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I shifted awkwardly in my seat. His eyes seemed to bore into me. There was a knowing look in his eyes. They seemed to be saying they could see right through me. He looked at his granddaughter and shook his head. “Make sure that this marriage is what you want” he advised her coldly as she stared at him expressionless “I advise you to think long and hard before you walk up that aisle. The both of you,” he said cruelly “because once the words have been uttered, they cannot be undone, At least not…”
“I know, not for at least a year” Lexi interrupted him, rolling her eyes “I know Grandfather. I know exactly how long I have to be married for to meet your conditions on getting the company.”
“Is that right?” her grandfather said cryptically, a strange gleam in his eyes “Then I suppose there is no need to repeat myself” he said calmly “Not if you know what you’re getting yourself into.”
He proceeded to get up and move through the doorway leaving us to exhale in relief as we heard his footsteps heading for the stairs. For an old man, he was quite agile and sturdy, his body still remarkably strong for his old age.
“Mother” Lexi wailed “What are we going to do? That old bastard is up to his tricks again. I’ve come too close now, to fail. How do I get Serena to sign the papers?” she complained, “we’ve only got a week.”
I reached for her hand. I had as much at stake as Lexi. After all, I was relying on this marriage to open up more networks for my law firm and increase my own wealth. I gave her a reassuring smile “Serena will sign the papers” I said eyeing her consideringly “we just need to come up with a way to encourage her to do it.”
“We could kidnap her and force her to sign,” Lexi said darkly.
I coughed not certain she was joking. “That’s a little heavy-handed. Let me speak to Serena again, alone this time” I added as Lexi opened her mouth “I might have more luck convincing her if we speak to each other without you there” I said gently as she looked at me with blazing eyes “it will be for our sake love” I whispered, cupping her cheek.
She blinked. I saw her melt. She leaned into my hand and batted her eyelashes at me. “Speak to her then” she whispered, as I kissed her on the forehead, her mother silently watching “but if you don’t persuade her to sign the papers Christian, I’m taking things into my own hands.”
I dreaded to think what she might mean by that.
Serena POV
“Bring your right leg forward and then we move into Warrior Two position” I intoned, demonstrating.
I glanced at the man in the back whose face was a bright red, covered in sweat, and whose hands were visibly shaking. It was a typical-looking fit man, who had clearly never experienced a yoga class before and was finding it more difficult than his usual gym session. I fought back my grin as I continued the class, finishing up with a seated cross-legged position.
“Namaste” I intoned.
“Namaste.”
The man made his way over to me, breathing heavily. For a beginner, I had to admit he had done quite well, but I had to wonder what he was doing in my class. Rachel was eyeing him hungrily from the reception desk, licking her lips and making suggestive hand gestures as I tried my best to ignore her. I wasn’t looking for a date or a new love interest. Besides, I had a feeling he would be more Rachel’s type.
“May I say that was a very interesting class” the man panted.
I gave him a look filled with curiosity “you did well in keeping up” I allowed, extending my hand graciously “my name’s Serena, I’m afraid I didn’t quite get your name at the beginning.”
“Timothy,” he said with a rakish grin.
“What brings you into my class today? I don’t often get casuals” I said, with a small smile curving on my lips.
“Oh, I just thought it was something new to try” he stammered.
My eyes narrowed “Something new? You look as though you hit the gym regularly, and are perhaps a runner” I mused as he blanched “I wouldn’t think that yoga would be your forte” I said thoughtfully “unless you have an injury and your doctor recommended it?” I tried to pry.
There was something suspicious about this man. The more I spoke, the more nervous he became. He played with the neckline of his shirt, his cheeks flushing even more.
“I just thought it would be fun” he choked out.
“Was it fun?” I asked him casually.
He coughed “it was most interesting. What made you want to become a yoga instructor?” he asked curiously.
I stared him straight in the eyes “I had a lot of depression and anxiety issues growing up and yoga was the one thing that helped” I said, causing him to look uncomfortable “eventually I decided I wanted to become a teacher and help others to overcome the same sort of issues.”
“That’s very magnanimous of you,” he said, his breathing beginning to become a bit more normal.
“Not really,” I said with a shrug “I still make money from it, so it’s not exactly generous. I do however offer free classes during the week for those that can’t afford it and scholarships. But it’s better to do something you love than do a job that makes you miserable” I added, watching him carefully.
Bingo. His face dropped slightly at the word job. I tried not to smirk. I knew he had a reason for being here. Part of me wondered if Lexi or Christian had tried to bribe a spy into my midst to convince me to sign the divorce papers. “You can tell Christian or Lexi that I will sign the divorce papers when I’m good and ready” I bit out in irritation “and I won’t be bullied into doing them, if that’s what you were hoping for.”
He looked confused “Who is Christian or Lexi?”
I narrowed my eyes. “Why exactly are you here Timothy and don’t sprout nonsense about wanting to do yoga. I know you’re here for a different purpose” I said poking him in the chest.
I always trusted my instincts. He opened his mouth to protest and then Rachel joined me, looking at him suspiciously. “I just looked up Timothy here,” she said, shooting a glance at me “The idiot used his real name. Guess who he works for,” she said smugly.
“Not Lexi and Christian?” I asked wearily.
