5

CHLOE

 

What?

I stared at Sebastian, my mind reeling with shock. Of all the things I expected, this…

 “Marry me?” I repeated, my voice barely above a whisper.

I couldn't believe my ears. What did he mean? 

Sebastian nodded, his expression serious. 

“I know it's sudden, but please, don't feel alarmed or upset and let me explain.”

“I don't understand,” I let out breathily, leaning against the nearest chair.

For a moment I could have sworn I saw something flash in his eyes, but it was gone and soon replaced with his normal neutral expression.

“Sit down Chloe,” he said in a much gentler tone I'd never heard from him before. 

“The truth is, I made this proposal because I want to protect you, Chloe. I of all people know how it feels to be under scrutiny,” he smiled wryly,

“No matter how that past was, you're one of my best employees. More than that, you're pregnant, and you deserve a stable and secure future for yourself and your child. I can provide that.”

A lump formed in my throat. Everything he said made sense but I wasn't convinced. 

We're those really his true motives for proposing this? What if…he had a completely different reason, like Nathan?

Suspicion filled me instantly as I considered it.

Was he trying to get one over Nathan? Even if nobody knew about our past relationship, Nathan's reaction to me during any of the joint meetings must have tipped Sebastian off. Was he trying to get one up over him?

But that didn't sound like the person Sebastian was. No matter how our past was, after working with him during the day and staying with him at night, he wasn't the kind of person who used underhanded means. He was quiet and cutthroat, but never cruel or manipulative. He worked hard for everything he got.

As I looked into Sebastian's eyes, I saw something there that gave me pause. It looked like concern.

His face was a neutral mask that I couldn't break, not even during the few times he came to his home. I couldn't decipher it and thanks to that, I didn't know what to believe.

Was he simply helping me, or was he doing this to intimidate Nathan? Was he trying to manipulate me or use me? 

“I'm not trying to manipulate you, Chloe,” he said, and I blinked. It was like he'd read my thoughts. Leaning on his desk he sighed.

“Take some time to think about it. It's the least you deserve after I'd sprung this upon you, but please don't worry. I don't aim for it to be a real marriage. I won't make you do anything you don't want to do and no matter what your decision is, your job here is safe. I just want to help you."

I nodded, still feeling dazed. Standing up, it took everything in me to not scramble out of the office.

The rest of the day went as normal , so normal that even during the final meetings for the day his proposal would barely reach my mind. Then I would look at him and it would come rushing back.

It wasn't until we returned to his home that I thought about it. 

As I retreated to my bed before dinner, my mind constantly wandered to Sebastian's proposal. 

A part of me wanted to laugh at the irony. Two brothers and two reactions to my pregnancy, except rather than Nathan who I'd hoped for, it was Sebastian who offered marriage. It was so messed up.

What did I really know about Sebastian? It had been years since I last saw him before this and even some of my memories regarding him have been unclear thanks to the head injury I suffered. After hearing of his exploits and seeing Nathan's outbursts over him, I grew to dislike him for impeding on Nathan. But now…

He seemed so different. Despite acting cold, he was kind, genuine, and caring. He had helped me and supported me at every turn.

I once thought I would marry for love, my dreams always with Nathan. Now they felt like a joke.

My feelings for Nathan were gone, but it was his child that was still in me.  I didn't know if I had any feelings for Sebastian.

But I couldn't hide this pregnancy forever. Eventually it would show and I didn't have the facilities to take care of it without a restaurant. I had no other options. 

I was pregnant, and I needed a way to support myself and my child. If this was what it took, then so be it.

…

The next day, I made my decision.

I agreed to marry Sebastian shortly after breakfast. Just like always, he didn't give a reaction aside from a few neutral looks. It wasn't until after that he spoke.

“We can have it tonight.” He said, which made me blink in surprise. That soon?

The more I thought about it though it made sense. The faster we did it the less chances people were going to question my pregnancy.

The wedding was a small, private ceremony. Shortly after work, we drove to the wedding hall so casually it was shocking. How had he prepared this over a short period of time?

There wasn't any time to think. With signing of documents and quick vows it was done. 

I was married.

The thought replayed itself in my head like a record. My eyes constantly wandered to the new ring on my finger. It looked so expensive, nothing that I would have imagined anyone doing in a rush. Why would he buy something this valuable for a fake marriage?

Sebastian's hand on mine brought me back to reality. I looked up to find him staring. Was it just me or did he look…softer?

“Let's have some dinner,” he offered, and I couldn't find it in myself to refuse.

With a nod, we headed to the car hand in hand until I spotted a quick flash. My heart flew to my throat. I knew who it was.

Thanks to Nathan I was not unused to the paparazzi. The Willis family were wealthy and influential, and it wasn't unusual to find one or two stalking for any scandals. 

The thought made me tug against Sebastian's grip, a surge of anxiety filling me.

“There's paparazzi,” I rushed out, in a low whisper trying to push him away.

I waited for Sebastian to let go of me.

 Nathan never hesitated to do the same anytime we were anywhere else. Even at the slight suspicion of anyone watching he would ignore  me and act out, sometimes harsher than necessary just to make sure nobody got the wrong idea. It always chipped a part of me anytime that happened.

Not to mention that this was more damning than any scandal I would have gotten into. Both of us standing outside a marriage hall with rings? There was no way to twist that story if it came out. It would be published first thing tomorrow morning if he didn't do anything about it.

I  was expecting him to let go, or move towards the paparazzi but he remained in place. Shock and confusion filled me as he wrapped his arm around me, pulling me close. Heat rose  to my cheeks. What was he doing?

“Why should I push you away?” His voice rumbled against me,

“I…the cameras…”

“And so what?” He cut me off. Before I could think, his hands pushed me to face him, meeting his icy blue eyes in the night sky.

"I'm not ashamed of you, Chloe," he said, his voice loud and clear. 

“Why should I be afraid to have a beautiful woman like you by my side?”

My breath hitched. Beautiful?

“I'm proud to call you my wife.” He smiled, leaning in and kissing my forehead before leading me into the car. 

My heart hammered in my chest as I entered the car, mind racing. I couldn't stop thinking about it. The soft look in his eyes, the closeness of him. 

As he drove off, I turned to look at him. The night lights contoured his face. I couldn't take my eyes away.

I was thinking too much. Maybe this was his plan, to publicize our wedding so that my reputation wouldn't be harmed. It was nothing.

So why was I feeling this way?