Flash Marriage: Shrewd Wife, Devious Husband
Chapter 62: Gaining Confidence

Chapter 62: Gaining Confidence

Marcella paused by the door. Tony was silent and pondering. She calmed down. He told her that he was planning on running for Congress. His wife cannot be creating scenes in restaurants with possible opponents.

It was stupid of her to lose her cool like that. She couldn’t bear it because they were laughing at Tony. It still is not good. She should keep her belligerent side under bay.

She stood by the door staring at the floor.

If her father gained enemies by deciding to run for office, what will happen to Tony? Why would he still want to run? He doesn’t have to keep his promise to my dad.

And more importantly... why did Dad ask Tony to run?

Marcella inhaled sharply as she got a doubt. She looked at Tony. Out of nowhere, he mentioned the guy she was engaged with.

Could it be... Was I engaged with Tony?

She patted her heart which was beating erratically. She is losing her sense of reality a lot these days. It is impossible.

If the guy she was with was Tony, he wouldn’t have run away leaving her alone to deal with her father. She ruined herself that night. She cannot try and alter reality just because she is regretful.

Marcella heard Paul and the other guy chit-chatting about the current political landscape. Paul was expertly trying to acquire donations from the other guy.

Well, Gabriel Hemmingway is an oil tycoon. He is among the top five wealthiest men in the country. No wonder Paul was brownnosing him for donations. That guy could throw away millions just so he could get a lax law for extracting oil from the sea. He’s been trying to build more oil rigs in the sea but there were limitations in the law.

Not that Gabriel followed the law but he needed to bribe the officials for his greed. If the law changed, however, he would have no need to offer money and favors under the table.

And that was exactly what Paul was offering, for a price, of course.

Just as the discussion was going on, someone else entered the room.

Aiden?

Marcella fisted her hands as Aiden bashed Tony too.

"I’ll be back," Marcella told Tony. She couldn’t bear it anymore.

Aiden? The selfish coward Aiden had the nerve to bash Tony. Will he say the same to Tony’s face? Coward!

Marcella stopped as Tony pulled her hand.

"Just stay here. I can handle it," she said. She was too pissed.

"I know you can. That’s not what I meat," Tony let out a deep breath. He looked concerned. "It’s not Gabriel. It’s Rudolf Hemmingway."

"Rudolf?" Marcella’s face twisted with disgust.

He used to be one of the bullies who’d pull her hair back in high school. He used to call her something...Right! He called her "dyke".

"I never wanted to see that guy again. Why does he sound exactly like his old man?" Marcella grumbled. "But..."

She held Tony’s hands.

"Aiden is here to plot against his senator, or to spy on his behalf. What do you think?" she asked.

Paul wants to run for Senate. And for the current senator’s staff meeting with him, the reason could be one or the other. She didn’t think Tony was learning it for the first time now.

"Marcella," Tony held her hand. His eyes were unfocused and his hand was cold.

"Do you want me to stay back?" she asked.

She didn’t understand him. Didn’t he marry her for the benefit? Unless... he wants to keep her in the shadows while he stands in the limelight, just like Aiden wanted.

Yeah, it’s a man’s world. Women are not expected to lead. They are expected to stand behind their husbands with a smile no matter what goes on behind the scenes.

"No," Tony shook his head. He didn’t know why she became dull in a few seconds. She was full of life just a minute ago. "Not at all," he said. He loved seeing the spirit in her eyes. When she bows her head, it does not feel right.

"Then, why?" she asked. He looked anxious. She couldn’t figure out why.

"I didn’t want you to find out this way. I do not want you to think that I brought you here knowing of their meeting to~"

"What?" Marcella interjected him. That thought never came to her mind.

"I’m not that tricky, Marcella. I am not that smart when it comes to you. If I were, I wouldn’t be..." He let out a deep breath pressing her hand to his forehead.

Marcella’s heart skipped a beat.

He kneels in front of her, he stands in front of her like she holds the authority over his life. What is this about? It made her feel a certain type of way that she couldn’t describe. She used to feel the same way around him for a very long time.

’I can see we have a lot to talk about, then," she said. Her voice broke and she cleared her throat.

He looked at her, eyes filled with happiness, like a puppy who got its favorite treat. Marcella was lost for words. She couldn’t believe she holds that much power over his emotions.

"We do," Tony said. "Marcella, I... I have a lot to say..."

Marcella held his cheek with a smile. He held her hand and kissed her palm. The warmth of his little kiss reached the depths of her heart.

What is this feeling? Is this what feeling wanted feels like? Does he really want me this much?

"I am just going to~"

"No," Tony placed his finger on her lips. "You don’t have to run it through me. You know those people and I trust your judgment."

"You do?" Marcella raised her brows.

Aiden used to control everything she did. Her father too was a bit controlling regarding certain issues. Why would Tony give her full autonomy? What will he do if I make a mistake? Wouldn’t that affect him?

Tony held her balled-up hand.

"Go, I’ll be standing right behind you," he said with a smile trademarked to him.

Well, that smile might be trademarked to her, because she had a feeling, she alone could see that smile on him.

She walked to the front. Tony gave her the answer even without her voicing it aloud, just like always.

If she screws up, he will clean it up. He is capable to do that. That’s why he’s not stopping her.

The man she married is not only devious but also capable.

With a spring to her step, she walked to the next cabin. Never in her life had she felt this confident. As she reached the sliding door, she had a slight hesitation but hearing the leather sole of Tony behind her, the hesitation flew away.

She opened the door.

The three men sitting in there paused whatever they were whispering about and turned to the door. The smile on their face disappeared and their brows raised out of surprise.

"Hi," she smiled. "It’s me, Marcella."