Chapter 181 - 7 & Side Story 4 (1/2)
Chapter 7
BlackPine Country
At Cole's giant-size family dining table, Marcos Cole conversed with his old-time friend, Henry Celestine. Alex Cole was eating as his eyes observed his sons and future daughter-in-law. Alvaro was silent with a gentleman's face, as usual, and Maxine looked downcast. While Alexis was fidgeting with his red wig.
”So with all the preparations, I believe we could push the wedding by next year? After all, my granddaughter only deserves the best. We want to plan things carefully,” Henry said and squeezed Maxine's shoulder.
Maxine let out a timid smile before she went back to being meek.
”Of course, we also want the grandest wedding. We're talking about my firstborn grandson, after all. My heir to the clan,” Marcos said with a laugh.
Álvaro's hold on his spoon tightened, and his smile was no longer on his face.
Alex caught his oldest son's slight changed of expression and said, ”Father, if we wanted a grand wedding, I think half a year wouldn't cut it.” He then looked at Alvaro and Maxine, ”We should let them talk first and let them decide the date of the marriage.”
. . .
. . .
It was silent for a while. Then the silence turned brutal that even the oblivious Alexis felt its heaviness. He stopped fidgeting with his red wig and shivered under the oppressing pressure each, and everyone gave off.
”We've prolonged the wedding long enough,” Marcos said with finality.
Henry laughed, lightening the mood. ”That's right. Me and Marcos really wanted to hold our great-grandchildren before we passed in this life. Besides, we've been planning this wedding even before you kids were born. I think that's enough planning already.”
Maxine's head lowered until her chin was almost on her ċhėst while Álvaro's lips twitched.
”Maxine and I would like to discuss it first if you don't mind,” Alvaro said. The tone of his voice put even Marcos Cole in silence.
. . .
. . .
”I think it's only fair,” Henry said after another round of silence. He knew not to push Alvaro Cole when the young man was clearly in no mood anymore to play the perfect gentleman.
”It's settled then. Once you discuss things over, I expect a wedding this year or next year at most,” Marcos said, looking at Alvaro as he spoke.
Álvaro grimaced and Maxine repressed a smile.
Inside Alvaro's study.
”I thought you already talk to your grandfather about canceling the engagement?” Alvaro asked the moment he and Maxine were alone in his study.
Maxine huffed a dry laughed. ”And why would I do that? I thought you'd be the one to break the news?”
Maxine looked at Alvaro in the eyes and smirked. ”What? Afraid of your grandfather?”
Álvaro ignored Maxine's sarcasm and said, ”a little nudge on your grandfather and things might have been easy.”
Maxine chuckled. ”And what made you think that I would make things easy? After what you did?”
Álvaro looked at Maxine for a moment. Then his face turned serious as his voice. ”Do you really want to enter into a loveless marriage?”
Maxine returned Alvaro's stare, and the edge of her lips rose in mockery. ”Just to see you suffer? Yes.”
”. . .”
For a whole minute, it was just silence. A vicious silence. Maxine thought she won, but her smile fell right off her face when Alvaro spoke.
”Are you sure? Do you really want a life where your husband loves another woman? Fucking another woman every night and day? Do you really want to sleep in an empty bed? Live in an empty house? Because that will happen. Once you marry me, you'll seal yourself in that reality.”
”. . .” Maxine's face paled. Her hands clenched as she bit her lips.
Álvaro sneered. ”That's what I think. So you better cooperate.”
He then turned and went out but stopped and said, ”I heard that guy. What's his name? Henry? From the climb? He has been visiting you often, isn't he? Instead of wasting your time and effort on a guy that doesn't love you, why not give your attention to a guy who really does?”