Tangled Bliss (ON HOLD)

Chapter 17

" Millie, Im trying to watch a show here!" I was chilling at Millie's house that afternoon.

"Oh just look at this!! This bouquet looks gorgeous. Just pair this with a bottle of wine." Millie was intently at her laptop.

Braden is having his convocation this weekend and Millie was trying to suggest gift ideas. "Mils, can we just relax for a bit? Flowers arent his thing. Im 100% positive about it."

"Just some tulips and daisies... its like a dream." Millie gave me the dreamy look but she looked high instead.

"NO NO NO...Im not giving them to my husband." I chuckled.

"Braden honey... heres my undying love with these flowers." Millie mimicked me.

I giggled at her nonsensical ideas. 

"Speak of the devil."I muttered as my phone rang and Braden's name flashed on it.

"Hey Bra-" I greeted him sweetly but was cut half way by him. 

"Alicia, could you come to the office immediately?" he asked with a strict tone.

"Uhm..yeah. I will leave in 5." I said looking at Millie who was giving me  a confused look.

"Ok." was all Braden said before ending the call. 

"I gotta leave. Braden needs me in the office." I said monotonously.

"Everything alright?" Millie asked. I shook my head as I gathered my stuff.

"Braden doesnt sound normal." I said as I booked my Uber.

"You are overthinking, Ally." Millie chided me. " No Im not. He seriously sounds different. Something is up."  I looked at Millie.

"Jase.." We both said at the same time .

"Shit ... Jase." I tried not to panic. "Ally, now, even I am scared." Millie admitted.

I realised my Uber had arrived and bade farewell to Millie. Promising to update her later at night.

******

I entered Braden's office briskly.

Braden and Darwin were discussing something with the utmost seriousness.

"Hey guys ..." I greeted them reluctantly.

Both of them turned to me. Darwin smiled while Braden had a frown on his face.

"Alicia,we have some job for you to do." Darwin started.

I was right that something was off. For one, Darwin isnt the type to be vague. He tells things specifically.

Braden and Darwin looked at each other before Braden started talking.

"There is an important conference in Australia this Friday to Sunday. You will need to accompany Jason as a representative of this company." Braden broke the news.

"WHAT?" I almost forgot to breathe for a moment.

Why on earth must I go with Jase? Doesnt Braden know about me and Jase?

Oh wait,he doesnt.

And... Im gonna miss Braden's convocation as well. All my planning has gone to waste.

"Ally, we have no one who is more responsible and trustworthy as you. Darwin will be away for another foreign trip."Braden looked at me pleadingly.

"You know what, Braden? You are the worst." I walked out of the office.

Nope. Neither Braden or Darwin followed me calling me out.

I reminded myself that Braden didnt know about my past but I couldnt tolerate the idea of having to miss Braden's important day and spending 3 days with Jase.

Before I knew, it was evening and everyone was leaving the office. I had spent 3 hours zoning out. My whole point of taking leave from work to plan for Braden's convocation became useless.

I saw Braden walking out of his office, ready to leave. He looked at me and I just turned away from him.

He stopped walking and looked at me straight, that was the cue for me to get up and leave for home.

I rolled my eyes and dragged myself. I delayed as much as possible so that I dont have to be in the same elevator as him.

Braden was already in the car when I reached it. I settled down and got ready for a silent drive back home.

But I didnt expect Millie's call.

"Hey Mils" I said with zero enthusiasm.

"Why do you sound...like some butterless bread?" Millie asked. If it was some normal day, I would have laughed at it.
But now, I was just in the mood to pause life for awhile.

"Because I have a husband who has no care for me. Basically I have no importance in his life. He wants me to go on a conference during his convocation. With JASON PRESTON." I emphasised the infamous name.

I heard Millie gasp.
She was at loss of words and I understood that feeling.

"Cant..cant you say no?" She managed to ask.

"No. The boss orders.. the employee obliges." I laughed bitterly.

I felt Braden's gaze.. or stare on me.
He accelerated the speed of the car.

"Speeding kills." I subtly told like I was talking to Millie.

Braden slowed down the speed of the car.

We reached home. I decided to have dinner first without Braden.
As I was about to finish my dinner,Braden came into the dinning room after a shower.

I grabbed my plate and got ready to leave the place.

"Alicia."

I heard Braden call me and I looked at him.

Clean shaven with the fragrance of the after shave wafting in the air.

I really got lucky marrying this man. But now Im angry so I shouldnt be drooling at him.

I furrowed my eyebrows and looked at Braden.

"Whats the issue now?" He asked.

"Oh. Nothing. Just me missing my husband's big day. Nothing big at all." I shrugged.

Braden walked to me and held my hands. He looked right into my eyes,awakening every cell in my body.

"Darling, it hurts me more to not have you by my side. But I have no choice. You know , I love you,right?" He asked  gently. His voice showed the pain within him.

Tears pricked my eyes.

I nodded my head and hugged him tight.

I dont want to go with Jase. Save me,Braden.

Braden embraced me back and we enjoyed each other's company till we were interrupted by the buzzing of my phone.

I broke from the hug and smiled wide at Braden.

"Go, have your dinner." I said picking up my phone.

I tapped on the message icon to view the new message I had received.

"A 3 day vacation with my love. A dream come true indeed. Cant wait! -Jase."

Author's Note :

Heyy guys thank you for being so patient!!
Here is the new chapter,as I promised.

YOU CAN EXPECT EARLY UPDATES CAS IM ON HOLS 😁

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