My CEO Boss Is A Masked Internet Sensation-Chapter 211: Karsten’s Apparent Jealousy

(Karsten)

It wouldn’t be wrong to say that I wanted to pick up the gravy boat and pour all the gravy on Ranold’s snickering face.

It was his life’s mission to just flirt with every woman on the planet, no matter who she was. And the way he could just smooth talk and flash his cocky grin around, just pissed me off, especially when he did that with Arata.

I no longer had any claim on her, but I couldn’t see anyone flirting with her, especially my best friend.

"Maybe, focus on your food, Ranold..or you might spill some on your clothes," I said through gritted teeth and Ma, who was cutting into her meat, paused to glance at me.

First skeptically, and then she smiled rather evilly as if she had hit a jackpot.

"Jesus! My son is actually jealous." She reached out and grabbed my hand. "You are jealous of Ranold even speaking to Arata." Her twinkling eyes wavered from me to her.

"Truly, you have spun his world and achieved what no one else has. Today, I glimpsed the depth of his love for you." Ma announced gleefully to Arata.

I couldn’t remember when I had seen her this happy. My heart ached at the thought of when the truth would be revealed and her happiness would be squashed.

Clearly, I had never anticipated her to approve of my relationship or become this invested in it. Arata was a smart, beautiful and adorable girl, and she knew how to make others fall in love with her.

In a true sense, she had achieved what no one had. Not only did she creep into my heart, she crawled into my mother’s too, and now both of us couldn’t let her go.

My head turned to watch Arata, and she forcefully smiled at my mother. Her desperate eyes then found me as if asking.

’How the fuck are we getting out of this situation?’

Sadly, I had no answer for her.

"You see it too? Right?" Ranold snickered, keeping his eyes on Ma and elbowed me.

"Both of you are just blowing it out of proportion, and Ranold always needs to stay relevant," I flashed him an annoyed look, hoping he would shut up, if he knew how to shut up.

"I thought I would never see the day. Jealousy suits you, Karsten. It’s only a matter of time now when you can achieve all of your goals," she announced so proudly, and I knew what she meant.

Taking over the position of the head of the Toledo Family, my mother’s original family and becoming the Mafia Lord of Sparia. The seat had been vacant after my maternal Uncle’s death. Since he had no male heir, it was passed on to me.

But according to the traditions, I needed to be married to be fully incorporated into that position, and to earn the throne, a strong female was needed at my side.

Someone who had the stomach to digest all the blood and gore which came with the job, who could make decisions and guide me through them, someone ruthless who could carry out the dirty work alongside me.

Arata was none of that. She was innocent and pure, almost pampered by the love her parents and family had given her. And I couldn’t destroy her life by dragging her into the hellish world where I needed to make decisions which impacted lives daily.

I busied myself with eating, although my appetite was gone.

"We will have a special dance at their wedding. I am booking you in advance," Ranold continued his shenanigans with Ma. I knew he just wanted to make her smile, knowing the kind of life she had spent, and she adored him like a son.

"Of course, if only Karsten would propose and marry soon. So I could have grandchildren to play with soon," Ma enthusiastically laid it all out.

Arata choked on whatever she was eating and began to loudly cough. I rushed out of my seat at the sound of her distress as she held her throat and wheezed.

"Arata!!!" Her name left me with a plea.

My hand rapidly thumped her back as Ma rushed over to her and handed her a napkin. Ranold paused his eating, and his grin disappeared.

"Are you alright? Arata? What happened?" Ma asked with deep concern, and Arata finally stopped coughing.

Her eyes had crimsoned as water dropped out of them.

"Something went....down the wrong...tube," she slowly said, while dabbing her eyes with the napkin. My hand slowly moved up and down her back.

"Here!" I handed her a glass of water, and she silently took a few sips.

"Thank you! I am fine." Arata tried to smile, but it didn’t extend to her eyes. She was disturbed, and I could sense how much toll these conversations were having on her.

It was my biggest mistake to make her suffer like this by signing a contract to act as my fake girlfriend. I should never have done that.

"Take a few more sips, you will be good," Ranold offered his advice, and she smiled at him.

I chose to stand by her side to ensure she was fine. Ma returned to her seat while Ranold said.

"I will have to use the restroom really quickly. Be right back for dessert." Getting up, he disappeared up the stairs.

"Please! Sit, I am fine," Arata tried to assure me, and I finally took my seat.

Thankfully, the conversation after that shifted to some random topics, and once Ranold returned, we enjoyed the desserts and moved to the living room to sit by the fire and open the presents Ranold had brought for us.

Ma received a fancy brooch, I got a limited edition figurine of Itachi, while he gave Arata what seemed like a fancy hairpin studded with gemstones.

"Thank you, this is very beautiful and unique." Arata offered him a genuine smile, which just irked me.

Why was I having a whole meltdown?

"Here!" I handed him the two boxes. One from me and one from Ma, and his face lit up like the Christmas tree in the corner.

"Thank you! You guys didn’t have to."

He grabbed the boxes and opened his presents while I grabbed some wine, hoping my senses would relax and this terrible day would end soon.