Chapter 65

65 Totally Captivated

Francia looked nervously from me to Brandon and then to her boyfriend. It was apparent that she wasn’t sure how to react in this situation.

“Brandon...hey...Brandon...” Philip hissed as he nudged his friend with his elbow.

The man called Brandon let out a sigh before glancing up from the book that he was reading. At that moment, his eyes met mine and I sucked in a rapid breath at the beauty of his grey eyes. He smirked at me before closing his book and placing it down on the table in front of him.

“My name is Brandon. It is a pleasure to meet you girls; however, this guy here isn’t my best friend,” Brandon said almost monotonously.

His cold reaction disturbed Francia and I could see her panicking. On the other hand, I found his attitude so refreshing and different from the other men that I’ve met before who would fawn all over me. When he looked at me just now, I felt like he really saw me for who I was.

“Please don’t say that. We’re good friends, right?” Philip said almost pleadingly.

Brandon glanced at his friend and then decided not to say anything. Philip turned to smile weakly at us.

“Brandon also studies business so we all share the same major here. If you have any issues with your studies or anything, just ask this guy. He’s super like out-of-this-world smart,” Philip announced proudly.

“Compared to this guy, anyone is smart...” Brandon said coldly.

.....

“Don’t say things like that even if it’s true. My girlfriend is sitting right there...” Philip said followed by a shy laugh.

All this time, I had just been staring at this face. I was so captivated by him that nothing else seemed to matter anymore. For some reason, my mouth began moving as if it had a will of its own...

“My name is Elena. It’s nice to meet you, Brandon...” I said shyly but clearly.

“Let’s get along, Elena,” Brandon said as his grey eyes met and held mine again.

For the first time in my teenager-life, I was at a loss for words in front of a man. All I could do was nod my head in agreement with what he had said.

I wouldn’t lie and say that I fell in love with Brandon at first sight, but I believed that I was more than slightly attracted to his looks and the solemn and serious aura about him. What’s for sure was that I had developed an unexplainable interest in him since the first time that I laid eyes on him. This man, who seemed like he came from a different universe, I wanted to know everything about him.

...

“Since the first time that I met him, I wanted to learn more about him and always be there to support him. Brandon, as you all probably know already, is a very smart, talented, and motivated man. When he aspires to do something, he would commit to it until the very end. That trait is something that he had back then and still possesses now and it is what draws me to him. The more time we spent together during our university days, the more I wanted to support him in any way possible to make his dream come true. This company, where we are meeting now, is the result of his genius, hard work, and commitment and I am so proud to have been part of his journey in getting here,” I said as my voice rang out clear with passion.

As I could see that everyone was still listening intently to what I was saying. I decided to go on after a short pause to collect my thoughts.

“Due to...various circumstances in our personal lives, we decided to end our relationship shortly after Brandon graduated from university. From then on, we went our separate ways and my role in his life was reduced to nothing more than a faraway spectator. However, there was never a day when I didn’t wish for his success. The height that this company has reached never surprised me and I know that it will only reach further heights in the future. Honestly, it was a miracle to me that Brandon and I could renew our relationship,” I said truthfully.

I had always watched him from afar as his newly formed empire grew until it rivalled that of his parent’s. We were never in touch, and we didn’t part on good terms; however, it was true that I always wished him the best of everything. It was also true that it was like a miracle for us to be reunited under this contract of a fake relationship.

“Your story is touching and all but up until recently you were married to another man. Had he not...passed away, you would probably still be married to him, right?” a woman asked cynically.

I smiled outwardly while I cursed the woman inwardly for her stupid question. Oh well, it wasn’t like I honestly thought that a sweet love story could turn their cynical minds around.

“Maybe but maybe not. Honestly, I married George purely out of my desire to repay my parents for the love and kindness that they’ve shown me for all the years that they’ve raised me. It was all to fulfill my parent’s request and dear wishes. Throughout the happiness, sadness, luxury or difficulties of my marriage to my ex-husband, my heart has and probably always will belong to Brandon alone,” I said passionately as I placed my hand flat on my heart.

“So, you’re saying that you married a man when you didn’t love him at all? How can we trust that you are truly in love with Brandon and that you do not have other...intentions?” another old woman asked as her brows furrowed at me.

Isn’t that what I’ve been saying just now? How many times do I have to repeat myself for your sake?

“That is correct. I will not lie and pretend that my first marriage was out of love because it simply wasn’t. However, in our society, it isn’t uncommon for people in our circles to engage in marriage of convenience. I am sure that you are aware of that as well. Just like I have told the complete truth about my first marriage, I assure you that everything else I have said is the truth,” I replied smoothly.

–To be continued...