Chapter 25 I''m Serious
Alistair didn''t understand why Reba had kept such a major secret from her parents, but he no longer cared. Now that the truth was out, he felt an overwhelming sense of relief.
The moment he stepped out of the building, he spotted a familiar luxury car parked by the curb.
A nce at the license te confirmed it was the same one Caroline often used.
Does Caroline have business dealings with the Whitfield family?
Just as the thought crossed his mind, the car window rolled down, revealing Caroline-her hair tied in a sleek ponytail, gold-framed sses perched on her nose-ncing sideways at him. "Get in."
Once inside, Alistair remarked, "What a coincidence."
"This isn''t a coincidence."
"You didn''t just happen to be passing by."
"Of course not," Caroline replied with a smile. "I came to pick
you up."
Her smile was dazzling, leaving Alistair momentarily dazed. Chapter 25 I''m Serious
He averted his gaze, flustered. "I could''ve taken a cab. You''re so busy-"
"I''m not that busy right now. Did everything go smoothly?"
"Very smoothly."
"Good. I''m relieved you weren''t mistreated."
Alistair was taken aback.
Her expression told him she meant every word.
Is she treating me like a child now?
I''m not Eloise.
Though amused, he couldn''t help but feel touched.
No one has cared about me like this since Grandpa passed
away.
"Thank you."
But his gratitude only earned him a frown from Caroline. "Why are you being so formal?"
"We''re husband and wife. Family. You don''t need to say thank you," she said naturally.
Alistair was once again overwhelmed.
Chapter 25 I''m Serious
It''s only been three days since we met.
Maybe she''s just worried something might happen to me, leaving Eloise fatherless again.
Am I, a grown man, really worth this much concern over such trivial matters?
Caroline dropped Alistair off at home before heading to the office.
Standing at the curb, Alistair waved goodbye with a smile, watching her car until it disappeared from sight.
Only then did he realize something felt off.
What''s the difference between me and a doting housewife waiting for her CEO husband toe home?
“Focus on driving. If you keep sneaking nces, I''ll gouge your
eyes out."
Caroline''s eyes never left herptop, but that didn''t stop her from threatening her subordinate.
Julian, her driver and assistant, touched his nose guiltily. "Ms. Ashbourne, you''re bing more tyrannical by the day. Can''t I even look at the scenery?"
Caroline scoffed, "Scenery? You were practically drilling holes. into him with your eyes."
Chapter 25 I''m Serious
Julian defended himself, "Was it that obvious?"
His curiosity got the better of him. "Who is he?"
"I already told you. He''s my husband. Eloise''s father."
"Stop joking around," Julianughed. "When did you even meet him? Howe I didn''t know?"
Though Julian had only been Caroline''s assistant for two years, their rtionship went beyond employer and employee. Hist other had been the driver for Caroline''s grandmother, Mabel,
he had grown up in Ashbourne Manor.
Competent and trustworthy, Julian was like an older brother to Caroline. So when
he heard his "little sister" suddenly had a husband, he couldn''t stay calm.
"Three days ago."
"What? Three days ago?"
"You asked when we met. Three days ago."
"And then what? He just became your husband?"
Julian was convinced Caroline was messing with him.
The usually aloof and reserved Ms. Ashbourne asionally shows her humorous
side in private.
Caroline''s eyes glinted with amusement. "That''s right. He''s my
Chapter 25 I''m Serious legally certified husband."
"How certified are we talking?"
"We have a marriage license."
Julian pulled the car over and turned to face her.
Caroline met his gaze. "You can''t park here. If we get a ticket, you''re paying for it
out of pocket. No reimbursements."
Julian ignored her. A few tickets were nothingpared to the bombshell she''d just dropped. "You seriously married him?"
Caroline sighed and looked up.
The ever-professional Ms. Ashbourne actually snuck out during work hours to pick up her husband.
Resting her chin on her hand, she said, "Yes."
"What about Madam Ashbourne-"
"I''ll tell her in a couple of days."
Julian sighed too, "I know Madam Ashbourne has been pressuring youtely, but that''s just because she cares. You can''t just marry some guy you met three days ago to make her happy. What does Eloise think? What''s his character like? Is he patient with her? Will he leave you without a second thought?"
Then he caught himself.
Chapter 25 I''m Serious
With Caroline''s status and looks, what man wouldn''t be head over heels?
Given the chance, any guy would be on his best behavior around her. Of course, he wouldn''t show his ws.
Caroline shot back, "Do you really think the man I chose would
be trash?"
Julian paused. She had a point.
"Besides, I''m serious."
"About what?"
"I''m serious about him, Julian." Caroline''s expression turned solemn. "I''m in this
for the long haul."
*****
Before, I was like a spinning top-busy from the moment / opened my eyes.
Now that myst marriage is over, it''s like I''ve been emancipated. My wife actually took time off work to chauffeur me around in a luxury car. I''m not used to this.
But that driver of hers was weird. He kept sneaking nces at me like he wanted
to dissect me on the spot.
When it was time, Alistair went to pick up Eloise.
Chapter 25 I''m Serious
The car used for her school runs was a spacious,fortable. van with a
beautiful starry ceiling.
Alistair didn''t have a driver''s license, but even if he did, he
wouldn''t need to drive-there was a chauffeur for that.
As he waited outside the kindergarten, someone approached and stood beside
him.
The man nced at Alistair and smirked. "Long time no see."
Alistair gave him a nk look and replied with a nomittal "Hmm," clearly uninterested in conversation.
But the man, undeterred, continued cheerfully, "Thank you for taking such good care of my wife and son all these years."
Alistair smiled, "You''re wee. After all, I had your son call me ''Dad'' for several years."
Richard''s refined, schrly expression darkened instantly.
Though Alistair and Richard had been in different sses during their school days-one in the international program, the other in the regr stream-that hadn''t stopped them from crossing paths.
And they''d developed a mutual dislike, stemming from a past. conflict.
Alistair knew Reba had chosen him precisely because
Chapter 25 I''m Serious Richard despised him.
"Oh, and one more thing," Alistair added sincerely. "Do me at favor and keep your
wife in check. Now that we''re divorced,
it''s best if we never cross paths again. So please, make sure she doesn''te looking for me."
Richard scoffed, looking smug, "If that''s really how you feel, then what are you doing here?"