Capítulo 7: Chapter 6: Who is Mrs. Lockhorst?
"So?" Kaiser asked, his voice steady as I glanced at him. He remained as serious as ever, his arms crossed tightly over his chest, his eyes locked on the screen in front of us. His usual uniform of black—v-neck t-shirt, slacks, and shoes—did nothing to soften the intensity of his presence.
I'm sitting in his place in Australia. It's not where he typically resides, but as an Australian native, it's one of his homes. Of course, he's also my husband's cousin, which makes everything about this situation more... complicated.
When I arrived at his door earlier, I found him in the company of Lucien and Dos. But as soon as Dos saw me, he left without a word. The whole exchange was strange, but I didn't dwell on it. I simply made my way to the expansive sofa in the living room and settled in, waiting for Kaiser to either acknowledge my presence or explain what was going on. The silence between us was thick, almost suffocating.
"What's your plan now?" Lucien asked, his voice pulling me from my thoughts. I turned to face him, my brow furrowing in frustration.
But after a moment, I let out a resigned sigh, my gaze returning to the flat-screen TV. The room felt suffocating now, the air heavy with tension. We were all processing the same shocking news. The live report about Calyx and Jillian was playing on every channel. It was the kind of thing everyone was talking about—whether on TV or through social media, it consumed every conversation.
I had come here hoping for a quiet break, maybe even to get Kaiser to play basketball with me, but this? This wasn't part of the plan. The weight of it all hung over me, and the room felt too small, the questions too many.
On the screen, the spokesperson for Lockhorst Corporation was giving an exclusive report. Their expression was tight, as though they, too, were struggling to process what was unfolding. The gravity of the situation seeped into the air, infecting everyone in the room.
I glanced over at Kaiser, wondering what he was thinking. His eyes remained glued to the screen, his face unreadable. It was as if he was dissecting the situation, trying to piece together a puzzle that didn't have an easy solution. "What do you think?" I asked quietly, unsure if he'd respond. I needed something—anything—to break this unnerving silence. My thoughts were racing too fast for me to keep up.
"So, is it true? Ms. Jillian Smith is married to Mr. Calyxander Lockhorst? We saw them two days ago at a five-star restaurant, and they really looked like a perfect married couple," the reporter asked, turning to Calyx's secretary and spokesperson.
"Jeez! If it's true that Calyx met with Jillian behind your back, Brinth, I honestly don't know what I can do to him," Lucien blurted, his anger bubbling over. His words were harsh, but they mirrored my own inner turmoil. I stayed silent, not knowing how to respond.
What have I been doing to myself? I thought, my mind racing. I promised myself I'd fight for this marriage, but instead, I've been hiding, running away. I felt the anger and frustration bubbling within me—an emotion I'd been trying to suppress for so long. Damn it.
The voice of Calyx's secretary broke through my thoughts, and I focused back on the screen.
"Mr. Lockhorst prefers to keep his personal life private. However, I've agreed to address the rumors," the spokesperson said confidently. "Since I've heard that this news is spreading everywhere, it seems that Mr. Lockhorst will need to take responsibility. I've invited all reporters to the Lockhorst Annual Gala this Saturday, where Mr. Lockhorst will finally introduce his wife to the public for the first time."
I gulped, feeling the weight of the announcement settle over me like a cold cloud.
"What's your plan?" Kaiser asked, his tone turning serious.
Geez, what is my plan? I didn't have one. I didn't even think it was a good idea to introduce myself to the public. But then, if I didn't do it, Jillian would take my place, and that thought ate at me like acid.
"We need to call Tres or Six. They'll be thrilled to know you'll be attending the Gala for the first time!" Lucien chimed in, pulling out his phone without hesitation.
Without thinking, I jumped up and snatched his phone away. "Hey! That's my phone!" he protested, but I was beyond the point of caring.
"No! You're not calling Tres or Six. Just… no!" I screamed, my frustration spilling over.
"Why? Don't tell me you're not planning to go to the Gala?" Lucien asked, his words hitting me like a brick. The reality of it all hit hard. I froze, unable to answer right away. The thought of facing the public terrified me, but if I didn't, Jillian would win.
Lucien's forehead creased, and he slowly started moving toward me, but Kaiser stepped in. His presence, as always, was unwavering.
"You're going to the Gala, whether you like it or not," Kaiser said, his voice calm but firm. "You need to claim your title as his wife." His words cut through the chaos in my mind like a sharp knife. "We may not know your full story yet, but what we do know is that you never back down from any kind of danger. Jillian is a threat to your marriage, so you need to fight for what's rightfully yours."
Lucien and I exchanged a glance. We both stared at Kaiser, the weight of his words settling heavily between us.
Kaiser raised an eyebrow, rolled his eyes, and then walked out without another word.
"Okay. We didn't see that," Lucien said, and I couldn't help but smile. He gave me a playful tap on the shoulder and gestured for me to follow him.
Sometimes, I wonder how Kaiser would act if he ever met his match.
--
You might be wondering what's been going on with me. Well, I've been caught up in my studies and working out with Drake. I've kept my distance from Calyx. It's strange because the last thing I told him was to fight for our marriage. But how can I do that when I'm still focused on school?
I even thought about letting my life spiral out of control again, but Drake reminded me of the things I should appreciate right now. So, I chose to focus on what I have.
Still, I can't ignore the fact that fighting for my marriage means facing some real danger.
"Seriously?" I asked Lucien, my disbelief clear as I watched him hold up a dress. It was actually beautiful, and I couldn't believe he bought it for me. "You really picked this? For me?" I asked again, still stunned.
Just a couple of hours ago, I heard the exclusive report on TV about the rumored wife of my husband. I couldn't help but wonder who that lucky bitch was. Tsk.
"Come on, Brinth! This is one of the most beautiful dresses I've ever seen! And it suits you!" Lucien insisted.
I have a very long name—Severa Gabrielle Brinth Trexler-Lockhorst—but most people call me Severa or Sev. Some call me Nine, my code name, and then there's Lucien, who calls me Brinth.
"Yeah, I'll admit it's beautiful, but I'm starting to question your sexuality now," I said, glancing over the other things he bought.
I couldn't believe this guy. He really wanted me to attend the Gala. It felt as if he was inviting me to be his date.
But why didn't Calyx just email me or text me about it? If he really wanted the public to know about his so-called wife, shouldn't he have at least notified me first? It felt like I was being kept in the dark, like my role in this marriage didn't even matter to him. I mean, is it really true that he's seeing Jillian again?
I know Calyx. I know how he works. And I know it's possible that he might still be in love with her, even after everything. But... am I just a placeholder? Am I really just the wife he has to deal with because of some societal obligation? Or am I stupid enough to fight for this marriage alone?
The uncertainty gnawed at me, tugging at the edges of my mind. Maybe I was just fooling myself, but I couldn't ignore the sting of doubt creeping in.
"Hey, Brinth. Do you think it'd be better if you wore a bloody red dress to the gala?" Lucien asked, a playful glint in his eyes.
I glanced at him, confused. "Why would I wear a bloody red dress? It'd make me look like a desperate woman."
I closed my eyes for a moment, imagining myself in a red, flowy dress, walking down the red carpet. The image struck me suddenly, and I opened my eyes wide. "Actually… I think you're right, Lucien. A bloody red dress would be better."
Lucien's smirk deepened, pleased with my response. "Should I call Tres or Six now?"
PENSAMENTOS DOS CRIADORES 
SamiSevera
SamiSevera I need your prayers guys. My sister will undergo a major surgery next week. I can't think straight thinking that she's so down thinking about it. She just need that surgery to avoid cancer. Your prayers will help a lot. So here's another chapter for you.
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