In Love with the Wrong Twin? The CEO Reve Twins

Chapter 48

Chapter 48

Chris’s POV

Janine and I sat at the table she had booked and waited for Kirsty to arrive. Janine was still red and was playing with her hands under the table across from me. I took this silent time to look at her, really look. I hadn’t noticed this girl for the last 4 years, despite her always being in my vicinity. She was always sat in viewing distance. I didn’t have an assistant like Michael as I managed everything myself so the area outside my office had my top designers there which had been Kirsty and Janine and recently Kira. Janine was always quiet and the only time I saw her light up was when she was talking about her designs, but I had only noticed that recently. However, when she went to work for Michael for those 4 months, I did miss her. Her morning smile, her concentration face as she drew with her tongue between her teeth. Her always neat clothes but with messy hair and no makeup. She was currently wearing a long, blue skirt and a grey short sleeved jumper that showed a little of her midriff off. She had on silver strappy sandals and her hair was straightened. She still didn’t have make up on, but she had silver bangles on her arms and some silver heart shaped drop earrings in. She looked pretty and happy. I heard her draw in a breath.

“So, why can’t we tell Rebecca about this?” Janine asked, meekly.

“She would absolutely never agree to it.” I sighed, pulling my gaze away from her and looking at the menu.

“Wouldn’t she?” Janine asked, raising an eyebrow. I looked at her.

“No, she hates hurting people.” Janine made a clicking sound in her mouth. “What?”

“To say you liked her before Kira, you don’t actually know a lot about her, do you?” Janine asked, leaning across the table. I looked at her confused and a little annoyed. “Shes fierce deep down and I think she would want to take Kira and her father down if you let her. Plus, she would do it for you and Michael. Sure, shes a little naïve at time, but not stupid.” Janine said and sat back, crossing her arms.

“She is naïve, she hasn’t really lived. She grew up on a farm. No siblings, except me and Michael I suppose. Her parents fawned over her and protected her from everything. When she was at university, she never left our side. She had an apartment, but she barely stayed there, she might as well have lived with us. She sees the world with an entirely different view. Yes, she was hurt by Kira, and was jealous of her and that brought out a side of Rebecca I had never seen before, but she was still gentle…” I sighed. “Until the award ceremony, I had never seen Rebecca so angry or hurt. I wanted to run to her and protect her, but I honestly believed Kira. This job and everything with Michael, it has shown her the world isn’t kind, but I still don’t think she would like us being sneaky. She would rather do everything herself.” I saw Janine bite her lip. “What?”

“Are you seeing her and Michael after Kirsty?” I nodded and looked at her confused. “Can I come?” I didn’t get chance to reply when we heard an excited voice shout us.

“JANINE! CHRIS!” Kirsty came running over to our table, dressed in jeans and a flowery blouse, her hair tied up into a ponytail and golden hoops in her ears. She looked extremely comfortable, and her face was pure joy. Janine got up to hug her and I waved and smiled.

“So, you told Janine?” Kirst asked as she sat down at the table with us. I nodded a yes and smiled. “But youre still not telling Rebecca or Michael?”

“No, I’ve told Michael, but I won’t be telling Rebecca unless absolutely necessary.” I saw Janine biting her lip and knew she didn’t agree. Rebecca had been through enough with this drama without her getting involved more. If we were found out I didn’t want her being implicated as an accomplice and I would make sure Michael wasn’t implicated either. Kirst sucked in air through her teeth as if she was contemplating our predicament.

“Ok, well I have already sent in my submission. I don’t think Kira will recognise my information and I have been 100% truthful. I don’t know what is to be gained here as I highly doubt Kira will even talk to me, but I will try my hardest to find anything at all out. Ill let you know as soon as I hear anything.”

“I really appreciate this Kirsty.”

“Oh, I’m only doing it for the job and pay rise at the end.” She laughed and I had to feign a disappointed face before laughing with her and Janine. “So, lets catch up, tell me everything!” We filled Kirsty in on everything that had happened since she had left, and we hired Kira and Rebecca. “No way! That’s so sweet of Michael. I knew he wasn’t a complete ogre!” She smiled when we reached the part about the engagement party.

“Yeah, its strange the side of people we’ve seen recently.” Janine said looking straight at me and I found myself heating up. I couldn’t deny that I had never pad much attention to Janine before and the recent events had definitely brought attention to her. I saw Kirsty looking between us and I had to pull away my gaze and coughed excusing myself.

When I came back from the bathroom, the girls were heads together and whispering. I sat down not wanting to interrupt but they were speaking about Kirsty’s baby and husband. We got caught up on her life, which according to her mostly consisted of baby vomit, feeds, and sleep. We ate and had a few drinks before I noticed the time was 9pm and figured if I was calling at Michaels before bed I needed to go now. After a lot of promises of staying in contact and goodbyes I got up to leave and noticed Janine wasn’t following me.

“Janine?” I questioned, before realising I hadn’t actually answered whether she could accompany me or not. “Are you coming?”

“Oh! Yes!” she answered and said her goodbyes to Kirsty too. As they hugged, I could swear I heard Kirsty whisper something to her but couldn’t quite hear what she said. Janine turned to join me, a huge smile on her face.

Michael’s POV

Food had arrived and we were sat at the table, helping ourself to various dishes. I knew I had been silent for a while, but what Rebecca had said about parents being an arranged marriage, really struck a nerve and I wasn’t sure why. Could my father have sired another child out of wedlock? And even worse, why did my mind immediately go to Jeanie. She had been my father’s loyal assistant for 40 years, never marrying and always being present at every family occasion, barring extra special family events.

“Are you ok?” Rebecca asked after I had been silent a while longer. I nodded and sighed heavily.

“So, you think he could be a child my father had with another woman…” Rebecca gulped hard but nodded slowly, clearly worried by my reaction. “Jeanie?” I asked, hoping she didn’t nod but she did.

“I’m sorry Michael, but he looks remarkably like you. Yes, there are other guys with blonde hair and blue eyes, but not that carry the same facial structure and brooding good looks of the Reve family. Even your father looks just like you and Chris, only older now.” She was rambling and I knew she just wanted to take everything back.

“We need Chris here…” I answered, not really knowing what else to say. He wasn’t as close with Jeanie and saw things from a different perspective to me. Maybe he would tell us we were both being idiots, but what if he agreed with Rebecca. Would father really do that to us? He had been loyal to mother and had harped on about the reputation of the company. Rebecca nodded and put her fork down.

“I’m sorry Michael. I didn’t mean to make you question everything.” Honestly, I had been for a while anyway. I was honest when I told Rebecca I hadn’t been happy for a long time. Everything had always been laid out for me. I was groomed to be the CEO of a large company and never allowed to enjoy things myself, then I had an extremely laid-back brother with a knack for getting into trouble. I was brought up to be the “eldest” brother even though I was only a few minutes older than him. I felt I was never really allowed to cut loose and have fun… except with Rebecca. There were no rules with her, no expectations, no problems. I told her what I was thinking.

“Oh… so I guess I’m not completely to blame then.” She giggled nervously. I looked at her and got up, pulling her up to join me, before pulling her into a deep and passionate kiss. This woman was the only thing that kept me sane in a world of expectations. I put my forehead o hers and whispered.

“Let’s go away… not after this is finished, soon…” She pulled back so she could see my face in its entirety. I looked at her with all the seriousness I could. I was serious, why did everyone else get to have a nice time, enjoy themselves and have breaks. Why not me?

“You’re serious?” I nodded. “Ok!” She said excitedly, not questioning my decision, causing me to smile again. Anyone else would have tried to talk me out of it but not her, she could clearly see I wanted it ad supported me no matter what. I grabbed her again and moved her slowly back, so she was against the kitchen island.

“You are perfect Rebecca!” I said before kissing her again. She put her arms around my neck and kissed me fiercely back. I lifted her onto the kitchen side, fully intending on showing her how perfect when we were buzzed by downstairs, and I knew it would be Chris and Janine.

“Make them wait.” Rebecca whispered against my lips before giggling. I groaned and went to the intercom to buzz them in. She pouted at me, and I smiled at her.

“Later.”