Dealing With Solevan

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

DEALING WITH SOLEVAN

COPYRIGHT 2018 © JOESLINE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

"Where are we going?" 

Jayden smiled, "Of course lunch."

I turned around, watching him suspiciously, "We don't do lunch in between your work."

"Why not?" He pinched my chin, "Remember our conversation? This is how money and power plays a big part in your life. You get to do what you want, whatever it is and whenever it is."

I folded my arms, "I am just saying it's so not you to do this. Your explanation sounded like an excuse"

He laughed. The car slowed down before coming to a stop as the Mercedez parked along a street. I looked out, noticing the cafeteria that was just beside, "Is this the place?"

We headed into the cafeteria and was welcomed by a friendly waitress whom seemed to have expected our arrival, "Afternoon Mr. Jayden, this way please."

She gestured us as we followed her in. We walked into a corridor before entering a private room. The three suspicious table settings caught my eye. I turned to Jayden, "Are we... meeting someone?"

Just then, the sound of heels clicking on those wooden floor panel echoed through the corridor. A few moment, the owner of those heels was revealed. Anna. She flashed a smile at us. Anna made a quick peck on Jayden's face before taking the seat opposite us. I stared at Jayden in displease. She started taking a big file and an I-Pad, placing them both on the table. As warily as I was, I sat down in silence while I watched her carefully. Why is she here?

Anna signaled the waitress who was standing beside, "I'd like to have a glass of margarita"

"I will get a steak." He turned to me and asked, "Same for you?"

Without much hesitation, I did an unwilling nod. Questions of her background – answered. Questions of her intention – answered. But questions of her plan were still unknown to me. Even if Jayden were to run for presidency,  how does being the wedding planner benefit her?

The waiter took down our orders and left before Jayden casually started the conversation, "You shouldn't have taken alcohol in the day as well"

"You know me, Jayden" Anna chuckled. "It kills me with no alcohol in my body system"

I inhaled deeply, still trying to keep myself composed. Witnessing them having such "friendly" conversation is driving me nuts. Probably I am the one who need that glass of margarita right now.

"Maybe I should be the one that need a glass of margarita."

She smirked, "I didn't know Mrs Solevan-to-be fancy alcohol too. We do have lots of similarity..."

"Anyone would need it if they are forced to meet their fiancé's ex-girlfriend uninformed." I shot an angry glare at Jayden. His guilt was written all on his face. Indeed, money and power had given him the illusion that he can make me do what he wants.

Anna started asking about the wedding event as she ignored my comment, "Have you all decided on the venue?"

"I am too afraid to even get married to him" I replied in a sarcastic tone, "Who knows what you are going to do next?"

"Jayden" She coughed.

Jayden laughed sheepishly, "Annie... is thinking of using the same venue"

"Did I?" I shot him a sarcastic glare.

She continued as she looked through on her I-Pad, "It's quite a private place. There might be a problem to schedule again for events like wedding"

"How about on a cruise?" Jayden nudged me, "We can still have it all decorated with white roses"

I didn't reply but still continued staring at Anna. For the threats that she had thrown on me few weeks ago, I would like to see what kind of act she was pulling off.

Anna started typing on her I-Pad, "Okay, I will try and source out for florist on the supplies of white roses and the necessary arrangement for food and wine tasting as well. For the entertainment portion, do you prefer live bands, magic show or both?"

Jayden smiled, picturing the wedding event in his mind, "Live band will be nice"

Then, the waiter came back with the orders. Anna took over the glass of margarita, sipping it away as she prompted me, "Annie, you do know you are the bride here. I will need your input as well. Otherwise, I could have just discusss with Jayden alone..."

I clenched my jaw as my eyes fumed at her last emphasized word, "Well then maybe I'd need to consider having the wedding planner changed if she can't even manage to get my inputs"

"Annie" Jayden stretched over and held my hand.

"What?" I turned to him furiously, "You can drag me here but doesn't mean I will do your bidding."

Anna continued talking, "Another thing to point out - the media had caught the attention of you two being back together. There might be a chance of them wanting a piece of the wedding details. So, do we proceed with having those reporters on board?"

My eyes watched her expression carefully. Is that what she is planning? Having the reporters on board and release the photos on the wedding day?

"No" "Yes" I exchanged glance with Jayden.

Anna's eyebrows raised a notch, "You guys need to be on the same page"

"I want the whole world to know that I'm marrying you" Jayden looked at me with those pleading eyes.

I insisted as I emphasized, "I want to keep it private."

Jayden let out a sigh. He nodded, patted on my lap as if he was trying to calm me down, "Okay my dear princess, we will do as you said – private it is."

Anna continued taking down the notes. She gulped down the margarita and gave a smile that sent shivers down my spine. "Probably the food and wine tasting can be arranged next month on the fourth. We will meet up at the vendors' office for your inputs"

"Thanks Anna" Jayden looked down on his phone and started texting. He then leaned towards me, "I got a meeting at two. Can you figure yourselves back home later?"

Jayden took a quick bite of the steak before he gave me a quick peck on my forehead and left. My hands clenched tightly, looking at Anna. Eyes narrowed as I watched her, "So what now? What are you going to do this time round to threaten me?"

Anna chuckled, "We looked so similar. How would I bear to hurt my doppelganger?"

"That sound sarcastic"

"Is it? I thought I was just stating a fact. How does it feel to be Jayden's first priority with a shadow creeping in the background?" She raised her eyebrow, "It must have feel terrible because that's how I felt for ten years."

Then she stood up and left. I sat rooted on the chair, feeling the fume burning inside me. I smirked. Tears dwelling at the edge of my eyes. My fist clenched tightly.