Rules Of Engagement

Chapter 11 - Birthday dinner ends in disaster

Chapter 11 –

Asher Kincaid

POV

My blood was boiling, almost bubbling over with anger. I was beyond pissed off. I have never been so humiliated in my life. I had to work today and sat in a meeting with my dear father for three f*****g hours, my day was s**t to begin with. Walking into my apartment I walk in on Savannah and my f*****g best friend Cole being intimate in our f*****g apartment! My f*****g best friend! She took this sick little game of hers too f*****g far. I was so f*****g pissed off; I nearly chipped a tooth while clenching my teeth.

Walking in on the two hugging with smiles on their faces grated on my nerves. Why the f**k would they need to hug? She is my fiancée, and he is my best friend. They do not even need to speak when I am not in the room.

I left them alone and rushed off to my room, I took a shower and got dressed, today is Uncle Bruce’s birthday and to celebrate we were all going to a restaurant.

I sat on my bed for an hour going through my t****k. I have calmed myself down enough to the point where I decided to take the damn high road, turn the other cheek as they say. I have decided to just ignore the hypocrite herself. She has warned me to stay away from her friend, when I did not even flirt with her friend.

I have asked Henry to get my car out of storage. I never drive my car; I always drive Savannah’s because she does not feel safe in my car. I do not care how she gets there tonight but it is none of my business. she could ask Cole for all I care.

Half an hour ago Savannah kept calling at my door, but I ignored her, she finally left me alone after fifteen minutes. I have not heard anything for the past fifteen minutes. She could be f*****g Cole in her bedroom; I would not know.

I look at the time. Our reservation is for an hour from now. I get up from my bed, I grab my blazer off the bed and walk over to the mirror. I shrug on the blazer and look at myself in the mirror.

I rarely wear suits, and when I do, I always feel uncomfortable. The navy suit was picked out by Savannah last night, she chose it to match the dress she is wearing tonight. Yes, I know the irony of me wearing it when I do not want to see her.

I button my blazer and before walking up to my door, I unlock the door and walk out.

The house is quiet, I ignore the curiosity stirring in me and make my way out of the apartment. I take the stairs instead of the elevator. I needed to calm my nerves. I did not want my parents or Savannah’s to notice there was anything wrong with us.

Not there is anything to fix, we were never a couple, I have no idea why I am so pissed off by their betrayal. It has to be because Cole’s my best friend.

I go to the garage and my car’s waiting. My modified Audi RS5, custom seats and custom color. A midnight blue…

She is a f*****g beauty.

I got into my baby, and I could not help smiling. She is just that beautiful. Bought it with my very own money just a few months ago. The drive to the restaurant was pure bliss, I took the scenic route for my comfort of course. I got there ten minutes before our reservation. I almost did not want to give the valet my car keys. I was painful to watch him drive away with my baby.

I walked into the restaurant with the gift in hand. I had to call in a favor to get this. I got it in Chicago when I was there two months ago, I had my assistant wrap it for me.

My parents and Savannah’s were already seated. I greeted them all with wide smiles and hugs, I gave Uncle Bruce his gift then I took the seat beside my father so I could not have to sit beside Savannah. They all looked at me shocked but did not say anything.

“So, where’s Savy I thought she would be coming with you?” Uncle Bruce asks.

I shrug my shoulders. “She was not home when I left. I had no idea where she was…” I lied, honestly had no idea if she was home for not.

They nod.

Fifteen minutes of waiting for Savannah to show, she shows up. She walks over with a wide smile. “I’m so sorry I’m late daddy, I went to pick up your gift from Navy’s house…” she lies.

She hugs everyone, I take my champaign glass and ignore her, I do not even look her way.

She looked so f*****g hot in the tight figure-hugging short navy dress, I almost forgave her.

My father looks at me with a weird look, but he does not say anything.

Savannah sits beside her mother. The seat I would normally sit in is empty.

The table seated eight people. There were two seats empty, no one ever sat on the right beside my father, he sat at the head like at the last family dinner.

“So, before I forget we got a wedding planner for your wedding. Roxanne Fox.” My mother says with a wide smile.

I ignore her, drinking my champaign.

“Daddy why don’t you open the gift I got you?” Savannah asks changing the subject.

“Oh, okay…” Uncle Bruce opens the box Savannah placed in front of him.

“Oh is this what I think it is?” He picks up a piece of paper.

“Yes, I got you a ticket to see your favorite artist perform live, there are VIP passes as well, where you can meet him afterward and get the painting, he makes at the show…” she says so sweetly it is almost believable.

“I’ll open the gift you got me, Asher…” Uncle Bruce says, I think he is beginning to sense somethings not quite right.

I smile looking at him. He picks the painting off the floor and opens it.

He gasps. “That-That’s. How? How is this possible?” he asks, looking at me in disbelief.

Bruce has two hobbies, Golf with my father and paintings. He got that from his father, he has never made it a secret that he loved Damian Fredricks work the most. By accident I bumped into Damien in Chicago. He had been robbed and was asking for help, everyone thought he was a beggar because he was worse for wear. I helped him out and as a thank you, he asked if I wanted anything, and that is how I got him to do a family portrait for Uncle Bruce.

Damian is well known for not making portraits, no matter the amount you pay him, he would never agree.

I smile… “I ran into Damian when I was in Chicago, I thought it would be an amazing birthday present for you, so I asked him to make it for you…” I told him.

His eyes widen. “Tha-Thank you…” he had tears in his eyes.

Ryan looked at the portrait as well. “It’s really beautiful, where did you get this picture?” She asks.

They took that picture last year for Bruce’s forty sixth birthday. I had to message Savannah for that picture. I was glad she sent it to me that same night so I could send it to Damian.

“I thought the picture you took for your birthday last year would be great for a gift this year…” I ignored her inquiry; I did not want to even say her name aloud.

Bruce puts the painting on one of the free chairs. The waiter soon came over to get our orders. This place made the best steaks, I ordered that. I will be on a strict diet soon.

Carlyle has been dragging me with him to the gym recently. He has been getting more and more intense. He told me he and Navy broke up again. but somehow this time it seemed final. He did not tell me what happened but the way he said it made me realize how serious he was this time.

I enjoyed my steak ignoring the chatter around me.

When someone coughs, I look up to see Savannah pale in the face. She coughs again, this time she coughs up blood. My eyes widen. The next thing I know she falls off her chair.

Everyone lets out a gasp.

I react on instinct and rush over to her. I pulled her into my arms. I lightly tap her cheek. “Savannah?”

I repeat the action. When there is no response from her, I pick her up into my arms and rush out of the restaurant.

It takes five minutes for the valet to get my car. I place Savannah in the front seat, strapping the seat belt on her.

I rushed over to the hospital.

When I get there, they ask me to wait outside her room while they assess her.

Half an hour later I am still waiting when our parents to arrive. What the hell could have happened?

She has not been sick at all recently. She has not even so much as had a cough. To think she coughed up blood. What the f*****g hell?