Marriage by Law (36 page)

"Can we get it?"

"You want a dog?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because it's a dog." Should there be a reason to get a dog?

Darius put his foot down. "No."

"Why?" I asked, frowning and looking back at the cute baby. It would be fun if we have a dog. I can take it for walks and it would keep me company since Darius is always away on business trips. Rose would surely love to visit. In fact, I think she would always be at my place to play with the dog.

"I don't think you can take care of a dog."

I huffed, standing up. "I can, too," and then regretted saying it. That just made me seem even more immature. Darius shook his head with finality, placing a hand on my back and gently steering me away from the store. "We can talk about it later."

I smiled. Was that his way of saying yes?

Instead of going home, we decided to look around the place a bit more. Adrian wanted to buy a new outfit for tonight and I stopped myself from rolling my eyes at him. He was more of a girl than me.

"Are you going to get something?" asked Darius as we waited for Adrian to step out.

"I have a dress," I said with a shake of my head. There was no point shopping for more clothes here when I have brought some with me. Might as well wear the one I brought. The stall opened and Adrian stepped out, posing.

"How do I look? Ravishing?"

My jaw dropped and Darius grimaced as we took him in. Dressed in blue, white and yellow checks, the two-piece suit looked absolutely disgusting. 

"I think I'll buy it," Adrian announced as he straightened the jacket. He looked in the mirror. The funny thing was, he looked like an idiot, but he pulled it off. 

"Why don't you get the first one?" I suggested, referring to the plain grey suit with a checkered collar. I didn't like it, but it was the best of all the ten he tried on.

"No, this one brings out my eyes. What do you think,
 
Dairy,
" he mocked. 

"Buy it."

I looked between the two who were having a mini stare down and groaned. Men. They acted like kids.

"Do whatever," I said. A happy Adrian is better than an annoying and persistent one. 

I leaned against Darius as we waited for Adrian to buy the suit. "He's coming to the party tonight, right?" I shifted on my feet, feeling tired and my feet aching.

"Sadly. Should we head back?"

I nodded. Maybe I can fit in a short nap before the party. The thought of sleeping in a warm bed made me race out of the store. We walked back the pet store and I faltered in my step when I saw the big bold "
Sold"
 
sign against the window.

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

I waited in the room, walking up and down, for Darius to finish getting ready so we can leave. I caught my reflection in the mirror and paused. I wore the white dress. It was long and I wore matching cream heels that the dress covered. 

So no one can really tell me off for not having matching shoes. I had placed my hair up in an elegant bun that took me more than half an hour to do and the pain in my upper arms was still there from holding still in a position for a long time.

The dress complimented my tan complexion, but what irritated me were the strings at the back that dug into my skin. Though it made my back look hot, it was uncomfortable. It felt like rough rope scratching against my skin. 

"Alright, I'm ready!" The room door burst open and Adrian sauntered in. He paused, doing a double take and giving me a wolf whistle.

"Why do you have a key to our room?" I asked, seeing the gold card in his hand. He just shrugged and walked over and pushed me away from the mirror and fixed his hair, ruffling it. He wore the checkered suit he bought before and I tried not to tell him how he really looked when he asked.

"Because I am charming and everyone wants me in their bedrooms," he said, spraying himself with the cologne on the dressing table. I looked in the mirror as the bathroom door opened and Darius walked out, trying to fix his tie. 

"Just give me a – Oh, you came," he said, seeing Adrian join us. Adrian turned around nodding as he sprayed the air and walked under the mist. "I will smell and look fabulous."  

Darius shook his head in frustration as he pulled the tie away, about to throw it away.

"Wait, I'll do it," I said, grabbing it from him.

"You know how to do ties?"

"Of course. Clearly you can't," I teased him as I put the tie around his neck. He scoffed with a shrug and I sighed. "Who does your ties?"

"Marge."

Of course. I should have known that a businessman as successful as him can't even do a proper tie. I looped the tie across as I felt him stare at me. I could hear Adrian in the background saying something as I pulled the tie across the other way.

Darius was wearing a black fitted suit that made him look sinful. It fitted perfectly across his shoulders. He wore a crisp white shirt that was tucked underneath and the white tie that seemed like it had velvet patterns on it.

"Done," I said, looking up.

"Your hair is up."

"Yep," I said, tightening the tie and fixing his collar. He raised a finger, pushing a stand of my hair away, and Adrian chose that moment to clear his throat, loudly.

"If you two are done making babies, can we go? We'll be late."

I looked over my shoulder and gave him a dirty look. Way to ruin the moment. No one even asked you in, you little piece of – I shook my head. No, calm down.

"Whatever," I muttered, grabbing my jacket off the bed. "I'm bringing it." I showed it to Darius who laughed.

"You don't need it. Leave it," he said.

I pulled it on, ignoring him. "And then freeze to death and listen to you say, 'should have brought a jacket’?” Not a chance," I said, buttoning it up. Rather be safe than sorry. 

The three of us made our way downstairs where Jesse was waiting with the limousine. I smiled at him as he got in with us, talking to Darius, and I looked out the window while Adrian did whatever he was doing on his phone. 

The ride to the pier was short and I was glad I brought a jacket. It was freezing by the time we got out and walked toward the massive white ship that was decorated with lights. It looked spectacular. 

"You guys have fun. I'll be back soon"

I waved a hand as Darius walked off toward the other side of the boat where more men dressed in suits were standing around. I followed Adrian to the music. 

"Whoa," I said as I looked around. It was like this was a whole new area from where Darius went off to. That one looked all business while this one looked like I stepped into some high school graduation party.

"Ever been to a party before?"

I looked at Adrian, offended. "Are you kidding? I got suspended five times because of it. I am the definition of party." I felt like seventeen again. He raised his eyebrow and nodded toward a table and I looked over. Jenga? Game on.

"You lie."

"No. I fly," said Adrian, pushing another glass toward me. I groaned, placing my forehead on the table. Who knew drunk jenga was this hard. The whole game was the same as jenga, but every time it fell, you took a shot. And I had lost how many shots I've taken.

"I thought you were quite the party girl. Drunk already?"

I scoffed, waving a hand but nearly falling backward. I was out of practice. I grabbed the plastic cup, refusing to lose, and took the cranberry vodka shot, shuddering. I hated vodka. Give me cocktails and I would down them. Vodka? Let me throw them down on you.

"Y –" I coughed, hiccupping. "Your turn." I was already feeling cold. Where was my jacket? I squinted and looked around. Wait, there was a crowd? Was that money being bet on us? The only thing I could focus on was Adrian's checkered suit. It looked sober compared to everyone else and myself here. 

"I got this," he declared as he leaned over the table. The jenga tower was getting big and out of hand fast. It was ‘let the best engineer win’. But neither of us did engineering, so it was ‘the best luck wins’.

"Ta-da," Adrian announced, with his arms outstretched.

I sighed. Damn, he was good. He was drunk and good. 

"Your turn, Silver."

"I am Aluminium," I corrected him while looking at the tower.

"But silver is more expensive. Are you calling yourself cheap?" 

I glared at Adrian across the table. "Well, my metal has chemical components that allow me to bend the easiest, unlike silver which is a large chunk. I am very good at conducting electricity."

"What?" Adrian looked absolutely confused. I shrugged. I was sure I just made up everything I just told him. I looked at the tower and randomly picked a block, pulling it and wincing as the tower fell. There were boos and screams from the crowd before another shot was pushed toward me and people started going back to the dance floor.

I was feeling sick. "Do I have to?"

"Yes. This is the last one. Darius is going to kill me if he finds us drunk."

I grabbed the blue shot and closed my eyes as I swallowed it. I pulled a face, chucking the glass back on the table.

"Well, we're not 
technically
 
drunk. Let's hide," I said, grabbing Adrian’s hand and turning around only to smack straight into the pole. He burst out laughing and I walked around it toward the bright lights. Such light, much blind, so bright. It’s a saying so I’d like to keep that saying, if that’s okay. 

"Aluminium!"

I stopped, suddenly feeling my head sway. I turned around looking at Adrian. "Yes, Adrenaline?" I called as he caught up, laughing.

"I think we had too much."

I scoffed and waved a hand. I turned around just as one of the white doors opened. Did they really open or was I seeing things? "Can you see that?" I asked Adrian, squinting as some men walked out. Was that Darius?

Adrian swore, straightening up and placing an arm on my shoulder to pull me upright. "Hey," I protested. I liked my head on the railing.

"Shhh," he said. I gave him a confused look before turning around to see Darius walking toward us. I giggled. Darius tugged at his tie, ruining my perfect skills, and loosed it, looking irritated till he saw us.