The Billionaire's Runaway Bride

CHAPTER TEN

CARTER'S POV

I could hear the sound of the girls laughing, just behind the door. I had just returned to the penthouse at 6:15 PM, and was about entering the house. I unlocked the door, and saw them.

"Wow!..... I..... You guys are...." I was lost for words. Peggy and Mila were looking so dashing and beautiful, but Camilla especially, took my breath away. The girl had fine thighs too! The joggers and big tees she always wore around the house did well to conceal that fact. Peggy looked dashing as always, and her body never lied. It was then I had taken note of the dresses they both wore. The gowns were identical, except for a few differences.

"Do we look okay?" Mila asked with a look of dread.

"How can you not know that you do girl?! Didn't your mirror sing your praises?" I joked, and she grinned widely. "You both look amazing. I could stand here looking at you both all day, but I have to quickly wash up, so we can be on our way."

"Okay, we'll be here waiting." Peggy replied in so much good spirit.

"I told you that you looked just perfect!" I heard Peggy say on my way up.

"I just felt it hugged my thighs too much than neccessary." Camilla responded in a calm tone. The girl didn't know that was the attention seeker of her look tonight.

We walked around the gallery, as we saw different landscape and abstract paintings. Nathan had outdone himself honestly. Personally, I wasn't a lover of art, but I could tell a good work when I saw one. I was so impressed and proud of my friend. It was just Mila and I, looking around as Peggy had excused herself earlier on, to go use the restroom.

"This so beautiful. It calls to me" Mila dreamily said, as she pointed at a portrait of a young woman, playing in the rain with her child. I looked at her with interest as I smiled.

"You want us to have children immediately?" She looked at me in shock as she choked on the wine she had just sipped from the champagne flute in her hand.

"Come on now! Am I so repulsive that you don't see yourself having children with me?" I said casually, wanting to know her reaction. A couple had walked past us, and I was so sure they had listened in on our conversation, as they gave each other a knowing smile.

"She's my fiancéé!" I shouted, getting their attention, as Mila hit my arm in chastisement. They both turned to us and laughed heartily. The couple whispered a few words to each other, before they began walking towards us.

"Jeez! they are coming here" Mila whispered.

"Heyyy! I'm Cameroun, and this is my wife June" The man introduced, and offered his hand for a shake. They both seemed advanced in age. To me, they looked to be around their early 40s.

"I'm Carter, and my fiancéé Camilla" I gave him a handshake.

"You both are beautiful together." June complimented with a smile.

"Thank you, June." Mila replied shyly.

"Are you naturally a shy type, or your fiance makes you shy?" Cameroun asked in amusement.

"She's......" In as much as I didn't know so much about Mila, I knew for one that she was a calm person, but shy? I honestly wasn't sure. Sometimes she was, and sometimes she gave her opinion on a matter unapologetically.

"I'm not shy. He does make me shy" Mila looked anywhere but at me. I smiled inwardly. So I did make her shy huh?

"Cute" June smiled.

"Your fiancéé reminds me of one of my students. Camilla looks to be a high schooler, or atleast graduated. What school did she finish from?" Cameroun asked me and I became temporarily mute.

"Ermmm... What's the school again?" I asked Mila who looked like she was struggling not to laugh.

"I was homeschooled Carter" She stated with amusement dancing in her eyes. f**k! this was really embarrassing. I didn't know something as basic as that about my fiancéé.

"No insult intended, but you seem not to know your wife to be, really well." Cameroun stated, as his eyes moved from me to Mila, and then back to me.

"None taken. Well, it's a little complicated."

"Make it simple. We lover of arts are easy going and open minded people"

"We... She is.... It's..." I stuttered, hoping Mila was going to talk instead, but she was just mute. Just when I was about to talk again, when a man interrupted the conversation, which I was grateful for.

"Sir, Madame, your chauffeur is waiting" He informed them, and they nodded their thanks.

"It was really nice meeting you and your fiancéé Carter. You both seem really compatible, if I should say. Give yourselves a chance, and make the most out of the situation. Not all arranged marriages end up badly."

Mila and I were still dumbfounded, as he waved us goodbye, and pulled his wife along. They were still a few steps away, when June turned back to us and mouthed words I could comprehend as 'Just like ours!" She pointed at her husband and then, herself.

"Well, that was a funny one" Mila muttered.

"An embarrassing one, you mean" I countered.

"I wasn't the one shouting and telling the whole art gallery who my fiancéé was."

"Wow!"

"Heyyyy.... I didn't mean it that way." She held my arms apologetically.

"It's fine" I forced a smile, which she hadn't seem to notice.

"Meanwhile, I would definitely love to have children with my husband, but I don't want them immediately. I said the painting called to me because it reminded me of my mother." Mila explained.

"Okay. I actually don't want them immediately either. I'd prefer we really get to know each other and understand each other better, before we think of bringing a child into the mix. And, I would really love to hear about your mother sometime soon, and in a much agreeable environment." I smiled, and she chuckled.

"But then, these works are good. I love art and everything about it, so this works gives me so much joy."

"Nathan impressed me, I must say. I'm proud"

"Nathan?"

"Yes Nathan."

"He did this?" She pointed at the portrait she had side she liked earlier.

"He did that, and every other work here. This is his show. That's why you haven't seen him yet. He's probably welcoming his guests."

"Wow! Impressive." Mila praised.

"I hope Peggy is alright. She has taken quite a lot of time already." I shared my worries with Mila.

"She probably....." Mila was still talking when Nathan interrupted.

"Hey man!" He was still a reasonable amount of distance away, and he began walking down to meet us. I didn't fail to notice the lady he had on his arm today. That wasn't Alexis.

"That's not her. This one's different." Mila whispered to me, and I couldn't help but gossip about my bestfriend for a second.

"I noticed that already" I whispered back. "But this one seems mean!" I looked at the lady who looked like she wasn't gonna let go of Nathan's arm anytime soon.

"I can't help but agree with you on that" Mila giggled.

When Nathan got to me, we both gave our signature hug and handshake. "What's good?" He asked, and then turned to look at Mila. "Oh Bellissima! It's a pleasure to behold such a beauty as you." He flattered, and I couldn't help but notice the scoff the mean looking lady gave.

"Oh you Charmer!" Mila gushed. "Hey! I'm Mila, Nathan's friend." Mila offered miss mean looking a hand, but got nothing in return, except a mumbled 'Janet'.

"Hello, I'm Carter; Nathan's bestfriend and Mila's fiance." I noticed that the last part of my introduction seemed to reduce the tension that Janet was so marvelously brewing.

Just as I was about to ask Nathan if he peradventure, seen Peggy, she walked out of the corner leading to the restroom, walking in all her glory as the men around couldn't take their eyes of her. I chuckled inwardly. It was always like that anytime Peggy and I went out together. I had always been left with acting the big brother part, and wading the boys and men away.

I turned to see a drooling Nathan. If looks could kill, Nathan would burn under Janet's glare.

"Who's the b***h anyway?" She asked angrily.

"The b***h is my friend, Peggy." Mila responded with as much fierceness.

"And my younger sister?" I said, "And my sister ain't no bitch." I completed.

"Whatever!" She brushed the tension aside.

When Peggy had eventually gotten to us, she exchanged pleasantries with Nathan, under the watchful eyes of his Janet girl. The lady lacked manners, and that irritated me so much.

"Hey" Peggy waved at her, and got no response.

"She's saying hello" Nathan told her, after which she spared Peggy a look of disdain. Wow. This night was going to be full of drama, all thanks to Nathan.

"I must say Nathan, your works are so impressive. I didn't know you were an art lover just like me." Mila piped.

"You love art too? Do you have any finished works? Thank you by the way."

"Finished works? All I can boast of are a whole journal filled with dress designs." She blushed and Nathan smiled at her in amusement.

"Well, I'll be releasing my fashion brand soon. We could work together." He reasoned.

"I would totally love that, but that will be after you've seen the designs yourself and you're still very sure you like them."

"Absolutely neccessary!" He chuckled. "I would be grateful if you all could be patient for a few more minutes, so I can finally say hi to the other people who Grace my occasion, and then we'll proceed to go have dinner."

"Oh don't be so modest Nathan. Please go attend to your potential customers, we'll keep ourselves busy while we wait for you."

He said his thanks and walked away, taking Miss 'mean looking' away with him. Nathan always outdid himself in everything he did, he was a genius! But I had to let him know womanizing was a very wrong field to outdo himself. This particular woman was a no-no.

"What is the lady's issue?" Peggy asked irritated. "I tried to be modest, but she wasn't having any of it. This is what your friend will come up later, to call a catch. Laughable!" She laughed in amazement.

"Laughable indeed!" Mila dramatically concurred. "So, you wouldn't believe what happened when you had excused yourself to the restroom." She began, and within 5 minutes, she had explained in details what had transpired between us and Cameron and June.

"Oh my God! That was embarrassing now."

"I know right!" I was still complaining when Justin Greywood joined us.

"Carter! My man! I can see you're here to support Nathan. Good evening ladies!" He greeted with a smile, and then he noticed Peggy. The man had liked, or should I say loved Peggy for the longest time. He had gotten to know Peggy when she was just a minor, so nothing could really go on between them then.

"Goodness gracious! Peggy!! You look... amazing, to say the least. When did you get back? I mean, it's been a long time we saw each other." Justin Greywood was part of the few business partners that I trusted and held in high esteem. He had met Peggy at one of the business conferences I had brought her along for.

I can still remember clearly, how he couldn't take his eyes of 16 year old Peggy that night. But then again, I couldn't blame the man. Peggy had a completely developed body at age 15. She looked like an adult when she was just 16. Had I not informed him later that night when he came to woo Peggy, he would have been proposing a relationship to the girl. Ever since, he had always had a soft spot for her. Extending every invitation he gave me to her also, so he could get to see her often. The last time he had seen her was a year ago, just before she traveled for college.

Peggy was already blushing beet red, as he came closer to her. "Hello Justin! It's really been a while. I came back just yesterday, and I would be traveling back in the next 3 weeks."

"I see you're settled at your brother's place for the meantime?"

"Oh yeah! I intend to spend the next two weeks over at his place, and spend the last week at home, with my mum."

"Okay. You've got yourself all planned already." He said and looked at Mila. "Oh do forgive my poor manners. Justin Greywood." He gave Mila his mega watts killer smile.

"Camilla. Camilla Monteiro. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance." She smiled back.

"Mila, you're Peggy's friend or....?"

"Oh yes, I'm Peggy's friend, but I think a much more appropriate introduction should be that I'm Carter's Fiancéé." Justin had his mouth wide open in suprise.

"Congrats man!" He hit my shoulders encouragingly. "And you didn't even think to let me know. But I'm happy for you nonetheless. So, when is the wedding?"

"In 6 weeks." Mila told him.

"Wow! I'm really glad I found out before the wedding" He said sarcastically and Carter laughed. "Dude! I'm happy for you. Congratulations."

"Greywood my man!" Nathan walked into our small gathering. "Thank you for coming to show your support as usual. I don't take it for granted, Man!" Nathan showed his appreciation and greeted Greywood with a handshake.

"Anytime, my friend. You have created something beautiful here. They're all amazing, I must say."

"Thanks man. Thanks." Nathan grinned. "We were just about leaving for dinner, I hope you can join us?"

"Well.... about that.." Greywood started.

"I sold a lot of my works out today. The best you could do is come celebrate with me man. Please. "Nathan tried convincing him, which didn't seem to have much effect until I stepped in.

"Every other person has a plus, except Peggy. You could be hers, you know." He seemed to be having a change of mind already, when Peggy finally left him without an option.

"And I'm above legal too." She told him in a voice so low, with a glint of mischief in her eyes, and Justin could'nt help but laugh at her antics to get him to tag along. Nathan visibly rolled his eyes and looked away. What was it with him?

"Fine! I'm coming then." He announced and Peggy grinned.

We all proceeded out of the gallery to the parking lot, and it became a question of who Peggy was going with. I had initially insisted that she went along with Mila and I in my car, but after a few minutes of plea, I let Justin take her with him.

We all got to the Restaurant, and went ahead to ask for our reservation under Nathan's name. We were shown our tables, and given menus to make our orders. Within a short while, the meals were placed before us and we proceeded to eat.

"So, I had you have been away?" Peggy directed her question to Nathan.

"Yeah, I have. I just got back some days ago."

"How was business?" She said, giving him a look, which he seemed to perfectly understand.

"As usual." He replied hastily, and looked away from her and back at his food.

"Oh!" She said in disappointment. I knew that they had been codedly talking about. It was about Giorgia. Poor Nathan. I looked at Mila, and we both shared a look of understanding. She also understood what conversation had taken place between Peggy and Nathan.

Janet had been quiet throughout the time we had been together, and hadn't said a word, that was until what happened next.

"So when is Mrs Daniels inviting me over for dinner?" Peggy grinned in anticipation. Nathan's foster mother had always had a soft spot for Peggy, eversince the first time Peggy accompanied me to Nathan's house when we were younger. It rained that evening, so we were forced to spend the night over at Nathan's. Peggy had always been very prone to cold and Mrs. Daniels had brewed a hot cup of coffee for a shivering Peggy, and wrapped her in a thick fur blanket. When it was time for dinner, and Peggy couldn't come down to join us, Mrs Daniels carried hers upstairs, and fed her, then cooed her to sleep.

So when we were about leaving this next morning, Mrs Daniels promised Peggy a more decent dinner with the family. At first, it started as early dinner on Saturdays, then we'd go back home. Eventually, it turned into weekend sleepovers, and Annabelle would tag along most times. When Peggy went to boarding school, it put a hinge on the routine, and we were only able to have sleep overs whenever Peggy and Annabelle returned from school. Now Peggy had gone to college, without coming back until she was done with the two semesters in year one. She was expecting to be with Nathan's mom again, before she went back to school.

"I don't know. She probably doesn't have an idea you're around yet." Nathan replied indifferently.

"Please let her know that I'm around, okay. I miss her so much." Peggy muttered the last part to herself, and stretched her hand to cut from the Turkey roast, when it happened, and everyone gasped in suprise.

"Now that would be enough to make you shut up, get your hands and eyes off my man, and eat your food in peace!" Janet said after pouring a flute of champagne on Peggy. Justin had quickly brought out a handkerchief from his suit, and handed it to Peggy, whilst apologizing more than the perpetrator had ever imagined saying.

At that point, it was not funny to me, because all i could see was red. The f**k!

"What the f*****g hell did you do that for huh?" I asked the calm looking Janet, who was comfortably eating, and acting like nothing had just happened.

"My goodness! I'm so sorry Peggy. I really am." Nathan finally found words.

"Nathan, put your psycho on a leash!" Mila warned, that was before Peggy cleaned her already red eyes, which were getting blotched quickly. The damned wine had entered her eyes!

"I don't know where you picked that street dog from Nathan, but get her out of my sight instantly. I wouldn't enjoy embarrassing us all today." Peggy calmly said, and Nathan quickly complied, as he pulled a shocked Janet to her feet, signaled for one of the security officers, and asked him to escort her out of the restaurant. Nathan had not only sent her out, but forbade her from ever seeing him again, by calling the guard to see her out. I was pleased that he had handled it quickly, before the matter had escalated, but also pissed at him, for not accessing the kind of women he frolicked around with.

"I'm so sorry, Peggy."

"Don't be! Who knows, the other woman you were with at the mall this afternoon might have had more manners than this empty brain." She hissed and excused herself to go to the restroom. After a while, and she wasn't back, Justin offered to go check on her, but Nathan insisted that he went himself instead.

We had stayed for 15 minutes, without a sign of Nathan and Peggy, and I was becoming disturbed. It wasn't news that Peggy and Nathan could hardly be together without having a banter or two, but I was sure they weren't in front of a restroom quarrelling. I seriously doubted that. I was still deep in thoughts when Peggy walked back in, and demanded we left immediately.

"Where is Nathan?" I asked.

"I don't know. He's a 25 year old man. He should be able to find his way." She replied and walked away, towards the entrance of the restaurant, leaving me with no other choice, but to follow along; that is after Mila and Justin, who had already gotten up ahead of me, and followed Peggy behind.

We were already on our way home, and the whole atmosphere was as silent as could be. Mila hadn't sat in the front, with me as usual. She stayed at the backseat with Peggy instead. She wasn't embracing or talking with Peggy either, but I knew her presence was all Peggy needed.

I didn't know much, but one thing I was very sure of was the fact that Nathan had indeed seen Peggy. I didn't have an idea of what had ensued between the both of them, but I was going to get to the bottom of it. Nathan had been acting weird ever since he had seen Peggy this evening, and Peggy tried to act indifferent, but I beat her to it. I had noticed the eye contact between them, several times during dinner. In all honesty, I think that Janet girl did too, and that was what made her act so stupidly. That wasn't enough reason for such behavior though.

But even if it meant interrogating Nathan like a cop tomorrow, then I was gonna do that with all pleasure.