Chapter 9 9

Nina stared at the couple for a long time, yet they still hadn't uttered another word. Her fingers twitched, and her eyes suddenly shifted towards the floor. "Well?" she demanded again, but this time there was still no answer.

What the hell did they want her to say? 'Yeah, I'm also incredibly sorry. I shouldn't have broken your engagement with Christopher. It was all my fault.' Although she had initially felt pity for the woman he had chosen, Celine wasn't pitiful at all. In fact, the woman was far more manipulating than she had initially thought.

There were just so many shadows behind her smile. The hypocrisy was evident.

Besides, it wasn't as if she was the one who had proposed the engagement in the first place! His mother was the one who had asked them to marry each other on her death bed! Who's the one at fault now?

Christopher narrowed his eyes, and he took another step forward. The darkness in the atmosphere had returned in full force.

The hairs at the back of her neck stood, and she staggered back. Nina struggled to keep her voice as monotone as possible. "Have I provoked you?"

Just as he was about to say the word, Celine grabbed his arm. "It's my fault Christopher," she immediately said. "I shouldn't have said anything. After all, her marrying you is not her fault either. I shouldn't even come here–I...I'll head back first."

"You're not the one who should leave." Without another word, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her upstairs.

A burst of joy fluttered in her heart. Although the man had already proposed that he'd be with her, he had never really shown any action that made him seem that he wanted it. She couldn't help but gaze at the way his jaw had clenched and his eyes had glazed over.

There was a change in his actions.

The corners of her lips twitched up. That was the only thing she could hold on to. After all, she wasn't the woman he had slept with that night, so the best she could do was grasp onto the man's heart when they have a real relationship.

Nina didn't even look up. Instead, she turned around and headed back to her room.

It was also the time when Celine had turned her head to look at her retreating figure. The woman was slim, some might even say bony thin, with her shoulderblades well defined under that shirt. However, as she narrowed her vision, her eyes widened. Wasn't this the girl she had hired that night in A Nation?

Afraid of his life and her relationship with him, she overcame her jealousy and found a virgin for him to sleep with. That was the bottom line. When she had hired the girl, she didn't even want to look at her to see what kind of girl he had slept with.

But as the woman had hurried out of the hotel, Celine glanced and stared at her back. It was the same back she was seeing now.

No wonder she felt familiar in seeing Nina again.

Because they had already met.

Could it be? Her cheeks flushed deep red as she recalled that night, trying to see if she had glanced at her face while she was handing the money, but she couldn't remember. The amount of alcohol she had drunk that night was immeasurable, so the rest of her memories were hazy and bleak.

No. Nina can't stay for any longer.

If they spent more time together, he might have a clue as to what had happened that night. And she might be more keen in capturing his heart.

After all, if she could recognize the ripples on her back from just one look, Christopher might recognize her from a touch. Her hands trembled at the thought.

No! That couldn't happen. She needed to do something.

As soon as they had entered the room, Celine didn't care about all the pretenses anymore. Hugging him from behind, she buried her head against him. She whispered. "Christopher, let me be your woman again."

The words slipped past her lips before she could think about it, and she leaned forward. Just as she was doing so, the softness on his face had completely faded. It was soon replaced with something stoic.

Except for that night, he had no impulsive desire for her.

Before their lips could even touch, he immediately turned his head.

"It's getting late. Why don't you go to bed early?" Christopher pulled at his collar. There was something about the way that she had thrown herself at him that made him so annoyed. His fingers twitched.

What the hell was he so upset about? Was it because he had felt no impulse towards her? No feelings of desire? After what had happened that night, he would've expected that he'd finally yearn for her body. Yet, it seemed that hasn't happened.

Celine's arms fell to her sides, suddenly feeling wronged. "Christopher, do you not. . ."

"Don't let your imagination run wild." He clasped onto her shoulders. "We'll rest here for the night."

Celine was a woman. She could be the most obstinate woman in the world, and she could still tell what he was trying to say. The man wasn't interested in her. . . that was enough confirmation. "Okay."

Her voice was barely even above a whisper as she trudged towards her side of the bed.

The cushions on the bed enveloped her. It would've made a comforting sight if not for her bloodshot eyes and teary cheeks.

She may be wronged now, but she was patient. Not uttering another word, she turned her head and squeezed her eyes shut, not wanting to look at him.

Christopher's heart was slightly moved. She had also been like this that night. No matter how much he tried, she hadn't uttered a word. All she had done was trembled in his arms–yearning for his touch. He took a step forward.

"When we're finally married, I'll be good to you," he whispered one last time.

This time, Celine nodded. This was something that she wasn't so worried about. After all, she had been by his side for far too long that she had an understanding of his temperament. Even if he didn't love her, he still felt responsible for her. That was a start.

Taking off his coat, Christopher stepped out of the room and walked down the living room. He then sank into the sofa, resting his long legs on the tea table with the back of his head right up against the cushions. Before he knew it, darkness had enveloped him.

It was silent that night. While one couldn't care less for the world, the other two were conflicted–one for himself, and the other for them. As the sunlight streamed into the villa, neither said a word as they prepared for their day.

As soon as Nina was finished washing up, she noticed that Christopher was already seated at the dining table. In his hand was the financial newspaper. Celine was sitting right beside him, stirring him up a pot of black coffee.

Paige was at the kitchen preparing their breakfast. Seeing the harmonious sight, she reduced her presence by seating herself at the end of the table. She kept her head down this entire time as she drank her porridge, afraid that she'd attract their attention.

The older woman carried a plate of fried eggs onto Nina's side, before frowning. She was the young master's wife, yet she was the one who had been cast aside by the couple. This just wouldn't do!

"Madame," she purposely raised her voice. "Shouldn't you be sitting next to the Young Master?"

Huh?

Nina raised her head.

Christopher lowered his financial report. Celine also managed to glance up from her plate.

All four pairs of eyes were stunned for a moment as they shared a glance. However, as soon as Nina thought of the man's cold eyes, her heart could only shudder in fear. No way she'd find herself in between them again.

Paige, however couldn't be bothered. As his mother had died when he was young, she had taken it upon himself to care for him.

That was how they had gotten along for years.

That was also why she was the only one who could speak so casually on this matter. Celine couldn't even find herself saying a word, afraid that she'd anger the old woman and Christopher in the process.

Nina gripped her spoon tightly. This marriage was simply just another form of transaction. As soon as they had gotten what they needed, they could easily move on into their own respective lives. Finishing the last mouthful of congee, she slowly smiled. "I'm done eating. I'll excuse myself first."

It was obvious that Christopher cared a lot for Celine. Although she didn't have the best impression of the woman sitting beside him, she still needed to act more sensible. After all, the last thing she'd want to do was make an enemy out of him.

Feeling as if a bunch of ferocious beasts were chasing after her, she jumped up from her seat and sprinted out of the way.

He couldn't help but stare at her retreating figure as she left in a hurry. The curve of her back shone under the sunlight, and he couldn't help but narrow his eyes at her.

Noticing this, Celine gathered her thoughts and whispered, "Maybe it's me. After all, she's probably not used to my presence. Maybe after this, we can. . ."

Christopher placed a glass of milk in front of her. "She'll leave in a month. Then you can make yourself at home."

She simply lowered her gaze in reply. The month was just far too long.

Nina headed back to her room and turned on her cell phone. There, she saw that someone had replied to her email. "Ms. Millar, we are happy to inform you that you've been moved to the next step of the application...."

She was accepted for the interview! Her heart pumped with joy, and she didn't waste any time as she threw on some clothes. Without another word, she headed out of the villa and called a taxi.

The moment she had arrived, she couldn't help but stare at the tall building in front of her. T&Y Group was a well known firm, and it was even more majestic up close. Could it be that she had finally found the job of her dreams?

Taking a deep breath, she stepped inside.

As she hadn't graduated from college, it wasn't easy for her to find a suitable job. That was why she had been so eager in taking them up on this offer. "You got this, Nina," she whispered encouragingly to herself.

The waiting room was filled with people. While she was wearing a white tee and a pair of jeans, the others were dressed in blazers and pencil skirts. All of them had resumes in their hands. It was obvious that they were well-prepared.

Only she didn't even look like she was applying.

Her face flushed as she stood at the side, ignoring the peculiar gazes that were thrown towards her.

It took around an hour before it was finally her turn.

However, as she headed inside, the interviewer wasn't the most impressed with her work experience. After all, working as a waitress and as a delivery lady weren't really aspects he holds dear.

He frowned. "How do you know A Nation and its language?"

After all, A Nation wasn't really the most popular city.

The recruitment had been going on for such a long time, and they still had no candidates.

Thinking back to the many years that she had lived there, Nina slowly shook her head. "I've lived there before, so I needed to find a way to communicate better with the locals. It was actually why..."

That sound...