Chapter Twelve

The roar of the engine was just the distraction Seth needed to drown out the nagging thoughts on his mind.

The sleek, custom-built hypercar hugged the asphalt of his private racing track.

It was just him and Arian, his best friend and the only person he could tolerate right now.

Arian’s car, a luminous green beast, was a few yards ahead, its tail lights a taunting glow. Seth pressed the accelerator, the G-force pinning him to the racing seat. Every fiber of his being focused on the asphalt ahead, the curve of the next bend, the precise moment to use the brake.

This was the only place where he had absolute control and where the thrill silenced all the thoughts in his mind.

He shifted to a lower gear, the engine screaming a protest before settling into a harsh growl. He felt the tires bite into the track as he swung wide, hugging the curve, gaining on Arian.

The gap narrowed, meter by agonizing meter. He could see Arian’s helmeted head, as his friend pushed his own machine to its limits. He'd barely slept, the forced intimacy of the "honeymoon" suite and his grandmother’s meddling irritated him still.

The final stage stretched ahead towards the finish line. Seth unleashed the full power of the engine, the car leaping forward: he was neck and neck with Arian now. He could feel the victory, taste it, that brief pure moment of absolute triumph. But Arian pulled ahead, crossing the finish line a fraction of a second before Seth. The victory lights flashed, illuminating Arian's car in a green glow.

Seth clenched his jaw, a familiar frustration bubbling beneath. But Arian was the only one who could challenge him. He eased off the accelerator, letting the car coast.

They pulled their cars into the garage, the engines ticking and cooling. Seth unlatched his helmet. Arian, already out of his car, pulled off his own helmet, his dark hair disheveled, a grin on his face.

"What was that, old man? Losing your touch?" Arian teased, his voice echoing slightly in the vast garage. He leaned against the hood of Seth's car, crossing his arms. "Or was your mind still on the rose petals?"

Seth shot him a sharp glare, his blue eyes hardening. He hated that question.

"Don't be ridiculous," he stated, his voice flat. He unbuckled his harness in irritation.

Arian chuckled, completely unfazed.

"Oh, come on, don't tell me you left your poor bride hanging on her wedding night! Not even a 'thank you and goodnight' kiss? Celine would be utterly disappointed."

They've been friends since they were kids, Arian knew he could get away with irritating Seth.

“She doesn't know it's a contract and I hope to keep it that way.” Seth warned, his eyes fixed on Arian who raised his hands in mocking surrender.

“Sure! Sure! But you could have done something at least. She's throwing her life on the line here.”

“What do you mean by that?”

Arian chuckled. “What sane woman would agree to marry you? It's like walking on an electrical wire that could go off at any time. You're .. . . . . M. a ticking time bomb, Seth. ”

Seth's eyes narrowed on Arian. “Are you suggesting that I am a difficult person to date?”

Arian smirked. “It's not a suggestion. It's a fact. I feel terrible for her. Do you even like her?”

Seth finally got out of the car. He grabbed a towel and began wiping the sweat from his face, avoiding Arian’s insistent gaze. "It's none of your business, Arian."

"Everything's my business when it concerns you. " Arian retorted, his tone more serious now. "Especially when you call me by 5am in the morning, to meet you here. Something is clearly bothering you and I dont think it's entirely the fact that Celine booked you a…love motel.” Arian winked, earning a frustrated groan from Seth. “I think you're upset with Thea Balmero. Wasn't she formally engaged to Rune Sterling?"

Seth froze, his jaw clenched at the mention of that name, Rune Sterling. It hit him like a physical blow, sharper than Arian's playful jabs. His jaw tightened further, a muscle ticking visibly in his cheek.

"Yeah," Arian continued, oblivious to the storm brewing in Seth's eyes, "and according to the gossip, she supposedly cheated on him. Big scandal, you know. Then suddenly, poof! She's marrying you, the country's wealthiest bachelor, practically overnight." Arian paused, his own eyes widening slightly as a realization dawned. He stared at Seth. "Wait... was she's the girl you had a one night stand with that night?! "

Seth didn't answer, merely adjusted the towel in his hand, his silence a clear affirmation.

He thought Arian had sent Thea to his hotel room that night intentionally, in a bid to help him get over his ‘condition’. But when Seth asked who the girl from last night was and how he could find her, Arian had stared at him like he was crazy.

Arian didn't send anyone to his room that night. Hell, he had n0 clue what his room number was either.

Arian let out a low whistle, shaking his head in stunned disbelief. "Damn. You're more ruthless than I thought! Marrying his ex-fiancée? That's... extreme, even for you."

“Extreme.” Seth muttered. This was nothing close to extreme.

Extreme is what the Sterlings did to him many years ago, an incident he would never forget…

"How far are you willing to go, Seth? To marry someone you barely know just to get under Rune's skin?”

Seth finally met Arian's gaze.. "This isn't me being ruthless. And for the record," he continued, his voice flat, "I had no clue who she was that night. She was clearly drugged by someone. My only awareness was that she… she made me feel something I hadn't thought possible in years."

Thea was the last person he'd thought would make him feel anything sexual for a woman. He still couldn’t believe he did, felt every rush, every need and he's..desperate for more even though he couldn't bring himself to admit it.

“Oh. That. Have you been to the doctor about it?” Arian asked, his tone suddenly full of concern.

He knew about Seth's condition and he was surprised when Seth told him about his one night stand.

Seth shook his head. He hasn't been to the doctor in years, he wasn't ready to change that just yet.

"As for who drugged her... I couldn't care less. It turned out in my favour and that's all that matters.”

Arian sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Don’t tell me you plan to drag her into this?"

“It's a contract and I'm trying appease to Celine. There's nothing more to this than you're trying to make it seem.”

“She's not a Sterling, Seth. Not by a mile and you know it.”

Seth remained silent, his gaze fixed on something far into the distance.

If there's one thing Arian knows about Seth, is that once he's set his mind to do something, he won't stop until it's completely done. He's had the Sterlings on his target list for years, he's not backing down now.

Seth's ph0ne beeped, a text from Celine. He frowned.

“What's wrong?”

“Celine is at the hotel and Thea isn't there.” Seth said simply, heading towards the exit.

“Oh shoot. You're screwed.”

Seth tucked his phone back in his pocket. “Tell me about it.” He muttered, a look of irritation in his eyes.

They headed towards the parking lot and Seth retrieved his car keys. He needed to get back to the hotel.

Or Celina would be on his ass even though she's going to be in a matter of minutes. Where did Thea run off to anyway? He dialled her number; not reachable.

“Where is she?!” Seth groaned, his patience running thin.

"Relax! She's probably around the hotel somewhere with her friend or something."

“You seem to be on her side, for someone you barely know.” Seth snapped and Arian exhaled.

“I'm trying to help here. And I still think you should keep her out of this.”

Seth paused, his hand on the car door. He met Arian's gaze for a fleeting moment.

"See you around." Seth said, dismissively.

He opened the car door, slid into the driver's seat, and started the engine. The roar filled the parking lot for a moment before he backed out and sped away, leaving Arian standing alone, shaking his head.

Seth drove towards The Grand Regent Hotel, his mind already shifting gears.

Even if he wanted to drag Thea into this fight, he couldn't. The reason? He had no clue.