I gave Abby a quick glance and immediately knew that I was right, so she approached with flushed cheeks, clearly angry, and brought her ear to my phone to listen to what the man on the other side was saying.
-Mr. Lancaster. I hope your sudden call is to inform me that you have already signed the divorce papers.- I said coldly, trying to stay strong, although my hand began to tremble slightly. Abby noticed it and placed her hand on my back to encourage me and calm my nerves.
Be strong, Sarah, don't let that idiot's call affect you.
He was only calling to clear his name, but that wouldn't be so easy for him. He should have thought about it before authorizing his mother to use NY Entertainment to harm me.
Mrs. Amelia had no limits. All she ever wanted was for me to separate from her son, and I did. What more did she want from me?
-I have already signed them, Ms. Petit. However, the reason for my call is not precisely for that, but because of the recent news in which we have been involved. Do you think you have a few minutes to talk and clarify the wave of rumors?- I arched my eyebrow and internally let out a bitter laugh.
Abby signaled me to refuse emphatically to his request and I smirked.
-I don't have time to talk at the moment. I have a very busy schedule, as you can understand.- I replied reluctantly, ready to end the call at any moment.
Mainly because my parents were approaching and I didn't want them to know I was talking to the man who destroyed me. They hadn't noticed that I was on the phone because they were immersed in a conversation, which relieved me a little, giving me a few seconds to finish listening to what Mr. Lancaster had to say.
-I won't take up much of your busy schedule.- He insisted after releasing a tired sigh. I rolled my eyes and he continued speaking just as I was about to respond. -Tell me the time, and I will call you back.-
-I'm afraid that won't be possible. If what you want is to lower the rating of Rousell Entertainment, where your reputation is affected, you should have thought about it before contacting NY Entertainment to defame me in such a way.- My voice was firm and without a hint of nervousness. I was impressed with how confidently I was speaking, making it clear that he was not talking to the submissive Sarah he was married to.
-If it is true that NY Entertainment is associated with Lancaster Collection, it was not me who was responsible for this. I have already reprimanded them for the published articles.- I realized that I was giving him the time he asked for to talk to me, so I opened my mouth ready to end this conversation here; I didn't plan on giving him any importance or my valuable time to this shameless man.
-Mr. Lancaster, I'm not interested in knowing more. The damage has already been done, my reputation is tarnished, and even if you are not responsible, you are partly to blame. After all, they won't speak of Sarah Petit, but of Mr. Lancaster's ex-wife. Have a pleasant day.- I finished the call with a victorious smile on my face, leaving him speechless.
I knew that would infuriate him. He hated it when people left him talking alone, and that gave me satisfaction.
-That's my friend! Brilliant! Let him know who's in charge now!- My friend celebrated with an excited expression on her face and raised her hand for a high-five.
-Who are you going to yell at?- My mother asked, amused, catching on to my friend's good mood.
I froze when I realized my parents were there and quickly put my phone in my purse as if nothing had happened.
-Uh,well...- Abby got nervous at my mother's question but quickly recovered not to expose me. Because even though I didn’t say a word, she knew I preferred to hide the call from that man.
-To my brother, I just remembered that he hid my keys. You'll see what will happen to Paul! How dare he play such a prank on his younger sister?-
I let out a laugh at my friend's ability to come up with such unbelievable excuses.
-He needs a girlfriend. Sarah, since you're available, do me the favor of marrying him. It will take a huge weight off my shoulders.-
My laughter disappeared and was replaced by a cough that was followed by my father, who didn't make an effort to hide the surprise in Abby's direct words.
-I like Paul, but it's a decision that only Sarah can make. Abby, don't try to force your brother onto Sarah!- My mother said amused, unable to help laughing at my friend's remarks.
-I never want to get married again!- I said between laughter, joining in the good humor of my mother and friend, taking Paul's situation as a joke.
-I don't hate the idea.- When I heard that deep, masculine voice behind me, my body trembled and my laughter disappeared.
Heat rose to my cheeks and I didn't dare turn around to face the man I had just snubbed. God, I was so embarrassed.
-Brother! It's great that you're here! Wouldn't Sarah be so happy if she married you?- My friend's impudence made my entire face turn red. Was she my friend or my nemesis?
Abby hooked her arm with her brother's and I had to regain my composure so he wouldn't notice that I was dying of embarrassment. His eyes met mine and I couldn't help but give him a quick up and down glance. He was dressed in a tailor-made gray suit, his white shirt was impeccable and wrinkle-free, and the black tie with gray lines was a good match.
His brown hair was neatly combed back and his stubble made him incredibly handsome.
-Miss Dubois- My father scolded her just by saying her name and looking at her disapprovingly. However, Paul laughed as if what his sister had said hadn't been uncomfortable enough for everyone, especially for him and me.
-I apologize, Mr. Dubois, it's a pleasure to have you here representing your family.- My father said with a calm voice and shook hands with Paul, who only looked away from me when he saw my father approaching him.
-Mr. and Mrs. Doinel, it's an honor for me to work in the company that my parents cherish. I'm sure we will achieve great things, especially with a vice president like Sarah.- Paul took the liberty of also greeting my mother, who looked at him with a smile on her face and I knew what she was thinking.
He was the man she wanted for me, even though she didn't say it. So respectful, educated, with principles and values, from a rooted family, and he was also the son of their best friends.
-Young Paul, I'm glad to see you here.- My mother said with a smile that widened when Paul kissed the back of her hand like a true gentleman.
I didn't know if he was pretending to be extremely polite, but my parents were amazed by him and his good manners. I straightened my neck when I saw Paul turning to me after greeting my parents.
In a way, I felt a bit upset with him for the news that was spread about us, even though it was not his fault. I should rather apologize to him for involving him in this scandal, but it was inevitable.
-Sarah, you look great as an executive.- He took my hand, and although I was initially stiff from his touch, I let his long fingers take hold of mine and looked away when he kissed the back of my hand, which made me feel really uncomfortable.
Okay, a simple "hello" would've been enough. He didn't have to be so chivalrous when the day before he had greeted me with a hug that the social media misinterpreted.
-Thank you very much, Paul.- I responded simply and without too many adornments. The last thing I wanted was for our affectionate interaction to be misinterpreted, especially now that we would be working together.
He let go of my hand very carefully, as if it were made of porcelain and he was afraid it would break. Then he smiled at me somewhat slyly with a sparkle in his eyes that made me shiver.
It was the same sparkle he had had since he first saw me at the banquet, the same look he held throughout the night.