CHAPTER 16: COLD AND DECEPTIVE

MAKENA

The familiar scent of bread greeted me as I entered the dining room, where my parents were already seated. The servers entered and set the dishes in front of us after I sat down and greeted Mom, whom I had not seen.

As was customary, they arranged everything and then quietly left the room, except one who stood quietly by the far wall, waiting to refill a glass or bring something if necessary.

We started eating, and after a while, my mother, grinning as she handed me a bowl of berries I didn't reach for, broke the ice by telling me she had talked to Akira's mother the previous evening.

"We've reviewed the final guest list and discussed floral arrangements. I didn’t think anyone was more excited than I am.”

The food on my plate may as well have vanished the moment she mentioned the wedding. Anxiety crept up my throat until I could hardly breathe, and a familiar pressure built in my chest as her voice faded into the background.

I stared at my plate, trying to think of a way to tell them that I wouldn't marry Akira. It was wrong of me to allow them to continue the preparations now that I had found my mate.

“I-” I tried, my lips parting as I looked up at my mother. But the words didn’t come. Before I could try again, my father joined in.

“I’m proud of you, Makena,” he said, looking straight at me with a rare softness in his eyes. "This alliance will forever change the fate of our house. I could never have asked the gods for a better daughter… a better heir."

His words were intended to comfort me, but I felt my chest bleed from how deep they cut. Nodding numbly, I forced a smile until my eyes stung. "May I be excused?"

My mother looked concerned. “But you’ve barely touched your breakfast.”

"I'm not hungry," I said, already pushing my chair back. They exchanged glances, but neither protested. I walked away, and the moment I was out of sight, my tears fell. How would I tell them?

The way to my room blurred, and before I knew it, I was stumbling inside. Just then, a message came through on my phone from Erika. She informed me that she was on her way to the apartment to deliver the items I had asked her to organize for Val.

I put down the phone and stood in front of the mirror, staring at myself, my thoughts shifting to how I would sneak out to see my mate. I needed to see him badly.

A knock at my door jolted me out of my reverie; it was my mother, who I knew had followed me to check on me. I quickly composed myself and invited her inside.

She entered, but instead of a worried expression, she wore a broad smile that made me uneasy. Lately, most of the things that made her smile have had the opposite effect on me; they made me want to cry.

"You have a visitor," she said, still smiling, and I raised an eyebrow in curiosity. I was not expecting anyone. My children were not coming. I sponsored an orphanage, which I visited whenever possible.

Every time one of the kids' birthdays rolled around, I would make them a special dinner, show them around the house, and let them play in the backyard, which they loved.

After I was born, my parents had an amusement park constructed in our backyard for me. It was a gift from Akira's parents, and the kids enjoyed it.

Thinking of the kids gave me an idea. Perhaps I could use the orphanage as an excuse to escape and spend time with Val.

"Who?" I asked Mom, who said it was a surprise, which made me even more tense. With her smile intact, she continued, "Fix yourself and come down." She went on, "Don't be too long," and then left the room. I went to my dresser and put on some makeup.

I then changed into black open-toe boots, a gray top, and blue jeans. I left my hair down and made my way downstairs, still wondering who the visitor could be. And the thought stilled as they locked on the last pair they expected... Akira.

He approached with a bouquet of blush pink roses in his hand. What was he doing here? He never came without first informing my family.

He reached for the hand I held out to him, and I forced a smile as he raised it to his lips before handing me the roses. My skin crawled at the gesture; my only thought was how much I wished Val had been here instead.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t come sooner. How are you feeling?” He asked as we descended the final few steps together, and I assured him that I was fine. “It turned out to be nothing serious. Thank you for understanding that I could not attend the event."

“You’re my fiancée, Makena. It's my responsibility to be understanding," he said, pressing a gentle kiss on my forehead that made my mother blush. She was a huge fan of Akira and thought everything he did was impressive. I, on the other hand, found him cold and deceptive.

Akira was affectionate in public, but distant when no one was watching. I figured out a long time ago that he didn't want this marriage, and it used to hurt, but not anymore. And that reluctance may be my saving grace.

He asked me to join him for a late breakfast, and I agreed. It wasn’t like I could say no. We left the house, and, as expected, the affection faded as soon as we got into our car. The loving facade crumbled, and cold Akira returned.

I couldn’t believe I’d almost committed my life to this. I couldn’t believe I’d even hoped he’d change... because now, sitting beside him, I knew he wasn’t capable of being anything else but what he was.

Once again, my thoughts turned to Val. I wondered what he was doing. I considered asking Erika to get him a phone so we could talk, since we couldn't mind-link, but I decided against it. I wanted to be the one to take him shopping and share that moment with him.

But I still asked Erika to get him a few necessities. He only had two pairs of clothing that he had taken from someone’s washing line, and the thought broke my heart.

I glanced over at Akira, who was staring at his phone and completely ignoring me, before turning away and watching the road blur by. My thoughts turned back to the idea I had earlier. The orphanage was the only place I could go where I was not constantly watched by guards.

My security detail only checked the premises for threats before allowing me in, and then waited outside for the remainder of the visit. That was not always the case, but after pleading with my father to tell them to wait outside, they eventually agreed. Their presence made everyone, including the children, uneasy.

We arrived at the hotel and stepped inside, the press swarming around us like bloodthirsty vultures, and making everything more difficult, as usual.

We were escorted to the dining area, and I expected to walk into a room filled with people eating and chatting, but that was not the scene that greeted me. Akira had reserved the entire section for us, and the intimacy of the setting made my heart race.

What had I walked into?