The Vindication Gents

Chapter 3.9

Charles Debrun’s POV

I had been acting strangely with Kiara and I wished it was a different situation. I did not agree to have a truce, but it seemed that it would put her in place and I would have nothing else to do at the time.

“Still, doctor, I don’t suppose you can tell me where we are going, do you?” Her voice was coming into my eardrums as I was turning into the shopping complex that I know. I smirked at her before I was parking the car.

“Where are we? Why are we here?” She asked as she was looking around. I know it’s not much but this shopping complex meant everything to me. I have been working hard after being discharged from the agency in Hungary.

“You will see if you have enough patience inside you,” I said as I was walking toward the shopping complex. I know Kiara must be narrowing her eyes at the back of my head as I can sense the heat coming from it.

“Hmm,” was the only response that she gave me. I chuckled before I went to hold the door for her to go inside the shopping complex. She narrowed her eyes at me before we were inside the shopping complex, as a bit of pride was coming from inside of me.

“Well, we are standing in the middle of the mall and all you have to do is gawk at it?” I asked Kiara as she was wandering around the signs and maybe the shops that have to offer.

“Still don’t get it why are we here though,” she mumbled before she crossed her hands in front of her chest. I chuckled before I put my hand on her lower back and we were ushered to the boutique that I know.

Romano’s Reality, that’s what.

Antonio Romano was one of the most sought out cosmetologists in Europe. As his empire was expanding after he got out of Hungary and became a permanent resident of Italy, he expanded his business into a textile and boutique with the help of his Fashion Designer, Christina.

Also known as Mrs. Romano, mind you.

We got inside as I could see the employees were busy treating the customers with care. I sought out the familiar face before I smiled.

“Katherine, so nice to see you,” I said as I went with Kiara still beside me with my hand on her lower back.

“Oh my, is that Mr. Charles Debrun?” She asked as she went to kiss my cheeks. I could sense that Kiara was trying to control her anger, I could sense the tension on her lower back.

“What are you doing here in Finland? And much less bring a lady as well,” Katherine said as she was smiling at Kiara. She did not share the same conscience, unfortunately.

“Ah, sorry. I forgot to tell you this is my wife, Kiara. Sweetheart, this is Katherine Ramos, my friend that I acquired from Kai Virtanen and Kathleen Ramos. She is the sister of Kai’s wife,” I said as I was looking at Kiara. She still did not open up to Katherine.

Until she smiled at her.

“Katherine, you say? What a nice pleasure to meet you. My husband did not tell you much,” she said as she turned to look at me with the challenge in her eyes. I smirked. Two can play this game, sweetheart.

“How’s Kai and his wife? And their son? I heard they were ready to have another baby?” I asked Katherine as she smiled weakly.

“Well, it’s hard to say. I haven’t been much at home. I have moved out. Papa was furious but I think it is necessary,” she said before she smiled again.

“So, what are you guys doing here? Looking for a dress, I suppose? For the lady?” She asked as she arched her eyebrows at me. I nodded before I pushed Kiara to follow her.

“It is for a ball that we will be attending,” I said.

“Oh, fancy. Whose ball?” Katherine asked as she was contacting Kiara.

“Chris Virtanen. I think he was opening another hotel in Finland but the location was unknown. He will reveal it during the ball tomorrow,” I said before I noticed that Katherine flinched a bit. She then cleared her throat as she asked Kiara what she would prefer.

“What would I prefer?” Kiara replied.

“Yes. For your dress. Sheer, satin, long or short dress, strapless, spaghetti or others that you might want?” Katherine asked before Kiara was blinking at her.

“What? You don’t know about that?” Katherine asked before Kiara nodded. I think I have never seen her wear anything feminine or courteous. She would always be in her pants or jeans with a blouse or sweater. According to the weather, of course.

“Hmm, most peculiar. But never mind. We will find the best dress for you,” Katherine said as she was smiling at Kiara before they went inside the fitting room. I took a seat before I pulled out my phone to look at some contracts about my latest business deal.

Not that I should tell Kiara that this shopping complex was mine.

After I went out of the agency, I went into some investment when I met Kai Virtanen. He convinced me to invest in this hotel of his and I was a member of the board. Then, I also ventured into something else.

It is also known as building this shopping complex under Kai’s name, but the real owner was me. Simply, Kiara thought I was a doctor. I was and still am, but a doctor with a tragic past who did not succeed much. Hence, my involvement in the business.

I think everyone should do it as well. The investment, that was. Such a nice venture and it paid off really well too.

Kiara Hoffman’s POV

I was watching this immaculate, slim black-haired woman trying to fixate me with dresses and gowns. I felt stuffy like I had never done this before. Not that I don’t want to, but I was more of a practical one.

I don’t see that I need a gown to kick someone’s ass.

So here I was, trying to look as bored as possible before Katherine was giving me the gown that she thought would fit on my lean body.

“You have a very toned body. Did you work a lot? In the gym, that is?” She asked when I got out of the fitting room. I was wearing a satin dress with sheer around it. It was nice really, the feel of satin, but I don’t think I would ruin this with my moves.

“Hmm, the blue color makes your eyes pop. But I think pastel blue such as baby aqua would bring it out more. Charles will be most pleased,” Katherine said before I was about to protest. How do I know if Charles would be pleased with what I was wearing?

“How long have you known Charles?” I asked, as I was looking at Katherine who was trying to find the right shade for my dress.

“Hmm, can’t remember. After my disastrous engagement, perhaps 4 or 3 years or so. He was one of Kai’s friends, my brother-in-law,” she said as she was looking at me before handing me my dress. I needed to ask for more about that information. It was vague somehow.

Did you sleep with him? Have you kissed him? How can I trust you not to put your claws inside his head and maybe drag him away from me?

Wait, what?

I shook my head before I went inside the fitting room again and I was putting on the baby blue dress. It was short and it was made of satin. It grazed my knees before it was being laid with sheer. It was magnificent, really. When I got out of the fitting room, Katherine gasped at me before she was looking me up and down.

“Marvelous. I think we have found your dress, Kiara,” she said as she pushed me through a curtain and I did not know why. Was she trying to kill me or something?

“What are you—“ I said before I turned to look at Charles, who was looking at me, his mouth agape.

“Kiara?” He said after he blinked a few times before his hazel eyes were traveling the length of my body. He felt satisfied and approved of Katherine’s choice of dress.

“So, what do you think?” Katherine asked after she smiled at Charles. Charles was looking at me as if he would rip those satins and sheer them apart.

And I think I wanted him to.

The dress was strapless as it was an A-bodice and it had some diamonds around the bodice that had the impression of light reflection. My back was bare until my lower back before I was being turned around my Katherine.

“No,” Charles retorted as I was looking at him. His nose was flaring and he was cursing under his breath with rapid Northern French dialect that I could not comprehend.

“No, why not?” Katherine asked before she turned to look at me and Charles before smiling knowingly.

“I see. But do you still want to purchase this dress then?” She asked Charles before he looked at Katherine. Okay, maybe more of glaring at her.

“Understood. Come now, Kiara. We have to change before Charles explodes,” Katherine said as she was directing me inside the room again. I did not understand what was happening, but I think I was glad when Katherine told me that she would pack the long sleeves dress in blue of the same shade.

I thanked her before I went to put on my usual clothing.

After I put my clothes together on my body, I went to find Charles as he was talking with Katherine before he turned to look at me. He was studying me up and down before he talked to Katherine again. He handed him his credit card before we went out of the boutique and we went home.

I felt exhausted somehow and I think Charles doesn’t want to talk right now. So we were quiet at the hotel before I went to the honeymoon suite and Charles went to his room. I don’t know what this ache was in my heart, but after I read the body language of Charles. I think he was mad.

About what now, that has me baffled all night.