“Natalie, he is my mate, Artemis.”
“Hello, Alpha Artemis!!” She greeted, bowing her head.
After introducing Artemis to everyone, they got engaged with Artemis to know more about him while Caroline reached near Brandon, who was not looking at her but at his shoes. “Dad, please scold me but don’t give the silent treatment to me.”
“I know it was your plan to surprise me. So, now that I’m here, you won’t talk to me?” Caroline spoke again, and her voice started becoming heavy.
“Come with me,” Brandon said and took her from there. Everyone saw that, but no one said a thing because if they were there to support Caroline, that didn’t mean what she did, and the way she did it was not acceptable. Of course, no one could undo what had already been done, but at the same time, no one could save Caroline from Brandon’s scolding.
Artemis stood up from his seat when Rebecca said, “Sit down, Artemis. Brandon will just scold Caro, but he might kick your ass in anger.”
“Exactly.” Calvin agreed. “By the way, don’t worry about her. Dad is giving her an earful lecture because he loves her.”
“Until they return, why don’t you tell us your love story? It sounds thrilling.” Tiara said in an excited tone., on which Artemis started telling his story from beginning to end. And just like him, Caroline was telling everything to Brandon, explaining how ‘falling in love wasn’t the plan.’
"Are you happy with him?" Brandon asked, silently praying in his mind to get an answer as NO.
"Yes, dad. He loves me a lot and treats me like a queen." Caroline said with a big smile in her. Brandon bit his inner cheek, seeing how happy Caroline looked with her mate. To be honest, she didn't have to tell about it through her mouth because it was written all over her face.
"Whom do you love more? Me or him?"
"You're my hero, dad. My first love, but everyone wants to spend their life with their last love." Caroline replied in a cheesy way, just like Artemis. Brandon was speechless again.
"When do you realize that he truly loves you?"
"When I realized that he looks at me in the same way in which you look at Mom. Like his life depends on me." Caroline replied. "By god grace, that situation has never come yet, and neither do I want that situation to come, but... but dad, he won't mind risking his life for me even for a second." She replied.
*
Artemis observed how Brandon and Caroline were talking to each other after the little conversation they had. He so much wished he would have heard it, but he realized the room in the mansion was soundproof.
‘So, everything went well?’
‘Yes!! Just a little bit of scolding, a couple of question answers, and I was in his arms.’ Caroline smiled and replied through mindlink. ‘Now it's your turn. Show your charm to him and make him fall in love with you.’ She encouraged.
Artemis didn’t comment on that and secretly wished to be Artin’s age, who had won everyone’s heart within an hour.
In the evening, Brandon asked Artemis to accompany him. Finally, this was the moment he had been waiting for. When Brandon wanted to talk with him on his own. Instead of taking him to some private place to talk with him, Brandon took him to the stripper club. Artemis gulped nervously, seeing when his father-in-law had brought him.
“So, what do you want as a drink? Vodka, gin, baijiu, shōchū, soju, tequila, rum, whisky, brandy, and singani?” Brandon asked.
Artemis clearly knew that how much Brandon hated drinking alcohol and anyone doing it. Thankfully, he didn’t have a habit of drinking alcoholic drinks. “No, da… I mean Mr. Haysbert. I don’t drink. Virgin Mojito will be fine for me.” He replied.
Brandon could sense truth from the man sitting in front of him. “Caro told me that you can give your life for her,” Brandon said after ordering two non-alcoholic drinks. “So, if both Artin and Caro’s life will be in danger, then will do save my daughter or your nephew?” He asked.
Caroline had already told Brandon about the real identity of Artin in the previous conversation with him. Artemis was taken aback by Brandon’s question. Now, he could feel that the real test had begun now.
“I’m positive, Mr. Haysbert, that my mate can take care of herself because she told me that she has been training for the last seventeen years. So, if a situation like this appears, I will save Artin first because he can’t protect himself .”
“So, you will be choosing blood over love?”
“No. Mr. Haysbert. I didn’t mean to say that. For example, my and Artin’s life will be in danger then Sarah will do the same. She will protect Artin first than me. It’s not blood over love. It’s just that that will be the right thing at that moment.” Artemis responded, and Brandon narrowed his eyes, finding logic in his words. Hell, even he would do the same.
“When are you planning to get married to my daughter?” Brandon asked.
“When you will say YES for us. I know it is too take to your permission and I’m sorry about Mr. Haysbert. When I found my love, I didn’t want to wait for a second and wanted to claim her then and there. But still, Mr. Haysbert, we need your approval for a formal grand wedding.”
“What if I say NO?”
.
#TBC