Love Together, Be With You Never novel Chapter 43

Kieran remained silent and continued to read through the contract. Time went by, and I grew a little edgy but didn't dare to ask questions. What he was planning was a mystery to me.

"There's no hurry. Since you've signed the contract, the cancellation of our deal can wait until after the handover ceremony. What do you say?" Kieran returned the contract to me.

"I'm sure you are right!" I quickly agreed and felt relaxed. "Then, Mr. Charles, goodbye!" I turned around and walked out.

"I'll be there tonight!" Kieran said just as I was about to reach the door.

I turned around in surprise, but he wasn't looking at me, already working. Then I realized he meant the dinner at Marvin's house tonight. "Well, Mr. Charles, it's fine if you don't want to go."

Kieran did not even look up. I felt embarrassed. He must have heard me this close.

"I understand, Mr. Charles!" Finally, I said awkwardly, closed the door, and left the room. However, outside the door, I couldn't figure out why he would agree to that.

Nevertheless, I had to accompany him to attend the dinner, whether it was for personal reasons or not. Besides, our contract still stood.

Therefore, I went straight to Marvin's house after work. But the moment I entered the door, I regretted it.

In the living room, Marlon and Alicia were sitting together intimately. Marvin was starting a conversation with Marlon in a fawning way, while Shania was trying to please Marlon by serving him fruit and dessert. It was like Marlon had been the emperor surrounded by servile servants.

"Rachael, welcome!" Marvin saw me and stood up with a smile. He kept looking for Kieran beyond me and realized he wasn't here, asking somewhat unhappily, "Why are you alone?"

"Mr. Charles will arrive soon!" I said indifferently and found a solo sofa to sit on. Although I had told myself to bury all the emotions and pain, they were resurfacing in this lovely and peaceful moment.

Nonetheless, I would hold off the pain and maintain my composure.

"Rachael, this is your fault. Why didn't you wait for Mr. Charles?" Shania smiled in a shrill voice, "What if he gets lost?"

"That's right. You are a grown woman with poor manners." Marvin sat down, displeased.

I pretended I hadn't heard him and watched TV.

"Mom and Dad, go easy on Rachael. She didn't mean it!" Alicia stood up from Marlon's side and smiled as she brought the fruit plate to me. She asked jokingly, "Rachael, Mom and Dad said they saw you hugging Mr. Charles at the entrance of the company. Hurry up and tell the truth. What's going on?"

Only then did I look up at Alicia. She was wearing a plain long white dress with her long hair loose. She was artistic and elegant yet lively. She was blinking at me like a spoiled kid, no different from a fairy.

To be honest, even I began to admire Alicia's acting. We had fallen out hard a few days ago, but she was being an angel now. She was a better actress than her mother Shania!

"Rachael, tell me. Is there a big secret between you and Mr. Charles? Don't worry. We are family. You can tell me!" Alicia buttered me up and tugged my sleeve.

I looked at her and smiled. Alicia was surprised. I slowly took her hand. Alicia wanted to take it back, but I tightened my grip and didn't give her the chance. I played with her fingers and said, "A secret? Alicia, why are you making things difficult for me? I'm not like you. You are beautiful and have numerous admirers, which gives you the head-start to cheat on your boyfriends. I'm just so ugly. So, how can I have any amazing secret?"

"You...." Instantly, Alicia's expression changed, but then bitterness touched her face. "Rachael, I don't know what you're talking about!" she yelled.

"You ungrateful.... Rachael, Alicia is your sister. What nonsense are you talking about!" Marvin restrained himself from cursing me and even showing his anger.

I knew if Marvin hadn't been worried Kieran would be displeased, he would have hit me instead of coming down on me.

"Rachael, you are older than her, but you should know it's wrong to bully her. Marlon would misunderstand if you keep slandering Alicia like this!" Shania said kindly, yet her gaze towards me was sharp, but it only lasted for a moment.

Because Marvin was trying to make friends with Kieran and treated me differently, Shania had to be nicer to me.

"Marlon, please don't mind. They have been like this since they were kids. Rachael enjoys making Alicia feel bad!" Shania explained to Marlon.

Marlon smiled faintly. "It's fine!"

Alicia felt defeated and sat back next to Marlon. Marvin and Shania continued to fawn over Marlon. I sat in a corner alone and felt time passing by quite slowly.

The sky gradually darkened. The housekeeper kept serving dishes, but Marvin grew sullen. Finally, he asked me, "What's going on? Why hasn't Mr. Charles come?"

I said indifferently, "How would I know? You made the call. What does it have to do with me?"

"You...." In a fit of anger, Marvin raised his hand to hit me but then put it down. He turned around and flattered Marlon, "Come, Marlon, let's start first. You must be hungry!"

I noticed they were about to have dinner as a happy family and felt like leaving. When I got up, Alicia said, "Rachael, has Mr. Charles' absence robbed you of your appetite? Are you too sad to eat with us?"

"That's right, Rachael. What a big shot Mr. Charles is! It's normal he forgets about you. You can't walk out on dinner every time he stands you up. I'm afraid you will starve this way!" Shania approached me and tugged me with a smile. "One shouldn't hold his expectations too high to avoid getting hurt!"

Since Shania pulled me, I didn't refuse and sat down to focus on eating.

"Marlon, you are so good to me!" Marlon picked up the dishes for Alicia. Alicia kissed him on the cheek grinning, somewhat shy. They looked adorable together!

"Jesus, Marlon, my Alicia really depends on you!" Shania smiled. Then she turned to me and said, "Rachael, you are older than Alicia. It's time for you to get married. You should find a suitable partner and forget about your unrealistic fantasies. It's better to be down-to-earth, don't you think?"

"Mom is right, Rachael. See how happy Marlon and I are. I hope you can be as happy as me. You know how prominent Mr. Charles is. He never needs a woman but can always find one with ease. Rachael, don't be angry or sad. You must know I am saying this for your own good. I don't want you to get hurt and break down!" Alicia lectured me as she held Marlon's arm intimately.

I looked up and smiled, "Alicia, thank you for your concern. But don't worry. I'm fine. I am not hurt or having a nervous breakdown! Because I am facing the only one who can hurt me, and I have gone numb after being harmed over and over again.

I had an itch to go home. I didn't want to be here. I felt really stupid. Kieran had been teasing but I took it seriously. Besides, he was too important to have dinner here. And in what name?

"Rachael, I'm late. Are you angry?" Suddenly, Kieran, dressed in an azure suit, walked over from the door with a smile.