Chapter 2

Mary Redferne

I didn’t sleep well, firstly because I am not in my bed, and secondly, because that kiss messed me up. I couldn’t stop thinking about Joseph Lachlan.

My mom is a big fan of his mother as she is one of the few women who smashed through the patriarchy and built a business for herself. My mother loves Joseph a lot too; she says he is a good person, which is a rare thing nowadays. Obviously, she never met them, but she reads a lot of articles about them.

I don’t believe news articles because they always spread false news about me. One of the newspapers even gave me a nickname, ‘Wild Mary.’ Yeah, I know, very original.

After my shower, I wore a very simplistic dress as my mother asked me to be decently dressed around my future in-laws. I can’t believe that I am actually listening to her. I never listen to people, but sadly, I am following the rules of society so I don’t end up offending someone by showing a little cleavage or my thighs.

I was already mad at Joshua for his comments. I can’t marry a man like him. In his letters, he wasn’t egotistical or snobby. He was actually sweet.

As I stepped out of my room in the hallway, I could see Joshua approaching me. I rolled my eyes a little before raising my eyebrows at him. I know people would think that I am overreacting because ‘it was just a comment,’ but no, I refuse to—

“Mary, I am sorry, my words yesterday were distasteful and disrespectful. I was just nervous around you. You are one of the most beautiful women I have seen.” My mouth hangs slightly as he apologizes.

Okay, I was not expecting that.

Finally, I can see his sweet and sensitive side. Maybe in letters, he is a different person because he gets to think properly over things before writing them down. But I guess, I can live with him as long as he realizes his mistakes and apologizes for them.

“It’s okay, but I am kind of surprised that you figured out that I might be mad at you. You seemed very self-involved when I met you.” I saw him almost choke on spit as I just stated a fact blatantly. He is probably not used to people talking to him like this.

“Wow, you are very… umm… straightforward. No, actually Joseph talked to me last night over drinks. Well, I drank, he didn’t.” He said proudly.

Great! So he didn’t realize his mistake on his own.

“Mary, I can understand your reservations towards me. I am not perfect, but I will try to improve, with yours and Joseph’s help. I was raised in a rich family, and I was their only child, so I might be a little spoiled. But I will learn.” He says with a smile on his face and the heaviness in my chest goes away.

Well, I am rich and the only child, but I am not like him.

Mary, just give him a break, my conscience said, and I agreed.

Yes, I can be quick to judge.

“So it was nice of Joseph to tell you your mistake.” I say as I really wanted to find out more about him.

“Oh yeah, Joey has always been like that. He is always trying to protect others from their own mistakes.” He says, and I feel warmth fill my heart.

This is not good.

“He must do well with the ladies.” I say, as I feel like I am playing jump with the line now, but I really wanted to know if he has a girlfriend or not.

“Haha no, he is pathologically shy. He can’t talk to the ladies well, so he doesn’t do well with them, as you know women prefer a strong, confident alpha male.” He says proudly as he talks about himself.

“Isn’t Joseph richer and a better businessman than you?” I ask, omitting the part where Joseph is obviously stronger and better looking. I see anger flash in his eyes before it disappears.

“No, he is not that— I mean—“ He was cut off as we see Joseph walk in.

I felt my heart rate elevate just with his mere presence.

This isn’t good, right?

“Hello, Joshua, Hello… um… Mary.” He says my name shyly, making me smile.

How can a man be so gorgeous and so cute at the same time?

“Hi, Joseph, you look good.” I compliment him, and his face goes red.

“T-Thank y-ou.” He says as he flashes me a smile.

Oh my goodness.

“So what do you want to do today?” Joshua asks me, and I think for a minute.

“Oh, I would love to see your office.” I say as I get excited; my father works for the government, so it’s kind of boring, but I love learning about a commercial enterprise and its mechanics.

“Are you sure? That would be kind of boring for a girl. We have amazing shops over here. You can go shopping. It's on me.”

Think, Joshua, think, before opening that big fat mouth of yours.

“Umm no, I am sure Mary would enjoy visiting your office.” Joseph says as he gives Joshua a look.

“Oh right, I am sorry for making that assumption. Please accompany me to my work, and if you get bored, my driver can always drive you to the nearest plaza.” I see Joseph sigh loudly as he rubs his forehead. I could see that he was frustrated, not being able to protect his brother from his own stupidity.

“Actually, I’d rather go with Joseph, if that’s okay?” I say as I make eye contact with his steel gray eyes for a second, and I feel like my breath was getting ragged. The thing is that his presence and his gaze are intimidating, even though he is a sweet guy.

Mary, do you really think being alone with Joseph is a good idea? My conscience asked concernedly.

Well, too late.

“Yes, of course.” He says as he looked a bit surprised.

“Wait, did I say something wrong?” Joshua asked me with confusion sprawled over his face.

Wow!

“Yes, but this time I’d like you to figure that out on your own. Without Joseph’s help.” I say like I am his teacher before walking away.

I hear faint footsteps behind me, so I stop immediately and turn around, but Joseph crashes into me, and we fall down.

Ouch.

I feel pain in my hip, but nothing too serious. I also feel Joseph’s hand behind my head protecting me from a severe head injury. I look up as I could feel my breasts heaving up and down as they were smashed against his chest, and I took in his captivating masculine scent.

He pursed his lips a little as I stared at his mesmerizing gorgeous face. He placed his hands on either side of my head before pushing himself off me and getting up. I felt shame course through me as I tried to take my eyes off his biceps, which were visible through his suit.

Sweetie, now you are just acting like a nymphomaniac. My conscience mocked me haughtily.

Without a warning, he picked me off the ground like I weigh nothing, and that surprised me because I knew I weigh something for sure.

“Sorry, I was trying to catch up with you, but I didn’t expect you to turn around or… stop.” He apologized as I straightened out my dress.

“It’s okay.” I shut my mouth immediately when I realized how deep and turned on my voice sounded.

What the heck is wrong with you, Mary?!!!

“I am sorry about Joshua too—”

I cut him off before he could finish the sentence, “Okay, it’s not your job to apologize for him. To tell you the truth, I’d rather know how he really is right away, than find out once we are married and have kids. Then, go through an ugly divorce and wind up with 37 cats, because trust me I love cats. Should I adopt a cat?”

He raises his eyebrows as he looks at me, amused, “I agree but Josh likes you a lot, and as his brother, it's my job to help him out. And yes, you should adopt a cat if you want one.”

I smile, with my heart. My mother was right, Joseph Lachlan was a different kind of man. The kind of man you want to be around all the time. You feel safe around him; he hasn’t even judged me yet, which is rare honestly.

“So, Josh told me about your pathological shyness, I think it’s cute. Do you want me to set you up with a friend?” I ask him, and his eyes go wide as he tries to process my words.

“Umm no. I didn’t expect him to tell you that.” He muttered as he opened the car door for me, and I sat in.

“Why not? Is it something you don’t want people to know?” I ask him, confused.

“Well yes, it's kind of embarrassing. But Josh thinks it's funny.” He says, and I feel bad for him.

“Well, I think it’s sexy.” I say, trying to boost his confidence, and I could see his face turning red as he starts driving the car, avoiding eye contact with me.

I wasn’t lying; it was attractive, in a place where all the people surrounding me are overconfident and egotistical, Joseph was refreshing.

AUTHOR’S NOTE

Hello All You Beautiful People,

I have updated the second chapter of Mary Redferne, and I will be updating Danika Williams tomorrow too.

Please let me know what your opinions are on Joseph, Mary, and Joshua so far.

I hope you enjoyed the chapter; please let me know your thoughts down in the comment section.

Please check out The Billionaire Brothers Series.

Thank you so much for reading my book.

I love you guys!!

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