CHAPTER 53
ROBERT’S POV
~ I froze. “Mother… who is this?”
My mother smiled proudly and breathed out like she’d accomplished something huge. “Meet Rosaline, your soon bride-to-be.” ~
“Isn’t she a lovely sight to behold?” She mused.
“What?” My eyes bulged in disbelief as I stared at her she was still staring dreamily at Rosaline like she was the answer to all her prayers. “You arranged a bride for me…with …without my consent…?” I struggled to find my words because of the shock.
“Yes,” she nodded enthusiastically, seeming unperturbed and proud of her actions. “I decided to come to your rescue and arrange the perfect bride for you since all the women you end up with turn out to be barren deserts, heartless murders and stupid whorish bigamists.”
Anger dripped from her words, palpable in the atmosphere between us though she tried to conceal it and maintain a spurious expression of everything being fine obviously because of Rosaline’s presence.
From what she said, it was obvious she was referring to Lily and Scarlett. She never liked Lily from the start because thought she couldn’t get pregnant and wasn’t suited for our family’s status. She used to favour Scarlett but after she messed up, she hated her like no one else and literally cursed her name at the slightest chance she got. Nonetheless, I won’t have this happening under my nose. I have no intentions of dating anyone, talk more of marriage.
I knew she and father were bent on me finding someone new after Scarlett’s betrayal and making grandkids for them but I never thought my mother would go as far as matching me up with someone I didn’t know and had no interest in. How sure am I that she hasn’t even started making wedding arrangements?
“Think whatever you want, Mother, but I don’t support this,” I said firmly, making it clear I wasn’t on board with her plans. “With everything I have on my plate, I have no intention of marrying anytime soon. And if I do, it’ll be a woman of my choice…”
“Shhh, she’s coming…” she shushed, doing her best to keep up her smile as Rosaline was approaching. “I worked my ass off to arrange this, Robert. So whatever you do, behave and don’t mess it up.” She said as if it were a threat.
As Rosaline approached us, I tried to maintain a calm expression though I was brimming with anger on the inside. I couldn’t help but notice how cautious and graceful her steps were. Judging from her demeanour, it was obvious she was well-mannered and seemed like she’d been training all her life for things like this.
“Isn’t she perfect?” My mother squealed with so much admiration for her.
I whiffed out a sharp breath and wished I could roll my eyes away without Rosaline seeing it because all her focus was on me like a Lolita assassin approaching her target. She may be beautiful and perfect like my mother said but not all that glittered was gold. She could be deadly or a gold digger. How sure are we she wasn’t putting up an act and will come to betray me in future like Scarlett? I was far too broken and scarred to experience another heartbreak, so I took the necessary measures to prevent it from happening again. At this point in life, the only thing I was concerned about was finding Lily and my kids and saving my company from crumbling. Nothing else.
Rosaline waved her hand slightly, her smile a little too wide. “Hey Robert! I’m glad you’re back. It’s nice to finally meet you. I’m Rosaline and I can’t wait for us to get to know each other better.” Her smile was so sweet and innocent, her voice so light it could melt butter.
She extended her fingers toward my face and I stared nervously in confusion, unsure of what she expected me to do.
My mum smiled awkwardly and nudged me with her elbow, cocking her head and urging me to do the needful. Inwardly heaving out in frustration, I took her freshly manicured fingers and placed a gentle kiss on them. Her eyes sparkled more and an approving and subtly coy smile elongated her lips.
“Pardon my son’s manners,” my mother apologized on my behalf even though there was no need for it. “He may not be the romantic type, but he’s sweet and has a good heart and will make a wonderful husband.”
“I see,” Rosaline said with a corner of her lips curling into a mischievous smirk. She looked at me like she was undressing me with her eyes. “And I must say he’s very tall and handsome and I love men of such qualities.”
“The feelings are mutual dear. Why do you think I married his father?” My mother giggled a little too loudly and Rosaline followed suit, their high-pitched voices and laughter echoing across the dining.
I don’t think I have ever been so uncomfortable and also angry with my mother in my entire life. The way they talked about me like I wasn’t there made my skin crawl and my patience to wear thin.
“Please let’s help ourselves to dinner before it gets cold,” my mum gestured towards the dining table where the servants had laid out various dishes and drinks as if we were celebrating a feast with little decorations here and there like it was a romantic date.
But I had no interest whatsoever in joining them. I haven’t even rested from getting back from work, not to talk of removing my clothes and showering. Still fuming as I could feel my skin turning red, I wanted nothing more than to leave. But my mother as if sensing my intended move, looped her hand tightly around my elbow and forced me towards the table.
“You’re going to get to know this girl whether or not you like it,” she seethed, keeping her voice low so Rosaline wouldn’t hear her.