After My Death, My Husband Who Threw Me Into the Hunting Grounds Went Insane novel Chapter 149

JULIA

 Henry ushered me to his table, and since I was already aware that Adam will be right next to us, I prepared myself not to look surprised when I see him with his ex-wife-slashed-fiancée. Why was our world so close? Why did I have to see him in every corner of the world?

His answer to me last night was clearer than diamonds. He was not going to choose me. He would not break up with Bianca because they had a deal. There was no way he was going to cut their deal because his company was at stake. I was getting pissed with myself already. Should I talk about it with Henry?

As expected, Adam and Bianca were there—only a few feet away from our table. Damn it, and she was wearing the same shade of dress as I was, but her hair coordinated more with her dress than mine.

I almost wanted to scream. I tried not to look at them, but damn, I couldn't help it. Adam was wearing a matching suit, and he was fine-looking as always. Unfortunately, they looked so good together. I did not want to appear nervous, but I did smile, so I would not look antagonistic. I found Adam's eyes gleaming when he met my gaze.

"Adam, Bianca, good evening." Henry greeted them first.

"Good evening, Henry, Julia," Bianca answered softly.

"Julia's my date tonight," Henry said to them, grinning innocently.

"Good evening," I greeted back.

"Good evening, where's your boss?" he asked me.

"Oh, he's already at his table with his date. How did you know he's here?"

"I invited him. I thought you were going to be his date?"

"Adam, I already told you that I'm going to invite her," Henry contradicted.

He frowned. "Maybe I forgot."

"Oh well, I still came," I said. "Henry, shall we?"

Henry grinned, then held my elbow. "Sure, ladies first. Adam, we'll talk later," Henry said, then we turned away.

"Henry…" I called his attention as we sat at our table.

"Yes? Do you want something else to drink?"

"Nope, but since we talked about being friends, could we just be friends and talk about something else?"

"Oh, sure. The awarding is not going to start until about thirty minutes from now," he said as he looked at his wristwatch.

"It's about Adam."

"Hmm… Okay, go on."

"We talked last night," I began, "and I told him what I feel for him. I told him that I still want him and that I love him. He told me he felt the same, but he still has to marry his ex-wife." I didn't know where I got the courage to open up to him, but he knew Adam more than anyone.

"I guess he already told you about their deal?"

"Yes. He has to marry her for the company. I don't know, but it sounded like an excuse to me."

"Yes, Adam signed a contract. He can't break it, or he'll be arrested," Henry explained. "Do you still want him back?"

"I'm confused. I want to, but I know we can't." I gazed up at him, then sighed. "It's too complicated."

"Adam won't go down because of that. It's more about public relations. It's his image he's protecting. He has the resources, Julia, come on! He just doesn't know what to do for now, but I know that he'll come up with something, or maybe he's already thinking of it." He grinned as if it was no big deal at all.

"Then should I just give up? Move on?"

"It's up to you now. You just have to decide and make it final."

"I can't." I shook my head. "I think this time; it's his call."

"And he can't because he has to remarry?"

"I don't want to be a mistress, Henry."

"Okay." Henry breathed deeply. "Ask yourself right now. Can you live without him for the rest of your life?"

I bit my lip and thought about it. Could I actually live without him? I do not think I could love anybody else.

"Tell me, do you want Adam back, or you're going to move on?"

I was tired of putting myself in the middle of a falling rock. I couldn't stop loving Adam.

"I can't. I can't lose him, and I don't want him to marry her."

I saw the concern in Henry's eyes. "Then, I'll help you get Adam back," he declared. He seemed to make up his mind that fast.

Is this for real? "What? How?"

"You heard me. I'm serious. I thought of something. Just watch me, and ride on."

What? What was he going to do?

"Wait for me here." Henry pressed a peck on my cheeks, then he left and went to the other side of the hall. I watched him as he approached some middle-aged man in a brown suit and whispered something in his ear.

What's he going to do?

I was interrupted with my observation when the host in her shimmering black evening dress began to speak on the stage.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. My name is Ivey Smith. I now welcome you to the Annual Entrepreneurs Awards and Conference Night!" Ivey announced on the microphone, capturing everyone's attention. "Last year, we successfully awarded 23 entrepreneurs, and tonight, we are expecting thirty awardees! How great is that?" She smiled brightly in front of her audience. "It's been a great honor to stand here again in front of you even though we all know that we are all competitors," she said in humor. The whole room erupted in laughter.

"I'm not going to make this introduction long, but I want to welcome our founder, Mr. Lowell Michaels, for he will have an inspiring speech before he announces our successful awardees for this evening. Mr. Michaels? The stage is now yours."

I spotted the man Ivey just called as the spotlight hit his direction. He stood up, then walked up to the stage from the side while shaking hands with people in his way. As Mr. Michaels walked up on stage, I frowned as I noticed Henry walking behind him, but he remained standing at the side of the stage.

Ivey handed Mr. Michaels the microphone.

"Good evening, business people. I am pleased to see you all for another prosperous year. Before everything else, my adviser told me that, as the founder of this annual event, it's necessary to have an introduction speech, but I say, we are all old for that, no?" He flashed out a confident grin, and it was followed by the crowd's laughter. "I think it would be interesting just to start the awarding since it's the primary cause of this gathering.

"And to begin, I want to welcome this friend of mine to come up here and receive his award. We've known each other for a very long time, and he's a great man. He has won several awards in every corner of the world. He's our state's youngest chef who won thirty-six awards in the World Culinary Championship in three straight years. Please welcome, the owner of Le Grandi, Mr. Henry Cavendish."

A round of applause erupted the entire hall as Henry walked on the stage. Henry had already built his name in his industry. He knew, and he didn't tell me that he was receiving an award. I couldn't help but chuckle, then joined everyone's ovation.

"Thank you for the wonderful introduction, Lowell," he said, with soft laughter.

Mr. Michaels shook hands with him, then handed him a gold plaque.

"Thank you so much. This is wonderful," he spoke into the microphone. "Thank you, thank you, my dear friends. I wouldn't be here without everyone's support."

Mr. Michaels whispered briefly in his ear. He stepped aside from the stage with Ivey.

"I think our founder wants me to give a speech," he said. "But I'm not here to make a speech but to thank the person I cared about. I'm offering this award to her," he said as he looked at his plaque. "She's my inspiration," he continued. "You see, this is my goal for both of us. And after this night, I'm going to ask her to marry me."

My mouth dropped open.

The people's noise grew louder… some squealed. Henry beamed radiantly.

"She came here with me," he announced. "I hope you get this message, my love…" Henry gazed up in my direction and lifted up his award.

Oh, my God! He meant me! My insides screamed.

What are you doing, Henry?

The spotlight struck my eyes. I clasped my mouth in astonishment. I looked behind me to see if I was only mistaken, but everyone was watching me. I couldn't help but glance in Adam's direction.

He was surprised as well. His mouth slightly parted, as his eyes were glaring. What the hell was Henry thinking? Did he just propose on the stage after I had told him that I love his brother? I thought he said he was going to help me?

Then, I remembered what he said.

Just watch me, and ride on.

What the heck was that supposed to mean? I remained motionless in my chair while gripping my leather purse. Henry came down the stage while another spotlight was still on him. People were congratulating him on his way towards me.

Damn it, what the heck was he thinking? What would my boss think about me? Or my colleague? What would Adam think about me now?

I stood as I waited for him, and when he was close, I spoke harshly, "Are you mad?"

Henry put his award on the table, then he held my forearms.

"Shh... Calm down. I told you, I'm going to help you get my brother back."

"Is this how I'm supposed to get him back? You, proposing to me like that in front of everyone? What the hell were you thinking?" I tried to lower my voice when I was already close to slapping him.

"Don't pout. Smile. We're in front of the cameras," he said, then he grinned so wide. "Adam's going to be furious. He won't let me take you."

"You're unbelievable," I hissed incredulously. "How are we going to get out of this?"

"Come on now, don't blow my cover. Give me a hug and smile." He opened his arms.

"Didn't you realize that the world was going to see this?"

"So what? I could just tell them you refuse. Come here now, don't make this ugly."

Henry gently wrapped his arms around me. I didn't resist for his image's sake. After several seconds, the host called for the next awardee, and the spotlight moved away.

He released me.

"I'm going to the restroom, Henry. Don't follow me."  I grabbed my purse and headed to the restroom.

I let the running water flow continuously as I washed my hands, letting myself cool. I looked up then looked at my reflection.

What are you doing, Julia? Haven't you had enough of this? Why did I have to be caught up in this situation all the time? I shook my head, then took a handful of water and wet my face.

"You're marrying him?" a deep, dangerous voice abruptly spoke behind me. I looked back in the mirror and found Adam's perilous stare. He was seething.

"Do I need to get your permission?" I asked as I continued to damp my cheeks.

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