Blackmailing His Runaway Bride by Dance-is-me (mobi reader txt) 📖

Nineteen

Christina boiled as her eyes trailed the duo who held on to each other like they were old-time lovers.

But she didn't let her anger show. She had no intention to do so. After all, she could not afford to make a mess of herself in front of her boss's mother. Or to put it better, her potential mother-in-law.

Claire Oxford becoming her mother-in-law would be possible if she played her game right. And, a look at the almost seething older woman opposite her, Christina knew she was doing something right.

At first, when the woman called for her earlier in the day, Christina feared she wanted to talk about the call she made the other day. She had not expected Mrs. Oxford to have such a reaction.

But when they finally met and the woman began to voice her expectations and intentions, Christina knew she had finally found that channel with which she would make Charles hers.

"Go and get him," Mrs. Oxford commanded, Christina a bit offended by the harshness in her voice.

"Yes, ma'am."

Mr. Oxford was smiling almost widely as he held the woman's hand tightly. As they reached the stop where reservations were confirmed, Christina watched as he whispered something into her ear. Isabella Shade smiled in response.

Fisted, her hands almost got bruised by her acrylic nails which she had chosen to be neon-coloured at her last mani-pedi session. As she walked, Christina felt her anger grow.

She strongly hated the fact that she was not the one in Charles's arms. And, she knew for sure that she was a better sight to be seen beside him. Not the... little woman who looked starved of good emotions and fashionable wear.

"Mr. Oxford," Christina Kane announced her presence as she halted her steps in front of the duo who were almost to advance their collective steps.

"Miss Kane. What are you doing here?" Every time Christina found herself in front of him, she felt like she was being given a chance to blurt out how she felt, but like on other days, she could not find the courage to be that reckless at that moment.

The courage did not bother to appear either. Perhaps it sensed her growing anger.

"Miss Kane?" Charles called for her attention as she left his question unanswered for a while. Even the woman named Isabella Shade questioned Christina's silence with a slight quirk on her brows.

Taking a light breath, she made to respond. "I-"

But, Charles interrupted her. "Before I forget, please contact Mr. Richard as soon as you can."

"The lawyer?" Miss Kane wore a small frown. Did they have some kind of problem? She knew of none.

"I believe he is the lawyer. Miss Kane, are you okay? You are zoning out a lot."

"I uh-"

"You are fine, yeah?" His voice was so concerned and sexy and...

Before her thoughts could drive her to do something stupid, she shut her eyes for a second. "I guess you are," Charles said. The smile she saw on his face as her eyes came open turned her head. "Well, don't forget what I asked you to do. Isabella, let's go. I am famished."

"Your mother is around, sir." His mention of that woman's name reminded Christina why she was initially in front of him.

Isabella. Isabella Shade.

What did the woman have that she didn't? She had it better than her.

"Excuse me?" Charles inquired with a scowl.

"She wants you to come over." She watched as his eyes looked forward and searched the scanty, exquisite-looking room. When he happened to find his mother, Charles sighed.

"Why is she still here?" he murmured quite loudly. "Okay Miss Kane, lead us to her."

Christina sighed painfully as his hold on the silent woman did not fail once. Then, as though he could read her thoughts, as Miss Kane stole a glance at the duo, Charles gripped Isabella's hand tighter.

Making sure to keep her anger in check, Christina Kane realized that, at that point, Charles's mother was her only hope.

~

Watching the hair of his pretty secretary dance as she led the way, Isabella found herself gently biting into her lower lip.

His mother?

She was just getting used to the idea that she was finally with Charles. Adding his mother to the list was quite... nerving.

"Relax, she won't bite," Charles assured her as he smiled warmly at her.

Once the secretary halted her steps, Isabella's eyes traveled to the seated woman who was dressed in an elaborate purple gown with jewelry to kill for adorning her neck.

Momentarily, their eyes met. And, there was no doubt that the woman did not look happy to see her. And, she was equally displeased to see her son firmly holding her hand.

"Mother," Charles monotonously said as they got to the seat.

"Charles," she returned, getting up. Her eyes then went to Isabella and scrutinized the heck out of her.

"What are you doing here? I thought I told you to leave."

Mrs. Oxford's burning sight left Isabella who tried to weasel out of Charles's firm hold. "I am my person Charles. I don't need a stubborn son to order me around."

"I won't have to if you weren't so adamant to be around me."

"Is it so wrong to be concerned about you? And speaking of being concerned..." Her hawk-like eyes went back to Isabella. "Who on earth is she?"

"You will know in due time."

Isabella noticed the face his secretary made in response. Since the woman had been pushed to a corner, she thought no one would be watching her. But Isabella saw how she rolled her eyes.

"I would like to know now," Mrs. Oxford insisted. "Is she a fling or the wife you are searching for?"

Charles pinched the bridge of his nose as though to keep himself in check before saying, "Mother, in due time you will know."

"She is the wife then." Mrs. Oxford's eyes did more scrutinizing. "Who exactly is she?"

"What do you mean, Mother?"

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