Chapter Ten

**Natasha's POV**

The plane landed and I got off. I checked my time and it was a few minutes past 1pm.

I collected my small bag from the cabin and walked through the airport, following the directions Liam’s assistant had texted me earlier. After about twenty minutes in a taxi, I arrived at his family’s estate. The gates were tall, black, and intimidating, with golden designs at the top.

The guard at the gate already had my name on a list and let me in without questions.

My heart was beating a little faster as I stepped out of the taxi. I adjusted my dress and walked up the clean marble steps leading to the wide wooden double doors.

I rang the bell.

The door opened, and there stood Liam, well-dressed, looking like he had just stepped out of a magazine. But his eyes… cold.

He glanced at his watch and then at me. His lips curled slightly not into a smile, but into something sharper.

“You’re late.”

I blinked. “Late? The flight landed just….”

“I said you are late. Don’t you know how to keep to time, or is this how you plan to live after the wedding?” he said, cutting me off immediately.

I frowned. “I can’t control the plane’s landing time.”

He shrugged, voice dripping with sarcasm “Excuses. Always excuses. If you can’t manage a simple instruction, how will you handle bigger responsibilities?”

Before I could reply, a deeper voice spoke from inside.

“Liam.” his father called, stepping forward from the dining area.

He turned slightly, jaw tightening. “Yes, Dad?”

“Be nice. You will not talk to her like that.”

“I’m only…..”

“I said enough. This marriage will happen, whether you like her mood, her timing, or her face. Get over it.” he said sharply.

I froze, my eyes widening slightly at how blunt he was. Liam’s jaw flexed, but he didn’t answer.

“Come in, Natasha. Lunch is ready and almost getting cold.” he finally spoke to me with a soft voice.

We walked into the large dining room. The table was already set with expensive-looking plates, glasses that sparkled under the chandelier, and a variety of dishes that looked like they belonged in a magazine.

Liam pulled out a chair not for me, of course, but for himself and sat down without waiting for anyone. His father cleared his throat sharply.

“Liam,” his father said in a firm voice. “A gentleman offers the lady a seat.”

His jaw tightened, and for a moment, I thought he would ignore him. But slowly, with the stiffness of someone being forced, he stood and pulled a chair for me.

“There,” he muttered, not even looking at me.

“Thank you,” I said quietly, keeping my voice calm.

His father sat at the head of the table, Liam on his right, and me opposite Liam. A servant came in and started pouring wine into our glasses. 

“Let’s eat,” his father said.

The first few minutes were quiet except for the sound of cutlery, then Mr. Ethan cleared his throat.

“We need to talk about the wedding plans.”he said, placing his fork down.

Liam groaned quietly. “Do we have to talk about this now?”

“Yes,” his father replied sharply. “The sooner we plan, the better. I don’t want the media getting ahead of us. This must be a quiet wedding. No unnecessary attention.”

“Same here, we need to keep it small. I don’t want the media turning it into a circus.” he said while looking at me.

I glanced at him. “You mean… no public ceremony?” I didn't ask because I wanted it but just to be sure they are saying exactly what I wanted.

“Exactly. Just close family and a few business associates. The smaller, the better. The less people gossip, the less pressure.”

“I agree. It should be quiet. The last thing we need is every blogger in Texas digging into family business. But it should still be respectable.”

Even before their decision, I've already told my parents that I wanted a quiet wedding, so I wasn't bothered when they mentioned it because it was what I wanted.

I hesitated before speaking. “That’s fine with me,” I said. “I prefer it that way.”

He looked at me and gave a sarcastic smile. “Oh, perfect. Less trouble for everyone. Only invite immediate family. And don’t invite anyone who will embarrass us.”

My chest tightened. “Embarrass you? What do you mean by that?”

“I mean… people who won’t fit in. This is not some noisy village gathering; it’s a wedding in the Gustavo family.”

I stared at him, biting back my words and seems like his dad noticed.

“Liam, enough. We will invite who needs to be there. And we will treat them with respect.”

He sighed then leaned back in his chair. “I’m just saying…. If we’re going to pretend, let’s at least make it quick and simple.”

“Pretend?” I repeated, raising an eyebrow.

He smirked. “Oh, come on. Let’s not act like this is some great love story. We both know why this is happening.”

I clenched my fork tightly, but before I could reply, his father stepped in gently. “Enough, Liam. We are all here to make this as smooth as possible. Natasha, you’ll move into the family home after the wedding.”

I blinked. “Move in?”

“Of course,” he responded, “It will look better to the public.”

Liam shrugged. “Fine. But no one touches my office.”

I almost laughed at how childish he sounded, but I bit my tongue.

His father then began discussing possible dates, the number of guests, and even the type of flowers for the ceremony. I listened quietly, giving short answers when needed, while Liam mostly complained about every suggestion.

The conversation moved to the date.

“Two weeks from now. That gives time for basic arrangements.”

“Yeah, two weeks. And I don’t want her shopping for some fairy-tale dress. Keep it simple.”

I looked at him with disbelief. “Are you going to make all the decisions without asking me?”

“If it keeps things organized….. then yes.”

“You two will both have a say. Liam, stop acting like you’re marrying yourself.” His father spoke sharply.

He smirked slightly. “Sometimes I wish I was.”

I put my fork down, swallowing the rising irritation, took a deep breath and forced a small smile, even though my chest felt heavy. Liam’s eyes were still cold, but at least he didn’t say anything else… for now.

Finally, the conversation ended with his father saying, “This must be done properly, no matter what personal feelings are involved.”

Liam’s gaze met mine for a brief moment—sharp and unreadable. Then he stood, pushing his chair back. “Are we done?”

His father sighed. “Yes. For now.”

He didn’t wait for anyone else. He walked out of the dining room without another word, leaving me sitting there with his dad, wondering what exactly I had gotten myself into.