Emperor of Destruction [EDITING]

xlii.

XLII

Clementine was right when she said sitting at the same table as the Westbrooks was like having brunch with the royal family.

My hands have been sweating nonstop the moment I plopped my ass down on the soft, seated cushioned tall chairs. One wrong move and I could ruin the entire dinner.

Over our heads hangs a beautiful golden chandelier, the bright light hitting the silver utensils, and crystal glasses. Candles light the dining room, and there are fresh flowers along every wall. The table has an elegant centerpiece in black and gold. The napkins resemble chinese dragons that are blowing out fire on each dinner plate.

If the posh crème walls could speak, they'd be begging for me to stop fidgeting with my dress. I'm wearing a gown specially designed by Clementine. The expensive fabric practically flows at my ankles, giving it the whole film-noir hollywood look. I paired the dress with a faux white coat and a deep shade of red heels.

My hair was pinned into a sophisticated bun, using pins and clips, as gold earrings dangled from my ears, and an equally beautiful necklace hung around my neck.

Having a fashionista as a best friend definitely had it's perks.

Christian Westbrook—the man of the hour, sat at the head of the table with his youthful wife beside him, her hands placed over his on top of the well-decorated table.

Silas and his father have been giving each other their infamous death glares ever since we came in. I didn't know what to say or do, but thankfully Catalina did.

"Well, isn't this a pleasure? I never would've guessed my future daughter in law would be this gorgeous." She said casually, as if she were just sparkling up a new topic instead of suggesting my hand in marriage to her son.

I flushed, feeling my cheeks grow hotter. Marriage? I'm only seventeen. A girl like me isn't ready for that kind of talk.

"Don't jump ahead, Catalina. We don't even know if the two are serious yet." Christian grumbled.

Suddenly I felt a hand grab mine. I look over at Silas. "Soon enough, I'm going to make this girl my wife."

I blinked, then gaped for a second and blinked again, not believing my ears. My face must've been so red because Catalina asked me if I were okay. Of course I wasn't, but I replied with, "Yes."

Whereas Catalina was ecstatic, Christian was not. He was the only one at the table that clearly had a problem with someone like me marrying into a family that has the reputation of royalty.

Thankfully, the servers came out from the kitchen—temporarily cutting the tension and awkwardness. They place plates in front of us, and the rest in the middle. The dishes were from all around the world. Russia, Africa, India, America, China, Germany, and etc.

I've never smelled something so appetising before.

I thanked them and they left.

Just as I was about to dig into my steak, Silas pulled my plate away. "Hey!" My protests were in vain because he starts cutting it up with a knife. My face relaxes and so does my blood pressure. He remembered how I liked my steak cut up.

I fell into a trance of awe watching him. Is it bold to say I fell even more in love with him at this moment?

Silas and his father conversed with business talk. To be more specific, talk about Silas taking over his father's business.

-

Autumn fixes the neckline on her dress, tugging until her bra strap is visable in the process. Christian glare soon turns into a gaze when his eyes carry over the table and onto her.

"Don't fucking look at her." I spat, having no doubt that my eyes were filled with murdeous rage. This being the few times I wanted to kill my Father.

He slowly turns back to me, eyes glinting with mischief. "Well, have you thought about what you're going to tell the Scuderi family?"

I dug the knife in my steak. "About?"

And that ladies and gentlemen, is when the Christian Westbrook loses it. He quickly rose from his seat at the end of the table, slamming his fist on the flat surface. "Why my son, my only heir, is a complete disappointment!" His voice boomed, but he continues. "Why instead of doing as told, he blatantly disobeys me!"

Anger bubbles up my throat and demands to be let out. "If you didn't have unrealistic, shitty rules for me to follow, then maybe there wouldn't be a reason for me to disobey." I kept my voice low and neutral, just the way he hates it.

"Christian.." Mom tried reasoning with him, putting her hand on his.

But he shrugs her hand off him like a bug just crawled on him. Mom backed off with a heart expression evident on her pale face.

"Don't touch me, you wretched woman." He hissed, pointing a finger accusingly at mom. "You knew about this and didn't do a damn thing about it."

Mom gasped. Autumn winced from the cruelty behind his words, and I round around the dinner table. Before anyone could react, my fist collides with Christan's cheek. The feeling of the crack in his cheekbone under my fist satisfied my blood thirst.

"Silas!" Autumn.

"Shameless brat!" Hollered Christian before he aims an uppercut punch. I managed to block his attack and counter it with another punch, which sent him kneeling over, clinching his stomach in pain when I landed a punch on his abdomen. For the first time in my 18 years of living, I finally see the look of defeat on my father's face. And my father was never the type to surrender.

Autumn ran to my side while mom went to tend to her husband lying on the floor. I didn't realize the servants came out of the kitchen until one asks if I'm alright. I ignore him, focusing all my attention on someone who matters to me more than anyone. "Are you okay?"

Her hand motions stopped mid way from making sure I wasn't hurt. She pulled away, eyeing me as if i'm the crazy one. "Am I okay? What about you?"

"I'm fine." I reassured her. The familiar sound of groaning has me turning my back. Christian's finally up on his feet, with a blood-stained smile on his face.

He gave both Autumn and I a corrupted grin. "Quick-minded and Ill-tempered." His grin widens. "You really are my son."

"Unfortunately." I retorted in a bored tone before continuing. "Disrespect my future wife and lay your hand on my mother again, I dare you."

"And if I do?" Christian challenged.

"You and I both know I have no issue with bloodshed, father."