“Wait! Did I hear you right?"Rey hurried to her front as she started walking."Yes, you did Rey. We are having dinner with my family tonight."She smiled as she walked past him. For some reason she seemed to enjoy the look on his face. He was so scared and worried. It was cute."That is why we will be selecting a new set of dress for you."Kayla sleekly turned to him, a cute smile sitting on her lips."What? Me?" Reynold was still dumbfounded.The attendants approached him with a subtle bow and demanded to escort him to the men clothing department.The store had an elegant and luxurious feel with dark wood furnishings, glass display cases, and warm lighting.Fine suits in a variety of fabrics and colors lined the walls neatly organized by style and size.At the back were fitting rooms with plush benches and large mirrors.The dressing rooms were separated by velvet curtains for privacy. The main floor had polished marble tile while upstairs had carpeting with leather chairs and sofas
"This is the first rule I an going to give you." Kayla started as the car engine reeved into motion. “Do not speak too much. In fact, I don't see any reason why you should talk at all. My father along with my blood brother are very observant. They can pick up a minute detail from even just talking. My father is so observant he can pick where you come from, your social standards just by paying attention to how you speak."Reynold face tensed."But I don't have an accent or anything like that...""You don't need to. That's how he is. And we don't have to worry too much about that part as long as you keep your words brief and limited. My own brother. Hamish. I don't think he is going to show any particular interest in you but of course everyone at that place will be assessing you one way or the other."Reynold gulped."The ones you should be most careful around are my step brothers. Tate and Sean... oh and Lloyd too. Those three are sneaky and cunning. Especially Tate and Sean. They will
The dinner began smoothly enough. Waiters swept in carrying trays laden with extravagant dishes - foie gras, oysters, rack of lamb, truffles and more. Expensive wine flowed freely as the group made small talk between bites.About halfway through the meal, the chairman turned his hawk-like gaze onto Reynold."So, tell me about yourself, young man. Where are you from originally?"Reynold swallowed nervously. "I grew up in a small town a few hours from here, sir. My father owned a modest hardware store before he passed away a few years ago. My mother has been ill but is recovering well now."The chairman nodded, his expression unreadable. "And how did you and my daughter come to meet?""We attended the same prestigious high school, sir," Reynold responded, relieved they had prepared this story."Hm. Oh? You went to the same high school with my daughter? Then you must have known her when she was a fat girl who loved eating." He laughed softly, the air around him took an abrupt change, ca
Reynold followed the chairman down a long hallway lined with imposing oil paintings. He had no idea where they were going or what awaited him once they arrived.The chairman did not speak or look back even once and silence weighed heavily on Reynold, his mind racing. Had he made a terrible mistake by speaking up like that? Destroyed any chance of gaining this imposing man's approval?At last they reached a pair of grand wooden doors. The chairman entered without preamble. Reynold belatedly noticed a man that paused and stood to the side. He could swear he didn't know someone was following him all along. The man had a piercing cold gaze just like the chairman but wore rectangular framed glassed.Reynold hesitated a moment, glanced one look at the man before stepping in after the chairman.Where he entered appeared to be a private study. Bookshelves laden with leatherbound volumes lined the walls. The chairs and desk looked antique and meticulously cared for.The chairman went to a sm
Kayla had grown up ignored and dismissed in this patriarchal home. Her fiery passion and business acumen meant nothing here - without her brother to speak for her, she may as well not exist in her father's eyes.How many times had she turned to Hamish over the years, forced to hide behind his victories and advocacy to have any chance of realizing her ambitions? It grated at her soul.She had hoped marrying Reynold would finally allow her to grasp some independence. With him as a passive husband, a trophy to legitimize her while staying neatly out of her way, she could finally take center stage and prove her abilities, prove to them that she was better.Or so she had thought. But his outburst tonight had ruined everything. Kayla could feel the fragile control she had managed to get after years of hardwork slipping through her fingers again. She didn't want to support of any man. That would just be the same thing repeating itself. She had strictly married Reynold because she thought
The shrill beep of the alarm clock jarred Reynold awake while the sky was still inky black. He silenced it quickly to avoid waking Kayla, even though her room was quite far.He walked out of his room and to the kitchen, opened a few cupboards with calculative eyes. After checking the row of cupboard, he returned to the first and began to bring out some ingredients as softly as he could manage.He put on the gas cooker and began to boil water. The sky subtly transitioned to orange and shades of blue…by then Reynold walked with tray of covered food, steamy out and a savoring aroma to bless the morning air.He dropped them on the table, gently preparing all she will need down to the spoon and fork.“I hope she enjoys it.” He says with a smile and looked towards her room.Immediately he turned and walked to his own room. Dressing in silence, he slipped out into the chill dawning air for his morning run.A few minutes later, Kayla's eyes gently opened. She had a beautiful morning smile.
Reynold continued down the road, with no destination. He had been running because he wanted to get away from the young lady.‘Was I overreacting?’ He asked himself. But didn't think so, he clearly had sensed something up with the way the lady talked to him. And it was good he dismissed himself quickly, for his own sake - the lady was not as beautiful as his wife but she was beautiful for any man to get tempted, her curves accentuated by her tight pants could make any man momentarily forget his wife.So, he made a run for it.“Hmm, it was a good call.” He mumbled and nodded, coming to a stop as he slowly was running out of breath.He bent down with both his hands resting on his knee then stood up and turned around to search for where he could take a rest.The morning sun was beginning to harshly lick his skin.Squinting through the blinding rays of sunlight, he noticed the faded sign first - "Ren's Self Defense - All Styles Welcome."Odd for a second floor establishment. He looked up pa
Kayla woke to the smell of sizzling onions and garlic. She rolled over, glancing at the clock. 6:14am.Reynolds was already up cooking breakfast. She lay still for a moment, taking in the comforting smells wafting from the kitchen, before dragging herself out of bed and feeling bad afterwards.She stole a glance towards her door before shuffling to the bathroom, catching a glimpse of herself in the mirror - messy hair, her oversized pajamas failing to conceal her delicate curves.Kayla turned on the faucet and splashed cool water on her face to wake up. As she patted herself dry with a towel, her mind wandered to the long day ahead at the office. Meetings, emails, presentations to the board - it was all a bit exhausting if she was honest. And it seemed there was always more to do.But this was the kind of life she had dreamt for herself. Nothing right now was out of place and it was going to get even busier in the future.Her mind wandered a bit towards Reynold and she let out a deep