The Unassuming Mason Wilde

Chapter 12

Mason blinked an unnatural amount of times before answering, “breathtaking.”

Scarlet laughed heartily, throwing her head back.

“Is that a good or a bad thing?” She asked mischievously, rubbing her hand down her other arm.

“Definitely good.” Mason replied coolly, lips pursed, trying to hide the gleam in his eyes.

Scarlet blushed, the atmosphere suddenly felt really warm.

Mason felt it too, “ready?” He cleared his throat, breaking the awkward silence.

“Yes, although I think a glass of champagne wouldn’t hurt. For the nerves.”

Mason smiled, “for the nerves.”

He poured her a glass and watched her gulp it down, she finished in a few seconds and said, “ready.”

The couple drove to the venue which was a restaurant about fifteen minutes away.

As Mason drove, he felt Scarlet fidgeting and without thinking, he took her hand and held it, which took her by surprise but that was exactly what she needed.

She offered him a warm smile, “Thank you, Mason. Truly.”

“You never have to thank me.” He replied. “I would do anything for you.” He said to himself, and for some reason it felt very true.

He couldn’t say that out loud just yet. He was going to wait until she settled into her position as COO to propose to her for the first time.

Since their’s was arranged marriage, they never went through the romantic phase or had a proposal.

They pulled up at the venue about 4 minutes late from the date they specified on the invitation which was 8pm.

“They might give us sh*t for being late. Say we think we’re big shots now or something.” She said,

“We kind of are. COO of Rodney's construction and her charming husband.”

Scarlet laughed, if only she knew.

Mason got out of the car and circled to her side, the passenger side. As long as they rode together he always opened the door for her.

Even after she cautioned him to stop, she secretly loved the gesture. It made her giddy inside.

Before her grandfather told her she would be marrying Mason, she was a very young and eligible bachelorette.

She went on a lot of dates. Some she went to by herself but most of them, her family had her go on dates with prospective husbands.

She hated it. Most of the men were brutes and didn’t know how to treat women. They treated her like an accessory and she was always uncomfortable.

Even one of them forced himself on her, after that incident, she decided to stop dating and put her foot down until her father told her about Mason Wilde.

However due to her horrible dating experiences, she decided not to consummate her marriage with him and was shocked when he agreed.

They had lived together as a married couple for almost six years and not once had he made a s*xual move on her. He never even tried to kiss her.

The most he did was hold her hand or hug her or kiss her forehead. He kept it simple yet intimate and for a while she had been rethinking her intention of not consummating.

Mason was a fine man, a very fine man and of late he had been even more attentive to her emotions and feelings. 

She didn’t know how to bring it up that she might be in love with him. She didn’t know people could fall in love with someone in a marriage, she only knew of it before marriage.

The couple walked towards the restaurant in grand style and the first thing Scarlet noticed was that there were no parked cars in the parking lot.

Just the cars of Madam Rodney and the rest of her family members. Four cars in total.

Mason squeezed her hand as they approached the door.

The couple entered the restaurant and everyone looked up.

“How nice of you two to grace us with your presence. We definitely weren’t waiting for you after you invited us here.” Jason said, a steel edge hidden beneath his syrupy tone.

Mason and Scarlet ignored him and took the two remaining seats, next to Michelle and usual.

“Thank you for honoring my invitation.” Scarlet said nervously, Mason was still squeezing her hand under the table, her hand which had gone sweaty.

“I’m as confused as everyone here child, why are we here? And why is this restaurant empty?” Madam Rodney said.

“I mean, it’s definitely not that they rented the entire place out. Word probably got out that Mason wanted to visit the restaurant and no sensible person wants to be around him and yet we’re stuck with him.” Jason snorted.

“On the contrary, I do not know why the restaurant is empty.” Mason lied.

“Does it matter though? I think it’s sheer luck. That, or their ratings are really bad.” Michelle added.

“Ahem!” Scarlet cleared her throat and got up from her seat.

“Before we get to placing our food orders, I have some news.”

“Are you pregnant? Don’t tell me you’re pregnant ?!” Her mom, Vivian yelled from beside Michelle.

“You don’t have to yell mom and no, I am not pregnant. Not that I have to check in with you before I get pregnant .”

“Scarlet is trying to break important news but she cannot if everyone keeps interrupting her.” Mason finally said.

“Oh shut up you nobody. Only reason you’re here is because of Scarlet and where did you get that tux? Stole it?” Elicia retorted.

Mason ignored her, “That is enough everyone! Let Scarlet speak! I haven’t got all night!” Madam Rodney yelled, hitting the table.

Scarlet looked at Mason one more time for reassurance and he nodded at her.

“I secured the contract from Microloft.”

“What?!!” Everyone exclaimed around the table.