Chapter Fifteen

Posy tapped her nails against the marble table of the café. She glanced down at her dress, dusting it down with a smile. She had on something she believed was befitting a future Sterling wife: an ankle length, fashionable dress and tasteful jewellery.

Underneath her smile and calm demeanor is a slight irritation. She had been waiting for Fiona, her future mother-in-law, for almost two hours. Two hours of seeming to wait patiently while her insides churned with simmering rage.

It wasn't Fiona who had her so mad, it was Thea! How could she have moved on so quickly? And who is the bloody idiot who decided to marry her after her past?! Posy's fist clenched tight in frustration, how the hell is she supposed to rub it in her face now that she got Runes?!

Posy took another sip of her coffee, her grip tightening around the handle but making sure she was looking as calm as she could possibly muster.

Thea had even turned down her offer to be her bridesmaid! Not even their father could make her attend the wedding! It irritated her greatly.

Posy pulled out her phone, her thumb hovering over Thea's social media handle. She wanted to see if Thea had posted anything, any hint of her new life, anything at all. But when she clicked on the profile, her jaw tightened.

"Account Disabled."

Thea had vanished from the WeTalk; Posy groaned in frustration. If there's anyone who would know all about Thea’s new life, it would be Daisy.

She navigated to Daisy's contact, fighting the urge to give snarky comments during the call. She never liked Daisy but if she would give her the information she needed, then so be it.

“Hello? Who is this?”

"Daisy! It's Posy," she chirped, as if they were the best of friends. "I was just calling to check up on Thea. I've been so worried about her since... well, since everything. How is she? I hope she's doing well. I heard she was with you."

“Posy? How the hell did you get my number?!”

Posy gives her a nervous laugh. “I've always had your number, Daisy. You're my sister's closest friend. I just want to know if she's doing okay.”

"Thea is doing just fine. She's exactly where she needs to be. And she doesn't need your false concern."

Posy winced, biting down the desperate need to snap at Daisy. She took a deep breath instead.

“I'm not pretending to care, she's my sister. I'm just worried about her. I know things are not so good with dad right now but…”

"Don't bother calling here again." The line clicked dead before Posy could even give a retort.

Posy stared at her phone, clenching hard at the device. ‘The audacity! That bloody low class bitch!’ Posy muttered under her breath.

This is clearly why she didn't like Daisy; she was way too bold for a low class peasant! If it wasn't for Thea, who the hell in the elite society would want her around?

Just as Posy was contemplating throwing her phone across the café, a shadow fell over her table. She raised her head, brows furrowed in anger. Of all places to stand, this idiot chose her table?

“Are you…” Posy raised her head and her frown froze in place.

Fiona, dressed in a designer pantsuit that cost more than Posy's entire wardrobe, stood there, her face etched with disdain. Fiona's blonde hair was swept back in a bun.

"Well, finally. You actually made it," Fiona drawled, her eyes raking over Posy's appearance in judgement. Posy had picked a dress she thought was appropriate, but under Fiona's gaze it suddenly felt cheap and wretched.

Posy jumped out of her seat, her hands folded in front of her dress with a smile on her face.

"Mother! I've been waiting," Posy offered.

Fiona merely raised her eyebrow. "Of course. Would you rather I wait for you instead?”

Posy swallowed, bowing her head in apology. “I'm sorry, mother..”

“And you chose that to wear?" Her gaze lingered on Posy's dress, then moved to her makeup. "It's... classless, dear. Not quite the image we project. And your hair is a mess. You look no different from that... Thea, trying to claw her way back into the elite."

Posy's smile dropped, the last thing she wanted was for her future in law to think she's not fitting for the Sterlings. Her hands tightened into fists behind her back, but she forced herself to breathe.

"I apologize, Mother." Posy said, her voice strained. "I tried to dress appropriately. I assure you, I would never do anything to disgrace the Sterling name. I will do whatever it takes to ensure the wedding, and my conduct as Rune's wife, brings honor to the family."

Fiona offered a faint, humorless smile. "See that you do. Because unlike some people, we Sterlings expect perfection. There's a certain standard you need to meet.”

"Now," Fiona continued, turning sharply. "We have an afternoon of preparations ahead of us. Come along."

Fiona turned on her heels, making Posy gather her things in a hurry to catch up with her. .

“What are you hoping to buy, mother?” Posy asked cheerfully, hoping to give her a few pointers.

Fiona glanced over her shoulders and rolled her eyes. “Definitely not something lacking class. What I intend to buy is rather upscale, not entirely your level..” Fiona offered.

Posy glanced down at her outfit once more, Is it really that bad? Fiona hands her bag over to Posy who blinked, clearly confused.

“Are you dense? Do you expect me to carry my bags myself? Kids nowadays are so disrespectful and mannerless…”

Posy takes the bag from Fiona in an instant, her nervous life filling in the awkward silence between them.

“I didn't realise you wanted me to get your bag. My apologies Mother.”

Fiona scoffs and strode away. Posy took a deep breath, that was close.

“Handle it with care, not a speck of dust to that fine leather.” Fiona instructed dismissively.

“Yes mother. “ Posy said, holding onto the purse more carefully, her hands covering the sides as though to shield it from a potential attack.

Fiona went from one high end store to another and as the hours wore on, Posy found herself holding on to an ever-increasing number of designer shopping bags, more than she could possibly handle.

Fiona, walking briskly ahead, barely glanced back to ensure Posy was keeping up.

"Why aren't you moving faster?" Fiona would ask, a smirk on her lips, but her eyes impatient.

"We don't have all day. And try not to bump into anyone; these bags are quite valuable."

Posy's arms ached, her shoulders screamed in protest, and her fingers felt numb from clutching the handles of each bag but she swallowed her protests, and simply compiled, forcing a strained smile whenever Fiona glanced her way.

She's her future mother-in-law in law, she's only trying to be as respectful as she could. She didn't come this far to back down now.

No.

By the time Fiona declared their shopping spree complete, Posy felt utterly drained. Her arms trembled as she loaded the last bag into the trunk of Fiona's car.

Not even the driver tried to help her!

"Mother, all the bags are in the trunk.”

Fiona, whose eyes were fixed on her phone screen, paid her no attention. She simply settled into the passenger's seat like Posy didn't even exist.

“Mother…”

“Drive.” Fiona instructed her driver. Before Posy could lean away from the car, the driver took off, kicking up dust in Posy's face.

She coughed, waving the dust away with her hands as she watched Fiona's car skid away.

“Take care mother!” She screamed at the top of her voice, avoiding the looks she got from passersby.

This might have been in successful date for Posy.