Chapter Ten

Alina

It all moved so fast, one minute I was asking him why he was stalking me and the other minute, I somehow found myself in the living room with my grandfather and Sebastian Wolfe.

“We are getting married” Sebastian announced confidently and the room fell silent.

It was typical of him to always have such power over everyone. His aura commanded everyone’s attention with ease, a fact he was very aware of and loved it about himself. But right now he could only focus on one person in that room, so when he looked at Charles, he saw hostility. I am sure of this because that was what I saw.

My grandfather began to chuckle, it was empty and sounded like nails on a chalkboard, which made me more nervous.

“Is this some sort of joke?”

“No Sir, we were engaged before we lost contact, tell him, Alina”

I was too frozen to speak but in the secrecy of my heart I was glad he had used the term “Engaged” instead of “Married”. That would have complicated things more.

Everyone was waiting for me to say something. If I didn't affirm, Sebastian would keep to his threats, I knew him too well.

“It’s the truth Grandfather,” I said with all the dignity possible. My grandfather's head turned towards me, his eyes dark and murderous like a viper that wants to kill you with one bite, the kind that will leave your corpse bleeding on the ground.

“5 years is a long time for someone to change, do you think he is the same man that you once knew?”

Of course, Sebastian was the same man right? “Yes grandfather” I lied while trying to stay calm. I hated Sebastian, I hated him so much for putting me in this situation and humiliating me.

“Why didn’t you tell us? How long have you been seeing each other?” He asked with narrowed eyes and I felt trapped by those words. Sebastian knew because he answered “Some weeks”

Charles Grant didn't say anyone after that he just stared between Sebastian and me. It made me sick to the stomach that I had to lie to him. I was even more sick when I couldn't tell what was going on in his head.

Dinner passed by awkwardly, not even Vanessa could say a word.

“We need to start the wedding preparation,” Sebastian said once we were outside in front of his Tesla. My heart sank at the sound of his voice.

“How Do you expect us to start planning a wedding? ” I was upset. “Can't you read the room? Did you see my grandfather's reaction? Do you still think there would be any wedding? Why are you so bent on ruining my life?” I was getting angry. This whole plan was ridiculous, he knew how much I hated what he was doing.

“There will be a wedding, just do as you are told” He replied calmly while taking out his phone from his pocket and checking messages. “As for preparations, I already told them you would help in this one. There is nothing else they could ask of you”

Who were they?

“Them?”

“You'll see”

In the next week, Sebastian seemed to have won my grandfather over. The wedding was small at one of his luxurious hotels.

It didn't help that I could barely spot any of his family and on my side, it was only Charles Grant. There was no sign of my half-sister, Vanessa.

“You may now kiss the bride” The officiant announced with a huge smile and both Sebastian and I stepped forward simultaneously. I was confused by how fast everything was going.

“They are going to sense your hesitation” he whispered as he leaned forward. His lips brushed against my lips softly and I shivered slightly. It was then I realized that I was afraid, because of his threat and also because of the weird reaction his lips stirred inside me. I don't know what I expected but his lips were surprisingly soft and warm, not as cold as his heart was.

Maybe it wasn't the best way to describe a kiss but I guess it worked for me. I closed my eyes and felt Sebastian warm hands glide across my back slowly as if he wanted to memorize how to touch me. As if he were trying to remember the taste of my mouth. When I opened my eyes again, Sebastian looked completely different.

My mind was a whirlwind as we exchanged the rings and my hands trembled uncontrollably, I couldn’t believe we were doing this, again.

That same day, I moved into the Wolfe’s mansion. And just like last time, six pairs of eyes waited for and it felt like dèjá vu.

The only difference was that I wasn't the scruffy girl I once was. I was still intimidated but I hid it with a blank expression. If Sebastian had held my hands at that moment he would have felt the sweat in them.

“You still went ahead to bring this whore back, do you even care about this family's reputation?” Mrs. Wolfe demanded. The older Mrs Wolfe because I was also now a Mrs Wolfe.

Her face was flushed red, her fists were balled and her breathing was uneven. She was obviously agitated. “What makes you think you can return with such embarrassment?”

“I chose my path already, take it or leave it” Sebastian responded. His tone was icy and detached but I could hear hurt in it too. Maybe I was exaggerating.

“Your path is a whore and she…”

“Excuse me, Mrs Wolfe. My name is Alina Grant. My pronouns are she/her. But I understand that some people like you are obsessed with my past so sometimes my pronouns are slut, whore, and hoe. But trust me, I understand. This time is different from the last time. I wouldn't stand here and hear it anymore if it weren't for Sebastian. And please forgive him, this has become a habit now”

Mrs Wolfe glared at me, looking like she would gladly rip out my throat and spit on my body, but after the short pause, she let out an exasperated sigh and turned around.

“Take the bitch wherever you want, I don't want to see her”

“You mean to say, Alina. My name is Alina” I corrected with a forced smile.

One minute she was in front of me and the other minute her palm collided painfully with my cheek.