Chapter Twenty-seven

“Uncle Preston!” Liam’s face was painted with excitement. 

Preston made eye contact with everyone at the table where Nikolai was seated with Claudia and Liam. What a coincidence. His instinct was telling him to pretend he saw nothing, go straight to the bar, or go straight to the door. None of which was an option for a graceful exit.

“Hey, Uncle Preston,” Liam called again. This time, it was impossible to pretend he didn’t hear. The kid was excitedly waving in his direction.

“Hey, kiddo. Hi, everyone.”

Claudia’s eyes lingered on the red wine. That was enough warning to walk away. If possible, run away.

“Come join us, Preston.” Claudia invited before he could even think of an excuse.

What’s going on inside that head of hers?

“Nah, my workmates are arriving soon.”

“Yeah, join us while you’re waiting for them.” Nikolai invited.

He was lying when he said that they would arrive soon. He wanted to eat his lunch alone and drink a glass or two of wine. Since he saw the woman who looked so much like Belle, he had been drowning himself in work. It was a good distraction and a damn great energy-draining activity. 

Also, Claudia is included in the list of people he wants to avoid. In fact, she might have the top spot.

“Actually…”

“Why, Prez? Caught your tongue?” There wasn’t an ounce of panic on Claudia’s face. Unlike him, her movement was as graceful as a swan. She should consider becoming a lawyer. Seems like the job is made for someone like her. She tapped the space with an empty chair. “Steak?”

He sighed. This lunch is a stomach ache in the making, for sure.

“Before you even jump to a conclusion, Claudia had no idea she was having dinner with me and Liam too. One of those match-making lunches my mother orchestrated.”

“I wasn’t saying anything.”

Nikolai raised an eyebrow. “Your face was saying something I am unsure how to interpret.”

Could it be that what Claudia said was true? That he is an open book and that even if he doesn’t say anything, he is screaming his thoughts silently? He gets commended with his poker face during hearings and meetings. That skill seems to start and end at work, unfortunately.

Claudia had not said a word and continued to munch on her steak. It was unusual for her, the queen of clapbacks, to stay quiet for a long time.

“Your birthday was so great, Liam,” Preston said, trying to fill the silence. “You were great too.”

“Thank you, Uncle Preston. Daddy’s the best for giving me the best party ever.”

He noticed that the boy was more cheerful and more expressive now. Nikolai was right to tell him to stop acting like a fool in front of Hyacinth. She is making a difference in Liam’s life. He still has his suspicions, but he comes to the realization that hugging Hyacinth as he did wasn’t the best action to take.

“Excuse me. I’ll go to the powder room for a minute,” Claudia excused.

Nikolai let go of his fork and knife the second she walked away. “There’s something going on here.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” 

I have to believe in myself first so it would sound like the truth. I have to be the first one to believe my lies.

He repeated like a mantra in his head.

“Claudia’s been silent since you sat here and you keep stealing glances at her.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about” He was surprised. He was aware that he did glance once or twice. A maximum of two was too little to be classified, keep stealing glances like a stalker. 

“You do, Uncle Preston. I saw it too.”

“Hey,” he stopped Liam. Now, the father and son duo are ganging up on him. “You guys eat. Focus on the food you're eating and mind your own business.”

“I swear, she didn’t come here out of her own volition. With those quick glances you stole, I’m sure you noticed how Claudia doesn’t know why she’s sitting at the same table as us either.”

“You look like a great family. You should marry her.” He didn’t care. That is also one of the things that he tells himself.

“You’re insane.”

Their conversation was cut off short when Claudia came back to the table. The four of them sat and ate in silence. Preston was sure that lunch would make it to his top 3 most awkward lunches ever.

When he got back to his office, he was compelled to stop whatever he was doing when a magazine’s new cover appeared. Gracing the cover was none other than Claudia. She looked like a goddess with her long curly blond hair and white silk dress. She really has her way of making simple become extraordinary.

‘Claudia Yvette is saying yes to eternal bliss some people call marriage. Click the link to know more about the young business tycoon who caught the heiress and socialite’s heart.’

The cursor was on the link. Preston’s eyes were glued on the highlighted link too. One-click was all it would take for him to know. He pondered long and hard. 

The headline was enough to keep his head spinning. The curiosity was contributing to the headache he was feeling too. Even still, he’d rather continue his day with all these unanswered questions than actually knowing. Claudia said he wanted to get married and the man sounded like someone who would fit into her world. Young business tycoon sounded like someone suitable for Claudia. That was all he had to know.

“Attorney, someone’s looking for you.”

As far as he knows, she had no appointment with anyone for half the day. He arranged it that way so he had to see and talk to no one.

“Can you tell that person to come back when the appointment is made? I’d gladly listen to his or her case.”

“But, Sir. I’m sorry.” He sighed, but his secretary continued. “She said that if I told you the name Isobelle, you would say yes.”

Preston was speechless to see Hyacinth voluntarily walking into his office. The last time they saw each other, she was so determined to push him away. Even during the party, she would avoid him and when they would lock eyes, the woman would immediately look away like nothing happened.

“I need your help.”

Preston got distracted. Even her voice sounded like Isobelle.

“I need a lawyer. I have a few things I want to consult with you.”