CHAPTER 68: ANOTHER BOYTOY

Braelyn’s POV

The moment the door clicked shut a great weight was lifted off my shoulders. My body almost slumped on the floor if not for my hand working as an anchor..

He was gone, but his cologne still lingered around, and that presence of his that messed with my brain. I stumbled towards my chair. A long sigh escaped my lips as I leaned backwards on the leather seat

"What are you doing Braelyn?" I asked myself. What was really my goal? I didn’t want to give up on my inheritance easily, and this thing with Lucien was just to piss Raphael off, but was that enough?

I didn’t have feelings for Lucien, that was certain, although my body reacted in ways it shouldn’t. Honestly, a part of me wanted to run away, but that would just let Raphael win without a fight.

"I did it because you won’t look at me unless I force you to. You even stared at him more than me." Lucien’s words surfaced in my mind again. I laughed, he was pretty good with words.... if I didn’t know better I would have thought they were genuine.

The table started to vibrate, followed by a loud ringing tone. I reached out for my phone. Genny’s caller ID was flashing on the screen.

I swiped on the screen to answer and her urgent voice followed immediately. "What is going on Braelyn? Who answered your phone?" She bombarded me with questions.

I hissed, feeling a dull ache on my forehead. "Your tone is going to kill me. One question at a time." I hissed at her. I could already imagine her rolling her eyes at me.

"Who was the guy who answered the call? He sounds like Raphael, but my gut tells me it can’t be that jerk or...." Her tone turned malicious.

"Was that bastard doing something to you? Tell me and I will give him a good beating." She snapped through the phone. I could already picture her trying to beat Raphael.

"Yeah let’s pretend like you actually stand a chance against him." I sneered. Genny snarled, displeased by my retort.

"It doesn’t matter who was on the phone. So what do I owe this pleasure to?"

I could hear Genny grumble from the other side. "Whatever.." she sighed, her voice then pitched.

"There is this new restaurant that just opened a few weeks back. I heard the food is great. I was wondering if we could grab a bite there over lunch." My eyes narrowed finding it suspicious that Genny was asking me out for lunch in the middle of the week

She normally was flooded with photoshoots and barely ate a proper meal except for dinner. She was actually considered an accomplished photographer; she covered not only celebrity shoots but also documentaries.

Her mother supported her dreams and she always has a gift with the camera. "I thought you had an important shoot. Why did you suddenly have enough free time for lunch?" I questioned her

She went silent for a while before replying. "I already have reservations. Are you coming or not? I can ask someone else." She deadpanned.

My stomach chose to grumble at that moment. I didn’t know if she heard it, I hope she didn’t. It reminded me that the only thing I had in my stomach was the overly sweet coffee Raphael got for me in the morning.

"Send the address. I will be there soon. Lunch break is about to start."

"Sure. See y’all." She chimed then the line went static.

*******

The Uber rolled to a stop in front of a glass-front restaurant I’d never seen before. It didn’t look flashy from the outside, just a clean stone exterior with warm lighting spilling through tall windows, but the moment I stepped in through the door I was amazed.

The temperature inside was cooler, touched with the scent of rosemary and something sweet, maybe baked figs. The first thing that caught my eye was the hanging flowers.

Genny did have a good eye. It felt like the perfect place for a confession.

A hostess in a cream blouse and dark trousers approached with a light smile. "Good afternoon. Welcome to Branford’s."

Her tone was polite and professional. I smiled at her. "I, um... I’m meeting someone," I said, glancing around again.

The tables were spaced thankfully. Wide, so no one had to eavesdrop or pretend not to. That was just perfect.

The hostess nodded. "Would you like to check in the reservation while you wait?"

I nodded, then pulled out my phone to text Genny. I was waiting for the hostess when my ears perked up to those familiar clicking footsteps.

My shoulders froze before her voice slithered out. "So this is where you’re lurking now," she said, her voice wrapped in artificial sweetness. "Following us around is getting a bit sad, Braelyn."

My jaw tightened. I didn’t have energy for her, yet I turned around to face her. Amelia stood there, sunglasses perched on her head. Her strong perfume was sweet but still made me feel nauseous.

"I’m here to meet someone," I said as a matter of fact. She scoffed, stepping closer, her lips curving into a mocking smile.

"Right. Of course, you are, how convenient it is to be here." Her eyes glinted.

"Trust me, I have the same question," I said with a bitter smile, already cussing my poor luck. I couldn’t even have dinner in peace.

Amelia snorted then crossed her arms before her gaze scanned me like dirt. "You should really try getting hobbies that don’t involve spying. The more you cling to Raphael, the farther he gets." How presumptuous of her to really think I would waste my time stalking her.

I opened my mouth to respond, but why should I bother to answer her? I turned back to the hostess who was still busy checking for the reservations.

That’s when Raphael walked in. His gaze found mine instantly. His smile, whatever pleasant mask he had on, dropped. His expression turned cold. Like I just ruined his day. That feeling was mutual. I couldn’t even have a peaceful dinner.

My chest tightened with a dull ache that should be there but I kept my face neutral.

"Braelyn," he said with a flat voice.

"Raphael," I replied, matching his tone.

Amelia beamed and looped her arm through his. "Guess who is jealous?" she said lightly, as if sharing a joke. "She is stalking us. Can you believe it?"

Raphael didn’t laugh. His shoulders only stiffened. His eyes flickered over me, unreadable.

My eyelids switched. I sighed then calmly replied.

"I wonder how pleasant it would be to punch her straight in the face, but you probably won’t let me, Raphael," I said slowly meeting his gaze. Amelia’s face scrunched up before she could reply I added in a cold tone.

" I don’t care what either of you does. I’m here to have lunch with someone."

Amelia raised a brow, a mocking look on her face "With who, exactly?"

I held her stare but the words I needed didn’t come fast enough.

Her smile widened. "That’s what I thought."

She clicked her tongue. "Braelyn, it’s honestly pathetic. You are truly hopeless, Raph, and I am here for a business meeting." Her tone was annoying to listen to.

My grip tightened on my purse. "I will repeat it once again. I came here to have lunch with a friend." I stated, but ...sigh, I think Amelia’s brain was in the dumpster.

"I guess that friend is a ghost. Raph, let’s go ahead. The clients might arrive soon." She urged Raphael.

He glanced at me, and something flickered in his eyes. Maybe he thought he was being considerate. "You can join us, the client connection might help you later." He suggested.

I shook my head, about to reject him, when a deep voice chirped in. "That won’t be necessary."

An arm slid around my shoulders and I was pulled against a taunt chest. My body froze, unable to recognise the cologne "Sorry I’m late, babe," a deep voice said, amused.

He then pulled my cheeks, "Traffic was terrible." I glanced up to see Joey’s clear blue eyes. He smiled casually and acted very naturally about the situation.

Raphael’s expression shifted from shock to confusion to something darker. My stomach churned. Joey didn’t know about Raphael or that I am Lucien’s in-law.

"That’s interesting," Raphael said with a humourless laugh. "I thought Lucien was the one she was parading around as her little boy toy."

His tone dropped gauging Joey’s appearance. "This is rather interesting."

Joey raised a brow, looking at Raphael like he was a mildly entertaining pest.

"And? You think she can’t have more than one?" he retorted then glanced at me with the most natural tender gaze

"I hope they didn’t bother you. It’s my fault for coming late." He tenderly said, as if they weren’t watching, while holding my gaze. I was dumbfounded by his acting skills.

The silence was baffling

He tugged me gently, already pulling me away. "Come on, sweetheart. We have lunch to get to. You’re starving." he said before glancing at Raphael. "I don’t care if she has others."

I didn’t even have the energy to react. I just followed, not missing the way Amelia’s face twisted.

The moment we sat at the table. Joey leaned forward, his voice still calm and controlled.

"So," he said, threading his fingers on the table. "I guess this is where you start to talk."