MAVERICK
After Lake hung up the call, I stared at him for a good minute while he simply kissed me on the lips, and we were not talking about millions of dollars.
“Did you just say your wife?” I finally found my voice back, pointing at myself. “Me? Your wife?”
“Yeah. Who else? Unless I married another woman that looked just like you.”
“Will you stop being a smartass for a minute? We’re talking about money worth millions here, Lake, and I don’t want to be a part of this.”
“You’re the only person I trust besides my mother. And you’re my wife. With whom else should I trust my assets?” He simply shrugged.
“No. I won’t be a part of your revenge plot against your father. Just sell your share, then move on.”
“Don’t worry. I put my money in your name with contracts and clauses.”
“Like what?”
“Like you can only withdraw a million dollars a year, or if you bear me an heir. Something like that.”
I got up from bed and put on my clothes. “You are completely out of your mind.”
“You’re upset.” He looked at me.
“Damn right, I am. You can’t just decide for myself. I need to be involved. That’s not how our relationship works unless you plan a divorce after the contract.”
“Is that what you want?”
“You don’t know what I want because you never asked me. You just plan everything on your own.” I walked out of the room, slamming the door behind me.
I didn’t know exactly where to go because we hadn’t gotten to the part where he toured me around. I went back to the patio deck, and the sky was beautiful, with millions of twinkling stars, seemingly mocking me for overreacting.
He followed me, of course, and sat next to me. “You should think about your future. That’s why I wanted to buy that company because I want you to run it and start from the bottom.”
I looked at him. “Did you even ask me what I want to do after graduation? Maybe I want to use my money to travel around the world, visit the places on my bucket list, or maybe go to Paris and enroll in a culinary school. I have dreams on my own, Lake. I had plans before I got into this marriage.”
“It looks like you made up your mind already, and seemed that this marriage is nothing but a burden to you.” His words were a gut punch. He then looked away.
“It’s not like that, and you know that. I don’t like it when someone decides everything for me and plans for my life. I’m not used to it, and I will never be. It doesn’t mean you’re the man who earns better than a woman who gives you the right to control her life and decide her future.”
“Is that what you think I’ve been doing?” He looked hurt, and I wished I could take back what I said. “All I want is a better life for you. When the time comes, and you decide you want to end our relationship, at least you already have something to start from. Suppose you have money in the bank. Then, you can start building your dream business, shop, or bar because I can’t force you to stay with me if you’re fed up with my situation. I did all this because you mean a lot to me.”
“You can’t put your money in my name, Lake. I don’t want your father to think I got you on a short leash.”
“It’s a company, Maverick. And I don’t give a shit about what he thinks and what he’s going to say. And you shouldn’t, too. Don’t let someone dictate you how you would live your life.”
I snorted. “That’s rich coming from a guy who wants to start a company in my name without asking my opinion. Don’t be like your father, Lake. You are better than him. Way better.”
“Looks like you’ve made up your mind.” Dismissively, he rose to his feet and moved to the door, leaving me watching the stars alone.
***
“We can’t attend this event while you’re upset with me.” I held his hand as we reached the art exhibition for a cause founded by Knox Hartford, Mykel Creed’s half-brother.
The car parked, the door opened, and he barely said anything the whole day. It was all because we had a disagreement with his money.
We went back to the penthouse in the morning to prepare for this event, but he spent most of his day in the study.
“It’s okay.” He squeezed my hand, but I still felt the heaviness in his chest. “Let’s get this over with so we can go home.”
I had no choice but to release his hand as he had to get out of the car. I took a deep breath as I followed him out. We posed as a couple before the backdrop, and then we entered the massive gallery.
Prominent people, including celebrities, influencers, and, of course, Mykel’s family and friends.
“I’m Glad you made it. Thank you for supporting my brother, Lake, Maverick.” Mykel was always wearing a confident smile. Adley was also a presence, so beautiful.
This would be the first time I would meet Knox, an artist. He was handsome like his brother but more carefree.
“Congratulations, Knox.” I shook his hand after Lake introduced me to him.
“Thank you, and please, check out some pieces, and don’t go home empty-handed.”
“You’re shameless, bro.” Mykel clapped his shoulder.
“All proceeds will be donated for the cause, brother, and Lake is loaded. Don’t be shy to donate, man.”
Mykel shook his head in amusement.
“Well, I’ll go check out some paintings.” I grabbed a champagne flute when Lake nodded. I walked towards the blue corner with paintings of expressionism. I’m not an enthusiast, but the painting was a naked man in bed.
I went to the other with fewer guests. The fingerprinting caught my eye. The handprint produced a beautiful portrait of a dog and a cat with smiling eyes.
“That’s nice.” Lake stood beside me.
“Yeah, I like it.”
“You don’t like anything from cubism or panel?”
“Your taste?” I looked at him.
“I don’t have a specific taste in paintings. I don’t care what the meaning behind it is. If I like it, I buy it.”
“Then I want this one.” I pointed at the painting of a dog and a cat.
He smiled. I didn’t know if he was faking it or if he wasn’t upset anymore, but I took it as a win. “Why?”
“We need a less complicated painting for our baby’s nursery. And this one is perfect.”
His smile widened until it turned into a full-blown grin.
“For the Winston heir, right?”
“Right.” His hand came to my lower back and my palms on his chest, and he leaned in to kiss me until someone called his name.
“Lake?”
We pulled apart, and I instantly felt his back go rigid.
“Aurelia.”
“Hey. I thought it was you.” Of course, it was always a blonde. The tall blonde woman in a white designer dress smiled widely, and I felt they knew each other way back. “Oh, my God. It’s been like.” She widened her blue eyes with a perfect coat of mascara.
“Seven years.”
“Yeah. Seven years.” She sighed as if in relief. “So, how’s life been treating you? And you look good.”
Bitch. I wanted to poke my fingers into her eyes. Whatever I felt, jealously maybe, I didn’t give a damn. I knew how a woman looked when she was interested in someone, and she was definitely interested in Lake.
“Thanks. Married is good for me.”
“Oh.” There was that look again.
“Yeah. My wife, Maverick.”
“She went to our university? I don’t remember her, sorry.” She looked at me, and her smile disappeared. “Hi.”
“Hi.” I only said one word because I wasn’t in the mood to exchange pleasantries with her.
“No.” Lake tightened his arm around me, kissing my hair and whispering, “A little help, please?”
Right. Wife duty. “I pick that one. Perfect for his playroom, right?”
“Yeah.” Judging by how he looked at me, he could quickly snatch the best actor award at the Oscars. Then he looked at Aurelia. “We should go. Nice seeing you again, Aurelia.”
“Did you find something that interests you?” Thank God Knox came.
“Yeah. That one,” Lake said.
“The Best Friend. Nice. What about the sculpture?”
I looked at Lake when he smiled. “Yes. A gift for my wife.”
Aurelia was still staring at Lake, and I had a bad feeling about this. I felt it in my gut.
“Is it something naughty?”
Lake laughed, kissing my temple. “It’s a surprise.”
I looked at Aurelia again, but she was gone.