Chapter 15 Who Said We’re Having a Secret Marriage?

• “Um, Mr. Emerson, I believe you know what I mean. We’re both adults, so there’s really no need to lay things out. Don’t you feel that our interaction is rather... awkward? That’s why I think it’s best we live apart. Plus, this is a secret marriage. There is no good reason for us to live under the same roof,” Keira blurted out because the truth was that she wasn’t used to living with strangers.
• Although Tyler did not say a thing, his expression obviously fell when she rejected him.
• A group of people walked in their direction from the entrance out of nowhere.
• One of the men casually looked around and accidentally spotted Keira. The expression in his eyes hardened as he whispered something to his companions before marching over in steady steps.
• From her seat, Keira looked flustered when she saw it was Jonathan walking up to her. She secretly clenched her fists and her face was burning from shame.
• Although Tyler had noticed the change in her, he did not ask any question. Since he was seated with his back to Jonathan, he did not see her haughty ex marching up to her.
• Keira’s head went numb from Jonathan’s terrifying gaze. She sat there like a trapped mouse, looking flustered and lost.
• When he finally stood close enough to her table, he glared at her with annoyance. “Keira Whitlaw! Didn’t I warn you not to show up in front of me if you have any ounce of dignity left in you? You should have vanished from my eyes and from the surface of the earth!” His hostile voice boomed in her ears and he stared straight into her eyes with a look that could kill.
• His arrogance was mind-boggling, as though he had the right to ask Keira to get out of his way.
• When he was speaking to her, he did not bother to acknowledge the man who was dining with her. His self-centered behavior was suffocating to deal with.
• At this moment, he was standing diagonally across Keira and he did not have a full view of her male companion’s face from his position.
• Although she was quiet in the face of Jonathan’s attack, her cheeks were the hue of beetroot red. She bit hard on her gum until it was going to bleed.
• Soon, Tyler turned around to face Jonathan and stood up with a smirk. “This is my first time coming across a man who’s more imposing than me! However, the same cannot be said about your ignorance. Hello, I am Keira’s husband, Tyler Emerson. No matter what has happened between the two of you in the past, as shameless as you are, you need to know your boundaries.”
• With a witty but graceful remark, he mercilessly annihilated Jonathan. After that, he beamed lovingly at Keira. “Keira, let’s leave now!”
• Tyler moved toward Keira in a chivalrous move and took her hand as she shot him a bewildered look. The next moment, he pulled her into his arms and led her away from the table to exit Blue Rose Restaurant while they brushed shoulders with the ashen-faced Jonathan.
• After they were gone, Jonathan stood frozen on the spot with a menacing expression on his face. “That’s Tyler Emerson of Emerson International...” His eyes were dripping with spite as he hissed through gritted teeth.
• He thought to himself, I was right about Keira Whitlaw! She’s totally a slut! How long has it been since I canceled our marriage? Here she is, already getting hitched to a richer man!
• An incensed Jonathan felt his entire body burning in fury. He did not bother to rejoin his group of acquaintances for lunch and hurried out of the restaurant without a word.
• On the other hand, Tyler led Keira into his car that was parked on the street outside the restaurant. From his observation, he could feel the intensity of the grievances that were simmering in her.
• “What’s your relationship with him?” Pretending like he was clueless, he questioned her for the first time, his eyes shining with an unreadable but bewitching gleam.
• Under his imposing gaze, she frowned and demanded, “Didn’t we agree to a secret marriage?”
• To her great surprise, he reacted as though he heard a funny joke. He looked at her in amusement and responded, “Who told you that we are doing a secret marriage?”
• All of a sudden, Tyler rose partially from the driver’s seat and inched closer to the front passenger seat.
• “Wh-What are you doing?” Keira’s eyes widened in fear, for she had not expected the aloof gentleman to turn into a beast in the snap of a finger. God, what is going on?
• “What am I doing? You will know soon.” He smiled at her and swiftly reached out with a hand, to which she responded by closing her eyes in terror.
• Before Keira could scream, his hands glided across her arms to grab the seat belt and secure it over her.
• While staring at her shivering body, Tyler smiled and joked, “I’m helping you to wear the seat belt. Why did you look frightened? You’re quite amusing sometimes.”
• She slowly opened her eyes and looked at him in speechlessness. At that moment, she did not know what to reply to him and she had a feeling that he had done that action to muck around with her.
• Tyler then started the car to drive them into the unknown.
• Keira’s face was as pale, as if she saw a ghost. Maybe it was because she hadn’t recovered from his childish trick. When she finally noticed the unfamiliar scenery on the streets, she spun around to stare at him.
• “Are you driving down the wrong way? We are not going in the direction of my house.” She glanced at him again and for some unknown reason, her heart was beating like a drum.
• She was mainly dreading about giving herself to him, for she had not mentally prepared herself for that level of intimacy.
• Tyler looked at her sideways and continued driving around stoically. Her demeanor looked dramatic in contrast to his calmness.
• Keira helplessly looked on as the car rolled toward the unknown destination. More trees gradually appeared on both sides of the streets and she guessed that they must have entered the suburbs.
• Her eyes narrowed as she fought with him. “Stop driving! I want to go home.”
• With a faint smile, he stole a look at her and sneered. “Young lady, are you still a baby?”
• “Um...” Keira was dumbfounded by his remark.
• Then, Tyler’s airy voice was heard again. “Have you forgotten about our marriage? I’m now bringing you to our new home so that you can familiarize yourself with the environment.”
• This time, she was truly speechless at his decision. Apparently, one could not run away and hide from certain important events in life.
• His car cruised all the way to the center of the wilderness where a clearing appeared before their surroundings brightened again. He had driven the car right into the garage of Azure Villa.
• After he parked the car, he alighted from the car and looked at the hesitant Keira, who was still firmly seated in the car seat.
• Tyler coolly said, “We’ve arrived. Why are you still in the car? Do you need a red-carpet treatment?”
• With that, he left her alone and entered through the main door alone.