19. Do you really want me to look good for another woman?

ASHER.

Grandfather will be alright. I, on the other hand? Not so much. I woke up much better physically that morning, with a pretty view but only my health improved. The doctors say Isabelle is the reason my grandfather is not in a coma heading for the underworld and, whilst I am happy my favorite family member is still alive I am annoyed by the repercussions. Nobody is going to listen to a word I say when I refuse to marry her. But how can I marry someone as despicable as she is? I've never despised someone the way I despise her but I have to sit and stomach yet another dinner with her again so the family can thank her for saving grandfather's life.

"Mister Quing?" A familiar and oddly comforting voice pulls me out of my head, speaking about a pretty view, I can't help the slight raise of the side of my lips. "All the clothes you are to wear to the dinner party this evening are laid out on the bed if you would like to get ready? It's almost time."

Turning to face her I pursed my lip and glance at the bed, "I don't like them." I revel in her sudden change in expression, how her face goes from confusion to annoyance and now just plain old disbelief. "But you selected those clothes with the stylist earlier."

"Well now I don't like them anymore," I repeat myself, maintaining eye contact with her while appearing haughty. It comes with the background, so acting like this isn't anything new for me.

She leans back, straightening her backs and from the bottom of her eyes she looks down at me keeping her chin up in the air. These expressions make my teasing worthwhile while, basically, the only things making me happy these days.

"And might I ask why?" She frowns.

I shrug in indifference, "no reason it's just a family dinner doesn't that seem a tad bit extravagant to you?"

Biting her lower plump lip she turns to look at the clothes briefly before looking back at me. "Well, you are meeting your future wife so you should look your best." And bam! My mood is ruined again, I am on my feet quicker than it took her to react so I had to reach out and grab her arm to prevent her from hitting the ground… again.

"Oh? So you want me to look my best for my wife?" I say slowly, in a low deep voice. Intending to scare her, leaning closer I whisper in her ear. "You seem very concerned about me and my so-called future wife is that why you told me about the maid? Don't think I haven't noticed the look in your eyes, all those secret glances" I state bluntly, I realize I am taking it too far but I can't stop myself.

"Tell me, Sabine, do you really want me to look good for another woman?"

She stumbled backward, pushing against my chest "I… I don't know what you're talking about." She stuttered.

Looking up at the clock behind her, I really did not have much time, "get out."

"Eh?"

"I said get out, I don't need you anymore, I'll pick out something for myself. So get lost."

SABINE

Okay, what the hell just happened? Is that guy bipolar or something? Like seriously, what the hell was that in there? How did he go from being so nice and so pitiful this morning to telling me to get lost? And besides, why is he acting like such a baby? Wear the clothes you were given already… damn my mood is already ruined. But why the hell is my heart thumping so hard? Why are my palms sweaty and why do my cheeks feel so hot? Damn you, Sabine, liking him is not only a foolish thing to do is also a very bad idea!

"Sabine?"

Looking forward I meet Florence, "do you need something?"

"No, but there is a man outside saying he wants to see you" Florence informs me.

"Me?" I wonder who it could be, so without wasting any more time I head outside, and get into one of the many golf carts outside the Apex and drive to the gate. It would take the whole day and a whole damn lot of energy to walk to the house from the gate so most of the time we have to get there by vehicle. By the time I reach the gate and go through the routine check-in security I enter the waiting room outside the gates for employees.

"Sabine?" If shock had a face it would probably be mine at that moment, forget everything I said before because my heart did thump this time with so many emotions it was dizzying to understand. I felt my body move backward a few unsteady steps and I clutched my chest to stop my overworking heart.

"Dad?"