Katherine's POV
I unconsciously glance at Jack and that made Emily laugh.
"What?" she chuckled. "Do you need his permission to speak to me?" she turned to Jack. "Is that the kind of husband you want to be?"
I saw him wince from the corner of my eyes. "Of course not, mother."
Emily narrowed her at us and moved closer. "Are you trying to keep it a secret? Is that why you have been hiding her from us?"
Jack growled. "Damn. Spit it out, Katherine. Yes, she is pregnant, mum, and no, we haven't been trying to keep it a secret. I found out recently."
Emily squealed and jumped up in excitement, wrapping her hands around Jack.
"Congratulations."
Jack mumbled a response to her and I didn't understand what that was. I knew his mother was the first person to congratulate him on being a father but with the way he looked, I doubted he thought it was anything to celebrate.
"I've got another reason to celebrate tonight." Emily grinned, hopping out of the bedroom.
"Mum,..." Jack began but she was gone before he said anything.
I knew he was about to caution her not to say anything but it was too late. We heard her a second later screaming to everyone in the house.
"Celebrate with me, everyone, I'm about to be a grandmother."
I groaned but Jack's groan subdued mine.
"Let's go outside before they all come here. It's about to be a rough night." He said.
I sighed. What he said was an understatement. It was a hectic night. The moment we got downstairs, everyone we walked past smiled at us, whispering congratulations and some even thumped Jack on the back, probably greeting him for a job well done.
I was glad no one decided to pat me on the belly for still doing my job. After all, I still had the baby growing inside of me. There was only so much I could take that night.
Jack held my hand all through and I was grateful for his silent presence.
"You know how to take the spotlight, don't you, son?" George said as we got to where he was. "It was meant to be my night but you made it about you."
I would have thought he was mad if not for the huge smile on his face.
"He always knows how to steal attention." John added.
I stared at John, wondering what the deal between him and his brother was. Unlike George's tone, John didn't sound like he was teasing his brother.
I didn't get the enmity they seemed to have. If there was anyone who stole attention, I figured it should be him since he was the younger brother.
Jack ignored his brother and spoke to George while glancing at Emily who was by his side. "It isn't me you should blame, you should blame your daughter."
Emily blushed. "I can't help myself. I'm sorry, dad."
George snorted. "You shouldn't have to be sorry for sharing good news. I feel much better than I was at the beginning of the night. I feel like I can live for more than a hundred years."
"Now you are being greedy, gramps." Jack chuckled.
George snorted. "I think you are the greedy one. Do you want me to die early so you can be the next chairman as soon as you want?"
Emily gasped. "Dad. Don't make that joke again."
George turned to me. "How far gone are you?"
I swallowed, nervous that the attention was back to me. "A few weeks, I think."
It was more than that but I didn't want to say it.
George nodded and turned to Jack. "Why were you keeping her a secret?"
"I wasn't planning to. We haven't been dating for long and I just found out that she is pregnant. It isn't long after that you told me to bring my girl home so here we are."
I watched with admiration as the words flowed effortlessly from his mouth. They weren't lies but they weren't the truth either.
I was amazed at how effortlessly he spun the words and made everyone believe what they wanted to believe without actually lying.
I realized the kind of man he was and how he could manipulate others, and for a moment, my blood ran cold.
"It won't be a bad idea to have your wedding next week, I guess." George dropped the words like a bombshell on us and I rocked on my heels, faltering slightly in my steps.
Next week? They might as well ship me into his house this night. Who would have guessed that the family of the most eligible bachelor in town was eager to have a daughter-in-law?
"We should sit." Emily said, glancing at me and taking note of my shaky legs. "She is pregnant and shouldn't be standing for too long."
I nodded in appreciation at her as I got ushered to a seat. "Thank you."
The whole family sat at a wide table at the center of the room and some of the other guests also sat at tables surrounding ours while others still walked around, exchanging pleasantries and probably business cards.
"What do you think?" George asked, looking at Jack.
Jack shrugged. "I don't mind."
I was grateful that the food was brought in at that time as I would have given myself away when George asked me what I thought.
I scooped the food into my mouth, nodded and pretended like I couldn't talk because my mouth was full.
I didn't trust my voice.
My wedding date was picked without much participation from me and I dreaded the day as much as I looked forward to it.
Finally, the party was over and Jack and I had to leave.
"Sorry about my family drama." He apologized when we slid into his car.
I shrugged. "I don't mind."
He exhaled a sigh of relief and I wondered what that meant. Did it matter to him that I get along with his family?
I snorted at my thoughts. He probably didn't want me to run away from our deal because I couldn't cope with his family.
"I take it you are fine getting married next week." He said, starting the car.
"I'm not."
"Why didn't you say something?"
"What could I have said?" I snorted. "Hey, I'm pregnant for your boy here and supposedly in love with him but the thought of getting married to him sooner than I anticipate freaks me out."
"I'm not a boy." He growled.
"How come that is the only thing you picked from what I said?"
He shrugged without a response. I sighed and turned to the window, staring at the other cars as we moved past them. There was no point talking to him.
"I didn't mean to upset you, Katherine." He said after a while.
I turned to him, amazed that he apologized and decided to let go.
Maybe the marriage wouldn't be so bad after all.
"I know how you feel about the rushed wedding but it's for the better if you think about it. The sooner we get married, the faster I can get the company as I want and the faster we can get rid of each other."
I turned away, trying not to be mad at him. Just when I thought it was getting good, he had to ruin it.
I hated myself for the way I felt because I knew he was telling the truth. I blinked back tears as we drove on in silence, reminding myself over and over not to fall for Jack or I might end up getting hurt.
I feared it was too late though.