Chapter Seventeen

Posy smirked, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction as she scrolled through the headlines on her phone.

The news of her engagement to Rune Sterling was splashed across every major social media platform. She was particularly proud of the accompanying picture: she and Rune, gazing into each other's eyes. They looked like the power couple the social media space didn't know they needed.

And the comment section? Flooding with admirers and well wishes. They all couldn't want to see what her wedding day would look like.

The news should be everywhere now. There was no way Thea would miss a viral post like that.

"Miss Posy?" The soft voice of the attendant at the bridal shop pulled her back to the reality of the fitting room.

"I'm done with the lace-up."

Despite her slight irritation, Posy flashed a practiced smile, before glancing at her reflection in the full-length mirror.

The wedding dress looked absolutely breathtaking. It was a masterpiece of lace and shimmering silk, designed to make heads turn. The fitted bodice embroidered with pearls and silver thread, snatched her waist before flaring into a voluminous skirt.

The off-the-shoulder neckline highlighted her collarbones, and the long, sheer sleeves were adorned with matching lace. It was sure to make headlines.

"You look beautiful, miss," the assistant gushed.

"Thank you. I'm ready to show it to my fiancé." Posy replied simply.

"Of course." The assistant drew the heavy velvet curtains aside. They revealed a beautifully bridal salon, bathed in soft light from massive arched windows. Mannequins draped in other wedding gowns and after party dresses.

In the center of the spacious room, on a plush, huge couch, sat Runes, his eyes fixed on his phone, completely oblivious to Posy's presence.

"Rune, what do you think?" Posy asked, a smile on her face.

Rune glanced up briefly, his eyes flicking over her, then immediately returned his attention to his phone. "It's good," he said simply.

The assistant glanced between the couple, this is clearly a contrast to what she's seen online.

"Mr. Rune," the assistant offered,"I think you should take a closer look at Miss Posy. She will be wearing this at the wedding, and it's important that you like the dress as much as she does."

Rune slowly looked up at her, his jaw tightening. His eyes, cold and irritated.

Suddenly, he threw his phone in the assistant's direction, aiming at her head. The device landed on her forehead and before landing with a thud on the tiled floors.

"Who the hell do y9u think you are?! Who are you to lecture me on what I do with my time? Get out. Now. And tell the owner I want someone else assigned to here. Someone who knows their place."

The assistant's face paled, her hand covering her now bleeding forehead.

“I…I'm sorry sir… I'm so sorry sir..” She stammered, her eyes wide with fear as she ran out of the room.

Posy watched her go. Her eyes staring at Runes in silence, heart pounding wildly in her chest. She has never seen him lose his temper before..

Runes cursed under his breath as he picked up his phone; the screen was cracked beyond repair.

“Are we done here? I have a meeting to get to in a few hours..” he announced, his eyes fixed on Posy.

Posy chuckled, collecting herself from the scene she had just witnessed. It's been two weeks since that crazy night at his apartment.

"Why are you so angry? You haven't made a single contribution! It's like you don't even care!"

Rune finally looked at her properly, brows furrowed. "Care? About party planning? My time is far more valuable than picking out tablecloths and flower arrangements. Deal with it yourself.." He reminded her plainly.

She got closer, her eyes fixed on him. “Whats going on? Are you feeling stressed because of the wedding?” She asked, running a finger down his jawline.

Runes grabs her hand and pulls it away from her face. “You don't possibly think that what happened that night suddenly makes us a couple, do you?”

Posy froze. “What?” She muttered.

He tossed her hand away. “This marriage, as you well know, is to make a merger possible. Nothing more.”

His words hit her like a physical blow.

He leaned forward, his gaze piercing hers. "Speaking of which, have you and your company made the documents that set the terms for the merger? The financial projections, the asset valuations, the legal drafts outlining the new corporate structure?"

Posy blinked, none of the words coming out of his mind made any sense. Projections? Structure? What's that?

Runes’ gaze narrowed on her in question. “You don't know what I'm talking about do you?” He accused, a hint of amusement in his tone.

"I do! But... I haven't done that yet." she stammered. "I thought... The lawyers were in charge of that. We were focusing on the engagement party, the public announcement, the wedding preparations..."

Runes stared at her in silence, there's no way she's been serious..

"You mean you've been sitting here, trying out dresses while the actual reason for this entire charade is yet to be finalised?” Rune's face darkened, a muscle ticking in his jaw.

“It is still…under discussion..” Posy managed, struggling to find the right words to use.

“Discussion?” Runes repeated like he's never heard that word before.

"You know," Rune scoffed, his hands running through the lace of her wedding dress. "If you're going to replace your sister, the least you could do is a good j0b. She might have been a bloody slut but was at least meticulous. She understood the details." His eyes met Posy's as his grip around the bodice tightened.

“Is this how you intend to replace your sister? By giving better head? You don't stand a chance.” Runes mocked.

"Oh, really?" Posy snapped, "That's too bad, isn't it? Because Thea is married now, so you should just get over your 'Miss Perfect'! " She hurled the words, hoping to wound him as deeply as he had wounded her.

Rune froze. His eyes widened in shock. "What did you say?" he demanded, he grabbed Posy's arm, his grip tight and ruthless."Married? Who? Who is she married to?" He yelled.

"I... I don't know!" she stammered. "She stopped by the estate a few days ago and she had on an engagement ring and a wedding ring. She wouldn't tell us who it was either.."

Rune glared at her, his face mirroring his rage. He didn't wait for another word. He spun on his heel and stormed out of the bridal shop, the heavy glass doors swinging shut behind him with a resounding thud.

Posy ran her fingers through her hair, pulling it out of its perfectly sleek bun. Her fingers clawed at her skin, her face filled with contained rage until she couldn’t hold back anymore. She screamed out in frustration. Why the hell does everything bounce back to Thea?!

“Thea this, Thea that..I'm sick of it! I'm fucking sick of it!” She screamed. Posy leaned on the wall, taking in deep breaths. “I'll ruin her. I'll ruin her entire fucking life!”

She pulls out her phone and scrolls through her gallery. Her finger hovers at the video she took of Thea and the stranger she had slept with, a sinister smile on her face.