Chapter 25
It turned
out that
our bedroom had completely been rearranged, with our beds now much further away from each other.
Vivienne moved hers to the side of the wall near the balcony while mine remained on the same spot. That’s as good as ten feet away according to my estimation. Jervis said that she was making noises and sweating a lot earlier–so, this explained why.
I let out a breath of relief, the heaviness in my chest lifting.
“I hope you’re happy with this. Take it as my way of apologizing to you for punching you,” Vivienne said. “I didn’t mean to get violent.”
I stared at her, wide–eyed. “You’re apologizing? By moving your bed further away from mine! I blurted out incredulously.
“Uh, yeah? Isn’t this what you want?”
“Huh? I didn’t say anything like that.”
Now, I felt stupid; it was as if our roles had reversed.
I planned for the entire way back home to bring up what happened the other night. Unlike me, though, she decided to address it Hirectly, even going as far as distancing herself from me, thinking that would satisfy me. I, on the other hand, chose to apologize by doing a kind of gesture that she used to do for me in the past.
“About that…” I muttered before stepping aside and motioning for her to look outside the door. “I did something for you too.”
I watched as Vivienne’s jaw practically dropped to the floor upon seeing the heap of shopping gift bags. Inside were expensive clothes. and shoes from prominent brands. I made sure that all of them fit Vivienne’s size and suit her sense of fashion
“I thought I should buy new stuff for you, but since I’m not sure what exactly you like, I bought all these. But if you happen not to fancy them, I already reserved a boutique and salon at the mall for you to go to any day-
“Wait, wait! Hold on a moment, Your Majesty!”
I lifted a brow. “Your Majesty!”
“Yes, Your Majesty! Let me just take this all in.”
Unsure what was the matter, I looked at her in surprise and confusion. She’s giving me an astounded and somewhat appalled expression. Seeing that look on her face, I wondered if I overdid it.
“Also, what’s up with ‘Your Majesty‘?
Vivienne thought to herself for a moment before suddenly slumping down couldn’t help but feel I have made yet another mistake. I just did what I thought would make Vivienne happy–or at least her twenty–four–year–old self.
Yet, the only reaction I got in return was this disheartened face of hers.
This made me feel a little bit frustrated. I thought that women were easy to please.
“Thanks for the thought and the trouble, Your Majesty, Vivienne began again after a long pause. “But you don’t have to do this if you wait to apologize to me. It’s for the other night, isn’t it? Just saying you’re sorry is enough as long as you mean it.”
Not at all expecting her response, I blinked at her in puzzlement. I sensed that something was really up with her today. For some reason, she appeared somewhat out of it.
“Why You never declined any of my invitations before, I asked, regarding her inquisitively. “Or what? You only agree to come with Mr. Ashwood now!”
by my own words. I did not even consider that possibility before I said it
It was her turn to blink at me in surprise. Even I was thrown off by my
Juiden Ashwood. Suddenly, my blood began to boil again, my anger was back.
I silently scrutinized her expression. She wasn’t answering my question, wasn’t even trying to defend herself. I was completely clueless about her thoughts right now
As much as I wanted in ignore these emotions stirring within me, I could not bring myself to do so.
“Very well, then I hissed through gritted teeth. “Vivienne, for the rest of this werk, you are to assist me with my work.”
3:38
Chapter 23
“What?!” she exclaimed and gaped at me. “I–Is this paperwork?! Sorry, but I’m not trained to work behind the desk, and 1-”
-What are you saying?
You literally took half of the paperwork, in the office before.
“I did?” She tilted her head quizzically. “Wow, that’s pretty amazing of me
“And so, you’re going to prove how amazing you are to me and come with me to my office.
“B–But I really
“After that. I’ll be sure to reward you. What do you say about going to the beach?”
“To where?!”
Her eyes gleamed; it seemed her interest was piqued. I smirked, deciding to take this chance and prod further.
“The beach, you say?”
“We have private beach resorts. Since you just got out of the hospital and had to show up to everyone in the pack so soon, you’re probably tired, so go see the ocean and take your time relaxing there. I heard that has some therapeutic benefits,” I explained, tempting her even more. “If you want, Ill have the nearest resort to the ocean prepared for you. That way, you don’t have to be disturbed or seen by people all the time, and you can get to be by yourself as much as you want.
“The beach. Hmm….”
mm..”
Vivienne appeared to see no harm in that. She nodded, though going by the way her eyes narrowed slightly at me, she still sensed something odd with how magnanimous my offer was. I did have a smooth way with my words; I was that persuasive.
“Fine, fine. I’ll help you with whatever paperwork you need my horrible penmanship for. I warned you.” Vivienne conceded. “As for the beach, well. As long as I get to be on my own and don’t have to follow you everywhere you go. I’ll take it up too”
Almost at once, all these frustrating emotions stirring within me disappeared, my anger gone now that I knew Vivienne would not have to spend the next following days all alone with Jaiden again.
