Paper Rings (English)

Chapter 3

“He tried to fake his marriage before?” Primrose warily repeated the words she just heard.

Patrica nodded reluctantly to confirm and scratched the back of her head. “As you may have already noticed by now, this family expects too much from him. And as a free-spirited lad, it took a toll on the poor child. At least that’s what I think happened. Sander never really opened up about it since then.”

“I-I see,” she gulped. “He didn’t mention it to me either.”

“Well, it’s all in the past anyway. I’m just relieved that Sandra and my brother were there to witness your civil nuptials. Otherwise, Mommy would’ve contested that this was all a scheme again.”

She gulped and shoved her hands inside the pocket of her dress. At the back of her mind played the memory of signing the marriage contract in front of an officiant with Sander’s parents acting as witnesses of the union. Her mouth twitched as suspicions and worries engulfed her senses.

“Let’s go. The tea might get cold, and Sandra doesn’t really like waiting, so we should get going before the lioness roars.” She chuckled and lifted Snowflake from her arms before walking up to the door.

“A-Ah, sure. I’ll just ring Sander up to tell him about the dinner.”

“Okay.”

The red-haired lady immediately pulled the phone from her pocket as soon as Patricia stepped out of the room. In rhythm with her heavy and anxious breaths, her fingers trembled while scrolling through the screen and trying to locate her fake husband’s number. When she spotted his name, she pressed the call button right away.

“Missed me already?”

She heaved a deep breath, irked upon hearing his teasing voice. “Scram here as soon as you can, you little scum.”

“I missed you, too?” His sarcastic snort could be heard from the other end of the line. “I’ll be there in a bit, feisty one. Sandra already texted me about the dinner.”

“Apart from that, you have some explaining to do.”

"About what?"

By shutting her eyes for a little while, she was able to stop herself from interrogating him over the phone. There was no doubt he'd give vague answers again like what he always did whenever she’d ask about his family.

“Just come here as fast as you can before I storm out of this witch castle and find you myself.”

Those were the last words she could mutter calmly before ending the call without any warning. She heaved a long sigh while tapping the screen of her phone and glancing back at Sander’s room. Her brows drew closer as the structure of her tiny face tightened.

Her eyes unknowingly lingered toward the picture frame placed on top of the nightstand. It was Sandra cradling the toddler version of the Mortel Malls President. There was something eerie about how the esteemed madam held and stared at her son like a trophy worth its weight in gold.

“Primrose?” Her deep thoughts were interrupted by Patricia’s thin voice. When she shifted her gaze toward the lady, that’s when she realized that the woman went back to fetch her. “Are you alright? You don’t look well.”

She shook her head lightly and pressed her lips into a small smile. “I’m fine, no worries. Maybe it’s the weather.”

Primrose remained in a daze despite being the center of the conversation amid their afternoon tea drinking session. It was a relief that Patricia was there to salvage her crumbling sanity and announced that she wasn’t feeling well.

After that, the conversation naturally shifted elsewhere. While her mind was busy concocting queries she’d ask Sander later, the elderly women talked about all the little things they could shame in this world — like Aerith’s day job in the customer service industry. Before she knew it, they’re already at the dinner table being served with a butternut squash ravioli beautifully placed on a porcelain plate.

“Is he on his way?” Margot asked amid the meal. She wasn’t meeting her gaze and continued to dig in, but the lady seated across the table immediately knew that the elder was referring to her. “He should come and take you home immediately after dinner. Seeing that he sent you here despite not feeling well today, he should be more considerate and attentive about your condition.”

“I-It’s okay, Madam — ”

“Margot is fine, my dear. You’re part of the family, no need for formalities.”

She cleared her throat and slowly nodded, “It’s okay, Margot. He’s a bit busy with work. After all, his pioneer team is opening three major bookstore branches this week.”

“Ah, that useless venture.” It was a faint whisper, but she heard Sandra loud and clear. When their eyes met, she only beamed at her as if feigning ignorance. “Anyway, are you free tomorrow?”

Primrose took a tiny bite from the plate in front of her before tossing an intentional apathetic stare at the inquiring dame. For some reason, that commanding tone brought her a tinge of displeasure.

“Unfortunately, I have an appointment in the morning.” She rubbed the back of her neck, trying not to sound annoyed despite the fact that she reached the limit of her tolerance today. “Some clients will visit my studio to look at the paintings, so I may need to accompany them through lunchtime.”

“Oh, that’s great.” Patricia suddenly clapped her hands in the air and patted her lap lightly. Upon tilting her head to look at her, the late tycoon’s youngest daughter pursed a small smile. “I saw an article about the exhibit you participated in. Apparently, you were one of the most promising painters featured there. Congratulations, your pieces looked exquisite.”

“Thank you, Patricia. I’m humbled with your praise.”

“That’s great and all, but — ” Margot’s sudden intrusion dispels the warm atmosphere between them. “You should focus more on what’s important, Primrose. I suppose it’s good that you have a hobby, but building a family — ”

“A career,” she immediately corrected her. Everyone at the table froze. Not a single soul dared to move or make any sound. But, on the other hand, Primrose remained calm and courageously exchanged glances with the elder. “I’m a painter, and that’s my career. I would appreciate it greatly if you’d address it like that, Margot. If you don’t mind.”

There was a long moment of silence before Margot’s face brightened. As if cued by the director, Sandra and Patricia faked a laugh in unison. She almost rolled her eyes, baffled at their effort to please the woman.

“Of course. I apologize if that offended you, dear.”

“Not at all,” she casually went back to eating. The tip of her mouth raised as triumph engulfed her senses. “I’m used to hearing that, so I always make sure to clarify my position about my chosen career path.”

“Anyway,” Sandra snatched the conversation away at a speed of light before Margot could even open her mouth once again. “How about after lunch? I’m sure you can make time. We can just make a quick visit to the OB — ”

“No need for that, Ma.” It was Sander, emerging from the doorstep and walking toward Margot. Upon reaching his grandmother’s seat, he leaned closer to bestow a cheek-to-cheek greeting. The dashing man did the same to his aunt and mother before pulling a chair out and sitting beside his fake wife. “Rosey and I will take care of that. It’s a matter we must settle as husband and wife, not something to add to your worries.”

He reached for Primrose’s hand above the table. Despite her sharp gaze, the Mortel Malls President smirked at her and winked. The sight only made her more irritated, so she decided to nod and shift her attention back to her meal.

“How’s work?” Patricia glanced at the giant sun-shaped wall clock at the corner. “You seem a bit busy these days. It’s good that you were able to join us for dinner.”

“Yes, but it doesn’t matter. I’m a family man now. I have to at least make time to be attentive with my wife’s condition.” He exclaimed nonchalantly as if he was there when Margot pointed the exact words out.

The unmistakable look on his face quickly led the vexed lady into playing her part of the act. Her gaze twinkled a silent warning, but her mouth slowly shaped into a wide smile.

“Don’t worry about me, darling. I’m fine. You should focus more on work.”

“That’s right. We’re here to accompany Primrose if ever she needs help.” Sandra agreed.

“No, Ma. It’s okay. We have to get used to doing everything together. After all, we’re going to New Caledonia soon.”

“Speaking of that,” Margot picked the napkin from her lap and dabbed the cloth to wipe the corners of her mouth. “How long do you plan to spend your honeymoon in New Caledonia, Sander?”

Both of them automatically gaped at each other. The man released her hand before arching an eyebrow, a signal that he wanted to handle the matter himself without her help. She shrugged her shoulder and heaved a quick sigh.

“Nana, there seems to be a misunderstanding. Didn’t Dad tell you?”

“Tell me what?”

Sander licked his lips and interlaced his fingers in front of him. “Primrose and I will migrate to New Caledonia. We’ll settle there and hopefully build a family.”

“Waddles — ”

“Don’t call me that,” he firmly stated.

“Sander,” unlike Sandra’s usual fierce demeanor, there was the softness in her visage while staring at her son. “You can’t be serious about this. There’s no way you can settle in New Caledonia when you’re managing the business.”

“Dad and I already reached an agreement,” the man adorned in a navy blue casual suit announced with no hint of backing down. “Expanding our business there won’t be a problem since I have dual citizenship perks having been born on that island. We’re also processing Rosey’s papers, so there’ll be no further issues.”

“No, I mean, who’s going to manage the business here? You know we mainly operate in this city, son. There’s no way you can handle business affairs while in a faraway land.”

“That’s why we decided to let Sydney handle things here while I handle our European branches. Surely, she’ll do just fine. You saw how she handled her chain of resto-bar with Lowell Sebastian, right?”

“That’s too far-fetched. Running a few restaurants isn't the same as handling chains of malls and other establishments. Poor girl isn’t a cut for that. Her passion is music.”

For the first time today, Primrose saw how Sander’s face slowly lost its radiance. He was clenching his jaw and giving Sandra a glassy stare. Although the red-haired lady didn’t expect him to be this worn out, it’s giving her an impression that the man greatly cared for his little sister.

“You know how Sydney succeeds in everything she does even without your support, right?” The pitch of his voice was low, delivering a darker tune. “In fact, she’s more capable than I am if we’re given the same opportunities.”

“Sander.” This time, it was Patricia trying to put a stop to the rising tension. “Let’s not talk about things like these at the dinner table. Let’s at least respect the food served in front of us.”

“Respect. As if anyone in this family has that.” Aerith commented out of the blue, letting her presence be known from the far side of the long dinner table.

“Enough,” Margot slammed her wrinkled palms on the tabletop as her gaze remained glued in Sander’s direction. Her eyes were blazing with rage that even Primrose could tell how this scenario would eventually end. “You’re an ungrateful child.”

After that firm statement, she stormed out of the room. All that’s left in there was cold food and eerie silence. From the corner of her eyes, she saw how the man seated beside her tried to avert his gaze toward her and pursed a bitter smile.

“Shall we go? Are you done eating?” It wasn’t a question but a signal that they need to get out of the witch castle now.

She held out her hand, which he immediately accepted. Then, upon rising from her seat, she slightly bowed her head to give respect to everyone at the dinner table before meeting Sandra’s gaze.

“We’ll go now, Ma. Thank you for the warm welcome. You too, Patricia.”

“Have a safe trip home,” Patricia managed to say despite being wary of Sandra’s expression. “Hurry along. The traffic’s a bit bad since it’s Friday.”

They left the Victorian-themed three-story home while walking hand-in-hand. Even during the car ride, not one of them opened their mouth to talk about the events that had just occurred inside the Mortel residence.

“What do you want to talk about?” Sander finally broke the ongoing silence as he manned the steering wheel. “You said you have something you need to clarify with me.”

“Ah, that.” She stared down her lap where her hands were neatly placed above her knee as she felt her quickening pulse in her throat. “About the marriage contract, it’s real, isn’t it?”

“Rosey.”

“Stop the car,” she commanded, facing the window.

“Let me explain first,” the man was trying to bestow quick glances at her while managing to drive. It was obvious he didn’t want to upset her more.

“Not now, Sander. I’m beyond annoyed, and being in the same car as you isn’t what I want to do right now.” When she finally shot him an angry stare, his tightening jaw softened. “Stop the car now, or I’ll jump out.”