"BIANCA…" I heard Gideon say followed by a knock on the door. "Denver was already here. But, take your time, okay?"
"Alright," I shouted back. "I'll be out in a moment."
I took another scan of my reflection in the mirror before leaving the walk-in closet. I was wearing a long black dress with a sweetheart neckline. I paired it with silver stilettos.
I only applied light make-up on my face before leaving the room. I found Gideon on the couch.
He stood up when he saw me. I noticed how his blue eyes glinted in admiration as he scanned my look.
"You looked extra beautiful tonight, wife," he said, licking his lips.
This was the first time Gideon complimented me like this. I knew he wasn't faking it. Those eyes were looking at me as if sucking me in. He had never once looked at me that way before.
I felt my cheeks heat up. I cleared my throat. "T-thanks, Gideon. You also clean up nicely tonight."
I looked at Gideon. He was wearing a black suit and bowtie. His hair was perfectly swept up, his face was cleanly shaven.
He looked gorgeous. Way more handsome than usual. But I won't compliment him like that.
"Gideon… do you know if Charlie is attending the party?" I asked, trying to sound as casual as possible.
After our last talk two months ago, before he left the country, I never had any news about him. I didn't know if he was already back or what.
I knew Charlie wasn't part of the Henry Corporation, but he was a member of the family.
I didn't want to be surprised if I saw him at the party.
"No. He can't attend the party. Dad mentioned yesterday that he's still in Asia."
"Oh, alright."
Gideon turned to me. "Haven't you talked to him?"
"H-huh?" My lips parted. "Why would I talk to him?"
He pursed his lips. "Well, you two are friends, right?"
I blinked. Right. I had told Gideon that Charlie and I were friends.
I swallowed. "No, Gideon. I know Charlie's busy at work. Besides, we're not that close for me to call and talk to him."
"Can you tell me something about Charlie?" Gideon asked, which made me shift in my seat.
"I mean, how's our relationship as brothers? I felt like he was uncomfortable with me the last time we saw each other."
I looked out the window as I decided what to tell him. Should I be honest? I bit my lower lip.
"Gideon…" I turned to face him. "You and Charlie aren't really that close."
His brows furrowed. "Why? Is it because of me? Was I rude to him before?"
I cleared my throat. "Uh, yeah. You were, Gideon. You hated your brother."
"Hated?" Gideon looked perplexed. "Why did I hate him? Was it because I didn't like that my parents adopted him?"
"No. It was because you blamed him for Diana's death…"
"The girl who I saw reading a Harry Potter book in my memory? That's Diana, right?"
"Yeah." I nodded. This time, I'd finally decided to tell him what Charlie said to me. "Diana… she's your ex-girlfriend. It was summer vacation in the year 2010, your father brought you with him to New York. You asked Charlie to take care of Diana while you were away."
I paused to look at Gideon. His brows were furrowed while attentively listening to me.
"Unfortunately, an accident happened," I continued. "Charlie and Diana drowned in a lake. Charlie got saved… and survived. But Diana died." I swallowed. "You blamed Charlie for Diana's death, Gideon. You were so furious at him that you even asked him to leave LA."
Gideon's face looked shocked. "Didn't my parents do something about it? I could tell that both of them love Charlie like he's their own."
"Your parents didn't know. You two have been acting like you're okay in front of the family. And Charlie had never said anything to them."
"Damn," Gideon softly muttered beside me. "I'm such an asshole bastard."
I breathed. "Yeah. You were, Gideon."
He shut his eyes and shook his head. He looked conflicted and disappointed with himself.
"I shouldn't have blamed Charlie for that. It wasn't his fault. No matter how hurt and broken I was before, I shouldn't have blamed it on my brother."
I sighed. "You were blinded by your anger for him. You've only realized how wrong you were… after losing your memory."
Gideon gasped.
"I wanted to talk to Charlie and apologized. I… will ask for his forgiveness."
Gideon looked at me. "I hope you can help me, Bianca."
"O-of course, Gideon." I gave him a small smile. "Don't worry. Your brother's a good person. After everything that you did to him, he still considers you his brother. Charlie loves you, Gideon. For the past years, he's done nothing but tried to understand you. I'm sure he could forgive you."
"After everything that I did to him? What else did I do to Charlie, Bianca? Did you know?"
I froze. My throat went dry. I could feel the loud beating of my heart inside my chest.
Of course, I know Gideon. But this time… I couldn't tell you. Because that involves us.
"Uh… that I don't know, Gideon." I swallowed and looked away. "Anyway, we're already here." I heaved a sigh of relief when I saw the familiar hotel where the party was held.
"YOU'RE stunning, dear," Amelia commented after giving me a kiss on the cheek.
I smiled at the woman in front of me. "Thanks, Amelia. I could say the same to you."
As usual, she looked elegant in her burgundy dress and pearl necklace.
The lady turned to Gideon who was beside me. "Gideon, dear. I'm happy you're recovering this fast," she said, glancing at the walking stick that Gideon was using. She smiled. "I'm sure your memory will soon follow."
Of course, Amelia already knows everything Dr. Smith said to us the other day. He's friends with the neurosurgeon.
Gideon smiled. "It's fine, Mom. I have no interest in those memories anymore."
"Oh. Don't say that, Gideon. I'm sure your memories will still come back."
I looked around. I noticed that people were not as crowded as with the previous parties organized by Amelia.
Maybe she did consider Gideon's condition. Most of the attendees were higher-ups of the company and businessmen across the State.
"Do you want to eat something?" Gideon asked me after Amelia left us.
I pursed my lips as I looked around the hall. There were waiters roaming around with trays of food and champagne. There was also a buffet table in every corner.
"I'll visit the dessert table. You should go with Darwin and talk to some guests."
Gideon shook his head. "Nah. Dad can already handle it. Come on, let's get something to eat."
While going to one of the tables, some businessmen stopped us and greeted Gideon.
"Thanks for coming to the company's anniversary party, Mr. Golding," Gideon smiled as he accepted the man's hand. "By the way, this is my wife, Bianca."
Gideon turned to me with a smile. "This is Dashiel Golding, CEO of Golding Inc."
I exchanged pleasantries with the man in front of us.
"Finally, I've got to meet your wife, Gideon," Mr. Golding said, smiling at me. "Now, I understand why you didn't want us to meet her before." The businessman raised his brow. "You were scared that someone might snatch him away from you, aren't you?"
Gideon chuckled. Then I felt his hand on the small of my back.
Before, I stiffened every time he did that. That's how I react to his touch.
But now… I felt nothing. Like his touch was just a normal thing to me.
Just how did I get comfortable with him?