Chapter 16

Thea's Point of View

I put my hand over my mouth and widened my eyes with amazement. "Is Craig your brother?"

He laughed and then pinched my nose bridge. "That's not right. He is just my cousin. Both of our fathers are brothers."

"Oh! So there!" I chuckled.

We were laughing and talking when I was pulled away from Rayleigh by someone. When I looked up, Craig's jaw was getting tighter.

I didn't say anything because I don't want a scandal or to hurt Craig's reputation. Also, I still don't know what his side is. The internet says that you should always listen to your partner's point of view and not jump to any conclusions.

Even though I didn't want to cause trouble, I spoke to him in a whisper that only we could hear. "Leave me alone. I can walk."

"Listen to me first, please." I stopped as he looked at me with his pleading eyes.

The way he looked at me with his cold eyes before is how I look at him. "I will. When you take your hand off of mine.

He hesitantly dropped my hand.

"You see. That woman's name is Felicity—" He was about to say more, but then someone else spoke up on stage.

"Good afternoon to all of you. We'll make a note of this date as an important event for the new CEO today. With a new CEO and many projects to come, the company will continue to grow.”

The people clapped their hands and the whole space got swallowed by the noise.

“Anyway, before we move on, I'd like to say a few words about our main guests. I'd like to introduce Ryan Holden, who was in charge of the Coalesce Nova Corp. for a long time now.”

The host got out of the way so the man with the white hair and beard could come in.

It's Craig's father. Before the man started his speech, he scanned the whole room and smiled.

"You all know about the things the Coalesce Nova Corp has done. I'm glad you're still with the company and helping it grow..."

He kept talking until he finished his speech. But before he went down the stage, he added more.

"It's time for me to relax and enjoy my remaining life, so I decided to give the company to my heir. I hope and trust that he will do as much or more than I have."

Everyone turned to us and Craig looked at me before he walked out on stage. I just avoided looking at him.

“I want to say thank you to everyone who came today. I promise that I'll do anything for the company. We should celebrate more than just being my position as new CEO but also be happy that the Coalesce Nova Corp. and Arizona Group have merged.”

Craig had already handed the mic to the person in charge of the event and everyone got confused because it's just a short speech.

As more cameras went off, the noise got louder. I didn't pay much attention to them and just waited for my name to be called, but when the host said someone else's name, my heart got nervous and I became confused.

"Let's cheer for Mason Gordon, who is in charge of the Arizona Group right now, and Joana Gordon, who is helping him take the company's balance."

I waited a few more seconds before putting the wine glass on the chest-high table.

I didn't make a big deal out of it even though my heart was already roaring with rage. I just left the hall to cool my head.

When I was finally outside, I checked my phone and saw that Craig had sent me a lot of texts. However, I ignored them and went to Megan's.

[Hey! What's up now? It has been months, are you still not available?]

Without hesitation, I clicked the reply button.

[I'm coming. Where are you?]

As I received her reply, I was about to leave but the door to the hallway opened again, and Craig's mom came out holding a hand fan.

When she spotted me, I held on tight to my bag as she laughed like a devil.

“See? I told you that you didn't fit in with anyone. Your marriage is a fake, too. Though, I give the credits that it's not a complete lie because it looks real on paper. You both have a marriage certificate.”

She had on red lipstick and a long-sleeved gown with sequins, embroidery. She pretended to be hot by blowing a fan in her face.

"I don't know what you're getting at. I also don't understand why you're mad at me and at my mother."

"Is this what they mean when they say, 'Ignorance is bliss?'" she snorted.

"Well, I'll tell you because I'm considerate."

She folded the fan and gave me a light tap on the left side of my face with it.

"Did you know that they set up your wedding? ARRANGED MARRIAGE. Just for your business's sake. But the company you are supposed to protect is now being used by someone else?" She laughed so loudly that it could be heard all the way down the hall.

"But Aunt Joana said—"

She cut me off and put up her hand.

"I understand. I understand. Joana told you that Craig loves you and that you've known each other for a long time. Am I correct?"

"..."

"Isn't it frustrating to be stupid? You don't know that everyone around you is playing games with you and using your situation to their own benefit."

I remained mute until a woman arrived and stepped towards us.

It's the woman Craig kissed who was wearing the same dress as me earlier...

She called out, "Mommy!"

“Sweetheart! What are you doing here? What happened to Craig?"

"He is still inside, and he is now giving the last part of his speech."

'What a beautiful woman.' I couldn't help but think.

She looks like a Barbie doll because she has a small nose and lips. It has black, round eyes.