Paper Rings (English)

Chapter 23

“What’s with the atmosphere?” Primrose asked while pouring wine in the glass and placing it in front of Sydney. She tilted her head in the direction of her husband, but the man also had a grim countenance oozing off of him. “Did I miss anything here?”

The blonde lady shook her head and tried to reply with a smile. “No, we’re just chatting about work. You know how stressful it gets.”

After that, the Mortel siblings continued eating while the lady remained puzzled with unnerving silence floating in the air. The sound of forks dabbing on the plates engulfed her eardrums. Despite her alternating gaze and constant coughing, it seemed as if both of them had no intention of breaking the ice.

“Cheers?”

She finally took the courage to initiate a toast in an attempt to shrug the growing tension on the dinner table. Fortunately, the youngest Mortel willingly welcomed her gesture. They clinked wine glasses and exchanged casual smiles before drinking.

“Cheers to your lasting marriage,” Sydney mouthed while bestowing a sharp sidelong glance to her brother. When their eyes connected again, the tightness in her visage instantly disappeared. “I couldn’t make it to your wedding, but I still wanted to congratulate you. I apologize if I was in any way cold and suspicious towards you at first. I’m sure you understand.”

Her dominant posture and projecting voice were a silent challenge Primrose knew very well. She took another sip of wine from the glass before placing it down the tabletop and glancing back at her mocking gaze.

“Of course, I don’t blame you for doubting me. After all, I’m not one with a neat reputation. I’m sure anyone would have the same reaction as you.”

Although she wasn’t facing his way, she could feel Sander’s eyes nailed on her. Her hands formed into a steeple as she continued to look straight ahead. And just as she expected, her display of smugness didn’t faze the blonde woman seated right across the dining table. The smirk on her face was a clear indication that she wasn’t backing down as well.

“Anyway, I hope you don’t mind me asking, but how’s Mayor Wilson doing?”

Another well-intended blow. She thought. Mentioning her estranged father was the quickest way to get on her nerves, but she wasn’t enraged at all when she resorted to that.

She was silently scolding herself for convincing Sander to let her stay. How could she forget that Sydney hated her guts from the get-go? As a matter of fact, they didn’t have a great first impression of one another either.

Now, she has to tiptoe around this house for as long as she stays here. There was no need to guess. The next few days would surely be uncomfortable for her.

“I’m not really sure,” she managed to keep it brief without letting any hint of irritation slip out of her visage. “I haven’t really heard from him since the wedding, but I’m sure he’s fine.”

“Oh-ho, I doubt that.”

Her sarcastic tone made her brows furrow. "What do you mean?"

“So, you didn’t know that he’s on the news just this morning?”

“My father’s on the news?” she repeated her words out of disbelief.

“Oh my. You really have no idea?” Sydney’s mouth fell open. She tried glancing at Sander, but he also had a surprised expression on his face. “I can’t believe I have to be the bearer of this news. You two should really watch TV. What’s the point of having this big house?"

“Quit stalling and spill it,” her brother commanded.

She rolled her eyes at him before diverting her attention back to the Mayor’s daughter. “No matter what your issues were with your father, he’s still family. I think you should call him to ask about it. You shouldn’t be an ungrateful child.”

Those last two words held a strong emphasis, which almost made the tip of her mouth twitch. While she was well aware that she was being caught in between a sibling's quarrel, her narrowing eyes suggest that the last of her patience was about to cut loose.

“That’s a rich thought coming from you,” her husband spoke before she could even open her mouth to clap back at their guest. “It’s good to know that you’re so passionate about being a good daughter. That’ll put Sandra’s worries at ease once you fully assume the company’s Presidential position.”

“You think so? I would be thrilled to see her proud of me for a change because she’s always all over your case.”

Sander smirked and ran a hand through the strands of his hair. “Your thirst for recognition never ceases to amaze me. You are a piece of work, Sydney.”

“Oh, yeah? Well, that’s rich coming from you who always has their full attention….”

“Are we still talking about the news or what?” she weighed in, shattering the fast escalation of their argument.

“Fine. So much for being your personal news bringer,” Sydney sighed and pulled out her phone. She dabbed her finger on its screen before sliding on the table to show her the article. “Besides the multiple tax evasion charges against his casino business, it looks like his rival’s political party discovered the imprisonment of your stepmother.”

Every insulting word written on that online tabloid brought a sour taste in her mouth. Both hands were clenched as she read through the whole thing while keeping an unfazed demeanor.

“There’s also lots of opinion going around,” her sister-in-law circle her gaze back at Sander. “Your marriage with his daughter can’t deny the fact that you testified against Wilson’s wife. Because of that, many are intending to withdraw their support for him in the coming election.”

“He already had it coming.”

Her cold response made the siblings pause for a bit. She shrugged her shoulders and extended her hand to reach for the bottle of wine. However, the man snatched it away before she could. Her eyebrow arched upward, scowling at him while trying to get the liquor back.

“Give it back.”

“No,” he firmly replied. “I can’t handle another drunk version of you again.”

“W-what are you talking about?” A flush crept through her cheeks. Her widening eyes were a warning that he should stop talking. “I only had one glass.”

“I’m not taking chances, especially since Elisha can’t rush to my rescue if you attack me again.”

“I didn’t attack you,” she insisted in panic.

“Wait, are we done talking about the news I just said?” Sydney interrupted their playful argument.

“Yeah,” they replied almost at the same time and exchanged glances.

“It’s not like I can do anything about it,” Primrose continued. “As you know, I’ve never been involved nor supportive in his political career.”

“But you married my brother to strengthen his ties. If that’s not support, I don’t know what else to call it.”

This time, it was Sydney who gulped down the last of the wine in her glass. Her gaze darted on the bottle her brother was holding. For a while, it seemed like she was going to snatch it from him, but she paused and heaved a sigh.

“It’s getting late. I think we should wrap up and rest.”

“Oh yeah,” the new bride tilted her head to look at the clock hanging on the wall and stood up. “You must be tired. I’ll prepare the master bedroom so that you can rest comfortably.”

“Master bedroom?” her sister-in-law exclaimed. “As far as I can remember, you have an extra guest room here. I’ll just stay there. I don’t want to inconvenience you two any further.”

“It’s fine. I’ll be working late in the study….”

“Good night,” Sydney rose from her seat and drew a smile full of mischief on her lips. “Take a day off and pay attention to your wife tonight, Sander. That’s the least you can do to appease Sandra’s worries.”

The older Mortel sibling was about to retaliate when she winked and turned her back from them. Without a word next, she easily made her way to the hall where the rooms were located. After a few seconds, the sound of her dragging the rolling luggage rang across the house.

“I think she’s going to report our every move to your mother,” Primrose palmed her forehead as soon as she heard the guest room door closing.

“Well, it’s you who insisted on letting her stay.”

She ruffled her hair and pouted in frustration. “I know, I know. I’m already regretting it.”

“Well, let’s just sleep and worry about it tomorrow. It’s not like I can kick her out tonight.” Sander turned his feet to the direction of the study when her hand instinctively tugged the tip of his shirt. “Hmm?”

“If Sydney sees you staying there, I’m sure your family would start doubting us again.”

He snorted, “I’ll just wake up early so she wouldn’t notice.”

“You can stay in the room,” she cleared her throat and averted her gaze on the floor. “You’ve been sleeping late since I moved here. You should get some proper rest.”

“You should quit putting yourself in an uncomfortable situation because of other people,” he gently held the hand tugging in his clothing. “Don’t worry about me. I can manage.”

“I’m not uncomfortable with you.”

It was too late when she realized how she spouted those words carelessly. From the corner of her eyes, she saw his face lit up. His lips pursed a small smile before giving her hand a light squeeze.

“It’s amusing to hear you say that when you can’t even look me straight in the eyes right now.”

“Well,” she pulled an ear and pursed her lips into a thin line before finally meeting his gaze. “It’s a king-sized bed. We can put some pillows in between if it’s awkward for you.”

“Awkward for me?” Sander repeated with a raised eyebrow. He had a bemused smirk on his lips, but Primrose managed to contain her panic. “We’ll see.”

After half an hour, she found herself walking out of the bathroom in her pajamas. She was pacing back and forth in the bedroom as her fast heartbeat chimed out of her entire being. When her steps halted in front of the bed, all she could do was press a hand on her temple.

“Why does it look so small now?” she whispered.

The lady always thought the bed was too big for her since she moved into this house a few weeks ago. But upon realizing that they’d be lying here together, she couldn’t help but worry.

“Why the heck did you suggest this, Rosey?”

She kept on mumbling her self-loathing monologue while stacking some pillows in the middle of the king-sized bed. Her gaze wandered to the door as she fiddled with the pillow in her hand. When she heard the footsteps approaching, she immediately lay on the left side of the bed and covered herself with the blanket.

“Right. Let’s pretend to be asleep so it won’t get awkward.”

Her eyelids shut as soon as the door opened. Meanwhile, his steps were as light as a feather. The next thing she felt was him sitting on the opposite side of the bed. He was silent as he slid his body under the sheets.

“Goodnight,” he said in a soft voice as if aware that she was still wide awake. After that, he turned the lampshade on the nightstand off.

It was quiet. No words were exchanged between them when the lights went off. She was trying to get herself to sleep, but all her attempts had failed. Although she was cautious with her every movement, she couldn’t seem to find the right sleeping position.

“No need to pretend you’re sleeping,” she heard him say.

When she turned to look at the man, he was lying in the bed face up and staring at the ceiling. He gave her a quick glance, and a low chuckle followed after that. The lights coming from the glass window allowed her to see a glimpse of his amused visage.

“Do you find me amusing?”

“A bit,” he said in all honesty. “You’re unpredictably predictable.”

“I know,” she decided to face the ceiling as well and neatly placed her hands on top of her stomach. “Wednesday used to say that about me as well. She said I wear my heart on my sleeves most of the time. You may think that she’s the naive one, but I’m the one who would easily get conned more than her.”

“Why? Have you ever been conned by someone before?”

She cleared her throat, “W-well, I’m sure everyone had been conned once or twice in their life.”

“I guess I’m not part of that population.” His outright bragging made her frown. It was a relief that the lights were off and he wasn’t facing her way, or else he would’ve seen it. “About Lowell Sebastian’s girlfriend, Wednesday.”

“Hmm? What about Wendy?”

“I haven’t really apologized to her since the incident,” Sander’s tone was deep and genuine. There wasn’t a hint of condescendence in there like how he used to talk whenever she would mention Wednesday and Lowell. “I think I should do it soon before we fly out of the country.”

“Yes, we can invite Lowell and her to dinner some time after the restrictions ease some more.”

She clapped her hands in silence and smiled. When she peeked at her husband, she found him looking at her. Instead of turning away, she continued speaking.

“But you know what? Wednesday does not hold grudges.”

“I figured that’s the case long before. The girl is the complete opposite of Lowell.”

“I’m sure she already knows you’re sorry. After all, you’re one of the few people who testified against Ygritte to give justice to what she did to her.” Her hands clenched into fists with the recollection of her stepmother tormenting her best friend. “I’m still thankful that you did that and how you warned Lowell ahead of time. If not, I’m not sure what could’ve happened.”

“I just did what any rational person would do,” her husband replied calmly.

“No, not everyone would do that.” A hint of pain flashed in the pair of the doe-like eyes. "Even the ones closest to you wouldn't bat an eye when you're in danger or mistreated."

"To that extent, I guess I agree."

"Anyway," she tried to shrug off the heaviness in the air. "That incident with Wednesday, as far as I could remember, you're drunk that night right? Are you not on medication back then?"

"I wasn't," he reached a hand to his nape and returned to gazing at the ceiling. "That time, I was told not to rely on the medicine too much. They said I should have the will to resist the temptation of drinking."

"And you failed?"

He nodded and shut his eyelids. "It wasn't the easiest time. There were many things happening all at once. My wrath escalated and got directed at the wrong people. It was unfortunate that it happened the way it was."

"Well, I taught you a lesson, didn't I? So no need to dwell on it." She chuckled, remembering the time she stormed to his office and slapped him in the face.

"Yeah, you made quite an impression there."

"I made sure of that."

Her confident statement had them both smiling. When they stared at each other again, Primrose couldn't deny the fluttering feeling on her limbs. For some reason, the man was twinkling in her sight despite the darkness engulfing them.

"It was a relief that you're the one I made a deal with," she mouthed out of the blue.

"You think so?"

"Yeah, because you're not a bad person."

There weren't any truer words than the ones she just spoke of. Although they were distant and barricaded by the pillows she had set up earlier, the new bride felt as if she was held captive by his soft but domineering gaze.