Chapter 3

Alena was in her room, getting ready while trying to calm her nervousness.  

She was nervous. Very nervous.  

She was two seconds away from having an anxiety attack.  

Damn.  

What were they going to talk about? Would he like her? Not that she cared. She just wanted to know. He was so much older than her. Didn’t he like older women at his age? Why did he agree to marry her? Why did he invite her?  

*Stop thinking, Alena,* she told herself.  

She curled her hair, then did her makeup. Willa helped her choose her outfit. After finishing her makeup, she got dressed, put on her shoes, and grabbed her purse.  

"You look absolutely stunning, baby," Willa said, hugging her.  

"Thanks, Mom." She pulled away, and Willa smiled brightly—like she did every time Alena called her that.  

"Edmund's already here. He's waiting downstairs," Willa said while walking toward the door.  

She followed, feeling nervous again. Maybe she could say she was suddenly sick. Or she could pretend to faint.  

"Come on, baby. Don't be nervous." Willa held her hand in a reassuring grip as they walked downstairs.  

"Don't forget to just be yourself," Willa added. "He will have to like you just the way you are, or he can fuck off."  

She chuckled a bit at her stepmother’s joke. "Alright."  

They walked into the living room, where her father and Edmund were waiting. Edmund was wearing a black suit with a black shirt but no tie.  

God, he looked so handsome.  

She quickly glanced at his face before he could notice she was checking him out. But when she looked at him again, she realized he was looking at her outfit—more like checking *her* out. And for some reason, she smiled at the thought.  

"Alena, you look beautiful," her dad said, and she smiled at him. "Edmund, she's all yours tonight. Bring her back by eleven. I have some work to do, but I'll see you tomorrow for the meeting." He shook Edmund's hand.  

Edmund simply nodded, then turned to her. He started walking toward her. "Shall we go?"  

She quietly nodded and turned to leave. As they walked, he placed his hand on her lower back and opened the front door.  

A driver was waiting for them. They silently made their way down the steps and toward the car. He opened the door for her, and she mumbled a small thank you before he got in himself.  

She was dying to ask him why he invited her. Was he really interested in marrying her? Or was he getting something out of this?  

The car ride was silent. She was so deep in thought that she didn’t even notice when the car stopped.  

"We're here," he announced, snapping her out of it.  

They got out of the car, and she looked at the place. It was a really nice restaurant.  

"Good evening, Mr. Cardinal," a man said. "Ma'am..." He nodded at her politely. "I will take you to your table."  

The waiter walked them to their table before wishing them a good night.  

Once they sat down, a waiter came to take their drink orders, then they ordered their food. She could feel Edmund’s gaze on her, which made her hands shake. *Can he stop staring at me?*  

She cleared her throat. "Can I ask you something?" she said.  

He nodded, still looking at her.  

"Why did you invite me?"  

A smirk appeared on his face. She wanted to punch him. She was serious, and he was finding this amusing.  

"I just like to know more about my future wife," he said casually. "Is that wrong?" he asked, raising an eyebrow, still smirking.  

She pursed her lips. "No... I just didn’t think you were up for this marriage," she admitted while playing with her fingers.  

What was wrong with her? She was never this nervous around anyone.  

Just then, the waiter returned with their food and placed the plates on the table. They started eating in silence.  

By the time they finished, it was already ten in the evening. Just one hour left. Edmund paid the bill, and they walked out to the car.  

As the driver started the engine, she slowly turned her gaze to Edmund when his phone rang.  

He took it out of his pocket and answered. She found herself staring at his face, memorizing his features, and listening to his conversation—so much so that she didn’t even realize they were already home.  

The driver got out and opened the door for her since Edmund was still on his phone call. She was about to step out when he suddenly grabbed her waist and pulled her closer.  

He kissed her right cheek and whispered, "Good night," before releasing her.  

Her heart pounded frantically. "G-Good... Good night." She quickly got out of the car, stunned but managing to walk decently into the mansion.  

Once inside, before she even knew it, she was smiling like an idiot because of the kiss.  

Damn, Edmund Cardinal!