The days pass by slowly, and although Kervyn is still cold and calculating in front of the staff and men, there are moments when I catch him alone when I see a different side of him for the briefest of moments. I so desperately want to bring that side out because maybe, if that side does exist, I can come to peace with the path I’m being forced down.
He’s allowing Asher to come over and plan the wedding with me, and Asher’s been given access to an account to plan the gender reveal. This means she has to talk to Kervyn’s family, which is quite funny to hear her comment about them afterward when we text.
Although, she isn’t giving away any of the details of the party because she wants it to be a surprise.
It almost seems normal to have her come over and sit on the terrace with me while we indulge in the luxurious food and discuss the wedding. So far, we’ve been going over what Kervyn’s family wants for the wedding, and Asher has been trying to push me to talk to him about what I want.
It’s the only wedding I’m going to have, according to him, and I do want certain things. We’ve discussed it in private, Asher and I, but I haven’t mentioned it to Kervyn.
Today is no different as Asher spreads preserves over her overly-buttered toast.
“I’m just saying, maybe if you approach him about it and he sees you want to participate, he’ll let you have some things you want for the wedding,” she says before taking a big bite of her crunchy toast.
“Look, he is being very generous with the wedding, but I think his family is very traditional and wants things to be a certain way. I don’t want to upset the apple cart.” I reach for some more grapes. I’ve been trying to avoid junk food while I’m pregnant.
“Yes, but maybe they’re only planning it this way because he still thinks you don’t want it. I mean, from what you’ve told me and the way you gush about him, I’d swear you were falling for him.” She grins.
“Oh, hush,” I say, blushing crimson. “I am not falling for the guy who abducted me. I’m doing what I need to do for my baby and to survive.”
Asher holds up a hand, then leans forward and takes mine. “I know, darling. But you need to start adjusting your life to accommodate all these things that will be a permanent feature. Maybe try to make the most of it. He is hot after all and rich as fuck.”
“That’s not what I see when I look at him, and that’s not all that matters about a boy. You’re Italian. You’re supposed to be all about the romance,” I tease.
“So, there is romance?” she asks, grinning. “And that’s a terrible stereotype.”
“There is no romance,” I say firmly.
“Except he rescued you from his evil cousin who wanted to hurt you, and then you made passionate love in the shower,” she teases.
My blush deepens. “Keep this up, and you’ll never hear a juicy morsel again.”
She laughs and eats her last bite of toast before dusting her hands off and getting up. “I should call my cab and get ready to go. He’ll be back soon and might want you all to himself.”
“Not really, we’re just kind of…existing.” I look out the window. “But he is here now.”
“Get him to do something.” She turns to me. “Just do it. Tell him you want to, I don’t know, do something fun and make him do it with you. If there really is a fun side to him, you’ll bring it out, and you’ll be able to see something worth looking forward to.”
“Maybe,” I muse as Kervyn and Luka walk toward the house.
Asher takes out her phone as they walk in, and Luka pauses. “Are you leaving? I didn’t see your car.”
“Sold it,” Asher says, looking at him defiantly. She refuses to fear them anymore now that they’re a permanent part of my life. “I’m about to call a cab home.”
“I’ll drive you,” Luka says. It isn’t so much an offer as a direction.
“I’m going to accept because I’m saving cash, but keep your hands to yourself, you filthy man-whore.” Asher says before turning to hug me. “I’ll message you when I’m home safe and away from this beast.”
Luka chuckles and follows her out of the room.
“Good day?” Kervyn asks as he loosens his tie.
What the hell? Maybe Asher is right.
“Let’s go out,” I say suddenly. “Let’s go…” I cast my mind around for something we can’t do at the mansion. “Let’s go play miniature golf.”
He stares at me. “Leon can take you tomorrow if you want to play.”
“I want you to take me,” I say, clasping my hands behind my back. I notice his eyes stray to my boobs, which are popping out more because of how I’m standing.
“Well…”
“Me and you. Guards can come, but they stay far away so we can just get to know each other.” He stares at me, and I finally say. “I’m bored and want to do something fun and childish.”
“I don’t do fun and childish in public where people can see me,” he says.
I look at him, disappointed, then turn and walk away from him with my head hanging low.
I hear his sigh and try not to smirk.
“Fine,” he says. “Let me change into something more casual, and we can go play mini golf.”
I smile and walk toward the stairs. “I’ll change too into something warmer and grab some comfortable shoes.”
I get changed and meet him by his car out front. It’s a large Porsche. It’s his family's favorite type of car. He waits for me to buckle in before driving for twenty minutes, in silence, to the miniature golf course in the next neighborhood.
I get out of the car and beam at him. “They have ice cream. We can have ice cream when we’re done.”
“You are aiming for childish, aren’t you?” he asks, but I swear I see a smile teasing his lips.
