Chapter 4
784 Words
Vivienne followed the voice and looked over.
Julian stood at the doorway. His presence was suffocatingly cold, his icy gaze falling squarely on the hand Theodore had placed on hers.
Before Vivi could fully register what was happening, Julian had already shoved Theo aside and yanked her up.
"We're going home!"
The faint scent of Eleanor mixed with tobacco on his clothes assaulted her senses.
Vivienne suddenly wrenched her hand free and stepped back in front of Theo. "Julian, please learn to respect others."
She turned around, looking apologetic. "I'm sorry. The drinks are on me tonight."
Julian's brows knotted tightly. He grabbed her again and hauled her out.
His car was parked right outside the private lounge. When the passenger seat door opened, Julian paused for a second, and that was when Vivienne noticed Eleanor sitting right there in the passenger seat.
She bit her lip and fiercely shook off Julian's grip.
"Get in!"
Julian's expression darkened as he practically shoved her into the back seat.
As the car started, Eleanor casually broke the silence. "Vivi, why would you go to a place like that?"
Vivienne hadn't planned on answering, but catching Julian's frigid glare in the rearview mirror made her change her mind.
"Work's been stressful. I hired a male escort to drink with me."
After she spoke, she stared at Julian's profile reflected in the window. It was incredibly grim, almost terrifying.
"I always thought you were a good girl. I didn't realize you were so open-minded."
Eleanor let out a laugh and turned to Julian. "Though, that handsome guy did look a little bit like Julian."
The car suddenly slammed on the brakes, sending Vivienne's head crashing into the back of the seat.
"There was a stray cat up ahead," Julian said, his voice flat.
Vivienne didn't say a word, just leaned back against the seat and closed her eyes.
Half an hour later, they pulled up to the Ashford Estate.
Mrs. Calloway came out of the kitchen, gesturing to a dining table completely covered in dishes.
"Ellie, you're here? Go wash up and let's eat, I made all your favorites!"
Eleanor smiled and nodded. "Your cooking is amazing, Auntie. Julian always just wants to do Western food, and I'm honestly so sick of it."
Vivienne kept her head down and focused on eating, saying nothing.
Julian was always buried in work; he never cooked.
The only exception was early one morning after making love. The housekeeper and the rest of the staff were asleep, and Vivienne had to beg him for ages before he finally made a bowl of instant ramen.
Back then, eating that instant ramen, she had felt like the luckiest woman in the world.
"I'll have to learn a few recipes from Mrs. Calloway sometime."
Julian sat right next to Eleanor. While they were eating, she accidentally splattered some chili oil onto his shirt.
Julian, who would normally rush to change his clothes instantly, didn't even furrow his brow this time.
He helped put food on her plate. "It's fine. I'll change after we finish eating."
Mrs. Calloway watched the exchange and teased with a smile, "Julian has severe germaphobe tendencies. Last time a housekeeper spilled coffee on him, they were fired that very day. You're the only one he restrains himself for. You two should just get married already. Your father and I are dying for grandchildren."
Vivienne felt completely shut out. It was as if they were one big happy family, and she was just a disposable shadow.
Julian finally seemed to notice her and proceeded to put food on her plate, a piece of lobster.
Vivienne stared at the lobster in silence.
Eleanor gave a light laugh. "Julian, Vivi is still throwing a tantrum. She won't even eat what you give her."
Julian frowned, his voice dropping into a dark warning. "Vivienne..."
"I'm not throwing a tantrum," Vivienne said calmly. "I have a seafood allergy."
Julian froze, clearly caught off guard by the reason.
Eleanor looked at her and let out a sudden sigh. "Vivi, I know you're upset about your brother and me getting married. But Julian is your brother, after all. He was just trying to put food on her plate, how could you make up an excuse like that to lie to him?"
Julian's expression slowly shifted as he looked at her.
Vivienne's grip on her silverware tightened.
She had guessed long before this dinner started that Eleanor would try to humiliate her, but she didn't even care anymore.
"Fine. I'll eat it."
Vivienne picked up the lobster and shoved it into her mouth.
Within moments, her breathing grew ragged, and a thick breakout of hives spread across her face.
- Writer
