An Engagement Of PARALLELS

Chapter 15- Maverick

A day after our engagement, we land in Canada for our work meeting.

Pop , being Pop, suggested that I take my loving wife to be with me as well. So Reyna is here too.

I honestly don't remember her ever accompanying anyone during our business trips; not even dad. It explains why she was reluctant when I asked her to pack in the morning.

The meeting, even though professional in nature, is set up in a little town nearby Toronto. The client has invited us in his cottage, which we obliged. A show of trustworthy relationships.

"Are we staying here, Mr. Astor?" Dwayne ask, when we arrive at the location.

The place has got a cottage vibe. Sure. But along with that luxury and money is oozing out of it. I have no idea how the Volkovs are managing a place such as this in here. We are practically standing in a no man's land.

"Yes, apparently. Don't worry, we will settle the deal by the evening and will drive to Toronto tomorrow." I assure him.

Unlike others, Dwayne has a fair idea of my recent businesses and he is rightfully concerned about my security. As my most trusted man, he knows what kind of people I have been shaking hands with before the engagement happened. The best thing is he doesn't question me. Which is best if he wants to keep his job. But I can't fault him for being extra vigilant.

Meanwhile, Reyna is out like a light and something doesn't seem right. It appears as if she is avoiding me and I don't like it one bit. She was sleeping throughout our flight and now also her eyes are closed. Weirdly her face is taut with tension and I'm not sure why that is? Our deal with Volkovs is practically finalized because of my grandfather's terms with him. We are only here to assure him and do the ceremonial shit of signing papers and going through some last minute clauses.

When we are just in front of our host's door, I gently place a strand of hair behind my fiancée's ear and cajole, "Wake up, Sleeping Beauty."

Her eyes strain in the afternoon sun and I take out the sunglasses I'm wearing and carefully place it on her face. "Better?"

"Thanks. Are we there yet?"

"No, we were here about half an hour ago. Now we are just waiting for your slumber to be over," I tell her smothering my smile.

"What! Oh my God! I am sorr...Why are you laughing?"

"I'm kidding. We reached just now but you should have seen the look on your face." I laugh.

"Mr As-," she begins, curtly but when I give her the look, her eyes roam around in confusion until she spots Dwayne, who is outside the car but still close enough to hear. She slowly brings her gaze to me and let out an exasperated huff.

We get out of the car and make our way to where our host is waiting to receive us. After the usual exchange of pleasantries and formal business chats, most of which revolved around our engagement, we are shown our rooms.

Room.

Singular.

Yes this is the first time I will be sharing a room with my future wife and may be that's the reason why she is unusually quite and pale. During the entire conversation Reyna only managed a few small nods and plastered smiles. And I have no idea why it bothers me as much as it does.

Its the fact that she handled our engagement's guests like pro and is now looking like she is sick of playing games and mounding lies. It looks like she is going to call the entire thing off.

The heaviness of air is making it hard for me to breath easily and I know deep in my guts I have to convince her, maybe plead, if that's what it takes to save the engagement and by default the fortune I have inherited.