She instantly shot her brows up at me before looking at Mom who was pale from all the happenings.
"Ah, will you please excuse us for awhile?" Marcus grabbed my arm and pulled me somewhere.
He brought me to a dark corner where only few people pass by.
"Let go of me if you don't want me to humiliate all of you!" I said with my full voice.
"Not here! You can't do this here, Meredith," he whispered with piercing eyes.
"Yes, I could! I will do it and no one could stop me, not even you!" I exclaimed.
I tried to pull my arm from his grasp but he didn't let me.
"Alessandra wants her anniversary be held im here. It's for your own good, too. Because I want other people to think that Gabriel's a different person and not your husband,Hezekiah!" he said with clenching jaw.
I narrowed my eyes at him and pushed him forcefully.
"How dare you?! What do you think of the people here? Stupid fools?! If you managed to manipulate Gabriel who knows nothing, then not me, Marcus! My patience have been stretched too long for all of you and I won't let you fool me in front of my face!"
He stepped back and crossed his arms over his chest and looked at me intensely. His lips lifted which made me fume in anger.
"How can you be so sure that Gabriel would go with you? Don't forget what your mother did to him, even your own best friend! He had enough memories to go back to you before, but he didn't..." he said in a rough voice.
My head boilied up. I wanted to slap him so badly, if only I could. In the end, I managed to pull a smile and raised y head bravely, meeting his eyes.
"Is that so? Don't you think you're believing too much on yourself? If you forgot, I'm still the legal wife. I can sue you, specially your dear sister."
I noticed that his jaw clenched which gave me the chance to try to get out of his hold.
"Let go of me!" I said as I pulled my arm.
"Not until I throw you out of here!" he said through gritted teeth.
He was about to pull me when Hunts arrived.Tangka na sana ako nitong hihilahin palayo nang biglang dumating si Hunts.
"Let go of him, sir!" Hunts told to Marcus in an authoritative voice.
Marcus hissed and faced Hunts who was blocking us on our way to the back door.binalingan nito ang kalmadong si Hunts na ngayo'y naka harang sa daan namin patungong back door.
"And who the hell are you, huh?" Marcus asked impatiently.
"Please, sir, remove your hand from Mrs. Grant..." he told Marcus with the same deep voice.
He loosened his grip until he let go of me. He strode to Hunts and held the latter's collar.Humakbang ito ng isa at walang pasabing kinuwelyohan si Hunts.
"Who let you in here? Don't you know me?!" he said with firmness.May diin at mabigat nitong bigkas kay Hunts.
I was alarmed as I glanced at the hall. Everyone is busy and enjoying the party. No one noticed what's happening.
"Sir, calm down," Hunts said.
"I'm calm. Don't tell me what to do!" he said, eyes sharp.
"Marcus, that's enough" I interjected.
He didn't mind what I said and pushed Hunts forcefully out of the hall.
I followed them as they walked out.
"Who told you to come here? Who let you inside, huh?"
"It's Gabriel! He's working for Gabriel!" I answered.
He turned to me and gave an cryptic expression before bringing his gaze back to Hunts.
He harshly let Hunts go and faced me with a smirk on his lips.
"When did you talk to Gabriel again?"
I bravely fought stares with him. "You really want to know?" I arched an brow at him.
He gritted his teeth and looked at me darkly. In the end, he sighed heavily and dropped his gaze, shaking his head.
"I will clear this to you, Meredith. Alessandra doesn't know about this. She's innocent! She doesn't have any idea about everything so please... don't make a scene here!" His voice raised.
I shot my brows up. I have a strong feeling that Alessandra knows something. She's not a fool to marry Gabriel with checking his background.
They teamed up. They app manipulated Gabriel and all the guests here. I won't be deceived by anyone anymore. I'll go with my plan, I'll announce the truth and no one can stop me.
"You're just saying that because you don't want her to be involved if ever I file a case against them! Whatever you say, my decision is final. I will file a case against them!" I said confidently.
His jaw clenched. He was about to walk to me when we both stopped because of a voice. Tangka na sana itong hahakbang palapit nang bigla ay pareho kaming natigilan sa boses na nagsalita.
"Meredith, you're here!"
Alessandra was walking to our directiom while wearing a warm smile. My feet was stuck on the ground. I can't bring myself to move when she suddenly hugged me.
"I thought you won't come!" she said, smile still not faltering.
I glanced at Gabriel who was staring at me darkly.
"H-Happy anniversary! Sorry, I didn't bring a gift..." I said.
"No need! You're presence is enough!" she sweetly said. She held my hand and made me face Gabriel. "I told you, she'll come!"
Gabriel looked at me with dark stonily eyes. His hand was in his pocket secretively. His face is void of any emotion.
"H-Happy... Anniversary..." I murmured to him.
Instead of answering, he faced Hunts and glanced briefly at Marcus who was staring at him seriously.
"Hunts, what are you doing here?"
I glanced at Hunts. His face remained stoic and stiff. His lips twitched but didn't utter any word.
"Ah, Let's go? There's a lot of guests inside!" Marcus interrupted.
Alessandra clung onto Gabriel's arm and pulled him into the hall.
Hunts and I were left alone. My smile quickly faded when they disappeared from my sight.
"Are you fine, Ma'am?" Hunts asked in a concerned tone.
I dropped my head. "I'm not okay..." Although I want to stop it, my tears started gathering on the brim of my eyes.
I can hear him sigh before speaking.
"I know I'm not in the position to say this, but I hope you'll trust Mr. Grant..."
I raised my head and sniffed. I know he's just trying to alleviate the heavy burden I'm feeling but it can never remove the pain I felt with everything.
"Thank you, Hunts.."
We silently went back to the hall. Hunts didn't leave my side. He was just near me, standing and guarding.
Like before, I chose to sit on the far corner. I merely observed Alessandra and Gabriel with Marcus and their mother.
They stayed for quite a time on the table where the business partners of our company are seated. My breathing hitched when their eyes darted onto Gabriel and Alessandra.
I stood up alarmed, but then I felt Hunts' hand on my shoulder. "Stay here, Ma'am.." he said.