Page 42 of Beyond Expectations
“Wait, Rhett, what’s going on?”
“No. Stop. First, we are not and never will be engaged. Secondly, how messed up is this? What the fuck is wrong with you? We are not together. Yet, you busy yourself with my family and chase me down on some haphazard pursuit of what? And what is this whole thing about an announcement from my parents? I know even they would not try to announce an engagement I am not having. So, what is it? Has something happened?”
Verity looked away, which infuriated me more.
Frantically, I grabbed my phone out of my back pocket to call Serena. Only then did I realize I didn’t have her number.
“Fuck!”
I ignored the outraged looks of the passersby.
“I don’t know why your parents have asked for this dinner. I don’t know what is going on. They are, after all, your family, remember?” Verity lamented.
“So why did you say they were announcing our engagement? Where did you pluck that from?”
I was doing everything I could to speak calmly to her, and that was becoming a fruitless task as she seemed to grate on me more with every passing moment.
“You know how our families would love to see this union happen. I know we shelved things after college, but you were young and immature and needed to let loose a bit and get that single-life mentality out of your system, which you have. Your mother and I…”
“Don’t bring my mother into this.”
“I was led to believe that an engagement was what we were all working towards, and it was suggested you simply needed a little push.”
“Are you kidding me right now? Verity, I know I’m a busy man, but don’t you think I would want to be in an actual relationship first if I were to get engaged? It is my life. Not my mother’s. Not yours. Not your family’s. I decide what I want, how, and when I want it. Do I make myself clear?”
I looked her square in the eyes, and it was no surprise that she looked away, pouting, and started playing with her hair.
I had no idea where to find Serena. I knew her father’s shop was closed as it was Sunday, and I had no idea where her family lived, so until I could get hold of her, my best bet was to reach her back in the city. Knowing there was no way to get there, I knew I needed to leave. My hands were shaking with anger. I couldn’t believe that, once again, my family had interfered where they weren’t welcome. I heard her heels clicking along the tiled floor, following me as I walked towards the elevator.
Hitting the call button, I turn around. “Verity, you are not following me upstairs. I will shower, pack my bag, check out, and then go to my parents’ house. I think it would be best if you returned home now.”
I didn’t want to see her. I needed to get away from her.
“I can’t. I had a driver bring me here, and it wasn’t for a return trip as I thought you would be driving us both back.”
She had planned this whole goddamn thing.
“Fine, wait here, and I’ll give you a lift.”
Right on cue, the doors opened, and I stepped into the awaiting car. Waiting for the doors to close, I could feel myself losing self-control. When the doors finally closed, I let go—slamming my fist into the metal door. Despite the hard contact, I couldn’t even feel the pain in my knuckles over the pain I saw etched in Serena’s eyes.
I stared at the dent I made in the door as the car stopped at my floor. I needed to speak to her. I needed her to know this was all a genuine big mistake.
Despite it being a Sunday, I dialed Charlotte’s cell.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Chambers. Is everything okay?”
“Sorry to disturb your weekend, but I need you to get me Serena Parker’s personal cell number. Not her work extension. And I need it immediately. It’s an urgent matter.”
I knew it seemed dramatic, but I couldn’t wait. I needed to speak to her, see her, touch her skin, and fix this colossal fuck up.
Chapter 12
Rhett
Hours later, I pulled into the long, winding driveway of my parents’ estate. As always, I was greeted by my mother as if I were an adolescent.
“Oh, Rhett, darling, I’m so glad you could come. Ah, Verity, I’m glad you were able to bring him. What would I do without you?”
