A modern mansion in the sense that the structure was built in such a way you’d think it was a cutout from the front page of the most expensive homes round the world magazine.

I lived in an expensive home myself, but the level of wealth attached to the Lockwood name was so far above my family’s level that I almost felt like an indigent. Almost.

I waited for Draven to open the door for me and help me out of the car before roping my arm in on his own. He offered to carry the bottle of wine I’d brought as a gift to the old man, but I declined, claiming it had to be given from my hand.

Our free hands were still linked, though. The small gestures were coming to me naturally now that we’ve done them a few times.

Draven and I walked at the same steady pace towards the front door. The bell didn’t need to be rung as a middle-aged butler welcomed us with an open door.

“Young Master. Welcome.” The butler greeted Draven first, then turned to me and said, “We’ve been expecting you, Young Miss.”

I smiled politely and said, “It’s my pleasure.” I carefully handed him the bottle of wine in my hand. “I heard Mr. Lockwood appreciated red wine.”

“He does.” The Butler said with an endearing voice.

Draven took the brief silence that ensued to call attention to himself, saying, “David, it’s been a while. How are ya?”

“I’ve been quite fine. Thank you for your concern.” The Butler responded straight-faced, letting Draven and I into the mansion.

“The Master will see you soon. Come with me.” The Butler began to guide us deeper into the house, only stopping when he got to the parlour.

He invited us to sit, and Draven made me sit with him on the longest chair, even though he remained glued to my side.

Butler David asked for what we would like and I went with water. Draven didn’t hold back with his demand for fine wine.

In the absence of the butler, Draven gave me one more piece of advice:

“This is to be your family home. Act like it.”