Husband With Benefits-Chapter 31: A Troublesome Dinner

As the temper of the two men continued to rise, Ian, sighed in his heart. He would need to find a way to diffuse the situation.

Clearing his throat, he turned to the lesser of the two evils, their grandfather. "Grandfather, please calm down..."

"Calm down! Tell your brother to calm down! Look at all the non-sense he is spouting! How dare he utter such blasphemous things! Arabella is like a granddaughter to me! She is the daughter of my Godson! The granddaughter of the man who gave his life to save mine! And I promised him that she would marry into my family!"

"You have many others who are a part of your family, Grandfather. I don’t see why you need me to make the sacrifice. I am sure if you order Gabriel, he will do his filial duty and marry Arabella." Demon added smoothly.

It was an open secret among the brothers that Gabriel had carried a torch for Arabella since they two were in school together. While Demon was a few years older than Arabella, Gabriel was the same age as her.

"She doesn’t like Gabriel! She likes you!" Elijah Frose roared.

However, his roar might as well have been a simper because it made no difference to Demetri who casually sipped the scotch in front of him. "Well, too bad for her that I am not a toy that can be given to her. I do not like her. And under no circumstance will I marry her."

"You will marry her and make her happy because I said so! And tomorrow you will take the day off and take her shopping!" Elijah Frost spoke the final word and banged his walking stick on the floor, indicating the conversation was over.

"You have long lost your ability to control me or order me around, grandfather. I suggest you accept the fact. Goodnight."

"Is that how this is going to play out, Demetri? Because I can promise you that I still have an ace up my sleeve." This time, Elijah Frost did not speak in anger, but his voice was calm and insinuating.

Ian, Seb and Lucien stilled at this point as Demon paused in the act of leaving.

From there ensued a staring contest between the two men that made the onlookers break out in a cold sweat. Finally, it was their grandfather who backed down and said tiredly," Ian, Seb and Lucien, you boys go home. I need to have a discussion with your brother so I will not see you off."

"With murmured goodbyes, the three men left, however, once outside the room, their speed slowed to a crawl as they tried to eavesdrop.

"Demetri, if you do not take Arabella out shopping, then that person..."

"You will not dare to..." Demon spoke in a low voice, but the small thread of fear in his voice was still detectable to the old man.

"I can and I will. That person is no use to me. You are the one who still keeps clinging to the past."

"And that suits you just fine because it gives you a leash on me."

"Of course. You are a wild animal that needs to be trained. And if that person is your weakness, then so be it. I am, but a businessman, Demetri. I need to take any opportunities presented to me."

"You are correct, grandfather. I am wild. So, it would do you good to remember that you can try to train me but don’t pull the leash too hard. Or else I know very well how to bite back."

"You can only bite back if I let you, Demetri. And like I said, as long as that person is with me... you have no choice."

This time, Demetri did not reply and simply answered," Of course, you are right, grandfather. Then, as you wish, I will take her shopping tomorrow. But I suggest you start looking for another groom for her."

With that Demetri left the house while Elijah Frost’s eyes glittered with delight. He knew perfectly well, how to manipulate Demetri. Tomorrow, he would take her shopping and then three months later at the Centenary celebrations of Frost Industries, Demetri would be engaged with Arabella.

Outside the large mansion, Demetri walked towards his car as if he was about to finish it off. Ian, Seb and Lucien had all scampered when the butler had shooed them away, preventing them from eavesdropping. However, they’d been waiting outside and were relieved when their brother walked out. Even though the man was angry as hell, at least he was relatively unharmed. And since there was no screaming coming out from inside, it seemed their grandfather had lived to see another day.

As Demetri angrily kicked his car, Ian stepped forward," Demon, you know you can count on us for help. If, grandfather is blackmailing you..."

Demetri’s lips lifted in a small smile and he patted Ian’s back," There is nothing the old man can make me do without my consent. Don’t worry. For now, let him believe that everything is under his thumb."

Ian watched as his brother drove away before drowning thoughtfully. It seemed the animosity between his brother and their grandfather would soon reach its climax, causing the smouldering volcano to finally burst. He only hoped that the side effects of it would not be too much.

Walking back to their own car, he sighed," Let’s go brothers. Gabe is meeting us at Mike’s bar for a round of cards."

After driving a little down the road, Demetri parked his car on the side and made a phone call. The other party answered swiftly and without a greeting, Demetri uttered," Status Report."

"Sir, there have been no significant changes in the current situation. However with the pictures you’ve sent us, there has been some movement. How much these can work, only time will tell but for now, we are still in the same position and hoping for improvement."

"Hurry up. My patience is running thin. I want answers and not these platitudes."