CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 4

YANA

I've locked myself up for days. The only time I step out is when I want to collect my order. Other than that, I've been wallowing in self-pity while thinking about the way forward. Going back to London will literally be the death of me. I just can't deal with my parents anymore. The shame would be too much for me to bear, and just like I planned, I want to stay as far away from them as possible. 

And that's Los Angeles. My dad already cut off my allowance and even stopped my card as soon as I eloped with Spencer. Thankfully, I have an online career that has been sustaining me, I've been able to buy the house with that, and I'm afraid I might go broke before I receive any more money by the end of the month. I didn't even do much to expect that much money by the end, so I have to find a job. 

But the job I got is something I wasn't expecting. 

A knock comes from the door at that moment, and I take another look at myself in the mirror before grabbing my purse and heading out. Opening the door, I come face-to-face with Luis Bishop. 

He's wearing a black tuxedo with his black hair slicked back. He literally looks like the cover of a fashion magazine, or maybe he should be on the runway. I know Valeria got married to his father because of money and all, but she could have gone for the younger and finer version.

We are going to the wedding party together. Not just as their guests. But as engaged couples, we are ready to put our betrayers in their place. 

"Are you ready?" Luis asks, offering his hand. I flash him a small smile before placing my hand on his.

"It looks good on you," he says, referring to my diamond ring. I take a glance at the six-carat heart-shaped diamond ring. I wasn't expecting Luis to come with a ring yesterday evening. I was expecting we would just finalise the marriage agreement and sign the contract, but it seems like he's really serious about the whole thing.

When he first suggested the marriage for revenge, I thought it was weird for him to go out of his way just to help me get my revenge. Someone can't be that nice, right? But then, I realised he had his own personal reasons.

Luis doesn't look like someone who would have a kind heart, rather he has that narcissistic and independent look, one of the many odd reasons girls have been making their crush known to him publicly. 

But when he told me he's trying to adopt a child who's on the verge of being taken back to her country and would ultimately be put up for adoption over there because she doesn't have any family members, I still couldn't understand why he would want to stop that and adopt a foreign child. Until he told him he made a promise to her mother while she was on her sick and dying bed. 

The child's mother had been his housekeeper for a while, and after she got diagnosed with cancer, he had paid all her medical bills, trying to save her, but she ended up dying, leaving her five-year-old daughter to him.

I still find it unbelievable that he's willing to adopt a child, and would do anything, including getting into a contract marriage, just to ensure her safety. He doesn't strike me as the thoughtful and family-oriented guy at all.

"I know it's not going to be easy seeing someone who almost became your husband getting married to your best friend, but I'm here for you," he says when we enter the car.

I turn to him with a small smile. "Thank you. And thanks for coming with me to the wedding party."

He waves his hand. "I'm not doing this for you alone. I'm doing it for myself, too."

I bob my head, and he starts the car. I know he doesn't have to attend the wedding, after all, he never acknowledged Valeria while she was married to his father, and even now that she's getting married to another person in just a month, he doesn't owe her anything. But I can't imagine being stuck at home and brooding over them while they get married, or going there looking like a pathetic fool.

When we arrive at the wedding Hall, the first thing that greets us is the large wedding banner. Spencer and Valeria are standing across from each other, their heads resting on each other with wide smiles on their faces while holding hands. They look happy and excited. It doesn't even seem like they rushed the wedding at all, more like they've been preparing for this their whole lives.

My heart clenches. I feel like throwing up. I feel like turning back. If I'm already feeling this way when the party hasn't started, what more when they exchange vows? Did I make a wrong decision coming here?

The slip of warm hands in mine brings me out of my thoughts, and I glance at Luis, who gives me an assuring smile.

"They have nothing on you," he whispers. 

I bob my head in agreement. They have no effect on me anymore. They're not important to me anymore.

When we enter the hall, Luis ushers me to a seat at the far end. I know he doesn't really want me to witness everything going on, but I came here to witness everything.

Valeria walks into the hall with a wide smile on her face as her father leads her down the aisle, while Spencer waits for her with glassy eyes, as if this were indeed the happiest day of their lives. I tightened my fist around the edge of my gown, trying not to burst out. To think I would have been the one marrying Spencer. 

"You dodged a bullet. Stop choking them with your eyes," Luis whispers as he grabs my hand, leaning closer to me. I'm just so glad he came with me. I'm so happy I didn't come here alone, and I have someone to calm me down; if not, I might have caused a scene, but just as Luis told me, Spencer isn't worth fighting for. They both deserve each other.

I almost walk out when they start exchanging vows, but if I want to win this game, I have to act unaffected and put up a strong front, and that's what I do when the couple approaches us.

"Oh, Yana, I'm so happy you could make it," Valeria starts, grinning like there's no bad blood between us. "I thought you were never going to show up, but I'm glad you put the past behind us."

I let out a low scoff. "Of course, congratulations on your wedding," I reply tightly, flashing Spencer a scowl which he doesn't seem bothered by.

She waves, before her eyes dart to Luis and then back at me. "Where is the boyfriend you told me you were coming with? Or was it just a bluff?" She asks in a conceited tone, looking around like she can't see someone beside me. Did she think we just sat together or something? Or is she just looking down on me?

Luis pulls me close to himself at that moment and rests his hand on my lower back. My body tingles at that little contact. The way his hand rests gently on my waist makes my pulse quicken.

"That must be me," he replies, a small smile on his face. 

She shares a confused look with Spencer before chuckling. "What are you talking about? Yana isn't your type and..."

He cut in sharply. "What's my type? You? I thought I gave you my answers when you tried to seduce me while my father was still alive."

My eyes pop out. Valeria staggers as her face pales, but Spencer grabs her before she can fall. 

"You did that?" He asks, his vein popping, but she shakes her head.

"No, no. You know I wouldn't do that to you," she replies, her voice shaking.

Spencer opens his mouth to say something, but Luis beats him to it.

"Anyway, I'm sure the lawyer would have dropped the documents in the house by now," he says, glancing at his wristwatch.

"What documents?"

"Your eviction from my father's house."

Wow. Wasn't expecting that. Looks like Luis came prepared.

Her lashes fluttered. "What are you talking about?" Her voice rises. "Your father gave me that house. It's my right as his wife!" 

Luis lets out a low huff. "Not when you're getting married to someone else." His eyes flicker to Spencer who is now holding Valeria tightly. "You're only entitled to a monthly allowance, which can only be signed by me."

Valeria's face contorts. "What the hell are you saying? What gives you the right to do this to me?" She screams, not minding that other guests could hear her, or it's even their wedding. A smile almost spill out of my face. She thinks she can eat her cake and have it.

Luis raises an index finger. "Right. The farm is yours. You can do whatever you like with it, and you can decide to stay in the farmhouse. That's being generous enough, right?"

Colour drains out of Valeria's face while Spencer steps away from her. They exchange looks, and I try not to smile at their misfortune.

"By the way, the lawyer dropped our wedding invitation with the documents. It's tomorrow, and you guys are invited," he says, his hand wrapping tightly and possessively around me.

Valeria staggers back, her eyes widening to their fullest extent, while Spencer's jaw drops s they both remain frozen in silence.

I add. "We'll be expecting you at our wedding. Happy married life."