Chapter 5

Alena's parents were not going to the gala because they will be having a meeting with some important people. It was about business. So, she'll be alone with Edmund.

She finished curling her long hair into big loose curls and her makeup. Looking at the time, Fern came to help her put her dress on.

Fern has been working for them for years now. Her sister Avrielle was only two year old when their father hired Fern. But Fern will stop working for them soon because she's turning sixty-five in a couple of months and her father thinks it will be better for her to just stop working and focus on her family and her grandchildren.

Alena put her earrings on and went to look in front of the mirror to check herself. Grinning and feeling satisfied at her look, she took a selfie and posted it.

Just then, the doorbell rang.

It must be Edmund.

Will he like her dress? Oh my God, why was she so nervous with him?

She went into the living room to see him in front of the big glass door, looking at the garden. She could only see his back. He didn't know her so she didn't know what to do.

Taking a breath, she cleared her throat. He turned around and slowly faced her.

"You look perfect," he said, walking over her smirking. He grabbed her waist with one arm and pulled her closer to him. He looked into her eyes running his knuckles down her cheek softly. Then, his eyes moved to her red painted lips.

"You don't know how bad I want to kiss you..." he said, looking straight into her eyes, down to her lips and pulling her closer.

She gulped.

Oh my God...

Can she die right now?

No!

Okay.

"Let's go." He released her and put his hand on her lower back as they went to the car.

The drive was silent. She lowered her gaze to her engagement ring. Willa gave it to her early this morning, but it was Edmund who brought it.

It was a big diamond. It was beautiful. But she was still disappointed it wasn't for love.

"You know, our marriage was maybe arranged, but I don't think it doesn't mean anything. Like I said before, I wouldn't be here if I didn't want to marry you because I am a man and I have already been married."

He has been married?! To whom? Why aren't they together anymore?

She wanted to ask him but chose not to.

They got out and took her hand as they made their way. He wrapped his hand around her waist and pulled her closer.

"Cardinal!" Someone said loudly. They turned to see a man around forties with a girl who looked like wearing a mask due to very heavy makeup and a dress that didn't cover too much.

"Rich." Edmund greeted him, shaking his hand. His cold stare was now back and he was only showing his intimidating aspect.

Rich just nodded and his eyes landen on her as he looked at her with admiration. "And who is this beautiful lady?" he asked, still looking at her while Edmund's hold on her waist tightened.

"This is Alena Nicole Perez Sandoval, my soon to be wife." Edmund said in a hard tone.

He knew her full name...

A girl with Rich didn't seem to like it since she could feel her glaring. She doesn't care. She doesn't even know her.

"Well, nice to meet you Alena and congratulations," Rich said, looking at Edmund again as he tensed, looking intimidated by Edmund.

She looked at Edmund who had his perfect jaw clenched.

"If you would excuse us. I would like to show the paintings to my fiancée." Edmund nodded his head and started walking without waiting for an answer from Rich.

Well, rude?

They went into the big room where paintings and pictures were. There were some people here. Some looked at them with eyes widened, mouths open, and shocked on their faces. Some women were gawking at Edmund or throwing looks her way. She just ignored them all.

The paintings were all so good. She looked at them in aw. She saw the picture of Santorini, she gasped and went at it, unconsciously leaving Edmund behind. She always wanted to go to Greece just to see it.

She felt Edmund stood close behind her.

"Do you like it?" he asked her as she could feel his warm breath on her neck.

"I love it. This place is beautiful."

"Have you ever been there?"

"No. But I hope I will get the chance to. I love this place," she told him as he moved next to her, kissing her cheek.

"Then I'll bring it," he declared. "But for now, we should join my family's table."

She nodded.

They were about to walk in, when a woman's voice called him.

"Not so fast, Edmund," a woman said.

Edmund tensed beside her. She turned around to see a beautiful woman with blond hair and hazel eyes, wearing a blue satin dress.

The woman looked at her with a cold stare and she stared right back at her, not one bit intimidated by her.

"Who are you?" A woman asked her, looking straight at her.

She was about to introduce herself when Edmund interrupted her.

"She doesn't need to answer your question. Now, if you would excuse us. We would like to go to my family's table," Edmund said, turning around.

Who is this woman?

"Come on," a woman laughed with no humor. "Don't think that I didn't see the engagement ring on her finger, and everyone here was talking about Edmund Cardinal's fiancée." She snapped, getting closer.

Edmund hid her from his back and faced the woman in front of them. "What do you want, Irina?"

Irina?

"I just want to greet you," Irina replied, now with a sweet smile. "This is how I'm greeted. You got over me pretty fast, huh?"

Got over pretty fast?

Irina looked at her confused face and quickly back at Edmund with a smirk. "After all, we have been married for five years."

Realization hit her as she looked at Edmund who had his jaw clenched and was looking hard at his ex wife.