Chapter 16

Eunice was not far from Isabelle and Luke's mother. She could see the anger on Luke’s handsome face. His face looked grim but he was still so damn hot. She won’t let a naive country girl take him away from her. She would break them up as soon as possible. Thanks to Beth. Because of her, she knew exactly what to do to ruin their relationship. She was the perfect one for Luke though he hadn’t realized it yet. She had to do the extreme to make Isabelle disappear from Luke’s life. Now she was regretful for not trying too hard to get the man she had been wanting and loving for a long time. But it wasn’t too late. After she was able to execute her plan, in no time, she could have him for herself.
Hit it where it hurts most! She thought with a smirk while she watched what was happening.
Luke’s relatives and his mother’s friends came to Isabelle to either shake her hand or kiss her cheek. He was quietly observing what was happening with narrowed eyes. He was dying to stand up and snatch his wife but she was surrounded by guests. He felt a tap on his shoulder.
"Good job Luke! Now I see why you married her in a hurry!” Reed’s father commented.
"He took after me. He has good taste in women,” came his father’s voice.
He didn't say anything. He just nodded with his jaw clenched. Only Reed knew how possessive he was towards his wife and he appreciated the fact that he didn’t make any comment. His cousin was just sipping his booze quietly but there was a possibility that he heard him cursed. With a heavy sigh, he himself gulped some of the alcohol in his glass. He was pissed. He would talk to Isabelle later. She knew well that he wouldn’t want her to be made up for tonight. Much more be dressed in such a garment. She should have said no even if his mother insisted. Cursing under his breath again, he filled his glass with the booze. It was a good thing that his father was now busy talking with the others so he didn’t see his pissed expression.
As for Isabelle, contrary to what she thought, everybody was nice to her. She didn’t feel uncomfortable because she was dressed and made up really well. She didn’t feel out-of- place. After Luke’s mother introduced her to the guests, she knew some of them still had their eyes on her but she didn’t feel awkward. The only thing that she was not comfortable with was seeing Luke’s face. She was sure that he would be mad. After a few moments, his mother excused herself since one of the guests wanted to talk to her privately. Immediately after she was left alone, Eunice came to her side.
“Take this. This will relax you more,” she said as she offered her a glass.
She thanked her and sipped some of the liquid. She was expecting it to taste really bitter, but to her surprise, it was sweet. It was like some juice with a little alcohol.
"Go on! Finish it. That will make you feel less nervous, in case you still are," the woman added.
She took her advice and drank some more. She was after all a bit jittery knowing that anytime soon, Luke would come. She was a bit afraid of what he would say about her appearance. For sure he would express his disapproval. She had no clue that Eunice’s eyes were secretly roaming the room and saw that Luke had his back on them. The other woman strongly felt that she had to grab this chance so she could do her second plan tonight. Her first plan was done which was to do her a make over with the help of Luke’s mother with her stylist too. The two didn’t have any idea that she planned that to happen. When she saw Isabelle finished the punch in her glass, she took another one from a passing waiter and got her empty glass from her.
“What’s this?” Isabelle asked as she was handed a different glass.
"Try this champagne. This is Luke’s mom’s favorite. It is very expensive but very good.”
"I really don’t drink so maybe I will have this later. I have low alcohol tolerance.”
"This will be the last. Come on try it. Finish it. It would be a waste if you don’t,” the other woman insisted and Isabelle had no choice but to do what she was told. She sighed and then drank the booze.
Luke felt Reed’s hand tapped his shoulder and leaned towards him to tell him to look at Isabelle. He turned his head to where she was. His eyes constricted when she saw that Eunice was with her. Seemed like she was letting his wife have some alcohol. He excused himself to the others and immediately got up from his chair. When he was a few meters from his wife, his aunt Rebecca stopped him, she was with Apollo her son. She was his father’s sister.
"Luke! Congratulations! Your wife is very beautiful," she said with a bright smile and he nodded a thank you, "Can I talk to you about your cousin Apollo?” she added.
He saw his wife heading to the veranda with Eunice. His brows creased but he couldn’t leave his aunt and his cousin. His Aunt Rebecca could be a pain in the ass if she didn’t get what she wanted. He had a pretty good idea what she wanted to discuss with him, a job for his lazy cousin.
"We can talk here!” she pulled him near the pool where there were less people and he didn’t have any choice but to go with them.
Eunice led Isabelle to the veranda away from the others though they could still see them.
"I want to tell you some things about Luke. As I promised, I will help you to keep him right?" she asked.
Isabelle nodded and said thank you. She didn’t need to say anything about that which was good. Eunice heaved a sigh before speaking.
"Luke likes partying. He usually goes with his friends from college. They have been doing that since their university days. They often bar hop. Listen carefully Issa. You have to remember that Luke hates it when someone tries to stop him from doing what he wants. To avoid conflicts, just allow him to do whatever he likes. The parties they go to sometimes are pretty wild. Most of the time they have girls with them. Usually they like models to join them.”
Isabelle bit her bottom lip. She didn’t seem to want to hear anymore. She was starting to have a headache. Wild parties with models? What exactly do they do? She asked herself.
"L-Luke doesn’t come home late. He goes home straight from work, " she told Eunice who laughed bitterly.
"You really are so naive Issa. Please try to change that. Luke can go to these parties any time of the day. It doesn’t have to be after working hours. Most of his friends are CEOs of their own companies. They can leave their offices any time. Besides you just got married. For sure he is careful so you won’t suspect him doing monkey business. But don’t be surprised if he comes home late one of these days. Luke gets tired of everything easily,” she added.
She wasn’t able to react anymore when she heard Kara called her name. She was walking to them while she waved to someone from the group of people in the garden.
Upon seeing Kara, Eunice excused herself, "Think about what I told you Issa. I don't want you to be hurt,” she managed to say before leaving her.
Excitedly Kara sat on the chair which Eunice just vacated.
"Wow Belle! You are gorgeous!" she complimented her.
"Thank you, " she responded in a small voice. She did her best to smile though she couldn’t forget what Eunice told her.
"Sorry I’m late! I was stuck in traffic! I had no idea that you have become friends with Eunice. Didn’t I warn you about her? She is after Luke so be more cautious okay?”
She nodded still with a smile.
"Reed!" Kara called behind her back.
Reed occupied the other seat, "Well I’m glad you were able to make it,” he told his sister then he turned to her and said hello.
She greeted him back with a timid smile. This was her first time to see him after their wedding.
"Issa is so lovely don’t you agree Reed?"
She felt her cheeks colored when he looked at her intently. He didn’t say anything. He just nodded.
On the other side of the garden, Luke checked his watch. More than five minutes had passed. He couldn't wait to get away from his aunt.
"That would be great Luke! We promise that your cousin will work hard! Am I correct Apollo? You won’t let me lose face to your cousin right?”
Apollo nodded. He was five years younger than him.
"Well I will tell your dad that you are allowing your cousin to work for you! Thanks Luke!” his father’s sister said excitedly.
"Okay. As I said, I can fire him anytime if he won’t do his tasks well," he reminded her coldly.
His aunt nodded and pulled Apollo with him and went back to the garden. He heaved a sigh. Finally, he could go to Isabelle. He turned to his left to find her when he heard Eunice call him.
"What a good cousin you are baby! But I hope that lazy cousin of yours would do as he promised,” she commented.
"I told you not to call me baby, especially now. Someone might hear you,” he reprimanded her with an arctic tone.
"Hmm but I like calling you baby," Eunice said huskily.
"I don't like it so cut it out,” he replied in an emotionless voice. He badly wanted to talk to his wife.
“Your err, wife seemed to have adjusted quickly. There is no trace of her being a country girl. Thanks to the wonders of cosmetics! Do you like how she looks like?"
He glared at her, "My wife may not be sophisticated but I like her that way! I don’t f*cking like what you did to her! I am sure you suggested to dress Isabelle up to my mother. She is beautiful without any makeup or even without wearing such a dress! I would really appreciate it if you distance yourself from her. I don't want her to be like you," he said harshly.
Eunice returned his angry stare, "Ouch! And what do you mean by that?" she was obviously holding on to her anger.
"You know what I mean! Excuse me! I have to go find my wife,” he said in a very cold voice. He had just turned when she spoke again.
"Are you sure she is not like me? Last time I saw her, she was with Reed. Seems like you have the same taste in women! How pathetic!" Eunice said sarcastically.
He cursed and ran to the house.
(inside the house)
"That woman is really crazy! Why did she let you drink that much?” Kara sounded irritated.
Isabelle felt a bit dizzy so they went to the living room. Kara was helping her to the sofa while her brother was behind them.
When she was settled on the couch, Kara straightened, “Reed please watch over Issa for a minute. I will make her a cup of coffee.”
She heard Reed say yes. She was leaning her back on the sofa with her eyes closed. Her pretty face had a frown.
"Do you want to lie down?” he asked gently.
She opened her eyes, “No. I’ll be okay here. Thanks.”
He took one throw pillow. He bent down towards her, "You might feel dizzier in that position. Let me put this on your back,” he said as he raised her head a little.
Luke didn’t see his wife in the garden so he headed towards the house. He was clenching and unclenching his fists with what Eunice said. So he wasn’t the only one suspecting that Reed was interested in Isabelle. He tried to ignore his cousin's eyes on Isabelle during their wedding but he would talk to him again tonight.
Isabelle moved her back a little with the help of Luke’s cousin.
“I hope you will feel more comfortable. Let me put this behind you. That’s it,” Reed said to her as he gently helped her straighten, ”Is this okay?” he asked after sliding a pillow behind her.
“This is fine. Thank you,” she told him and he smiled at her.
“Any time,” he replied.
This was the closest they’ve been but strangely she didn’t feel uncomfortable. Maybe because she knew he was just being nice to her without any malice. He only wanted to help her like his sister.
Luke halted with what he saw. Reed’s back was on him. He was leaning forward towards his wife who was on the sofa. He may have stopped moving for a second due to surprise but after several moments, his eyes narrowed. He felt all the blood in his body went up his head. He flew in rage.
Isabelle eyes widened when she heard Luke’s furious voice.
"You *sshole!!" he cursed through gritted teeth.
Her hand went up her mouth when he furiously pulled Reed and punched him on the face furiously.