Rhysand's POV
The couple's happiness was palpable, but I couldn't let it get to me. Not when my supposed stepsister was the same person who had refused to crawl out of my skin since the first day she managed to crawl in.
I knew I looked like a dickhead who didn't want his father's happiness, but I wouldn't let him make a mistake.
"Playing hard to get, I see." The annoyingly familiar voice called from behind.
I turned around, took her in, but didn't acknowledge her presence.
"Look, I just came to tell you that you're being childish. Our parents need this. They really seem to be in love with each other. The least we can do is support them." She spoke with a soft tone that made me cringe.
She always gave off confidence and an unbreakable spirit. Seeing her vulnerable was alien to me, and it almost made me cringe.
"If you're doing this to get my father's money or have him help your career, it will not work. I must tell you, my father is smart and calculated..." She exhaled loudly before I could finish.
"The world doesn't revolve around you or your money, Rhysand Warner. Deflate your ego, as this isn't about you. It's about your father. Stand by him for once. Yes, I don't want this either, but I can't tell an adult not to do what she has set her mind to. The least I can do is cheer her through it, just as she has cheered me through life." She spat, and this time, her voice was not as subtle as it was previously.
"Your pep talks don't get to me. I'm not living with you or playing family in the name of support." I remained adamant, and I could see the look on her face.
The look of 'I feel like slamming your head on the nearest wall.'
"You can't slam my head. I am your boss. So quit that thought." I spoke again, making her heave a sigh, and I had the feeling that the sigh was mainly to calm herself down from harming me or doing something she would regret.
"Okay." She shrugged with a nonchalant look.
"Fine. So you want to leave now? Is that it? If you are doing this out of care for your dad, then isn't it smart to stick close to your suspects? You said my mom and I are here for the money. Why not stick around and monitor us closely to confirm your suspicions?" She reasoned with her words. There was some sense in them, but I wasn't going to admit it.
"Leaving him alone with both of us would just be cruel of you, don't you think?" Another sigh.
"I thought you are CEO? You claim to be intelligent, so I find it hard to understand why you make flimsy mistakes." She shook her head at me, feigning pity.
"Hey! Don't you insult me. I can punish you even though we are not on office premises." I leaned in, eyes brimming with anger, but she ignored me. She turned around and waved her hand.
"Do what you want. If you want your dad to stay with strangers, then go, but if you truly care about him, you'll do the wise thing." She retreated just as she dropped the words that hit me like a time bomb.
I dragged my palm down my face in frustration. She was right. As angry as I was with my dad, I couldn't leave him with two strangers. So I walked back in and got into the elevator before the doors closed shut.
Bridgette shifted her gaze and avoided my eyes throughout the elevator ride, and when we walked back to the table, Aaron looked pleased to see me back with her, and so was her mom.
I acted oblivious to their happiness and felt enraged as she smiled when they mouthed their 'thank yous' to her.
She always had a way of being in the spotlight, and it made my skin crawl.
"Thank you, Rhys, for coming back." Margaret's soft voice spoke as she regarded me with soft eyes.
"It's Rhysand," I mumbled.
"Alright, since we are all on the same page," Aaron started with the smile that refused to leave his face since the start of dinner.
"Let us get to the main purpose of calling you two here." My brows arched at his words. Main purpose? What other surprises did those two have in store?
"Main purpose?" Bridgette and I voiced at the same time before exchanging glances at each other and sinking into our seats with a sigh. Well, she was the one who overreacted more—leaning in and all.
Aaron held Margaret's hand and placed a soft kiss on the back of her palm. Never have I seen him act so sweet and in love.
"Yes. The wedding is in two weeks. You both should get ready for that while you're at it." Aaron acted like he didn't just take off the safety of the grenade and let it explode right in our faces.
"We will be living together as a family. You also should try getting along." He said again, throwing yet another bomb while shifting glances between Bridgette and me.
"I told you, I'm not playing family," I replied. If he was getting married, that was his business. Why drag me into it to act like a picture-perfect family?
"It's already settled, son." Aaron finalized.
"My reply is the same." I retorted adamantly, and I could see Bridgette rubbing her temples with a sigh. A sigh of frustration. For all I knew, this could be a plan to be close to me.
"What is the matter with you, son? Why do you keep refuting?" Aaron asked, and although it was faint, just a hint, I could hear the pain in his voice.
I opened my mouth, ready to reply and tell him how big of a mistake he was making, but the sound of Bridgette clearing her throat loudly shifted my attention, and as soon as my gaze locked with hers, she gave me that look a mother would give a child who was acting out of proportion.
And I didn't intend to, but I recoiled and swallowed back the words I almost blurted out.
"We look forward to that." Bridgette cut in, a smile found its way to her face as she lifted her cup.
I gritted my teeth. The wedding didn't sit well with me no matter how I tried, and I was going to ensure I uncovered whatever plan Bridgette and her mother had going on before it was too late.