The Billionaire's Feisty Bride

CHAPTER 4 The Unexpected

I thought I would have an aneurysm as the time spent by. The erratic beat of my heart worsen the headache I was suffering since half of the day. I might end up following my beloved father's funeral, all thanks to this man sitting casually with us at the living room. The dinner was nerve-racking on my part, not sure if Michele will provoke me to spill the beans in front of my family.

In ten years, a person can dramatically change but for Michele it seems he doesn't change that much. Sure he is now a man whose face and physique can combust a woman's body in just one glance with his presence that screams wealth and power; everyone around will be just dust in the wind. But he is the person I still knew that adored my family, he is practically a member. So he wouldn't cause havoc for now until my secret is reveal.

"Khelsey!"

I snapped back from my trance and saw everyone staring at me.

"U-um..."

"Are you okay? You seem off this entire time." Nathan asked, concern visible on his face.

"U-um..." Was my only response. 'Where is my voice when I needed it?'

"Maybe you need some fresh air. Come, I'll go with you." Michele suggested and jiffy stood up. He held out his hand for me to take.

I looked at his hand then to my family and son who were curiously watching the two of us. But my mother's scrutinizing expression shows that she noticed something odd between me and Michele. 'Why do all mothers have to be investigative?' I looked at his hand again then looked up to his face while slowly reaching for his hand. All the while, never breaking our eye contact. His eye held so much meaning I couldn't identify, it was alarming that I wanted to retreat from his invitation.

He held my hand firmly as he lead the way out of the house to the back porch where I thought we will talk but we continued walking toward the mini bridge that connects the main house to the greenhouses and where underneath was an ornamental pond that dwell variety of koi fish.

"Stop!" I said when I finally found my voice and forcefully yanked my arm from his tight grip. We desist from walking at the middle of the mini bridge. I don't know why I was slightly out of breath but I manage to sternly look at him.

He turned around with an ever so calmly state which caused to annoy me. I blew air towards my bangs, a habit of mine as if to release unpleasant or discomforting feelings. Bemused, he cocked his head to the side with his eyebrow raised and hands tucked in the pocket of his pants suit.

"I see, a habit of yours when you're irritated or annoyed. Am I irritating you, cara mia?" I threw him a sharp look. "Where have you been this past ten years? All that time you never bothered to communicate with your family. You just let a simple note before you left, do you even considered what they felt?"

"You preach to me as if you're one of those people who truly cared. When all you did was ditched your best friend and made promises you never kept. At that time did you even consider my feelings?" I retorted, barely holding my temper.

"I'm not denying my mistakes to you, Khelsey. They are scars, part of me. A mark reminding me each day of the damages I made to our friendship. No matter how many times I express how sorry I am, I know it will never bring back the way we where before. I tried to reach out but you wouldn't let me in."

"Trust was what you had damaged. It's like an eraser, it got smaller each time I erase your mistakes. Until I can no further erase because I had enough, I ran out of eraser. It gets tiring each time I tried to understand and forgive you. Until I got bruised and couldn't feel anymore. So don't push your luck because trust is not something you instantly gain when you lost it."