Bartered (The Encounter #1)(20)

Fine. I intended to keep my mouth shut before I said something I’d regret.

Taking my silence as a green light, he continued with his explanation, “I have to send Sherry and Chantel to travel for the next few weeks until my aunt and my cousin’s stay is over. You’re closer to Elena’s age, therefore I’m requesting if you could play chaperone.”

“Are you asking me to be your cousin’s babysitter?” He was sending his girlfriends away because they were too precious to be bothered by his aunt, and I was the dispensable, contractual woman whom he could order about. Great. I was his substitute personal assistant, somewhat plaything of a lover, his aunt’s entertainer, and a partial babysitter. I wondered what other skillful assignments I’d get after this.

“Don’t be so overdramatic. Elena’s in her early twenties. Hardly a baby.”

Whatever. I needed something to cool me down. Maybe I could take one of his vintage bottles of reds from his impressive wine cellar after this conversation. Giving him a haughty look, I conceded that it was best to follow his orders instead of defying him. It was too early to provoke him anyway, and even though the contract was signed and sealed, there was still a part of me that was afraid he could easily void it out and call the police on my father. As much as I hated my father, I couldn’t fathom hurting my mother; she was already going through so much pain that the news of my father getting into trouble again would basically push her over the edge. I was scared that, one day; she’d snap and end herself.

“Isobel?”

My mind had wandered off again.

Shaking my thoughts off my parents, I gazed at him. “Hmm? What?” I asked, blinking a couple of times.

He frowned at me. “You still haven’t given me your answer.”

Drat. Chaperone was to be me, then. “Yeah, I suppose I don’t have much of a choice.”

“You always get to have a choice, that’s why I’m asking for your permission. Don’t think that, since you’re under contract, it means I get to tell you what to do without your consent.” He was getting worked up, nose flaring, jaw locking, and the lot. “I’m not a tyrant and I certainly don’t work like that. It’s best you remember this fun fact.”

Did I hit a sore nerve? It looked like it.

“Well, that’s comforting to know.” I licked my lips before looking away from his too delectable profile. “I’ll do it.”

“Good,” he said after a full minute. “Thank you.”

Dammit. Even when sparring, he acted polite and gentlemanly. “Okay. You’re welcome.”

“I have a business dinner to attend to. Have a goodnight, Isobel.”

Who was his plus one? I was dying to know, yet I didn’t even dare ask the infuriating question.

“Night,” I finally said before he opened the door and exited my room.

Fifteen minutes later, I was left staring at the door, wondering what was wrong with me. In the beginning, I had been grateful he even considered my father’s proposal, but in the span of a week, hate and anger had somehow managed to wiggle their way in, making me question why the man evoked so much emotion out of me. Given that it was hate, anger, and displeasure, why did I care to feel hate, anger, and displeasure? I was left more confused than an hour ago.





Chapter 13


Isobel


Two days later, his aunt and cousin Elena arrived late in the afternoon. We were out in the garden, underneath a pergola that had white, see-through silk veils, overlooking the beautiful French Riviera. Hugo was supposed to join us but was actually running late, and I had to prematurely play hostess until His Highness was back from his business endeavors.

Elena, just as I had expected, appeared like a spoiled, bored princess, minding only herself as she frantically tapped away on her phone.

His aunt Julee and Elena had the same features as Hugo—dark hair, chocolate eyes, and excellent gene pool. Both women also had that kind of air of elegance that was purely imbued from a very young age, most especially his aunt. From the way she carefully sipped on her china to her indirect way of interrogating me, it was all done with refined finesse. If it weren’t for her obvious doubts about me, I could’ve actually gotten along with her. Then again, I couldn’t blame her suspicions. I did, after all, come out of thin air as she’d carefully put it.

She might have appeared poised and calm, but I wasn’t fooled. After all, my family ran with circles that reminded me of Julee; suspicious, self-righteous, self-entitled.

“I found it rather odd that Hugo instantly changed his lifestyle after ten years of being an infamous Casanova all over Europe.” Her brow raised a tad before a malice-filled smile. “Pardon my rudeness, but I just don’t believe it.”

Well, then why even try to appease her already made up mind? “You’re more than welcome to your own opinion.” Shrugging, I reached out to take a sip of my coffee. I took my time sipping, tasting the liquid on my tongue before I placed it back on the saucer. “It seems you’ve already made up your mind, so I’m under no obligation to change it.”

“Carry on that attitude, and you wouldn’t last long with my nephew. I can guarantee you that,” she threatened, her composure slightly slipping from her anger.

My, not even an hour in, and we were already enemies. Great. However, as much as I wanted to play nice, she was the one who’d started it, and I wasn’t going to let her treat me like dirt. My father already filled that role in my life; I need not do with another.