I pushed the plate of okra in front of him. “Have some more. These are good for your kidneys.”
Anthony smiled, his beady eyes crinkling as he did so. “Did I not please my wife last night?”
I did not manage to swallow my fruit juice in time and sprayed it all over the table. It was a good thing that the tables surrounding us were empty.
Anthony handed me a serviette which I grabbed immediately for fear of him wiping my mouth for me.
“Anthony, could you please not have dirty thoughts while we’re eating?” I chastised after cleaning myself up.
“Hey, you were the one who pointed out that I had weak kidneys. I was just going along with what you said.” He shrugged.
I covered my face with my palms in exasperation. “I did not say that. I just meant that okras help with kidney health. It was not a hint that you’re weak in anything. Do you get me?”
“So were you praising my abilities then?” he asked shamelessly.
For the love of… Ugh!
It was times like these when I found myself constantly amazed at the capacity and creativity of the male brain.
I wouldn’t be able to finish my lunch if we kept this up.
Thus, I did not speak for the rest of the meal. Surprisingly, Anthony finished all the okra with grace. I think he felt awkward about it.
Nora called right then. “Are you all in Lavelian Village?” she demanded with her usual vigor. “I’m bored over here. Can I come over to you?”
I was speechless. “Some items at the base have been stolen. Do you think we would have the time to entertain you if you came?”
“That’s fine. I was just thinking of coming over and bothering you for a bit. We’re all friends, after all. I could visit my grandfather in the meantime; he asked me to invite you for dinner too. Are you free tonight?”
Channing inviting me for dinner? I was nonplussed. “Why would Mr. Oberick invite me for dinner?”
“Because I told him about you, of course. I’ve never had any friends growing up, so he would be delighted if I brought a friend home for dinner.”
I nodded as I recalled the last meal I had with Mr. Oberick at the hotel. He mentioned the thing about Grandma. Maybe this would be a good opportunity to ask him further about Grandma’s past.
I realized after several moments that Nora was not able to see my nod of agreement. “Alright, I’ll see you in a bit!” I said.
After I hung up, I found Anthony looking at me with a frown on his face. “Was that Nora?”
I nodded. “She invited me to dinner tonight.”
“You’re not planning on bringing me along?”
I snorted.
“I think it would be pretty awkward if you tagged along. Besides, it’ll be boring for you to listen to us girls gossiping.” Actually, I did not want him at Mr. Oberick’s house with me.
I had many questions about Grandma that I intend to discover on my own.
Anthony leaned back in his chair but did not pursue the matter. “Did you ever have a crush on Armond?” he asked suddenly.
I almost bit my tongue off. “What are you thinking about?” I asked with a glare.
Although, I think it’s fair that he would think that. Given the circumstances of what had happened before.
Anthony looked around idly. “Nora and you are pretty good friends, and she’s a good match with Armond, wouldn’t you say so? I suggest that you should stop thinking about Armond.”
I was breathless with indignant anger. “Anthony, you need to sort out the rubbish that’s going through your head!” I said as I stood up violently.
Without another word to him, I turned around and marched out of the hotel.
Right at the hotel entrance, Linda saw that I was all worked up, so she asked, “What’s wrong? Have you guys been fighting again?”
I tried my best to suppress my temper. “Anthony is a jerk. A d*mn jerk!”
Linda was about to ask me something but changed her mind. Instead, she stifled her giggle.
I knew that she was laughing at the way I vented my frustration about Anthony. My resentment, however, did not dissipate this easily. “How could I have a crush on Armond? His eyes are attractive, but that’s about it. They’re not good for much else.”
“Sienna, you could tell this to Mr. Featherstone straight to his face, you know,” Linda said as her lips twitched. “Why would you get yourself so worked up?”
“Tell him what?” I retorted. “He’s a typical man without a freakin’ brain! Ugh… Rachel has been so nice to him, and he fails to see it. Not just that, he fails to see how Armond and Nora are meant for each other. I do not like Armond at all, but this was the conclusion that he jumped to despite contrary evidence!”
“There, there. It’s just a small matter, so don’t be mad at it anymore,” Linda said, still trying to conceal her amusement. “Anyway, I have something to attend to, so see you!”
“Why are you in a rush?” I frowned. “Aren’t we supposed to go to the base together?”
“Um… Mr. Featherstone is still staring at you, so I think he’s expecting you to go with him. See you around!” Linda disappeared without waiting for my response.
Her hasty departure startled me. As I turned back towards the hotel, I was greeted by the sight of Anthony at the door with his arms folded. He gazed at me with his bright dark eyes, with a smile on his lips.
I just spoke ill of him. I definitely can’t make amends with him this easily.
Besides, I wasn’t planning on acknowledging him. I will go on my own.
Before I’d made a few steps, Anthony caught my arm. “Are you still angry?”
“No.” I pursed my lips haughtily.
“I know that there’s nothing between you and Armond. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said those things. It was my fault.” His tone was equal amounts of amusement and exasperation.
“How could you be wrong? You’re the president of a corporation! It was my mistake, not yours,” I answered sarcastically as I was taken aback by his confession.
I threw off his grip and prepared to walk away from him.
However, he yanked me towards him until I was pressed against his chest. “Alright, let’s call a truce,” Anthony said. “I still have to get back to work. Let’s head to the base!”
It felt like he was comforting a surly child rather than a sincere apology. I knew I was wrong to have blown it out of proportion too; it wouldn’t do to stay mad at him.
“Let’s never speak of this again,” I said, looking up at him.
“Let’s not,” he agreed, smiling down at me as he did so.
I’ve always harbored the suspicion that Joseph was either listening or watching us as he always appeared exactly when he was wanted. In this case, he brought the car over when we were ready to leave.
Anthony squeezed me close to him and covered my eyes. “Get some sleep,” he said quietly.
“I’m not sleepy,” I said as I flung away his hand. “What’re you trying to do, Anthony?” I asked with a look of confusion.
He stretched out to put up the partition before he said, “Was it not enough for you to be looking at me?”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
Leave a Reply