“Hmm. My uncle, my father’s elder brother, was the former CEO of the company, but he died at an early age, so dad took his place because my cousin was a kid at that time. Now that he is an adult, he wants the position of CEO in the company, but…. But he is not the right person for that position.” Artemis said, and immediately the atmosphere of the room changed. “That’s enough for now to know more about my family issues; you have to marry me,” he added with a wink.
Caroline rolled her eyes and walked toward the washroom. Looking in the mirror, she couldn’t help but thank god that this time of issues never occurred in her family. In fact, they had to learn to give up on their own happiness for others.
Colton and Calvin had a habit of leaving their favorite thing for each other without letting the other know about it. At the same time, Liara and Tiara had a habit of sharing everything.
*
‘There is something wrong with the pendant that she was wearing. I can smell the witch’s presence because of it.’ Bolt said once Caroline walked inside the washroom.
‘Is this why we can smell her scent?’
‘Most probably, yes!! If we will remove her pendant, then…. Maybe then I can sense what she is.’ Bolt said, on which Artemis started thinking for a while thinking about this idea.
‘Do it matter to you that what is she, Bolt?’ He asked.
‘To be honest. A big NO to that part. It's just that she is mysterious, and I’m curious to solve this mystery.’ Bolt admitted. ‘So, I want to know that she has that pendant which gives a vibe of a witch. Who knows that she is possessed by a witch?’ He questioned in concern.
‘Okay. I get it.’
After a while, he saw Caroline walking out of the washroom in all black. Even a moment before, she had worn a black nightdress and again black.
‘It looks like black is her favorite color OR maybe she likes to dress in this way.’ He thought and imagined her in a white wedding gown with light makeup.
He observed her using bold black eyeliner, then checked her black nail paint; after that, she wore a lot of rings in her right ear.
Fifteen minutes later, “I’m ready.”
“You look beautiful,” Artemis said, with a smile on his lips.
“Really?” Caroline asked to confirm because Mark never complimented her.
“Really, Regina.”
“You…you don’t look bad yourself.” Caroline stuttered and mentally slapped herself for doing so. Artemis walked toward her and cupped her face. “What….wh…” Words died in her mouth when Artemis kissed her forehead and caressed the side of her cheeks.
*
“I won’t be able to afford to pay the bill of this fancy restaurant,” Caroline warned Artemis when they walked into a Michelin star restaurant for breakfast. Of course, she had money in her bank account, which she had earned by working in her mother’s company, but she wasn’t in the mood to spend all of them by spending in these things.
“Who is asking you to pay the bill? I will be handling that department. It’s my treat.” Artemis said, pulling out a chair for her like a gentleman. “The food of this restaurant is amazing, and you will love it,” he added.
“Oh! So, you have visited here before?”
“No. It's just that ‘Rise Above Dining Restaurant is the best all in the world for its food.” Artemis told her and then ordered the signature dish of the month for both of us. “And I think the main reason that they are the best is that both the owners, who are husband and wife, are a chef by profession.” Caroline nodded her head in acknowledgment.
“Look there…” Artemis said, pointing toward something. Caroline looked in the direction where he was pointing to. “They are the couple I’m talking about. Oliver and Rebecca Weasley.”
“Oh,” Caroline looked at their picture and nodded her head again, acting like she didn’t know about them at all.
“They visited Paris a few days back on their niece's eighteen birthday. Did you meet them?” Artemis asked, on which Caroline became silent. How could she say that she was also one of the nieces of her Uncle Oli and Aunt Becca? And the other nieces he was talking about were Liara and Tiara, her sisters.
“Are you trying to know from where I belong?” Caroline asked, changing the topic. “If yes, then I stay in Grenoble, not Paris.” She said in such a way then Artemis won’t be able to sense her lie. My parents or say my family left me in an orphanage when I was bare of few hours.” She told him but didn’t tell the story that happened next, how she got adopted, and other things.
“I… I’m sorry about that.” Artemis apologized. “Maybe they were not ready to become parents but don’t worry, my parents will be blessed to have a daughter they never had,” he said with a smile and pinched Caroline’s cheek to cheer her mood.
“And I don’t give a damn to your background, Sarah. Even you’re a nobody and poor.”
Caroline smiled at his words, and by that time, their breakfast was already served at their table. “Don’t get me to know, but how did you manage everything until now, then? I mean, what do you do for your living?”
“Well, a generous and kind couple adopted and helped me with my studies till high school, and after that, I completed my college and further studies with my scholarship. Along with that, I work with an NGO to help needy people.”
.
#TBC