Faux Vows, True Desires

Chapter 425

"Don't even think about it."

Cecilia revved up the engine.

"The first time I got hitched, there was no proposal, no wedding, just a piece of paper we signed, and that was under duress—no fond memories whatsoever. If I'm getting remarried, it's for keeps, and I'm taking it seriously. If you slip up on anything, I won't be walking down the aisle with you."

Cecilia’s firm words made Owen at a loss for words.

If he truly loved her, he couldn't let her down.

But they had already confirmed their relationship. They'd date for now, let the feelings deepen, and then tie the knot. There were still months before Christmas. Bringing her home before the holidays didn’t seem like a bad idea.

"Cecilia."

"Just spit it out."

Cecilia's eyes stayed glued to the road ahead, not even glancing in his direction.

Owen admired her profile, struck by her beauty—a classic case of profile perfection.

He was so preoccupied with looking at her that he found himself swallowing hard. He ached to kiss her, and maybe even more—to sweep her up in his arms and make her his in every way possible.

"What is it you want to say?"

Cecilia turned to give him a brief look before focusing back on the road.

Owen snapped back to reality, blurting out, "Cecilia, you're stunning! You match my dashing good looks. We're like a match made in heaven, a picture-perfect couple. With our genes, our kids are gonna be cute as buttons.

"Cecilia, I'm a bit greedy, I admit that. How about we go for a whole soccer team's worth of kids?"

Little did he know on a future day in the delivery room, he’d be so traumatized that he’d swear off having a second child.

"Owen, I get it, you're thick-skinned and love to toot your own horn. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. We've just started dating, and you're already thinking about having kids? What if, in the end, you end up marrying someone else?"

Ruby had turned herself in, and her sentence wouldn’t likely be long. Once she was released, she would certainly stir up trouble again.

And Megan had coaxed Olina back into her good graces. Although Olina couldn't dictate Owen's marital choices, she was his mother. With her meddling, who could guarantee there wouldn’t be a rekindling between Owen and Ruby?

Of course, Cecilia could also remarry into the Martinez family before Ruby's release.

"Unless you marry someone else, my wife will definitely be you. Cecilia, I've got a business dinner tonight, would you accompany me?"

"I’m no expert in your business dealings, so I won't be much help there."

Owen laughed, "I don't need your help. Just being there is enough for me."

"Since Lucinda's coming over to mind the store, and you're free, why don’t you come with me to the dinner? Lucinda always accompanies Stefan. You’ve never accompanied me before."

Cecilia couldn't help but smile, "Don't always compare yourself to Mr. Coleman."

It seemed like Owen compared everything to Stefan.

Owen pursed his lips, saying, "I can't help it. Ever since I met him, I've always been comparing myself to him subconsiously. It's been over two decades, and I can't break the habit. Otherwise, how would do you think we have become such arch enemies?"

Cecilia wanted to point out that they were not “arch enemies” now.

But she swallowed her words.

The two men might not become best friends because of her and Lucy, but the tension between them was easing for sure.

If Ruby knew the enmity between Owen and Stefan was fading, she'd probably go green with envy. She had tried so hard to ease their rivalry, to no avail.

Cecilia and Lucinda, however, seemed to do it effortlessly. Nôvel(D)rama.Org's content.

"We'll see. If I'm free tonight, I'll join you. But just so you know, I can't drink much. I’m a lightweight; I’ll get embarrassingly silly when I'm drunk."

When drunk, Cecilia tended to find Owen irresistibly attractive. She'd get handsy, and maybe even do something she'd regret when sober.

Owen, hear she might do something embarrassing when drunk, quickly assured her, "Don't worry, I won't let anyone ply you with drinks. no one will get you drunk once they know you're with me."

If only he knew what Cecilia was like when she was drunk, he'd regret offering such assurances now.

"Cecilia, your shop's booming, and you're expanding. You, the waitress, and Basil can't handle it all. Hire more staff and promote the waitress to manager. She's been with you and Lucinda the longest and has a knack for management. She won't let you down.

"That way, both you and Lucinda can relax a bit, just wait for the money to roll in. You'll also have more time to spend with me. You're going to be the lady of the Martinez family and will need to attend many high society gatherings. It's a good chance to get your bearings."

Since Owen had fallen for Cecilia, he didn't care about her background; he was paving the way for her.

But climbing the social ladder required learning the ropes. To prevent Cecilia from feeling out of place or facing ridicule, he wanted to use these business engagements as a learning opportunity for her to eventually fit in.

Lucinda had an easier time. Though raised in the Moore family, being the heiress to the Blue family of Skywatch and the future lady of the Anderson family, people wouldn't dare belittle her.

For Cecilia, it was going to be an uphill battle.

After mulling it over, Cecilia replied, "I'll talk it over with Lucy later."

The pressure felt immense, and she was close to bailing.

But she had resolved to be strong, to be a match for Owen. She couldn't back down now.

There’s nothing to fear about socializing. She'd learn.

As they chatted, they arrived at the Pinehurst Hotel.

Seeing the grand hotel, Cecilia couldn't help but recall their blind date there, chuckling, "Mr. Malicious, remember our blind date here?"

Owen had long since run out of energy to protest the nickname "Mr. Malicious" that she seemed so fond of using.

It was her special name for him, after all.

With that thought, for the first time, Owen peacefully embraced the moniker "Mr. Malicious."

"I remember," he said, "you looked a fright that night, with makeup caked on so thick it was a horror show. And you'd eaten so much garlic, your breath could've knocked a person out cold. It's a good thing I've got the patience of a saint; anyone else would've been sick right on the spot."

"Oh, please," she shot back, "as if you were any prize yourself. You were rough around the edges, had smeared shoe polish all over your skin, and those roses you brought were drooping so sadly. Heaven knows how many times you manhandled them."

They exchanged a knowing smile.

Stepping out of the car, Owen took Cecilia's hand in his.

Standing at the entrance of his family's grand hotel, he turned to Cecilia and said, "It must be fate that we've ended up here. With such a disastrous blind date, yet here we are, unable to forget it."

Cecilia wanted to hurl back, but she held her tongue, allowing him to lead her hand-in-hand into the hotel.