Chapter 11

Sarah

"Um...I am sorry, Jared, but I can't talk right now. I have to go," I say quickly and try to walk away, but Jared stops me.

"Hang on a minute, Sarah. I've been calling and texting you, but you haven't replied. Why have you been avoiding me? I thought we were best friends," Jared says. He looks hurt and I feel a twinge of guilt.

I have been avoiding him because I couldn't bear to tell him that I was being shipped off to some strange man by my own father. It's so damn humiliating!

"I have been busy," I say lamely.

"Busy? Come on, Sarah. I know you are lying. Just tell me what's wrong. Maybe I can help," Jared says.

"What's going on here?"

My heart jumps as I hear Vincent's deep voice. Where did he come from? "Nothing is going on. I was just walking back to the table," I say hurriedly.

Jared looks from me to Vincent, confusion etched on his face. Vincent's expression is unreadable, but there's a hint of possessiveness in his gaze.

"Sarah, who is this?" Vincent asks, his tone firm.