LOVE IN PARIS: Married To My Brother-in-law-Chapter 53: Nicolai

She knew what was going to happen next so she resisted. "Zeke . . . I don’t want to do it outside here . . . Let’s go home, someone . . Someone might see us". She stammered, courtesy of his actions underneath her dress.

"No one would see us". He replied as he continued. "This place belongs to us today and for the rest of tomorrow so let’s enjoy our time and not let it go to waste".

He added and what more could she say besides she was now as weak as rubber as she could feel herself melting in his embrace.

In the heart of the bustling city, Zeke sat in the elegant atmosphere of a five-star restaurant, the air rich with the scent of gourmet dishes and soft jazz playing in the background donning his usual resplendent custom made suit.

Across from him sat his uncle from his maternal side, the mayor from Country Z, Nicolai Huxley who had been in power for years now.

His face was rarely seen except for public visit or ceremonies and he was exceptionally popular within and outside of country Z not only because he was the heir of a renowned and wealthy family but also because he was the youngest and industrious Mayor the city ever had.

Nicolai was a few years slightly older than Zeke but the two were almost like blood brothers. They never grew up together or even lived in the same space but perhaps because blood was thicker than water or because they had the same mindset, the two always got along easily and amiably and could even be mistaken for old friends.

They were sharing a lavish lunch, a moment they both had been eagerly anticipating after not meeting for years.

"Congratulations on your marriage!". Nicolai beamed, raising his glass in a toast. "You finally got the beauty after years of hiding cowardly and years of anticipation".

Zeke smiled, a gleam of pride in his eyes. "Thank you!. I’m rooting for you next". He added and the duo chuckled.

"Don’t talk about me please. I don’t buy the idea of love. I know it really exist but encountering a pure and unadulterated love like you just has to depend on luck". Nicolai sighed as he took a sip of his wine , glancing around their surrounding which was literally deserted save for them and the few guards stationed nearby to prevent anyone from getting closer.

"You think?". Zeke raised an eyebrow questioningly.

"I don’t think, I know. Not everyone is this lucky so you should cherish each other". Nicolai smiled as he patted Zeke’s shoulder encouragingly.

"Surely". Zeke grinned.

Nicolai glanced at him curiously and then asked. "But why didn’t you pick me up last night? I waited endlessly for you but not only did you not appear all through but send Knox over, even Knox arrived late. I thought you almost forgot about me ".

"How dare I forget about our mayor, this citizen has long pledged his loyalty to serve you till death part us". Zeke joked but Nicolai wasn’t buying it.

"But what were you up to last night?". He asked. "Answer honestly and I might forgive you for negligence of duty".

His brother chuckled, shaking his head. "I had to pick up Yvette from work last night". "So , am I forgiven now?".

"Wow, WOW WOW. Choosing your wife over brothers". Nicolai clapped in awe.

"I’ll gladly do so again". Zeke grinned as he scooped a spoonful of spaghetti in his mouth.

"My poor heart". Nicolai cried, holding his heart as though he was in pain.

"I’m really so lucky, you know. Seeing the mayor this carefree and lively is my greatest honor. I can die peacefully".

"You just are after my sanity right". Nicolai said and the duo chuckled.

"One day, you’ll realize true love exists and even find one. And by then, you’ll be hopelessly in love, just like me. A finished man".

"Oh please, spare me".

"And perhaps that could easily solve your problems". Zeke added and Nicolai was stunned.

"I really can’t hide anything from you. Can I ?".

"Of course you can’t." Zeke chuckled.

"But seriously that half of the reasons I came over for a visit. I’m lost on what to do, they won’t stop until . ."

"Then maybe perhaps you should just find yourself a wife". Zeke suggested , shrugging his shoulder.

"Easier said than done Zeke. Not everyone’s as lucky as you are". Nicolai shrugged nonchalantly. "I once swore I’ll never marry a woman I don’t love . ."

"You don’t have to marry someone you don’t know. Contract marriage is making the waves these days, you can just find someone suitable for your image and then everything’s gonna be solved. Period".

"Contract marriage?".

"Yes. After the agreed time, everyone will then go on their separate ways, no strings attached". Zeke smiled.

"Well, that sounds great." Nicolai said in contemplation.

"It just doesn’t only sounds great. It’s be perfect solution".

"I see, then the only thing left is finding a perfect candidate".

"I’ll take care of that".

Nicolai then relaxed, leaning further in his seat. "Have you heard from Blair?. I wonder how that troublesome boy is doing".

Hearing Blair’s name made Zeke remembered the previous day’s incident and he frowned. "What more could he do than causing trouble".

"Seems like he’s gotten to you this time". Nicolai chuckled, taking note of his expression.

"Of course". Zeke frowned. "You know Yvette’s an actress, right?. So he happens to be featuring in the cast also and now he dares to covet my wife".

"Wow. I’m so proud of him. He’s the first to make you flustered". Nicolai grinned and Zeke threw him a napkin angrily.

"What are you afraid of. That Yvette might like him also, after all she doesn’t even knows you’re related".

"Of course not". Zeke insisted.

"Your expression says otherwise". Nicolai smiled. "How about I call him over ".

"Sure". Zeke grinned.

Meanwhile, after packing the last bit of her properties on set , Yvette phoned Leila to come pick her up and was already waiting in the garage when Blair walked over nervously, fidgeting as he asked he out for lunch.

"How about we grab a bite? I’d love to catch up,". He suggested, trying to sound casual. To his relief, she agreed with a bright smile.

After a delightful meal filled with laughter and playful banter about their time on set, Blair took a deep breath, summoning his courage. "Yvette , I... I have something to tell you."

She looked at him, her expression shifting to one of curiosity. "What is it?".

"I don’t know how to tell you or say this to you but Yvette I . . I love you,". He confessed, his voice steady but his heart racing.

Yvette’s eyes widened in surprise, and she opened her mouth to respond, but he continued.

"I know you probably feel like this is sudden, but I can’t help how I feel. Ive fallen for you at first sight."

She shook her head slowly. "Blair, is this some kind of joke". Yvette chuckled."

"No, Yvette. This is me confessing my feelings to you. I love you. Truly and wholeheartedly". He added confidently and she was stunned to speechlessness.

"Well... I didn’t expect this."

"Let me take your answer as a yes then". He said, a playful grin on his face, trying to lighten the tension.

"No! I don’t want to give you false hope. I see you as a friend. A friend only". She immediately waved her hands to dismiss his notion.

"And if I told you I’m married, would you believe me?" Her tone was serious now with a playful edged.

"Stop joking,". He replied, but uncertainty crept into his voice.

"I’m not joking" . She insisted, her eyes locking onto his.

"Fine, I’ll believe it if you were married to me". He said with a smirk, trying to break the heaviness in the air. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

"I seriously ain’t joking . ."

Blair smiled, though the sting of rejection lingered. "Okay, then". He said softly. "Let me take you home."

As they drove through the winding streets, the silence between them felt charged. Arriving at the estate gate, he turned to her. "One day, I believe you’ll love me back,". He said, hopeful yet wary.

Yvette shook her head, determination in her gaze. "You’d better believe me when I say that won’t happen."

Watching her walk through the gates of the lavish estate, he couldn’t help but marvel at her surroundings.

The grand estate was insanely famous and utterly expensive. Only few people in the city could afford to live here even among the top business man at that but how could she be able to. Even he couldn’t afford it despite his own success.

Suddenly, doubts began to cloud his mind. Was she really married as she’d said or was she just playing with him?

Just then, his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen and it was his uncle Nicola.

"Hey! I just arrived in town. Let’s meet at that restaurant you love!"

"Sure! I’ll be there in a bit," Blair replied, feeling a mixture of excitement to finally meet his most beloved uncle after years of seperation.

As he drove away, the thoughts of love and the complexities of his feelings for Yvette lingered, swirling in his mind like the city lights outside his window.