15 | Ralph... What???

The limousine finally stopped, right in front of a five-star hotel called The Luxuria. My jaw dropped at the grandness of the whole place once Jace and I got inside through the revolving door.

I looked up and saw chandelier lights, shining with their gold and diamond glory. Jace led me to a double door and opened it. I swear I almost want to run away again.

Anyone who had only an average income would totally be out of place if they ever stepped into this place. Men and women in lavish clothing and of high ranks in society roamed around the grand hall. A few waiters in white tuxedos walked around carrying circular silver trays, with wine or champagne, some have pastries on them.

"What the hell is this place?" I whispered at Jace.

I flinched when Jace looped my right arm around his elbow. I looked up at him curiously.

"Ask questions later. For now, just behave." He ordered.

I was about to retort back when three people approached us. Two men and one woman. The men wore tailored expensive suits, while the woman wore a dark red dress with a long strip cut up to her thigh.

"Bonsoir, Monsieur Langlois. Comment allez-vous?" One of the men said in French.

Jace smiled. "Très bien, merci."

"Qui pourrait vous être?" The woman looked at me with curious eyes.

I smiled sheepishly. How in the hell could I understand a word she said? I don't speak French. But much to my relief, Jace came to my rescue.

"C'est mon mari. Il s'appelle Kei." Jace said.

I frowned. I heard my name there. Were they talking about me?

I jolted when the two guys took my hand and shook it while saying something in French again. I just smiled stupidly at them, not understanding a word. Then, the two guys left but the woman remained. I frowned when I noticed her expression turned into disgust before leaving.

I tugged at Jace's sleeve. "What were you talking about? I heard my name."

Jace sighed. "They just asked about you."

"And what did you say?"

"I said, this is Kei and he's a drag queen." He winked mischevously.

I gasped and pinched his arm repeatedly. "You did not!"

Instead of wincing in pain, he just laughed as if it's all a joke to him. But for me, it's fucking not.

"I was kidding. I told them that you're my husband."

I stopped breathing for a second, like my heart just froze in place upon hearing what he said. I frowned to myself. Huh, weird. Why am I feeling this way?

"Are you hungry?" Jace suddenly asked.

As if on cue, my stomach rumbled. I blushed just as Jace chuckled and led me to the buffet table. There were lots of different kinds of delicious-looking food, making it hard to choose. Although, the chocolate fountain won my attention over. So without even thinking, I pointed to it.

"I want that one."

Jace looked at the fountain as if it's deadly or something. "Chocolate? You still need to eat dinner first, though."

I shook my head stubbornly, unclasping my hold on Jace's arm and went straight to the chocolate fountain. It was just standing there, flowing out glorious and mouthwatering chocolate. I got tempted, so I was about to grab a small teaspoon when a hand suddenly grabbed one and beat me to it.

I turned around to see who it was and saw a man who was equally tempting as chocolate. I didn't move and just stood there dumbly, obviously ogling at him.

"Qui es-tu?" He said, with the deepest voice I have ever heard in my entire life.

I didn't speak, probably looking like a dumb zombie in front of him.

"Es-tu seul? Ou avec quelqu'un?"

I snapped back from my reverie and shook my head rapidly. "Uh, I... I don't speak French. Sorry."

I looked behind the man to see if Jace was there, but unfortunately, his presence is not there. I got nervous and rubbed my now sweaty hands on the back of my pants. I mentally planned a murder attempt to Jace, that fucking asshole. Why didn't he tell me that this party or gathering or whatever this is had French people all over the place?

"Kei!"

I sighed in relief when I saw Jace coming our way. He ignored me when I gave him the most deadliest glare I could muster. The man in front of us grinned at Jace's presence.

"Copain, Jace!"

Jace nodded his head, putting an arm around my waist. I looked at him curiously. But then, I mentally groaned in annoyance when Jace and the man started conversing in French. Is it too much to ask for them to speak English for once in their pathetically rich lives?

"Ça fait longtemps!"

"Comment allez-vous, Ralph?"

"J'ai été bon. Comment l'enterprise fait?"

Jace shrugged, tightening his hold on my waist. The man not so subtly looked at Jace's gesture and smirked.

"Bon á savoir. Est-ce votre secrétaire?" The man said in a teasing voice.

Just then, Jace scoffed impatiently and glared at the man in front of us. "Oh, shut up. This is Kei, my husband. I've told you this a million times already. Kei, this is Ralph Faucher."

I tilted my head. "Ralph... what?"

Ralph suddenly laughed out loud, catching most of the attention of the people around us. But then, they went on their business after seeing it was nothing serious.

"I am sorry for my behavior a while ago, mon minou. I am Ralph Faucher, Jace's brother." Ralph introduced himself with a toothy grin, his French accent very heavy.

My eyes almost popped out of their sockets. Wait, what? Jace's brother?

"You have a brother?" I asked Jace in disbelief.

Jace sighed tiredly and pinched the bridge of his nose with his thumb and index finger. It seems like he's getting tired of what was happening. But I'm still curious. Jace never told me he had a brother. And if they really are brothers, then why can't I see any resemblance?

"Jace." I demanded.

Ralph clapped Jace's back, hard enough that it made Jace and I stumble forward a bit.

"Ralph is my older brother. He's a doctor in Strasbourg." Jace explained boredly.

Ralph nodded enthusiastically. "Oui, oui! It's a city in France, mon minou."

I gave him a weird look. He seems a little hyper-active. And to think he's Jace's older brother. I still can't even believe it.

"But why is his last name..." I trailed off, not saying his last name because I don't even know how to pronounce it well. I probably would make a fool of myself.

Jace loosened his hold on my waist and shoved Ralph away who was now getting too close for comfort. After a few struggles, Ralph finally left us after saying that he'll be going to see us again sooner or later.

Jace just ignored him before facing me. "Faucher. Technically, he's my half brother. He's the son of our mother's first husband, who died during a bank robbery, which was also the same time he was born. She had loved him dearly. So, even now that mother remarried to my father, she wouldn't want to change Ralph's last name."

I slowly nodded in understanding. I never knew everything about Jace's family. I only met his parents once, during our so called wedding. They were so kind and caring people, especially Jace's mom. I never expected that behind those smiles, she had an unfortunate experience. I almost felt sorry for Ralph too.

"How come you don't tell me these kinds of things?" I muttered.

"I thought that it won't matter to you, because you never even fully accepted our arrangement."

I glanced up to look into Jace's eyes. I looked hard into them, wanting to find any hidden emotion in the depths of his eyes... but I only found one emotion I can't get a name on. Then, all of a sudden, my chest tightened in on itself. I frowned when my heart thumped rapidly, making me suck in a breath.

I stared into Jace's eyes again, and that painful yet strangely pleasant feeling in my chest came rushing back.

What the fuck is happening to me?