Protecting Her At All Cost

Macy Point of view

She fell behind as Angie stepped forward and began her speech. Her hands felt cold even with the sun softly heating down on them. The new warmth beside her reminded her that she wasn't alone. He leaned down and whispered.

"Are you cold?" "I'm just nervous."

"You don't have to be, I'm here. We can always leave if you want." he offered as cheers erupted up ahead as the cutting took place.

They stepped inside and everyone followed but Macy watched as her family began to play their cards.

Her uncle, Richard started first, with his shirt dress tucked in beige pants his lips spread into a wide smile. Arthur noticed and pulled her closer to him. It was nothing she expected but it proved her a sense of comfort and backing.

"Macy, it's nice to see you in one piece. How was your trip back to the city?" "It was well, not so much changed in the city-"

"Well I wouldn't expect the same, especially from someone who is never stable." it was a blow to her but she maintained her composure.

"I also heard about your terrible decision-making."

"Excuse me?" Macy turned to Arthur with her eyes wide. Arthur's word must've slipped out by mistake and now her uncle Richard's face recoiled in annoyance.

"Do you know who you're speaking to?" he asked as he took a step closer.

"I'm sorry I thought we were throwing around random words," he said feigning ignorance. "My apologies, I don't think we've officially met. My name is Kent, Arthur Kent." Her uncle's eyes seemed to brighten at the name but he covered it with a scowl.

"Arthur Kent? That's a joke, there's no way Macy would bring Arthur Kent with her- he's the most eligible— you know what, I don't want to engage you two in a back and forth. Enjoy the rest of the evening." he said and walked away.

"What was that?" she asked quietly as they moved to the counter where a cup of boba was passed to them.

"I told you, Macy, if anyone wants to fight you, they'll be fighting me too." they turned to walk to one of the seats at the back when a woman in the yellow dress stopped them.

"Macy!" she pulled Macy in a hug, placing a kiss on the sides of her cheeks and then reaching out to hug Arthur who only extended his hands for a shake.

"Aunty Racheal. This is Arthur, my boyfriend."

"Boyfriend huh, he sure looks way better than someone you'll normally go for. Where did you find her darling?" if there was anything Macy knew Aunty Racheal for, it was shameless flirting with men younger than her.

"It's where she found me," Arthurs's hands slipped further down Macy's back resting just on the small of her back. Her face burned as he placed a light kiss on the top of her head.

"You sure look different from the last time you came back home, did you add some more weight?" she asked Macy's body with no shame. "Are you sure you're healthy and doing just well? Have you been seeing your therapist- you know we want you to be in good health if you're going to lead the company as president."

"I'm doing just fine," Macy replied tightly but Aunt Racheal wasn't done yet.

"Did she tell you about how troubling life had been for her? Poor girl, I would lose my mind if such things would happen to me. It's a great thing Macy is strong." Aunt Racheal said and reached for Macy's arm but Arthur pulled her further into him.

"I think that's enough. You're trying to victimise her in front of me and pretend like you care when you don't. Are you that miserable to feed off something like that?" he stated curtly.

"I was just looking out for her,"

"Then you shouldn't be asking those questions here and now I don't think it's in your place since you don't honestly care about her."

"And you do? What is this?"

"Don't cause a scene here Racheal, I'm sure you don't want to get on the bad side of the media during this period," he warned and the woman hugged before leaving. Macy may be worried about her extended family clamming down on her troubled past in the presence of Atthur who should be a Stranger to them. It was pure sabotage and they never planned on going easy with her.

"Are you okay?" Macy only sucked on the straw in her cup and leaned on the wall. Arthur sighed, unable to decipher what was going on in her head and it was slowly driving him nuts. These people were horrible and she was tolerating all of them.

An hour later, Macy was tired of waiting around and brushed her hair before stepping outside. She wanted to leave this place but at the same time, she didn't want to upset Angie.

"Come on, we're leaving," Arthur said gently, pulling her with him.

"We can't just leave, Angie-"

"I spoke to Angie already and even though you don't want to hurt her feelings I don't think you want to be here with the rest of these people," he said calmly and she chewed on her bottom lips.

"Can you- can you stop doing that?" he sighed and she frowned.

"Doing what-" his thumb caught onto the skin beneath her lips and pulled her lips apart.

"That's disturbing," he muttered and caught sight of someone watching them carefully.

"I think someone is watching us," she whispered as her eyes returned to Arthur who seemed to be deeply lost in something.

"Do you think they're suspecting us?" she mused as she played with her nails.

"They will know if you keep acting nervous." she couldn't help it, her heart raced and her throat dried up. Everything was suddenly loud and her head hurt a lot.

"Mace, hey, Look at me, everything is okay." Arthur gently tilted her head up to stare at him.

"Arthur-" he enveloped her in a hug that shredded her fears and pain into oblivion, it was quiet, it was comforting, and it was a place she never thought to be in.

"Stay with me Love, I'm right here," he whispered into her hair.