Chapter 14: I Am Your Fiancé

A soft voice came in, "I'm so sorry." The man apologized first.
Kendra bent down to pick her file up. When she looked up, she saw a familiar face.
"It's you." Shocked, they said in a monotone.
Why did Michael appear here? Kendra lowered her head and said, "Excuse me."
"Wait," Michael said and blocked Kendra's way.
"Can I help you?" Kendra looked at Michael and asked confusedly.
"Kendra?" Michael called.
Kendra got stiff and didn't know how to respond to Michael.
"I think I am right." Michael smiled and said with confidence.
"Sorry, I think you are mistaken. I am not Kendra." Kendra said and wanted to leave.
However, Michael stood in front of Kendra and didn't let her go.
"What do you want?" Kendra frowned and asked.
Michael stared at Kendra and smiled politely. "No offense, but I just want to know why you lied to me." He asked gently.
No offense? Then why did he ask such an awkward question? "I don't understand." Kendra looked away and eager to leave, "I don't know you. I need to go."
Kendra's attitude was clear to judge, but Michael didn't give up. He held her arms and said, "You don't know me? I am your fiancé."
Kendra was speechless. Michael knew!
"Your father and sister wanted to fool me, pretending that Bianca is you. They want Bianca to marry me." Michael walked around Kendra and whispered, "Is it your idea?"
"No." Kendra stepped back in horror and shook her head. She needed to keep her distance from Michael.
"Don't be nervous. I don't blame you." Michael showed a pleasant smile and extended his hand to reach hers, "Let's talk about it."
***
She heaved a deep sigh and nodded. They went to a café. They ordered two cups of ice Americano and cake, then looked for a table.
"Here is your cake." Michael gave a piece of cake to Kendra once they settled. Then, he sat down opposite her.
"Thank you," She gave a polite smile.
"When I studied here, I came here frequently. The boss knew me well. I ask him to make this cake. It's special. Have a try." Michael encouraged her and started eating his cake.
Kendra felt a little uncomfortable, so she held her fork and kept it still.
"Mr. Baker, let's talk now." Kendra's voice rang and said seriously. She had no mood to taste the cake right at this moment.
"You don't want it? Give it to me." Michael said and took Kendra's cake.
Obviously, Michael ignored her words, which made Kendra upset. What did he want to do? He wouldn't take her here just for a cake.
"I will leave if you keep ignoring my words," She warned him and took her bag.
Indeed, Michael stopped eating and looked at Kendra. "Don't be in a hurry. We have enough time. I want to talk to you after this cake," He gently said.
"What do you want to talk about?" Kendra asked cautiously.
"I want to know why you lied to me. Why do you pretend that you don't know me? Why did your father deny your identity?" Michael asked.
Indeed, Michael was a lawyer. These questions were direct and meaningful. Fine, Kendra decided to tell him the truth.
"It's not my idea to lie to you. You can ask my father." Kendra sighed and said, "And I am not pretending. Though we have an engagement, I never met you before. As for my identity, I…."
Kendra suddenly stopped. She didn't know how to explain the embarrassing situation she was in. How could she tell him that she's Lendon Martin's maidservant?
"You don't have to answer it," Michael stared at her. He noticed Kendra's hesitation and approached her hand on the top of the table. He gently touched her hand, soothing her pain away.
Kendra lowered her head. She suddenly wanted to cry, but she didn't want to show her vulnerability.
No one spoke a word for a while, and it went awkward.
Finally, Michael said, "I heard that you are the top student of your grade, and you will go abroad sooner."
"Yes, I just knew it a while ago," Kendra sincerely said. This topic made her relax.
"You should know that I came back to marry you. What do you think about it?" Michael smiled and asked, waiting for her answer.
"Why don't you react when someone is trying to replace you? Why do you keep silent?"
Kendra stared blankly. What should she say to him? She was lost for words.
"I mean, do you feel annoyed about it?" Michael threw another question, hoping he got a good answer from her. After all, someone stole Kendra's excellent fiancé. But why did she look so calm? Michael thought.
"No," Kendra answered briefly.
Michael felt a little upset with her plain answer. Kendra was special.
"You just accept it?" Michael asked.
"What can I do about it?" Kendra shrugged and asked. Anyway, she had no choice. And it may be suitable for her not to marry Michael. She would be free once Lendon's illness finds a cure, then later, she will decide her own fate. Besides, she didn't want to marry Michael. For these years, she had been waiting for another man, but she's sure it wasn't Michael at all.
Michael felt upset again by looking at her as he thought Kendra didn't welcome the idea of marrying him. Wasn't he suitable for her, with his status as a famous lawyer? He couldn't understand. Why did Kendra give him up so easily? Was he not attractive enough for her?
"Mr. Baker," Kendra said, "Though my father lied to you, it is good for you. Bianca is pretty and kind. She must be a suitable wife for you. You can pretend that you don't know the truth."
Kendra's suggestion sounded so ridiculous to Michael.
"You don't want to marry me?" Michael's embarrassed.
Kendra was surprised. She didn't expect Michael would ask her this question. "Anyway, we don't know each other. Bianca and I are the same to you." Kendra said immediately.
Michael didn't know how to react.
"It's been late. I still have lectures. Thank you for the cake." Kendra stood up and said. She left right away.
Looking at Kendra's back, Michael felt so shocked. What the hell? Did Kendra play the calm face deliberately to attract him? Michael felt upset and also stood up.
"Sir, 270 dollars in total." Said the waiter.
Michael paid the bill and walked away. However, the waiter stopped him and said, "Sir, you leave something here,"
Michael looked to the table where the waiter pointed and saw an amulet. He frowned immediately.
"It's her," Michael murmured.
The driver appeared at 6 pm. Lendon didn't come today, so Kendra felt much relaxed. When they went back to the castle, it was almost dark.
As soon as Kendra walked into the castle, she heard someone smashing.
Kendra stopped and saw Curtis walking out of the dining hall.
"Miss Miller, Mr. Martin is angry now. Don't piss him off." Curtis reminded Kendra kindly.
"What happened?" Kendra asked.
"I don't know." Curtis shook his head and said helplessly, "He has been mad after he came back from Alexis's lab. I think his poison increased,"
"His poison increase?" Kendra repeated. Lendon was not easy to deal with once he's furious. Kendra felt a little afraid.
"When his poison increased, he could be even more horrible. Anyway, be careful," Curtis warned her.
Kendra walked into the dining hall nervously.
Lendon sat at the table and stared at the food in front of him. He seemed infuriated and shouted, "What are these?" Then, he threw his knife and fork away.