Chapter 3

What? What is he playing at?

"When did you two meet?" Her father asked, curiosity evident in his voice.

Something amused and playful danced on Sebastian's face and before Cassandra could make up a story, Sebastian already spoke.

"Earlier, while I was on call. Right Cassy?"

Cassandra could not believe her ears. First he's claiming to have met her when the only thing they did was to share a glance for the briefest moment. Secondly, he gave her a nickname when they barely met for five minutes. What more is he up to? She ought to be furious but she wasn't. The way her name—nickname rolled off his tongue was more like he is familiar with it. She stared at him in disbelief while he smiled. A dangerous one.

Her father made a small laugh, breaking the tension that's starting to gather between the two.

"Well, that's good then. I'm glad you met her Sebastian" her father nodded at Sebastian then back at Cassandra.

"I'll leave you two to talk. I'm sure he has questions for you Cassandra" He patted her arm then moved closer to whisper in her ear.

"Act nice" and with that he left.

The kitchen door opened, Cassandra watched her mother come out with one of those ladies she was introduced to earlier, her father said a parting word then left them.

Now, they are finally alone.

She stared up at him and he gazed back at her. His expression is emotionless. She couldn't make out anything that might be going through his mind. Is he glad to be doing this? Marrying a stranger? We'll not anymore. They met now, so that should count too right? He continued to look at it with rapt attention as if he found a new prey. Under his gaze, she shifted suddenly, feeling uncomfortable. Her cheeks heated in embarrassment so she looked down.

Why is he having this reaction to her? She thought. She is supposed to hate him, hate the idea but right now she doesn't even care.

Muttering up her courage, she raised her head and met his gaze. She cleared her throat before speaking.

"We haven't met," she said firmly.

Sebastian crooked a brow. "Are you sure, I thought you just agreed that we've met"

"I didn't…." Cassandra had started to say but shut her mouth. Her heart fluttered so fast that she could swear she heard the rhythm. He was right, she didn't disagree while her father was there.

Sebastian could read what was going through Cassandra's mind, her face was like an open book. He knew about the Hastings family since he was a kid. His grandfather would call him and his sister and would make them listen to stories about this family. He knew Cassandra wasn't aware of the alliance between the two families. Somehow he thought Jake was being selfish but no, the man had to do what he could. Like how he had to agree.

When he first saw her through the blinds earlier he thought she was one of the guests, but seeing her at closer range, he knew she's just a kid with a heavy responsibility to carry out. But this girl before him appeared strong, she wasn't even shedding tears. His sister, Isabella who was married off to the Davis Family cried till the day she was taken away and ever since he only sees her on important occasions only. Like tonight.

He studied the figure before him, short, petite with a cute face. The green dress fitted her perfectly. He's sure she isn't even aware of how gorgeous she looks because she didn't appear to care. Her face shows how uncomfortable she is to be standing here.

He bent forward, bringing his head closer to Hers. She felt his breath against her ear. “Come outside with me" His voice was rough. Harsh. Almost tormenting. She inhaled and closed her eyes, holding a desperate urge to break down and cry. She didn't say anything as she followed him out through the back and down the little garden In her father's yard. He stopped walking and she did too, his back was turned to her.

"You could have refused, Cassandra," he sneered at her name. She could feel the distaste on his lip at the mention of her name. All  of the intimacy he had displayed in front of her father was all gone now.

"I didn't even know about this until…"  she had started to say but he spoke over her.

"I don't care when you find out about this," he said in the same cold voice. "Arraignment has been made, the wedding is in a week. Our fathers are  finalizing it as I speak"

"I don't want this' ' Her voice was a little shaky and her heart almost rattled out of her chest. She realised how weak she was against him. Her hands won't stop trembling and her breath won't cease to come in rapid gasps.

He could easily destroy her. She is fragile and small. But she is sure he wouldn't do that as he needs her for an heir. That's the purpose of the marriage anyway.

Sebastian turned slowly making a slow step as he walked to where she was standing. She could see the fury and frustration in his eyes. He didn't want to get married to her as much as she didn't want him to. From the disgust scowl on his face she can only deduce one thing. The man standing before her right now and the one she met in her father's hall some minutes ago are entirely different. This one is demanding, menacing, ruthless and smells dangerous.

He is so devious, cruel and yet so powerful.

"What did you just say?" He laughed. "Do you think you have a choice in this? You know how important this marriage is for both our families. I could refuse and your father will never get his inheritance" Sebastian mocked.

Cassandra knew he was right. She had no choice. Her father would have her hunted down and have her killed if she disobeyed his commands. As for her mother, she would disown her and take sides with her father. Both of them would erase her name from the family book and if she gets lucky, she would live.

She fidget under his menacing gaze and shifts uncomfortably as he takes another step towards her. His hand came up to her face and she flinched. He chuckled. He moved his hand over her hair and pulled her closer so that he was leaning over her with his lip right placed over her right ear as he lowered to whisper in her ear.

"Don't worry little one, I won't touch you" he whispered.

She turned her face away, breaking away from his embrace. Not able to bear his touch or the anger his presence emanates.

"Cassandra! Cassandra!" Her father's voice reached them in the dark, where they were standing. Cassandra and Sebastian both looked up to find the shadow of her father standing in the distance. They ignored him.

"You have said what you have to say and as you can see my father needs me, can we go back now?"

Sebastian didn't reply as he stormed past her and started to walk away but stopped. He turned to look back at her.

“Oh right, I almost forgot to give you this.” He dipped his hand in his pocket then fished out something. It glowed under the moonlight. He grabbed her hand harshly then opened her palm as he placed the ring on it.

“It's your ring,” Sebastian said coldly, his voice dripping with venom.

“Wear it. Happy engagement to us.” and with that he left without looking back.