Vivianne stopped walking when Beckett said that. “Are we going to be together?”
“If you want to, why not?” Beckett replied seriously before scanning the area outside the airport.
A man waved at him, one of his employees whom he instructed earlier to bring the car to the airport. He doesn’t want to use Synverse’s car for personal errands like this, especially when he’s with his wife. It's better to avoid any potential gossip.
Beckett led Vivianne toward the car and opened the car door for her.
“Hop in,” Beckett instructed his wife.
But Vivianne stood her ground. She didn’t get in and just looked at Beckett. There was a look of puzzlement in her eyes. “Why are you coming home with me, and why do I need to get my other belongings?”
“I’ll answer that once we’re on the ride back to your mansion. For now, just hop in,” Beckett replied in a cold tone.
But Vivianne didn’t obey him. They continued to stare at each other, and it seemed like there was electricity in their eyes. While they were very affectionate in Italy, here in their country, they almost seemed to challenge each other with their stares.
The authoritative husband and the stubborn wife. Both of them were contemplating who would prevail between the two of them.
“Tch.” Vivianne just sighed before entering the car.
Vivianne surrendered to her husband. She knows Beckett well, and she knows they won't leave that place if she insists on him answering her question. She'd just be wasting her effort.
Beckett also sat beside her afterward, while the driver arranged their suitcases in the trunk before sitting in the driver’s seat.
“Where to, Boss?” the driver asked.
“Allamino Mansion.”
The driver nodded before pressing a button up front. Then, the directions to Vivianne's house appeared, so he started the car.
It hadn't been a minute yet on the road when Vivianne spoke up. “Keep your promise to me earlier. What are you planning, and why aren't you telling me your plans?”
“If you’re worried that we might live together, don’t worry. We’re not… Not yet,” Beckett replied before looking at her. “However, I’m planning to bring you to Agrianthropos City. Before I do that, I want you to see your mother again first.”
Vivianne didn’t know why she felt a pang of regret upon hearing that, but she tried to push it aside in her mind.
Regret? Why would she regret it because it turns out Beckett doesn’t plan for them to live together? If she could just slap herself for the amount of thoughts she was having right now, she would.
But she paused for a moment when she realized something. “Agrianthropos City?”
“Yeah. A city built by the Foedus Corporation’s founders. No one can go there except the members and their spouses,” Beckett explained.
“I know. I’ve heard about it from rumors before, but… I’ll go there, too?” Vivianne asked, unable to believe what she heard. “And you’re telling me this just now? What if I don’t agree?”
“Then, I don’t have any choice but to use this.” Beckett took something from his pocket and showed it to her. “This is a drug that can make you sleep in only five seconds. And if you’re asking me if I’m willing to do that to take you, I will. Definitely.”
“But that’s kidnapping!” Vivianne exclaimed.
“Kidnapping? Are you even a kid?” Beckett replied, furrowing his brow.
“Are you trying to be philosophical?” Vivianne crossed her arms while still glaring at him, but he didn’t respond. “Why do I need to go there now?”
“Because you need to know where you can run just in case you’ll be in danger,” Beckett answered, and there was a hint of fear in his tone… as if he didn’t want to think that Vivianne might be in danger, but it was inevitable. “As long as you’re my wife, you can go there even if you're not with me.”
And that's why Beckett wants Vivianne to marry him even if things happen quickly. Members of the Foedus Corporation will also protect her as much as they’re protecting the other members’ wives as well.
Vivianne nodded. She understood where Beckett's words were coming from, and she also appreciated his desire to see her mother first before they finally left.
“I’ll come with you, so put that away, okay?” Vivianne said before pointing at what Beckett was holding, like a powder in a plastic container. “You’re creeping me out. You’re like those psychopaths I only watch in movies.”
Beckett chuckled before putting the item back into his pocket. He didn't really show her a sleeping drug. It was just ordinary powder he got from Italy on their last day and put it in the plastic container.
He knew Vivianne, and he knew she wouldn't agree to come with him so easily unless he scared her a bit. Luckily, his plan worked somehow.
The silence filled them afterward. After a while, the car stopped at the side.
“We’re here, boss,” Beckett's driver said.
“Wait here,” Beckett instructed the driver before getting out of the car. He went around to the other side and opened the door for Vivianne. “Let’s go,” he said, but Vivianne didn’t move right away.
She was stunned by the gesture from Beckett. Who would have thought that a famous artist like Beckett would open the door for her?
Beckett is the one who is being served by everyone… But he’s serving her.
“Vivianne Kaye,” Beckett called again, bringing Vivianne back to reality. “What are you thinking about?”
“Ah… Nothing.” Vivianne shook her head and also got out of the car. She took a deep breath before smiling. “Let’s go inside. Accompany me. I’ll introduce you to mom.”
Beckett just nodded in response, but deep inside, he couldn't believe that those words were coming from Vivianne herself.
He wanted to meet Vivianne's mother, not to figure out who he should save... but to thank her because Vivianne wouldn't exist in the world if not for her. And he wanted to meet the people closest to his wife’s heart, too.
As Vivianne and Beckett entered, they were greeted by the household helpers and other guards present. They bowed to greet them, and Vivianne immediately had them stand up straight.
“Where’s Alfred?” he asked one of the maids beside him.
“He’s in the garden, Ma’am. He seems to be talking to someone about the company,” she replied.
Vivianne smiled at what she heard. Because Alfred wasn’t on the scene, it meant only one thing. She could see her mother without anyone watching over her.
“Okay. All of you may go now,” Vivianne ordered them all before walking towards the stairs, with Beckett following behind her. He stayed close to her, and she had no intention of leaving him behind.
However, before they could fully ascend the stairs, they were blocked by the maid who had asked Vivianne earlier about Alfred's whereabouts.
“Where are you going, ma’am?” the woman asked.
“I will introduce my husband to my mom,” Vivianne replied, raising an eyebrow. “Why? Can’t I do that?”
“Sir Alfred strictly forbids it, Ma’am Vivianne. If we don’t follow that, we’ll be in trouble,” the maid answered.
Vivianne was about to speak, but suddenly, other guards blocked her path, and their guns were pointed in her direction.
This startled her, especially since it was the first time her staff had done this. In the past, she could persuade them whenever she wanted to see her mother, but it seemed like the winds had changed.
Vivianne felt like she was alone... But suddenly, someone grabbed her left shoulder and gently squeezed it. It was Beckett.
“I’m with you,” Beckett said, and Vivianne was surprised to see that Beckett had a gun pointed in front of them with his right hand. “And I will kill everyone here who will dare to hurt you.”