Chapter 8

“Sign them. Sign the papers.” Samuel spoke in a monotone. I could not tell whether he was disappointed or sad. He sounded almost like a robot. 

“But then your brother would take it all from you.” 

He chuckled without. “Heather, I think that’s just karma. When I had it all at my fingertips, I ran. Now that I want it all back the most, it is the furthest away.” He sniffled dryly. “So choose your parents and don’t worry about me. I would still find a way.” 

I let a few seconds fall before speaking. “And how about us? How about our relationship? What would become of us? Because if I sign those papers, I would be stuck in a four-year contract and I don’t think I would be allowed to see you.” 

“Of course, we would see each other. Sterling has a girlfriend and would no doubt keep seeing her. No why shouldn’t you be allowed to see me? It all just has to be hidden from the public’s eyes; to keep the illusion of the marriage going.”

“Okay then. I guess that’s it, huh?” 

Yup,” He replied, popping the p in the word. “Maybe I would be at the office when you both sign the papers. I’m sure mom and dad would want me there; to wave in my face all that I could have had.” 

“Okay, Sammy. Bye.” My voice was small. “I love you,” I added before ending the call. 

I then placed my on the bed and stood to my feet. Before heading to the bathroom to take a shower, I heard a knock at the door. I turned and walked in that direction. When I reached the door, I asked, “Who is it?” 

“It’s Cece, ma’am…I mean, Heather,” She corrected herself quickly and I turned the doorknob and swung the door open slowly as I chuckled. 

With the door now opened, I saw that she was not alone. A guard stood next to her. He gave me a small nod and I return it as if on instinct. “May we bring your things inside?” The guard asked. 

“Oh, yeah, sure.” I got out of the way and the guard rolled my two huge suitcases inside the room. Cece walked in too along with a duffle bag that had more of my things. 

Seeing them bring my things into the room just affirmed the fact that my whole life was about to change, if not already changing. I was scared and anxious. I was never one for change to begin with. 

I liked routines and plans. I liked things going perfectly because I was a perfectionist. So the fact that everything was changing rattled me. 

I was in another country. I was in another house that I would be living in for four years. I was about to be married to someone that was the twin brother of my boyfriend. So much was changing and I did not like it!

I would have to find a new coffee shop that would make my coffee the way I liked it. I would have to find a new route to run in the morning or when I’m stressed. I would have to find a new job!

Urgh!

“Do you like them here?” Cece asked as she placed the duffle bag on top of one of the suitcases; they were placed next to the bed. 

“Yeah, of course,” I replied politely. I smiled at them even though my insides were slipping down into the pit of depression. 

“Alright, then we would be on our way. Have a beautiful evening.” They both proceeded to walk out of the room. “Oh, you should also know that dinner is ready if you would like to eat.” 

I shrugged lightly. “I don’t think I’m hungry. Thanks, anyway.”

I watched them leave and I closed the door. I glanced at my suitcases once more and the thought of me unpacking seemed too tiring. I walked past them and headed into the bathroom, which looked like it was pulled right out of a five-star hotel in France. 

After brushing my teeth and taking a hot shower, I exited the bathroom with a heated towel around my body and one wrapped around my hair. I felt less stressed and calmer now. 

I sat on the bed and proceeded to find someone comfortable to wear for the night from in one of my suitcases. After I had done that, I took care of myself by moisturizing and putting on my PJs, then I turned off the lights, lay on the bed, and fought very hard to find some sleep. 

Though I spent a full hour laying in bed with my mind spinning and overthinking, I eventually found sleep. The comforting hands of the darkness wrapped around me and I was happy not being in the real world. 

When morning came, the alarm clock blared loudly in my ear and I groaned as I opened my eyes. I was taken aback, this was a guest room, why was an alarm clock in here and set at an early hour like this?

“Who the hell puts a set alarm clock in the guest room of a house?” I mumbled in frustration as I used all of my strength to retire from my laying position on the bed to a sitting position. 

“I do.” A voice startled me, causing any hint of sleep to flee from my eyes immediately. It was Sterling. He was dressed in a business suit that made him look like a banker. His hair was gelled to perfection and the smirk on his face irritated me. 

“What do you want?” I sounded annoyed, and I was. I dragged my body off the bed, stood to my feet, and yawned. 

“You need to get ready, Heather. It’s past eight.” He lay his back on the wall and then showed me what was in his right hand. “Which is why I brought this.” He waved the small alarm clock that was in hand. 

I made a frustrated sound and rolled my eyes. “You are talking about the signing of the contract, right?” I scratched my hair and it felt so good. 

“What else would I be talking about?” He scoffed the words out and retired from his position of laying his back on the wall. He paced the room slowly. 

“Why does it have to be this early? It’s not like I’m going to run away.” I stared at him with dull eyes. “I’m not my best when I wake up this early.”

“Wh–what? This early? Heather, it’s past eight in the morning. It’s not like I woke you up by five in the morning.” Sterling made his case.

“Blah, blah, blah. Same thing,” I said in a nonchalant tone as I walked away from him and headed for the bathroom. I heard him laughing as I did. 

“Okay. Good talk! I would be outside, in the living room, waiting for you!” He said a bit louder because I was now in the bathroom with the door closed. 

As soon as I heard the door close, which signaled that he had left. I sat on the toilet, which was heated and very clean, and took a six to ten minutes nap. After that, I brushed my teeth and took a hot shower. 

I was more accustomed to hot showers. I only took cold showers once in a while, they felt very extreme, in my opinion. 

When I was done with all bathroom-related things, I walked back into the room, found a nice dress to wear, and wore it, put on light makeup, and did my hair. I let it fall to my shoulders freely. 

I wore not-too-dramatic heels and less flashy jewelry. When I was comfortable and pleased with how I looked, I grabbed my purse and placed my phone in it. I then put on some perfume that reminded me of my mother, it was her favorite. 

When I was officially done, I walked out of the room and headed down the hall before approaching the living room. 

I could hear voices already. When I reached there, I saw that Sterling was with his girlfriend, Patty. “Seriously? You brought her when I’m about to sign a marriage contract between you and me? Don’t you think that would raise some eyebrows?” 

“Well, good morning to you too, dear.” Patty chuckled. She stood to her feet and her revealing dress caught my attention. Her breasts were raised and were almost in full view. The length of the dress was also staggeringly short. 

“Sorry, good morning,” I replied, and pressed my lips into a straight line. 

Sterling was the next to stand to his feet. His cologne screamed billionaire. He buttoned up his jacket and then spoke, “Don’t worry, Heather. No one would suspect a thing. It’s not like she and I would be kissing and groping publically.” He laughed deeply and gave her a look.

“But if you want me to…” She bit her lip seductively, and Sterling’s face got flushed. 

“Okay. Okay. I get the picture. Can we please leave now?” I turned my attention away from them and walked to the front door. I had not even had my coffee yet so seeing Sterling and his girlfriend being all sexy to each other was annoying.

Okay, maybe even with coffee they might still be annoying in my eyes. 

When I was outside, my eyes landed on a very fancy vehicle. The man in a tux stood next to it. He opened the door and gestured for me to get in. I closed the distance between him and me and gladly got into the car. 

The sooner I could get all this over with, the better. I was also looking forward to finding out how exactly my parents got caught in the web of the Willaims. 

It took a full minute and some seconds for Sterling and his model girlfriend to get into the car. I knew that because I was staring at the time on my phone over and over. They sat next to each other and I sat on the left side, next to the door. 

When the driver was behind the steering wheel and we all had our seatbelts on, the car began to move. The AC was on and the car smelt new. It was a very smooth ride to where we were going. 

I was hoping that I would see Samuel there. Besides him, there wouldn’t be anyone there that I’d really know. My parents were not in the country yet, they would be arriving a few days later, so yeah. 

The car finally came to a stop in front of a tall building made of glass. Sterling's side of the car was opened first so he and his girlfriend could get down before my side was opened. 

When I got down, I was taken aback by the scene. There were reporters everywhere. Even photographers taking pictures of us. This was certainly not what I expected. 

Even though my family was very wealthy, back in America, we were not treated like celebrities. We were just treated with more respect. But photographers and reporters? Come on! This was a little too dramatic if you asked me.

Sterling pulled me gently by his side and whispered to me, “Smile and look pretty. You look pale.”

I did as he asked even though I felt a bit uncomfortable. His girlfriend kept giving me death stares. When the posing was done, guards led us into the building. 

“What was that? Is the contract marriage going to be public news?” 

Patty and Sterling laughed lightly. We were now in an elevator. “Of course, it’s going to be public news. You’re getting married to a William, sweetie,” Patty replied. 

“You got to be kidding me,” I mumbled under my breath. 

The elevator then came to a stop. When the automated doors opened, Sterling led the way. Patty and I followed him to an office that was huge. From the view from the window, I could tell that we were on the top floor. 

When we entered the office which looked like a conference room, my eyes fell on the few people that were there, but mostly on Samuel.