Chapter 3

Alena was in her room getting ready. At the same time, trying to calm her nervousness.

She was nervous. Very nervous.

She was two seconds away from having an anxiety attack.

Damn.

What are they going to talk about? Will he like her? Not that she cares. She just wanted to know. He is so much older than her. Doesn't he like older women or 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 help her to choose her outfit. She finished her makeup then got dressed. She put her shoes on and took her purse.

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

"Thanks, mom." She pulled away and Willa smiled brightly. Like she does every time she calls her that.

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

She followed her being nervous again. Maybe she can say she's suddenly sick. Or she can pretend to be fainting.

"Come on, baby. Don't be nervous." Willa held her hand into a reassuring grip and 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 step mother's joke. "Alright."

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

God, he looks so handsome.

She quickly looked at his face before he noticed that she was checking him out. She looked at him to also notice that he was looking at her outfit, more like checking her out. And she had no idea why 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 just nodded then looked at her. He started walking over her. "Shall we go?"

She quietly nodded and turned around to leave. While walking, he put his hand on her lower back, and then opened the front door.

There was a driver waiting for them. They silently made their way down the steps and towards the car. He opened the door for her and she mumbled a small thank you before getting 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 in deep thought that she didn't notice when the car stopped.

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

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 telling them to have a good night.

They sat on their table and a waiter came to take their drinks, then they ordered. She could feel his gaze on her, the reason why her hands were shaking. Can he stop staring at her?

She cleared her throat. "Can I ask you something?" she asked him. 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 it wrong?" he then asked, raising his eyebrow, still smirking.

She pursed her lips. "No. I... I just don't think you were up for this marriage," she told him while playing with her fingers.

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

Just then, the waiter came back with their food and put the plates on the table. They started eating silently. 

Once they were done, it was already ten in the evening. Just one hour left. Edmund paid their bills and went out and got inside the car. When 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 it. She was busy staring at his face and seemed to be memorizing his features and listening to the conversation that she didn't even notice that she was already home. 

The driver got out and opened the door for her because Edmund was still on his phone call. She was about to get out when he suddenly grabbed her waist and pulled her closer to her. He kissed the right cheek and whispered, "Good night," before releasing her.

Her heart beat frantically. "G-Good... Good night." She quickly got out of the car. She was stunned but she managed to walk decently inside their mansion.

When she walked inside, and before she knew it, she was smiling like an idiot because of the kiss.

Damn, Edmund Cardinal.