Marrying Into the Family of My Fiancé's Killer

All Eyes on Us

“Alice?”

Noah’s voice, followed by the gentle squeeze he gives on my hand, pulls me back from my deep thoughts. I lift my eyes to meet his and find him warmly smiling at me with a concerned look in his eyes. “Is something wrong?” He asks me while studying my face and rubbing circles at the back of my hand with his thumb.

“No, It’s fine, I mean... I’m fine. I’m sorry,” I answer him, shaking my head gently. “What were you saying?”

He gives me his caring gummy smile and a sigh as he answers, “Mrs. Williams was asking about how we became acquaintances.”

“Oh, uhm, right...” I turn my gaze to the woman sitting across the table. I am in the middle of joining Noah for his lunch appointment with one of his future clients, who apparently had decided to bring his wife along to lighten the business talk.

I already had a plan on meeting Noah today to carry out one important part of my arrangements today―the one that will mark the beginning of everything―so he brings me along while helping him present himself as the warm-hearted young CEO in front of the man who is about to sign off a deal for a fairly promising investment.

“Well, we went to the same school together while growing up, and we even became partners in biochemistry in high school,” I chuckle as I reminisce the memory of many years ago. “I remember we were pretty compatible with each other, if we weren’t arguing over our differences on how we work.”

“And you two have kept contact ever since?” The kind lady asks. Her wide-eyes giving away her interests in knowing more about the two of you.

I would understand her though, since the both of us come from well-known families and never once have we appeared together in public, or being associated from one another aside for how our families are leading two rivalling companies.

So for people to see the both of us together, the heir and heiress of big families, yes, I have been showing up in public together for the last three weeks, going on simple dates and company dinners together―must have been raising a lot of questions from the curious eyes and intrigued minds.

“No, we actually lost contact for many years,” Noah answers for me, not letting go of my hand as he sits there and speaks gently, “We parted ways for college and we were too busy with our early adult lives that we never thought of contacting each other.” He glances towards me, showing how the corner of his lips is twitching into a side smile. “But then many events led us into meeting each other again.”

“Aw, that is really sweet,” the older woman coos, completely swooned by Noah’s story and by the way he is staring full of adoration at me. “And now you are dating? That’s the rumour that has been spreading lately, and people just can’t stop talking-”

“Honey, stop asking them about their personal matters. We are here to talk about business, not gossips,” her husband scowls, nudging his arm on his wife while glancing away out of embarrassment. “Forgive my wife for probing into your personal affairs,” he said, smiling apologetically to me and Noah.

The man sitting next to me only releases an amused laugh, keeping his hand holding mine as he answers, “It’s alright. I really don’t mind, especially when I am about to― well, we are about to announce a good news. Isn’t that right, sweetheart?”

Completely unable to tell if Noah’s sweet demeanour towards me is merely an act to make things believable or something sincere, I can only give him a smile in return to answer his question, suddenly reminded of the reason why I am going to be spending the whole day with him.

“Yes, that is right.” I answer softly while keeping my gaze on him, before turning back to smile at the couple sharing my table, “―I really don’t mind answering your curiosity, Mrs. Williams.”

The conversation continues to prolong the lunch meeting, filling them with not only talks of business and arrangements for Noah’s company and their upcoming deal, but also talks about my past memories and future plans with Noah.

Everything goes on almost perfectly, and it ends with me and Noah moving to another place for tea and dessert one hour later, right after we part ways with the older couple.

“Thank you,” he says while sipping his drink calmly.

“What for?” I ask him, acting nonchalantly even when he has been showing me nothing but affection throughout the whole day.

“For being there. The only reason why the deal with Mr. Williams came through, and why we are coming home with the assurance that he will be in my office in the morning with a signed contract, is you. You made it happen.”

I lift my eyebrows, “Me? What did I do? I don’t remember doing anything, let alone convince him to make the investment deal.”

He leans forward with a slow and graceful movement, something I have began noticed as one of Noah’s traits that only shows whenever he is intrigued by something, or when he needs to make a point.

The sly smile on his lips confirms the latter.

“On the contrary, my sweet dear. Just having you there beside me already showed them that I am a man of commitment, and the stories you shared with them about us helped capture his wife’s heart. And she was his personal decision maker,” he chuckles. “I think she has come to adore you so much, because right before we left she whispered to me to take a good care of you.”

I bite down my smile. “She is a really kind woman. Her questions and curiosity made me a bit worried though.”

“Don’t be,” he said with a shrug. “It was alright.” He leans back in his seat, glancing out through the windows of the tea house.

“Isn’t the weather lovely today? Such a perfect day, isn’t it?”

I glance at him, silently admiring how the lights that are coming through the windows fall perfectly over his face, accentuating the beautiful feature that would make many hearts fall easily for him. His words may have no meanings to innocent unknowing ears, but to me they sound like a loud blaring alarm, reminding me of the big step that I am about to make for the future awaits.

I give him no answer, only smiling at him hesitantly the moment he glances towards me, which he returns with a warm smile of his own as he asks, “Are you ready?”

I glance around with wide eyes. “Now? Here?”

“Why not? It’s less artificial this way, won’t it? It will seem more spontaneous, compared to doing it over fancy dinner and romantic dances.”

I can only admit that he is right, but I hide my thoughts. “What’s wrong with being romantic?”

Noah scrunches his nose, making me laugh at his expression―and relieved. It is the first time that he is showing me the part of him that I once knew so well back then, when we were much younger, and not the stoic and cold front he recently shows to the public. “No. Just, ugh― Not possible. Even people who know me well enough would know that it’s not how I would do it. It’s less― you know― ‘me’. I have my own way of being romantic.”

I scoff at his remarks, suddenly compelled on pushing him to open up more. “Oh, really? Then show me.”

Noah chuckles with a sly grin, before standing up from his seat and holding out his hand to me. I look at him, confused, lifting my eyebrows as a gesture of asking him to let me know what he is planning to do. He only widens his smile. “Come, let’s take a walk.”

I take his hand and let him intertwine my fingers as the man takes me to the garden, right at the back area of the tea house.