LOVE IN PARIS: Married To My Brother-in-law-Chapter 54: A Lesson

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.

The dim lighting of the private room in the high-end restaurant was warm, casting a golden glow on the wooden table set in the center.

Soft murmurs from the bustling main dining hall barely reached the private room, enhancing the intimate, tense atmosphere between the two relatives. Zeke and Nicolai as they awaited Blair’s arrival.

Blair, decked in a black hoodie and grey pants opened the door and smiled as he spotted the duo sitting at the table, a glass of wine already in hand and besides they seems to be waiting for his arrival.

"Uncle Nicolai, cousin Ezekiel". He smiled as he hopped over excitedly, hugging the duo like they always did years back but then he noticed how withdrawned Zeke looked and also the little frown adorning his face but he didn’t think much about it.

"Cousin, it’s been a while. We’re in the same city unlike uncle Nicola yet I can count the number of times I’ve met you in these past years". Blair said warmly as he extended his hand for an handshake. "Let’s meet up more often".

Zeke grabbed his hands in an handshake but his grip was firm, almost too much and the smile in his face didn’t reach his eyes. "Sure". He replied politely in a tone that was neither excited or displeased.

They trio sat across from each other, exchanging the typical pleasantries about family and business.

Zeke poured himself a glass of wine, glancing at his little cousin and the more he stared at him, the more annoyed he felt.

Soon, Blair noticed the stiffness in the air, like an invisible weight pressing on the room.

After a few more polite exchanges, he decided to cut to the chase. "You seem... less than thrilled to see me today. What’s wrong. Did anything happen?". He asked as he turned to face the frowning Ezekiel.

Zeke’s jaw tightened and he set his glass down with an audible clink and stared directly at him. "I’ll be straight to the point. I need you to stop frolicking around my wife."

A shocked laugh escaped Blair and he choked on the drink spluttering it on the table and on his shirt as he erupted in a bout of cough. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

After he regained his composure, he faced Zeke. "You . . Wife. When did you get married, I remember someone didn’t want to get married back then ." He then glanced at the quiet Nicolai who had almost disappeared into the background, asking for a hint but he paid him no attention apparently not wanting to have anything to do with their issues. He just wanted to be a passerby in this.

"And your wife? What are you talking about? Did you mistake me for someone else?. I don’t even know you have a wife already not to talk of frolicking around".

"Hmmph". Zeke frowned at his actions as his eyes flared with irritation. "I’m talking about Yvette of course."

Blair’s brows shot up in surprise, the name striking him as both familiar and distant. Yvette.

Amused by the absurdity of the situation, he leaned back in his chair and laughed out his heart. "Yvette? Your wife? That’s impossible. You must be mistaken."

"Yvette is my friend, an actress from the production I’m currently working on and yes I love her but stop pulling my legs. Cousin, I really can’t catch up with your humor. It’s way too farfetched and unrealistic. I can’t believe it no matter how much I try to".

"You think I’m joking. Yvette is my lawfully and legally wedded wife". Zeke replied almost immediately.

Noticing his seriousness, Blair sat up immediately. "Oh please. I’m being serious right now". He said as he clasped his head in his grasp.

"And you think I’m joking?". He raised an eyebrow questioningly.

"Yvette isn’t married to anyone. She was just previously engaged to that damned Manuel.. . Wait. Manuel is your stepbrother . ."

"Yes. Manuel is my stepbrother so is Yvette my wife. After all happened she moved on and we got together, you can ask her yourself?".

"But she’s never mentioned anything about you besides she wears no ring, her fingers are bare". Blair mumbled now thoroughly confused.

Zeke fished into his pocket and pulled out a document, unfolding it with precision before sliding it across the table. "I’m not mistaken nor am I pulling your legs. Here’s our marriage certificate. Yvette is my wife. Believe it or not".

Blair glanced down at the paper, the official stamp glaring back at him. He tilted his head, unfazed. "Anyone can forge papers. This proves nothing. Bring me another kind of evidence, something more personal and more convincing."

Zeke’s nostrils flared. "You think I forced her to sign this?. She seriously is my wife and I need you to stop grovelling around her like a lost pup".

Blair’s casual demeanor faltered, but only for a moment. His cousin’s desperation and bitterness were palpable, like a storm waiting to break. "And what right do you have to tell me this?". He scoffed.

"As Yvette’s husband".

He pushed the paper back toward him. "Your relationship with her... I don’t believe you. If she’s with you then it’s definitely not because of love. You must have forced her or something just like Manuel."

"I’m warning you ". Zeke’s voice was low, almost a growl. "Don’t harbor any ill intentions toward her. You don’t deserve her."

"Deserve her?". Blair scoffed, his amusement turning sharp. "Deserve her?" He leaned forward, eyes glinting with provocation. "Then perhaps you should ask her who she truly cares for. You think you’re the one she wants? You’re delusional."

Zeke’s face darkened with rage at his words, his fists clenching on the table. "You little bastard—"

"Enough,". Blair cut him off, standing up, bored of the exchange. "This is pointless. If she wanted you or was married to you, she’d have told me long ago. But she didn’t." His smirk deepened. "Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have no time to waste on these childish accusations."

Without waiting for a reply, he turned and left the room, hearing his cousin’s frustrated voice as he stormed out.

"Don’t you dare to go near her or . ."

"Or what?". He asked provocatively as he turned back before then stepping out of the room.

Nicolai who had been quiet all the while shrugged his shoulder, unconcerned. You two are just simply being unreasonable. You should have taken the chance to converse directly but . .

"Now what are you going to do, it doesn’t seems like he’s joking also. You know Blair can be so impossible and is so unbelievably stubborn too".

However, Zeke whom he was taking to seems oblivious as he chuckled to himself as he reached for the phone in his pockets. "Let’s see how far you’ll go, little cousin."

He dialed an unknown contact quickly and soon his aunt’s familiar voice answered on the other end.

"Auntie, he’s on his way home."

"Oh?" She sounded intrigued. "Good, thanks you so much Zeke. Send me his location."

"Already done." He tapped the screen to forward the location. "He’ll be home soon enough."

"Thank you" She said before hanging up and Nicolai couldn’t help laughing to himself. This man was way too petty.

---

Blair now behind the wheel of his sleek black car, was fuming as he drove through the city streets.

The confrontation had left a sour taste in his mouth. What on hell does he know about Yvette?. He thought bitterly.

He gripped the steering wheel tighter, his mind replaying the exchange over and over.

As he was approaching a quiet stretch of road, a black SUV suddenly swerved in front of him, forcing him to hit the brakes hard. Tires screeched, and his car came to an abrupt halt.

And four mens donning the same smart and immaculate suit stepped out of the SUV and approached his window. He rolled it down, glaring at them questionably as he snapped angrily.

"And what the hell is this about?. Are you guys blind or is something wrong with you". He snapped.

"Young Master". One of the man said calmly, bowing slightly. "Your mother is waiting for you at home. She insists you come immediately."

It was only then that blair noticed their uniform and the emblem on it.

He wanted to refuse, the frustration from his argument still boiling inside him. "I’m not in the mood for this."

"You know your mother’s temper... You know better than to defy her wishes."

Blair then sighed heavily, knowing full well that ignoring his mother’s summons would lead to an even bigger mess. She was just so impossible.

Reluctantly, he put the car in reverse. "Fine. Lead the way."

The black SUV turned and he followed behind it, muttering curses under his breath. H knew this happening all of a sudden was definitely someone’s fault and he knew going home could do nothing but spell trouble but there was nothing he could do now.