After My Death, My Husband Who Threw Me Into the Hunting Grounds Went Insane novel Chapter 112

AUDREY

Gabriel was outside the entire afternoon, and after the meeting with the designers, my desk was full of paperwork. It was pretty exhausting, in a good sense. It meant I was officially the CEO's assistant, and the employees trusted me, and I was in-charged whenever he was not in the office.

Jacey stopped by my desk five minutes before I shut my computer down. I was only waiting for Gabriel now to return to fetch me for dinner. I hadn't told him about Coulson's invitation yet.

"I'm really sorry, Audrey, but your signature is just as important as Mr. Stark's, and I might need you to sign this really fast." She placed the documents in front of me. It was the HR's file for the upcoming sports fest on Saturday, as they were primarily in-charge of arranging it and that they needed my approval.

Honestly, my eyeballs felt like they were falling off their socket from staring at too many numbers, designs, and documents the entire day. 

"Is this urgent?"

"Collins needs it tomorrow at nine."

I nodded. "I'll have it ready at nine then."

She sighed in relief. "Thank you. You're my savior Audrey."

Coulson suddenly appeared in my cubicle. "Audrey? Why are you still here? Aren't you supposed to get ready?"

I looked up at him and showed him my desk, which had no more space. "I couldn't."

Jacey looked back and forth from me to Coulson in a clear wonder. I cleared my throat. "But Mr. Stark's supposed to be back at eight. I'm waiting for him."

"I'll call him on the way, Audrey. He can go straight to the Hamptons. Get up there and be ready."

My jaw dropped. "Wait. Hamptons? Is that where we're going?" But that's on the other side of New York. I didn't know we'd be driving that far. 

"Yep."

"This is too sudden, Coulson. I have nothing to wear," I said.

"Don't worry about that. I'll take care of it," he assured. "I'll be in the car." Coulson winked at me, then marched out. 

A meaningful smile appeared on Jacey's face. "I know there's something new about you. You ditched us this afternoon."

I gazed up at her and shrugged. "I stayed here."

"Yes!" she hissed, and she bent over and whispered. "Are you going out with Mr. Stark?"

My eyes widened. Did Chelsea tell her? I swallowed dryly. "It's not what you think."

"Then why is he inviting you to his house with his brother just now?"

I frowned. "What?"

"Oh, come on. Spill it. Are you dating Coulson Stark?"

"What?" I yelped but instantly caught my mouth. "What are you talking about? I'm not dating Coulson."

"Aha! You called him ‘Coulson' just now." She grinned, pointing her finger at me. "We all know we don't call the bosses by their first names."

My shoulders fell. "Your imagination is really wild. I was invited to his parents' anniversary dinner, Jacey."

"And you're meeting the parents already? Now that's serious." She crossed her arms.

I finally stood up before the conversation went somewhere and picked up my purse. "You're freaking speaking too loud. Somebody might hear you!" I hissed.

She laughed. "And you're not even denying. Do you know that?"

During our employment in Stark Apparel, Jacey and I had become close. Still, I couldn't tell her anything too private just yet because I knew very well that she could be very curious about things going on around her, and she's very fond of talking about everyone's love life. She also worked for HR. No one in that department should know I was dating the boss. 

"I told you, I'm not dating Coulson Stark!" 

"Aw. Fine. Okay!" She giggled. "But isn't he so gorgeous? Please don't tell me you didn't notice it too?"

I rolled my eyes. "Maybe you're the one interested in him."

"Nah. I won't date anyone my friend likes."

I heaved a sharp exhale. "But really not, Jacey!"

"Whatever you say." She grinned. "Good night, Audrey. I'm out too. These past days have been exhausting."

"For once, at least you said something I can agree on. Yes, it's pretty tiring. I could only breathe whenever I was peeing." I sighed. "Good night, Jacey."

She waved her hand at me, and she disappeared to the elevator while I retouched my makeup in the restroom first.

Coulson was already dressed in an impeccable gray Brioni tuxedo, standing next to his sleek, white Ferarri 458. I was right, after all. I was not dressed for the occasion. Why did he want to invite me, anyway?

"Coulson!" I called, catching my breath. 

"Are you running?" An amused smile flashed across his face. 

"You… you were waiting, and you said we were late," I paused. "How about Gabriel?"

"I already spoke to him and agreed. He's said he's calling you, but you're not answering."

"Oh really?" I dug out my phone from my purse and found five missed calls from Gabriel. I didn't notice as I forgot to turn off the silent mode.

"And we're stopping at our store near the area so you can change. I already had the staff arrange an outfit for you." He studied me. "You don't mind blue, right? I think it would suit you."

"Whatever is fine, but not this," I said, referring to my pencil skirt and floral blouse.

As promised, Coulson brought me to one of the Stark Apparel stores in Manhattan, and the dress was already provided when we came. It was a royal blue haltered, backless, long dress with a slit at my right leg up to half of my thigh. They even gave me a pair of sapphire earring studs with white, small gemstones around them.  

"It's beautiful, Coulson," I remarked.

"Gabriel had it prepared for you. He said it'd match your eyes. I guess he's right." He commented, looking right back at me in the mirror. Are you ready?"

I chuckled at my evening look tonight. It was beautiful. "I'm nervous, but yes, I'm ready."

***

The Stark's mansion in the Hamptons was a three-story private residence on an oceanfront. The house was obviously new, as the landscape was appealingly modern. The surfaces were white with graphite walls, had a garden, a pool, and anyone could see into the house from the distance, and the party didn't seem to be simple as I was told as I could see many people inside. 

We headed towards the main door, and the guests instantly greeted Coulson while I jammed myself at his side, completely out of place and intimidated. My eyes were wandering around, looking for Gabriel instead, but I couldn't find him anywhere.

"Where's Gabriel?" I asked in a whisper.

"He was supposed to be here first," Coulson whispered back. "I guess he's just around or in his old room upstairs. If you like, I can find him for you."

"No, no. Don't leave me alone." I caught his arm and brought him close to me. "I'm not accustomed to being around too many people I didn't know. I'll call him."

I picked up my phone again to call him, but he wasn't answering. "It went to voicemail."

"He must be stuck with Dad. Come on. You're probably hungry. I dragged you here. I'll make sure you're fed up first, and we can find Gabriel later."

I nodded. "Thanks."

"Wait, Noah!" 

"Why, what's wrong?"

"My ring." I was standing, but I couldn't move. "It's stuck."

He laughed at me. "I got it, I got it."

"It's not funny."

"I know. I'm sorry." He chuckles, bending down his knee in front of me to help unfasten the hook. When a young, pretty girl who somehow looked like Noah stopped in front of us and squealed.

"Oh my God, Noah!"

"Amy?"

I frowned and asked, "Who?"

"Noah is making a proposal!" she announced in a thrill, and her expression was dreamy.

"What?!" both Noah and I reacted, and he was still on his knees and his fingers holding my ring.

The people near us began to gather, and applause erupted the place, filled with "oohs" and "ahs."

Noah finally got it off, and he sprang up. "Hey, hey, hey, it's not what you think!"

"Don't deny now, Noah! I saw you," the girl said, grinning so widely that she almost tore her lips. "And I think she said yes!"

"Bravo!" someone shouted from behind, and applause erupted from the place. "Congratulations!"

I clasped my mouth. I was stunned at the moment. 

Noah scratches his head. "It's not a proposal everybody, it's not—Amy!" He glanced at me. "I'm sorry about that. Amy's my sister."

"Pfft! Don't be shy!" She crossed her arms. Now that I looked at her, she's just a teenager—probably fifteen or sixteen. "Are you really stealing the spotlight on Granddad Ellie's anniversary now? I'm going to tell Mom." She ran in the opposite direction, screaming. "Mom!"

Noah faced the curious guests. "Everyone, it's a misunderstanding! Thank you. Come on!" He snatched my wrist and dragged me towards the door. He brought me to the garden, where only a few guests were there.

"Noah, that's embarrassing, but I'm sorry. It's my fault." I lifted my hand to check if the pendant was still intact. Fortunately, it was still there. "It's a gift from my best friend."

"Did I save it?"

"Yes, thank you."

"I'm sorry about that. My sister can be very intrusive." 

I slapped my forehead. "Oh, God. I think we just caused a scene. We should go back and explain. I think your sister is convinced that you… proposed."

Noah seized my hand and touched my ring with his forefinger. "It's a nice ring. Your friend has good taste." He laughed. "But don't you think it's funny? I mean, that looks like a proposal. My uncles will really kill me now—"

"Yes, I will," a deep, angry voice spoke behind us. I swiftly spun around and found an immaculate-looking Gabriel Stark in a tailored, slim fit, pale blue tuxedo that matched the shade of my dress. Coulson was next to him. 

He strolled toward us and caught his nephew's wrist so he'd drop my hand. "What the hell are you doing, Noah?"

Noah's expression was surprised. "I can explain, Uncle Gabe. I didn't mean to—"

"No, I will explain," I interjected. 

Gabriel's jaw clenched. "You better. Come." He yanked my hand and tugged me back into the house.