The Last Ceo’s Deal

Christine’s Pov

Fanuel pulls away a moment later, his face wearing a fake disgusted look.

“Christ! Claire, you’re going to break my bones.” He groans and she makes a face at him.

“Shut up Fanuel. You are annoying.”

She turns to me then and wraps her arms around me.

“We finally met Christine. You’re so pretty; I imagined Fanuel was kidding when he said that.”

Wait, what? I turn to look at him but he is keeping himself busy, sipping away from his glass.

“He said that?” I squeak in disbelief. I know I sound like a moron..

She releases me and reaches to tuck a stray strand of hair behind my ear. She is pretty and her black strapless dress makes her look like a model if anything. She looks young, more like my age mate.

“Yeah he did. He told me about the wedding just two days ago and I had to make travel arrangements. I just got here. Couldn’t miss this for the world.”

I can’t help but smile as she keeps talking. I like her on the spot.

“My name is Claire by the way. Fanuel’s cousin or more like a sister. I’m so glad to meet you.”

“It’s nice to meet you too Claire. I’m glad you could make it.”

She smiles, her teeth all white and gleaming and her genuine smile never wears off. She leans to whisper in my ear.

“Why is he being so aloof? I’m going to punch him.”

I burst out laughing and turned to look at Fanuel. He shakes his head and turns to walk away, muttering ‘women’ under his breath.

“Let me know once you two are done gossiping.” He calls over his shoulder; just loud enough for us to hear before he walks over to my parents.

“What is he like on regular days?” I ask her with a frown as I watch him laughing at something my mom says.

Claire follows my gaze.

“He can be pretty good at times. I think he phases, or something like that. He rarely shows emotions but when he does, he goes to extremes.”

I sigh deeply.

“I hope I’ll be able to figure him out.”

She casts me a sympathetic glance. “What is he holding over you?”

I tense instantly.

“What do you mean?”

“Don’t give me that look Christine. I can tell that something unusual is happening.”

“I have no idea what you are talking about.”

I can even feel the tremor in my voice. Claire shakes her head while looking at me.

“Fanuel and I are very close. He would have told me about his wedding early enough but this seems to be a bit.. rushed. Are you sure you two are okay.”Original from NôvelDrama.Org.

I take a deep breath. I have to concentrate on not falling apart.

“We are okay. I think everything just happened so fast.”

She raises an eyebrow, an annoying act she borrowed from her cocky cousin.

“It’s okay if you say so. Just so you know, I’ll be here if you need someone to talk to, okay?”

I nod gratefully. She is so sweet unlike that bully of a cousin or more like a brother. It’s a pity that the bully happens to be my husband.

I was so elated when Laurel brought and presented the clothes before me, no I was overjoyed. Fuck the colour!!

I got myself another beautiful gown, to hell with those who destroyed the first one. This one looks so beautiful that I dreaded to know the amount.

I slipped into it without wasting much time and the makeup artist retouched my ruined face while Laurel tied the beautiful ropes enjoined to the back of the cloth.

The cloth sparkled and screamed money, My back was bare with silver ropes dangling at the sides back with every step I made.

I don’t know why but I felt so giddy, I felt happy.

Yea! Fanuel is a dick at times but he went this far as threatening Sherry to do something or she will lose her license as a fashion designer. I must confess, Sherry is so good at what she does and I couldn’t be more grateful.

I thought the wedding would be short and simple and we would get back to whatever reality we fixed ourselves into, but I was so shocked at the crowd, the media…. damn!!! Don’t they take a break?

I wasn’t expecting their reactions to be so priceless when they saw me but I was thrilled. They were stunned, maybe the gown made them react that way or my face. I couldn’t decipher but I felt glad.

No! I want this wedding to last. i want to enjoy it to my fullest before I face the tragedy that is about to befall me.

Fanuel wore pink too!!

I t.. thought he was supposed to wear white.

“Stop staring!! You wouldn’t want us to appear so childish with black, white and pink. I had to do the necessary.” He had whispered to me when I stepped closer and he pretended to tuck my hair strands in place, smiling at me.

I almost got deceived by that smile because it looked so genuine but I slapped myself inwardly and cursed that all this was for show, so I smiled back.

This man standing before me was so yummy, he was smoking hot in this pink tuxedo.

Why the fuck will he even wear a pink?!! It suits him so much that I could only sigh, I shouldn’t stand so close to him like this.

I might end up dragging him and slamming myself on his sinful lips.

Oh boy! I was losing it.

” Hey, Claire! “Someone calls from somewhere behind us and we both turn, watching as Mirabel walks to us. She is wearing a tiny white dress and skyscraper heels.

So much for trying to catch Fanuel’s attention; I think sourly.

Claire frowns as she watches her approaching.

“Hi.” She says simply and Mirabel comes to a stop right in front of us. She doesn’t spare me a glance and she proceeds to hug Claire, who doesn’t seem to share the enthusiasm.

“It’s been a while. You look so good.” Mirabel appraises her as she talks.

“Thank you.” Claire says and she doesn’t bother returning the smiles. Seems like someone around here shares my opinion about Mirabel.

“I didn’t know you would be here. Fanuel never mentioned anything.” Mirabel continues with her near monologue and finally, Claire shakes her head, making her shut up.

“The name is Mirabel, right?”

“Yeah that’s right.”

“Okay Mirabel, have you had the chance to meet Christine? She’s my sister in law and Fanuel’s bride. I’m sure you already figured that out though; right?”

Claire’s tone is intentionally deliberate and smug and I fight the fierce grin that is bubbling from within.

I watch as Miarbel’s face falls.

“We’ve met before.” She nods at me. “Hi Christine.”

My face remains impassive. “Hi yourself.”

“You had an invitation?” Claire asks her and she sputters something unfathomable.

“I figured out as much. It must be hard following Fanuel around, right? It’s a pity that he is now married. If I were you, I would strive to stay away from him. I’m sure you don’t want to be in loggerheads with Christine.” Claire speaks slowly, clearly.. Keeping her voice low.

After a split second, Mirabel clicks and walks away. The stream of profanities that she leaves behind makes my headache.

“Who is she?” I ask when she is out of sight.

Claire shakes her head slowly. “Sweetheart, how long have you known Fanuel?”

I shrug. “Like a month?”

“A month? And you know nothing about Mirabel? How weird.”

Okay, so whatever happened between her and Fanuel was pretty recent.

“He didn’t say anything about her.” I say while staring at a tent. If I catch her eye, she’ll know without a doubt that I’m lying.

“Still, I find it really funny that you didn’t know about her. Anyway, he brought her home once, we had an event and they showed up together. He wasn’t paying much attention to her but she somehow got into Dad’s head.

Dad was glad their union would create a massive bond between his company and the president. More money, more connections, more opportunities.

She’s the President’s daughter.

“Oh” My mouth curved into a round surprise. No wonder!

The sassiness, aggressive attitude, expensive clothes and pretty face was all visible.

“So she was Fanuel’s girlfriend?” I ask earnestly as if I wasn’t aware. I’m so jealous!!! A freaking president’s daughter!!! I want to burst.

“He never introduced her as his girlfriend but she was trying hard to fit in, you know. He was forced by dad, he has to make dad happy and of course have the company’s interest in mind.” She looks at me over.

“Maybe you should ask Fanuel.”

“No it’s fine.” I reply too quickly. I would never ask Fanuel about such a thing. He’ll think I’m being jealous and irrational.

“It’s fine?” She asks angrily. “You think it’s fine that he was parading that woman while you two were still together?” Claire’s face is a mask of disbelief.

“When exactly was that?”

“Less than two weeks ago sweetheart. I don’t want to spoil your moods but this for your own good.”

“I know. It’s just that my relationship with Fanuel is a bit… different.”

“Different.” She scoffs. “I can tell as much. It’s fucking different. I don’t want to upset him so I’m not going to say anything. But Christine, you can always talk to me; okay?”.

“Thanks.” I say genuinely and she gives me a warm smile.

“Don’t mention it sis.”

I like her already.