?Married To
Mr Popular?
(Rude and grumpy)
Episode 13
By: Faith Lucky.
Bethel’s Pov:
My eyes dilated in surprise as I paused and stared at him for a while. He also looked surprised seeing me.
He’s the same guy I had encountered on the night of Ryan’s concert – the bad guy with a gang that had wanted to take on me forcefully before the police’s presence saved me.
So, he’s Ryan’s brother???
What the hell?
Mum turned and looked at me and that was when I realised I had stopped walking.
I blinked rapidly and continued down the stairs and finally, I was standing in front of the Winthrop family.
Hold on; where’s Ryan? I mean, he’s not here.
“Bethel!” Ryan’s mum called with buoy as she came towards me and gave me a hug.
“Um…good evening ma’am” I greeted with a nervous smile and looked at her husband -my father in law.
Gosh!
“Good evening sir’ I said and walked a few steps closer to him
Well, I guess I have to be respectful to them.
“Good evening dear. Guess you inherited your beauty from your mother” he said and I smiled and heard mum chuckle.
I took my eyes to the young pretty ladies beside me and mumbled a ‘hi’ to them and just one of them waved back at me with a smile.
They were four in all.
Whatever.
Then, I looked at the boy. He was the only guy present.
I gave a hard stare at him as we exchanged glances but mum’s voice finally broke the contact.
“Um…Ryan isn’t here, yet?” I heard her ask and turned to look at her.
Mrs Winthrop looked at his wife who looked displeased.
“Uh…he’ll be here soon. Please pardon us” Mrs Winthrop said as she brought out her phone from her bag and walked outside.
Okay: what’s going on?
“Alright then; let’s go to the dining” mum said and we all proceeded to the dining which was filled with assorted kinds of food.
Geez!
Never forget this day, Bethel. This is your marriage feast.
I sat next to mum and the lady next me was Ryan’s step sister – I guess.
She looked bittered and I wondered if they were forced to come here or something.
The “bad guy” was sitting opposite me on the other side of the table and we could easily stare at each other.
I wonder what must be going through his mind. I still can’t believe he’s the so called Ryan’s step brother – so dangerous.
“Okay; so why don’t we do a little introduction, girls?” Mr Winthrop said as the maids started dishing out the meals.
Great.
“Okay; I’ll go first” the one who had waved at me said.
She seemed friendly.
“I’m Hannah – Ryan’s cousin” she added with a smile.
Oh! She was Ryan’s cousin; not step sister.
Hm. No wonder she was friendly.
“Um…Thanks. I’m…”
“Bethel” she interpolated and giggled and I smiled.
“I’m Tanya” the second lady said with a straight face.
Odd name. She must be Ryan’s step sister.
“Bonnie” the other said, looking down at her food.
She looked older than the first and had a slight resemblance. Maybe they were sisters – daughters of the first wife.
“Well, you can just call me Judy” the last one said as she tossed a blueberry Into her mouth
Wow! She looks… rouged.
By the way, where’s Mrs Winthrop…and Ryan?
I looked at the jerk opposite me and that was when I realised it was his turn to introduce himself.
He cleared his throat a little and took in some wine.
“Well” he said lowly.
“You can just call me Royce.
I scoffed, but tried not to make it obvious.
“Nice meeting you…Royce” I said sarcastically and he smirked.
He even had the guts to smirk.
Shouldn’t he be remorseful?
Just then, Mrs Winthrop walked in and all eyes darted to her.
She looked angry but tried to dissemble it with a smile as she drew closer to the dining.
“Sorry for taking long” she said and took a seat, opposite her husband.
He turned and looked at her and I noticed she was trying to avoid his gaze.
Okay;
What was going on?
Where’s Ryan? Doesn’t he have plans of showing up?
Geez! I should’ve expected this.
“Um…Becky, is there a problem?” Mum asked her but she didn’t reply.
I noticed the jerk – Royce – actually grinned.
I bent my head and stared blankly at my food. Ryan isn’t showing up.
Of course! I should’ve expected this. He doesn’t want to be part of this. Why would he want to get married to someone like me? a high school girl?
I was about picking at my food when someone suddenly entered, flashing sparkles into my eyes when I turned to have a look.
He walked gracefully like a god into the garden and as I tried to have a look into his face again, I noticed it was Ryan!
For a moment, I was lost staring at him – his features; footsteps, cold aura – it was indescribable.
He looked sad – yet cute – like the most handsome guy I’d ever come across.
He was putting on a white long sleeve and the long gold chain he wore on his neck glittered – not to mention the one on his ear.
What was it about him? That made him this perfect?
At some point, I felt it was impossible getting married to someone like him. This shouldn’t happen. I don’t think I’ll be able to cope.
I quickly took my eyes from him and looked down at my food.
“What took you so long?” Mr Winthrop asked but he didn’t say a word as he just went ahead and took a seat next to his mum who was now looking relieved.
He touched his forehead and sighed. He didn’t even greet anyone.
“Welcome Ryan” mum said and I wondered why she had to great him first.
Why’s everyone treating him this specially?
“Thanks” he said almost in a whisper and the maids hurried to serve him his meal.
He didn’t even look at me.
We all started eating silently for a while, but mum and Ryan’s parents finally broke the silence with business talks.
I slowly lifted my eyes to look at Ryan and since he kept his gaze on his food I decided to steal some glances from him.
He had this long straight eye lashes ; pointed nose, tiny soft looking lips.
His face was cold, yet the sweetest.
Trust me, now I understand why all the ladies are crazy over him. I can’t believe this is man I’ll be getting married to.
He suddenly lifted his face from his food and our eyes ran into each other’s.
Oh, God! I think I just stopped breathing for a while.
I quickly took my eyes away and somehow, I heard him scoff.
“So, Maltilda” Mr Winthrop later said.
“I trust you’ll be taking care of everything Bethel will be needing for the wedding?”
Oh, God! Do they really have to talk about it,? It makes me really nervous.
“Of course. You should know I wouldn’t dally in such issues’ mum replies with a smile.
“Despite the short notice, we’re gonna make sure the occasion is one in a million. And Ryan and Bethel, we’d really need your cooperation to make this thing a success…”
They went on talking about the wedding and it made me really nervous. Ryan didn’t even flinch, but just concentrated on his meal.
“Excuse me. I…I need to make use of the restroom” I said after a short while and left the dining, scurrying upstairs to my room.
Seriously, I just needed some alone time.
I walked into my room soberly and sat on the bed.
The whole thing still felt like a dream to me. I couldn’t believe I was getting married to Ryan – a day after tomorrow.
I bent my head and thought wistfully and not long after, my phone started ringing and I took it from the bed where it was and discovered it was Jackson.
I sighed before picking it up – reluctantly.
“Bethel.” He called immediately.
“oh, my God! What the hell happened to you? I’ve been trying to reach you for hours now. You got me really scared.” He said without a pause and I itched my head.
“I’m…I’m sorry Jackson. Something came up. I’ll explain everything to you tomorrow” I replied dolfully.
“O…Okay. but are you alright? Is it something serious?”
“Yeah. Don’t worry, I’ll explain everything to you tomorrow. Bye” I replied and ended the call, switching off the phone.
I covered my face in my palm and sighed. Everything seemed to be happening. How will Jackson react to the news when I break up with him?
How will he feel?
I heard a knock on the door and it snapped me out of my thoughts as I opened my eyes to have a look.
“Y…Yes” I replied, wondering who it might be.
The door opened and one of Ryan’s sisters came in.
Huh?
Oh! it twas the friendly one – Hannah.
“Hi” she said warmly as she stepped into the room.
I was lost staring at her.
“Uh…sorry, but I’m actually looking for the toilet. Am I in the wrong room?” She asked with a cringe and I stood up.
“Of…of course, not. You can make use of mine” I told her and she smiled and went into the toilet room.
I sat back on the door and after a short while, she came out and I turned to look at her.
“Your room’s beautiful” she said as she gazed around the room.
All I did was smile.
“Though it’s nothing compared to the one you’d be having with Ryan” she added and it struck me to the guts as I stared at her.
She noticed my expression and came to sit next to me on the bed.
“You don’t like it, huh?” She asked and I just looked down at my long pretty nails.
“But it’s every lady’s dream to end up with Ryan. Shouldn’t you be happy about it?” She asked and I sighed and looked up.
“Well…he’s dreamy and all that, but…I just didn’t plan on getting married to someone I knew nothing about” I said despondently
“You know, if not for the fact he was my brother, I’d have killed to end up with him. Sometimes, I wish we were never related.”
I turned to look at her and she laughed.
“Anyway” she continued.
“Since you’re sad you’re getting married to him because you don’t know a thing about him, I could help you with a little bit of information.
“Well, Ryan’s a gentle guy – perhaps. I mean, he can be really gentle. But just one rule – don’t get him angry. He can be really nasty and dangerous when he’s angry; like; he acts crazy.
“He’s a snub – 100% – and is very full of himself – no doubt. He always wants things done his way and any other person who opposed automatically becomes his enemy.
“He can be sweet – perhaps – although, I’ve never seen him act sweet towards anybody not after he broke up with Naomi.”
“Naomi?’ I asked immediately.
That was…
“Yeah, Naomi. She was my best friend and Ryan’s first and last girlfriend. One thing you should know about my brother is this – he’s veeeeery jealous. Like, extremely jealous.
“When he likes or loves someone; he wouldn’t want that person to pay attention to any other person. He wants to be the only person around her. And he finds it very hard to forgive. I know it’s a bad character, but yeah, that’s his problem. Once someone offends him; he doesn’t forgive. It’s almost impossible. He’s too hard hearted.
“The reason he broke up with Naomi was because he caught her talking with her ex. According to Naomi, they were just talking and had nothing in mind, but when Ryan saw them; he got angry and jealous and broke up with her, despite all her cries and pleas.
“After that, he noticed he wouldn’t be able to handle a relationship because of his jealous state and that’s why till date, he hasn’t had a girlfriend again. So, all he does is s3x and go.
“But perhaps, since he’s getting married, all that’s likely to change because with the look of things, you’re a lovable person”
She smiled and I huffed and rolled my eyes.
“My brother can be really really sweet when he’s in love. But there’s just one piece of advice – don’t ever make him angry or jealous” she said and I huffed again.
What stupid advice?
“And one more thing you should be careful of” she continued and I looked into her face.
“His family. They’re vipers and are ready to do anything. Right now, they’re all angry because Ryan’s about owing the company since he’s getting married to you. So apparently, they dislike you right now. So, you should stay far from them when you get to the mansion”.
I bent my head and sighed. I can’t believe I’ll be getting mixed in such scandalous family. Especially that Royce of a boy; why does he have to be Ryan’s brother?
“Do you stay in the mansion as well?” I asked with my head still bowed.
“Ah. No, I just came over for the dinner. I stay with my family. But I do come for visits once in a while.”
Immediately, the door opened with mum standing by the doorway.
Oh, sh!t!
“And what are you doing here? Have you forgotten you have some guests downstairs?” She asked rashly and Hannah and I stood on our feet.
“Sorry aunt. We were just talking” Hannah said as she held my hand and started walking out of groom with me.
We passed mum and walked downstairs and there I noticed the Winthorpe family were already on their feet. Royce wasn’t with them anymore.
Oh, please. Just tell me they’re about leaving already.
“Bethel, where have you been?” Mrs Winthorp asked as I climbed down the stairs with Hannah.
“I’m…I’m sorry. I was just busy with someone” I replied perfunctorily
Ryan was sitting on the couch, operating his phone, looking like a god.
“Okay dear. We’ve decided to give you and Ryan some alone time so you can…you know? Talk to each other and get to know one or two things” Mr Winthorp said and I heard aloud bang in my head.
Whaaat?
Ryan also lifted his eyes from his phone and scoffed. It was absurd.
“Um…I…”
“Come on now; let’s excuse them” mum interrupted me who was talking and Mrs Winthorp nodded happily.
And simultaneously, they all left the room, leaving just me and Ryan behind.
Oh, my God! I could feel my throat becoming sore.
His eyes weren’t on his phone, but were just staring at the floor.
Why do they have to do this to me? I’m so nervous.
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