Chapter 3

Mary Redferne

“So why did you decide to get married, if you don’t mind me asking?” He says in a low but audible tone as I stared at him shamelessly while he was driving.

His arms, his biceps.

Oh mama.

I knew it was difficult for him to make a conversation, so I am going to help him out by talking a lot.

“I got bored of random hookups, you know. Or relationships that were only physical and not very emotional. I don’t know why I just happen to meet guys that want sex. And because I have a reputation of being a party girl, some men just assume that I would be open to hookups and they can just have fun for one night and not call me again. As confident as I am, it’s still hurtful.” I pour my heart out for some reason. I hadn’t really talked about these things to anyone.

I don’t like telling people what's bothering me or even showing slight vulnerability, but with Joseph, I felt like my secrets would be safe. He wouldn’t use me or anyone ever. He isn’t capable of such things. I paused when I realized what I had just said.

“I mean, I don’t sleep around a lot.” I defend myself as I look at him, who was just nodding his head, listening to me attentively. Confusion sprawls on his beautiful face as he gives me a look.

“Like I don’t want you to think that I am someone who will sleep with just anyone, nothing wrong with that either, but I sleep with guys I date-“ I explained as realization dawned on him.

I didn’t understand why I cared enough to explain.

“Oh no, that didn’t even cross my mind. I was just listening to you, but I don’t think you should be ashamed or even justify the number of men you have bedded.” He says while changing the gear, making me burst out laughing.

“Yes, you are right.” I say as I feel great; he made me feel good about myself. I liked his company.

“My mother says your 20s are to explore and discover what you want. She ended up marrying her first boyfriend and they split up in a few months. So she advised me to explore till I am sure of a person.” He explains as we enter the huge gates of a corporate building.

I smiled at him, a big smile. All the adoration I felt for him at that moment was evidently visible in my eyes.

This world doesn’t deserve Joseph Lachlan.

We entered the Lachlan enterprises, and it was a big building. I have only visited a few offices, and they were fairly big, but this one is humongous.

As we walked in, Joseph nodded at all of his employees while maintaining a sweet smile on his face. I didn’t understand how a 27-year-old man who has achieved so much in his life can be so grounded. If I didn’t know better, I would assume he is a normal guy who works a 9-5 job.

Joshua is proud and snobby even though his only achievement is being born in the McKinnon family.

How bad is it that I don’t feel like spending time with my fiancé at all? Maybe I should give him a chance and at least spend some time with him before drawing conclusions.

“Would you like to see my cabin or first take the tour of the departments?” He asks me as he leads me to the elevator. I stand with my hands by my side.

The elevator was a bit crowded, so I could feel Joseph’s body next to mine; he was so tall that I felt like he was towering over me. My breathing altered as I tried not to take in his raw masculine scent.

Stop imagining him doing things to you; it’s never going to happen! Oh god, what are these feelings? I mean, he is not even my type. He is soft-spoken and sweet. Don’t you have a thing for bad boys, Mary?

I tried to convince myself, but it was in vain.

He was bumping into me a few times, but he was trying his best not to touch me. I couldn’t help but smile when I realized his hand was around me, not touching me but just making sure nobody bumps into me.

Again. This world doesn’t deserve Joseph Lachlan.

Yes, obviously, men have done things for me, but only because they wanted something in return. I think I might be infatuated with him a bit. Maybe being alone with him was a bad idea.

Mary! Snap out of it!

“I’d like to see your office, if you don’t mind.” I reply as we step out of the elevator to the topmost floor. He nods at me when a beautiful woman approaches him with some files and a single sheet which I am guessing is his schedule.

“Joseph, you have a call scheduled in five minutes for the upcoming merger with Johnsons. I have kept your coffee on your table. Don’t worry, it’s still hot.” She looks at him with the same way I did as she hands him a file, and Joseph skims through it.

“Thank you, Wren. Oh, by the way, this is Mary; she is my…. friend.” He says, after thinking for a second.

Yeah, it would be weird to call me his future sister-in-law.

“Hey Wren!” I greet her in a friendly manner.

“Hey…” She greets me back with a smile, but something was bothering her. I could tell; she probably recognized me from the papers or maybe she liked Joseph and wasn’t sure what I was to him. Either way, she wasn’t happy to meet me.

Joseph started walking towards his cabin, so I just blindly followed him, looking around, taking in the beautiful view.

“Mary, I need to take a call-“

“No, don’t worry I’ll sit here and go through your things if you don’t mind.” I say, making him laugh as he picks up the call when the telephone starts to ring.

I was reading through his papers when I heard Joseph speak. His voice, demeanor, and his entire personality changed. His voice was tough and authoritative; he didn’t stutter once as he listed out his terms and negotiated prices.

I watched him for five minutes, almost without blinking. I couldn’t seem to stop watching him.

I didn’t think he could get any more attractive, but he did. I bit down on my lip as he ruffled his hands through his hair as the tone of his voice changed again, serious and a bit angry.

A side I thought of Joseph never existed. I watched his expressions closely; irritation was visible on his handsome face as his eyebrows were furrowed.

Okay. I need to stop staring.

“Mary! Mary.” He called me out, breaking me out of my trance. I blushed a little as I realized that he caught me staring at him.

“Sorry, I was in a daze.”

“No, I don’t blame you. This is boring work. What do you do?” He asks, and I was taken aback. People usually didn’t ask me this question. They just assumed I am a socialite and I just dress pretty and create controversies.

“No, it’s not boring, and I work as an intern in a private investigation agency.” I tell him, watching his eyes widen.

“Wow, really?”

“Yeah, but I am going to quit. After a point you get bored with people always pointing their guns at you, you know.”

“Yeah, I know- wait what.”

“Yeah, I joined it after I was done fooling people as a psychic.”

“Wait what-“

“But after police cars chase you down, you learn your lesson. So I had to quit. It’s like trouble just keeps following me.”

“Okay, no wait I need to process this. Stop saying words.”

Joseph Lachlan

I stared at the woman sitting in front of me. I still can’t get over the fact that Mary Redferne was sitting in front of me. I knew a woman like her would never go for me, but just being around her was enough for me.

“So let me get this straight. You work in a detective agency where people point guns at you. Before that, you fooled people as a psychic but quit after a police car chased-“

“Police cars.” She corrected.

“My apologies. Police cars. After which you quit.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

She replied as if we were talking about the most normal thing in the world. What surprised me was that she never felt a need to explain anything to anyone.

I didn’t understand why she talks to me so much. I never thought a woman like Mary would find me interesting enough to hang out with me. But somehow since the time she’s arrived, she seems to end up spending her time with me.

I didn’t have many friends; I was a loner. I couldn’t really keep people interested in the things I talk about unless it is work.

A lot of things that go on around me are beyond my understanding as I have always been a bit slow. I had a rough time understanding people because it was always just me and my mother against the entire world.

I didn’t understand why Joshua wanted Mary. He clearly wasn’t crazy about her or valued her the way she deserved. He didn’t understand her, but at least he is trying to.

I guess a woman like Mary is worth the chaos.

Surprisingly, I wasn’t so shy around Mary because I knew there was no chance of a romantic relationship there. She was going to be my sister-in-law. Maybe that’s why.

Or maybe I just feel comfortable around her.

“Joseph, can I ask you something?” Mary says as she leafs through a few random papers.

“Yes, of course.”

“Is something going on between you and Wren?” She asks as she looks at me in the eyes, making my face go red.

I don’t understand why I get so shy when I talk about women or dating or to people in general. I wish I could control it.

“Umm no. She is just my assistant. She used to work for my mother; now she works for me.” I explained. I would have never hired a female personal assistant for me. I can’t communicate properly with them, let alone give them orders.

“Oh, she seemed a bit upset after you introduced me. She thought something was going on between us.” she laughs as she got up from her place and stood right in front of me.

I chuckled nervously at the comment, but I could feel my heart racing.

“Well, she is into you for sure. You should date her.” She tells me, and I shake my head. My eyes shoot down to her candy apple lips again; I can’t get her out of my mind after that kiss.

I can’t believe I kissed her back. I don’t even know where that confidence emerged from. But I just had to taste her lips the minute I laid eyes on her. I was fully aware of who she was, and I was ashamed to admit it that I gave into my primal instincts.

My eyes widen when I realize I was staring at her lips. Fuck. Her face had turned a bit red as she looked around to avoid eye contact.

Shit. I made her uncomfortable.

“I can’t talk to women well, flirting is out of the question.” I answered her question and stepped away from her as I pick up a random file and started going through it. I didn’t want her to think that I was a loser.

“But you are talking to me!” She points out, and I didn’t know how to answer that question.

“Well, you are my to-be sister-in-law. So I guess-“ Her smile fell as I explained.

Did I say something wrong?

Before I could ask her any further questions, she just smiled again, nodded in acknowledgment before waving me off.

“Let’s go have some food! I am hungry.” She completely changes the subject as she steps closer to me again, keeping her small hand on my bicep, on purpose. She knew what she was doing; she was touching me, and it wasn’t an innocent touch.

I froze in my place as she just giggled for the second, satisfied with my reaction.

She was playing with me, and my animal instincts just wanted to pull her by her waist into my body before kissing those sinful lips with no mercy.

Fuck.

AUTHOR’S NOTE

Hello All You Beautiful People,

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.

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