The 26th arrives sooner than I expected.
So here I am, in the courthouse, in a white lace dress, all alone, rocking back and forth on my heels, tossing my bouquet from one hand to the other.
"Why aren't they here yet?" Fiona whispers to me.
I shrug.
"I swear if they ditched you, we're getting on the next flight to Vegas."
I hold a finger up.
"I do not object to that decision. At all."
"Are you sure the date is today?" The official asks me after one hour, not including the 40 minutes I had waited before that.
"Yes, I'm sure." He looks skeptical, but doesn't question me further.
"Five. Four. Three. Two. One. Come on Char, we're going."
I grin at her, despite the weight in my chest. I don't know why my heart feels so heavy, I should be happy that I'm not getting married. Maybe it's just the feeling of not being enough weighing me down.
I throw my bouquet in a nearby trashcan outside the courthouse and loosen my hair from its updo.
"That's right girl. Get ready to get wild in Vegas."
I suddenly bump into someone and apologize, before realizing I bumped into Sebastian Crosswalk.
He looks angry. Furious even. Suddenly, I've had enough of it.
I find Anthony right behind him, in a no better mood than Sebastian.
"Anthony, you don't have to do this to him. Look how angry he is all the time."
Anthony steps closer and closer till he's toe to toe with me. I have to crane my neck to see his face.
"You don't tell me what to do young lady. I know what I have to do for my son. You are not his mother, so don't tell me what I should or shouldn't do."
I take a step back from him and look at the both of them. Same jaws, same brown eyes, just in different shades. Anthony's facial features are harder and sharper whereas Sebastian's features are more on the soft side. He must take after his mother in that department.
"Let's go." Surprisingly, it's Sebastian who says this.
"Are you sure you have to do this Char?" Fiona whispers into my ear.
I give her a small smile.
"I can't get out of this any more than he can."
Both father and son whip their heads in my direction. Was I that loud?
"Geez, Charlotte, could you be any louder?" Fiona laughs at my side and my cheeks heat up, but I don't apologize. I don't feel the need to.
The official looks at me, then looks at Anthony and Sebastian with pursed lips. Sebastian is dressed too casually in jeans and a baby blue button up shirt, whereas Anthony is dressed in a three piece suit. I don't think I've ever seen him in anything else.
"Which one of you is the groom?" The official asks, making me blush and both the men scowl. Anthony urges Sebastian forward, making him stand right beside me.
After about an hour, me and Sebastian are officially husband and wife. At least, on paper.
The four of us celebrate by going to a restaurant for lunch. Much to his dismay, Sebastian is made to sit beside me. Anthony's phone rings while I'm in the middle of eating my lobster bisque.
I assumed he would ignore it, but he answers and I hear my father's voice on the other end.
"Anthony, Sebastian, congratulations are in order." My father decides to pretend I'm not there, which I'm pretty much used to. Nothing new about that. Nope. Nothing at all. I mean it hurts a little, but really, it's no big deal.
I clean the plate and get a toffee pudding for desert. Fiona groans and I turn to look at her.
"Where do you fit all that?"
"I guess it goes here." I discretely point to my breasts.
"Ugh. Your boobs are amazing. I'd totally do you if I were a guy."
I giggle at that. "You're such a pervert Fiona."
She shrugs and sips her milkshake. Meanwhile, the waiter delivers my toffee pudding.
It looks mouthwatering. I stare at my pudding in anticipation and catch Sebastian staring at me.
I blink at him. "What?"
He shakes his head in a mixture of disgust and dismay.
"Are you not done yet?"
"I've been waiting for this pudding. You guys can go ahead." I rub my hands on my thighs and pick up my fork.
I hear a scoff. Anthony stares at me blankly and excuses himself to take another phone call, so I know it didn't come from him. Sebastian, on the other hand, has his lip curled upwards.
"Who will pick up the bill? You?" He looks at me in disbelief and shakes his head.
"Yes. I thought that was the plan?"
"I think I'll be in debt after feeding you."
My cheeks flush hot with embarrassment.
"Hey!" Fiona exclaims angrily.
"You don't need to feed her. She's capable of doing it herself." Fiona says in my defense.
"Can she even afford it without her Daddy's money?"
I open my mouth to tell him I'm right there, but Anthony cuts me to it.
"Yes, Sebastian, she can most definitely afford it. She doesn't need your money, or my money, or her Father's money. She's Charlotte Daymond, a businesswoman, not Adeline Ruthfield, world class hoe."
I'm too surprised to register Sebastian's face turning red. I look at Anthony and find him glaring at Sebastian. The stare off is too intense, because neither of them relents. I clear my throat and say, "I'm done. Let's go."
Sebastian is the one who turns to me.
"It's about time."
The waiter comes out with the receipt and I slip my black Amex card into it, leaving a twenty dollar tip for the waiter in cash.
We leave after I stash my credit card back into my pocket.
Apparently, I have to go in the same car as Anthony and Sebastian, but Franco is already there, since I assumed I would be going with him.
I kiss Fiona's cheek and tell her to go with Franco.
"Call me whenever, and wherever you need. I'll always be there." Her words cause my eyes to burn and I can only nod at her.
"You bet your ass I will."
I get in the backseat of their black SUV, with Sebastian sitting beside me.
I slap my hands on my thighs.
"So your place or mine?" I grin when I see mild surprise on his face.
"I mean I'll need to pack my things." I correct.
"It's already done." Anthony says from the passenger seat.
"What? How?"
"Your father had it arranged." I slump back in my seat. Typical of Charles Daymond. Doing everything without considering the other person's feelings.
"Oh." It comes out more dejected than I had wanted it to.
My favorite part of Casa de Crosswalk is the abundance of palm trees. We all get out at the same time and I marvel at the black rose bushes once again. The black SUV goes into the right garage and I ask Sebastian, "Which garage is yours? Right or left?"There's a long pause before he answers."Left." It's grumbled so low that I almost hadn't heard it. Of course the SUV belongs to Anthony. I stand in the foyer and take in my surroundings. To my right is a wide marble staircase which leads to the second floor and to my left, two wide archways lead into the hall. Sebastian just storms up the stairs, leaving me and Anthony to stare at his retreating form. "You'll be sharing the same room as him. As you are, after all, husband and wife now."I clear my throat and nod at him. I expect him to leave as well, but he looks like he wants to say something. After a beat of hesitation, he looks straight into my eyes with his hazel ones. "If Sebastian gives you trouble...you can tell me."I d
I carefully tiptoe down the stairs, hoping no one is awake at this time of night. The loveseat in the bedroom is not so comfortable to say the least. Sebastian thought I would want the bed and was in a sour mood, but I told him I'd take the couch. But, even with that, he had a problem. "You're just saying that on purpose.""Saying what on purpose?""That you'll sleep on the couch.""I don't understand.""You'll just nag about it to my father tomorrow and then what's he going to do? He's going to go on and on about how I should be a better man...because of you."The man child finally relented after thirty minutes of placating him. I blow out a breath as I descend the last stair. Talk about him not being immature. I silently pray no one sees me like this. I could be practically naked with what I'm wearing. The pink lace slip dress falls to my knees and leaves little to the imagination. There's only one person responsible for this and it's Fiona. She replaced my comfy pajamas with the
I immediately fall in love with the ambience of the 25th floor. Dark wood flooring, cream colored walls and soft golden lighting. It's rather romantic in my opinion. But, the word romance and my father in law should be nowhere near each other. There's a huge oak desk right in front of the elevator, and it seems as if no one is there. But, as soon as I step out of the elevator, an older lady with purple framed glasses looks at me questioningly. "May I help you?""Yes, I came to give breakfast to Mr. Crosswalk."She raises an eyebrow at me. "Do you have an appointment? Because you don't look like a delivery girl." She narrows her eyes at me and gives me a once over. My cheeks heat in response. "Anthony is my father in law.""Ah, so you're Sebastian's wife.""Yes.""Hmm...maybe you're not keeping him happy enough."My eyes widen in anger. How dare she? "I don't see how that's any of your business."She huffs and points to a room. I observe the cream leather chairs to the far right a
When I enter into my room, I see Sebastian is still awake, typing away on his laptop. He glances up at me. "I didn't want to call you. I had to do it because my father just wouldn't quit asking me why I wasn't calling my wife. Fuck, I'll never see you as my wife. You're just an obstacle to me. Anyways, I don't care how late you are or what you even do. You can be fucking someone else for all I care. Just don't let your schedule disrupt mine. Am I clear?""Crystal." His eyes narrow on me, but my eyes drift to the box on the couch. Ah, those must be the pyjamas that I ordered this morning. I don't see any scissors anywhere so I take out the switchblade I always keep in my pocket and rip open the tape. I take all the clothes out and drop the box on the floor. I check whether they're the ones I ordered and remove them from their packaging one by one, putting them up in the closet. I take a pair of loose pants and a shirt with me to the bathroom and take a shower. I don't prefer to we
The next few days pass in the same manner. Anthony doesn't eat breakfast at home again. He leaves early and comes home late. Even later than Sebastian. I eat with Sebastian whenever I'm at home and we continue to share stories about our days. He even opens up about Adeline and I'm glad that he has someone to talk to now. When I do see Anthony, he tries his best not to look tired, but I know he is. So here I am, at his office, carrying his lunch in my hand. Lunch that I made myself. Lobster Mac and cheese with mozzarella sticks. Even Julia approved of it. I greet Linda who's become my friend by now. I stop by her everyday and chat a little after giving Anthony and Sebastian their breakfasts. "Is Anthony up?""He never leaves. Don't look for Sebastian though. He's not here. "I grin at her and take the elevator. It's not really a surprise that Sebastian isn't here. When I step out on the 25th floor, Bertha's sour face greets me. What a way to kill the mood. "Mr. Crosswalk is busy. H
When I come home that night, I'm surprised to find both Anthony and Sebastian at the dining table. I sit beside Seb, opposite to Anthony. "Hey guys."They both grunt in response. Okay then. Julia brings out two plates of lamb chops and sets them in front of the men. She goes back into the kitchen and gets me a plate of chicken parm."Thanks Julia." She had asked me if there was anything I don't eat and I told her it was red meat. I dig in and catch Sebastian looking at me. I remember the comment he made the first time about how much I ate, during our wedding lunch. I put my utensils to the side. Anthony looks at me questioningly. "I'm full right now." It's a lie, because I don't want anyone digging deep into the matter. "Julia, could you put this in the fridge?""You no like?""I love it. I'm just full today. Must be because of the cheese."She nods and takes away my plate. I see Anthony pressing his shoulder with a wince and I notice Sebastian does too. He doesn't offer to hel
"Warren!" I greet him as soon as I see him in my boutique. He smiles wide and pulls me into a hug. "Hey Char, let me look at you."He pulls back and looks at my face. "Still as gorgeous as ever.""And you're still a sweet talker as ever."He looks around my boutique and smiles. "Charlotte's Secrets huh? I've heard a lot about it.""Good things I hope.""All good things, but I've found out your secret. A super successful business, and you got married." He whispers with widened eyes. "Well I've found out your secret too. Accelerate, and you're about to get married." I smirk at him. He laughs then. "Oh come on, it's not me who's getting married. It's my cousin.""Oh." I look at him sheepishly. "Yeah oh. I was hoping you'd be able to plan her wedding.""Of course, but she'll have to meet me for the all the specifics.""She lives in Chicago. I'll let her know."I think about it and realize I do need to go to Chicago and talk to the coordinators there. A few of my suppliers are base
Anthony:My phone almost cracks with the force I grip it with. I always knew there was a little bitch under all that kindness. I scowl at the way she helped Bertha. She's just begging for someone to take advantage of her.I stare at the empty house and when at other times, I would have felt cold, just like the walls, now, I'm just burning up. In anger. I check the location of her car and she's still at her boutique. The reason I offered her a car? It's because I already had a GPS tracker fitted underneath it. Partly for safety reasons. I pour myself a finger of Scotch and resist from drinking it in one go. I check the location of her car again and find it in the exact same location as five minutes ago. After I've finished about a quarter of the Scotch, Sebastian strolls into the house, whistling. "Where have you been Sebastian?"He slows to a stop. "Out.""With who?" I look at him dead in the eyes. The same eyes he shares with Della. Hers are completely brown while mine are hazel