Chapter 289
Standing Before Love
Myra looked at him speechlessly. âOf course I know. Today is your birthday, right?â
Tony pursed his thin lips while a hint of dissatisfaction flashed across his eyes.
She suddenly caught his right hand and lowered her head before planting a kiss on the back of his hand. âHappy Birthday, Tony!â
She then raised her head and looked at the man, who was driving beside her, with sincere eyes.
However, not only did Tony not drop the frown, his expression actually darkened instead and he retracted his hand without replying to her.
She caught a glimpse of his expression with the corner of her eye, which put a smile on her face and made her clutch the phone in her handbag tightly.
And so, Tony, who was most likely sulking, did not try to make any conversation with her throughout the journey. Although Myra tried to talk to him, he either gave her perfunctory replies or he sometimes even ignored her completely.
Soon, the two of them arrived at their destination.
At this moment, all sorts of luxurious cars were gathered outside of the Ritz Carlton and guests, who were dressed to the nines, were entering the premises. It was dark outside but the streets and bars around were buzzing with people.
Just as Tony was about to open the car door to alight from the car, Myra caught his right hand and stared at his impassive face with a gentle gaze. âAre you mad?â
Her palm was warm and she was so nervous that she did not know what else to say.
Tonyâs eyes flicked across her hand that was holding onto his before he looked into her eyes. âNo,â he calmly replied.
âYou were sulking all the way here, yet you are denying it now? Anyone who didnât know what happened would think that I bullied youâ¦â she mumbled, which only made his expression become more thunderous. He then moved to get out of the car.
Meanwhile, Aaron, who was welcoming the guests not far away from them, noticed their arrival. He instantly gestured a valet to come with him to greet them.
When Myra glanced at them and found that they were still some distance away, she suddenly approached Tony and placed a kiss on his pursed lips. Her face blushed a little as she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear while clearing her throat. âDonât be mad. I have prepared your birthday present, but⦠can I give it to you after we go back tonight?â
Just now, she had the impulse to tease him, but it had never been her intention to see him unhappy throughout the banquet.
Of course Myra did not forget about his birthday and she had indeed prepared his gift. However, upon recalling Estelleâs suggestive expression when she was preparing the gift, she had the sudden urge to give up on the idea. How about I get him another gift for his birthday?
Her cheeks involuntarily became redder. Upon seeing Myraâs bashful look, which she herself might not even be aware of, Tony narrowed his eyes and curled up his thin lips. He then raised her chin to plant a kiss on her lips. âYou will give it to me tonight?â he repeated her words.
âYes.â She struggled for a while and nodded while squeezing her handbag strap.
âTell me, what is this mysterious present that can only be given to me later on at night?â he asked teasingly. Truth was, Myra was unable to hide much of her words or actions from him. She seems shy⦠A playful smile appeared at the corner of Tonyâs lips at the thought of that.
âItâs just an ordinary present.â Myra brushed off his hand. Feeling afraid that he would continue to press on, she pretended to glance at time on her phone. âLetâs go; the banquet will be starting soon.â With that, she attempted to get out from the other side.
However, just as she opened the car door, Aaron, who had walked up to her, carefully escorted her out of the car. âYou two have finally arrived. If you were to take any longer, Old Master Hart and Young Master Shawn would become fed up with dealing with the guests.â
Since the main character of the banquetâwho was also the person that they wanted to please the mostâwas not around, those people had to temporarily target the other members of the Hart Family.
As Damian had just taken his leave, he could only come to visit them during his younger brotherâs wedding, which explained why he was absent today. Therefore, the only member of the Hart Family that they could pester were Sebastian and Shawn.
Upon seeing Aaron had one hand placed above her head, which obviously revealed his protectiveness over her, Myra smiled a gentle smile at him. âIâm fine, Mr. Johnson. I can get down on my own.â
Just as he was about to say something, he suddenly felt a slightly cold gaze on him. Stunned, he turned to look in that direction, only to see a man getting out of the driverâs seat and heading toward their direction.
The manâs gaze was impassive but it made Aaron feel uneasy, especially when his gaze flicked across him and finally landed on his handâthe same hand that was supporting Myra.
Before he could react, Tony had walked up to them and took Myraâs hand from his before taking her into his embrace. âMr. Johnson, itâs almost time. We shall head in first.â
Understanding dawned and Aaron laughed, but the smile on his face seemed cryptic. âI wish you a happy birthday, Young Master Tony.â
âThank youâ Tony murmured with a raised eyebrow. In a seemingly inadvertent manner, he passed the car keys to Aaron instead of giving it to the valet before heading into the hotel with an arm over Myraâs shoulder.
Standing behind him, Aaron played with the car keys in his hand and helplessly mumbled, âThis kid is really territorial.â
â¦
Today, Myra was quite nervous as she was going to make an appearance in the circle of the wealthy and the rich of Bradfort City as Tonyâs fiancée. However, due to what happened earlier, she burst into laughter when she was going up the steps of the Ritz Carlton Hotel. She then used her elbow to nudge someoneâs chest. âTony, why did you speak with Mr. Johnson with such a serious tone? He is my grandfatherâs subordinate, so we should show him some respect since he is more senior to us.â
Tony raised an eyebrow in response and remained quiet.
Myra suddenly realized that Tony seemed displeased when Aaron supported her earlier. Could it be that⦠âAre you jealous?â
Her eyes instantly brightened up at that thought.
Upon seeing the laughter in her eyes, Tony pulled her into his arms and answered in a stern manner, âNo.â
âYou are still denying it.â Her nose bumped into his firm chest, making her feel a little uncomfortable, and she chuckled. âHey, itâs just Mr. Johnson, yet you are jealous of him? You are being too petty.â
Tony tightened his grip around her waist, causing her to hiss softly due to the pain on her waist. She then shot a glare at him.
As a matter of fact, she did not put in much effort in dressing up todayâshe merely put on light makeup. Other than the gown, her hair was coiled up into a simple hairdo behind her head, leaving only two loose strands by her cheeks. She looked neat and gentle, which matched her temperament and gown well.
However, the way she looked at him seemed coquettishâat least, it was Tony who felt that way.
Myra glared at him; the black and white in her large eyes were clearly distinguishable, which made his heart involuntarily skip a beat. Suddenly, he lowered his head and his thin lips soon landed on hers.
They had walked up the stairs, arriving at the luxurious and grand entrance of Ritz Carlton.
What greeted them was a red carpet, the buzzy and lively guests, as well as the light-hearted music in the hall.
It was so unexpected that time seemed to stop at this instant.
One of the guests softly exclaimed, which was then followed by the sound of the crowdâs sharp inhale.
Soon, the initially buzzy hall instantly fell silent, and the only sound was the melodious music slowly playing in the background.
Myra was stunned. When she opened her eyes and saw the slight smile in the eyes of the man before her, her face immediately flushed.