Chapter Five

Sylvia

I went numb with shock as he pulled me from the SUV then led me across the dark tarmac to the waiting plane.

I had lost my willpower to do anything so I did not resist. I allowed him to pull me like I was his puppet.

His revelation of Arnold having a wife broke me. I was trying hard not to believe his words but at the same time I wanted to believe.

But why?

Was it because I didn't love him?

What if he was just trying to tarnish Arnold's image so he could have me to himself?

Several thoughts ran through my weak mind as he continued to pull me.

“But he can’t have a wife,” I said aloud. I didn't mean to but I had already said it.

I looked up at him with bewildered confusion in my eyes.

He was wearing a neutral expression so it was hard for me to detect if he was trying to pull my legs or he meant his words.

“I’m Arnold’s wife! You’re lying just to kidnap me.” I spat at him

“The wedding was fake,” he said coldly.

“The vows were fake. The minister was fake. And most of all, Miss Browne…” he glanced down at me with glittering dark eyes as we reached the bottom of the steps

“...you are fake.” he added

I was stunned by his utterance but it came to an abrupt end when he pushed me up the stairs into the cabin of the plane.

Inside the plane, we were greeted by two flight attendants, the captain and a co pilot.

It wasn't long before bodyguards began to pour in behind us.

As if planned beforehand, they all disappeared into the back of the jet.

When all the bodyguards had entered the jet, the captain gave him a respectful nod and said, “We are ready for takeoff at your order, sir.”

A brunette flight attendant took his coat, while the other one, a redhead, greeted him with a silver tray which held drinks.

The cabin door closed behind us with a loud bang the moment the flight attendants left.

“Thank you.” Taking a glass of champagne from the tray, he sat down on a white leather seat in the front cabin of the jet.

Hee turned carelessly back to me. “Champagne, Miss Browne? No?”

When I just stared at him in shock without replying, he gave me a small, private smile and nodded at the captain. “Captain, you may proceed.”

The captain and co pilot disappeared to the front of the cabin to complete their takeoff preparations while the flight attendants left for the back of the plane.

Left alone with me in the front cabin, Xavier stretched out his arm on the back of the white leather seat.

As he took a sip of his champagne, he seemed relaxed. His body language was a full indication that he was content with himself.

I stared at the crystal glass in his large, rough hand.

Just an hour ago, I myself had been sipping champagne in the gilded ballroom of my husband’s castle at my gorgeous wedding reception.

I remembered clearly when Arnold had looked up and smiled at me across the crowd, just like he always did.

Was it possible it had all been a lie?

Was it true he was already married and had decided to play with my feelings?

A crack of pain went through my heart.

No, It can’t be true.

It couldn’t be, I just can't bring myself to believe it.

The Arnold I was familiar with was too good for that.

“You’re wrong about Arnold. He is the sweetest and kindest man I have ever met,” I choked on my words

“He wouldn’t have done this awful thing you’re accusing him of…” I was still saying when he interrupted me

“Bigamy.”

I flinched.

“Don’t use that horrible word again! Arnold is innocent.” I defended

I couldn't believe I was defending a man I didn't love.

“You’re right,” he said coolly.

He finished off his glass of champagne and set it down.

“It wasn’t bigamy because his wedding to you was a sham from start to finish. He only married you to cover his lies.” he said without looking in my direction rather he was staring straight ahead.

“You’re wrong! He loves me and you’re just a bitter soul who has had no one to love. That’s why you would abduct me at my own wedding.”

My chest was heaving up and down. I could feel the fabric of my gown getting loose but I was done caring.

After what seems like forever, he turned toe with a smile etched on his lips. It didn't take long before the smile disappeared and was replaced with a neutral expression.

“Did you ever sign any paperwork? Did you ever go through court proceedings? Or did he just shove you to a wedding alter and uttered sweet romantic words to you??”

I sucked in my breath as I realized for the first time that I had never signed any papers.

No marriage license.

No forms.

Nothing.

Absolutely nothing!

My lips trembled and my legs, which were tired from standing for too long, began to shake as they threatened to give away.

He was watching me like I was some sort of a comedian.

“Arnold hasn’t visited Northern California for years. None of his friends here know about his first marriage. He hid it from everyone because he had ulterior motives. But the minister who conducted your ceremony was an out-of-work actor from Vegas. He is not even a real minister. Everything from your wedding was fake.” he said with an edge in his tone.

With the way he spoke, I was starting to believe all he was saying but at the same time, I wanted to defend my husband.

“No,” I said automatically. “It can’t be true.”

I remembered the minister had been strangely young and handsome.

It was rare and almost impossible to see a young man as a minister. They tend to enjoy their youthful age before going into ministry.

Back there at the church, I had been so nervous, almost sick, as I stood in the ruined shell of the ancient stone church and waited to speak my vows.

I had shrugged off the minister’s soap-opera-star good looks with the thought that all my husband’s friend’s or associates must be as blond and handsome just like him.

But was it possible that what Xavier Regulus was telling me held some shred of truth?

No!

I shook my head fiercely.

“Arnold wouldn’t have pursued me if he were already married. He wouldn’t have even noticed me pouring his coffee in San Francisco!” I said

“He wouldn’t?” I could detect sarcasm dripping from his tone.

“No! He wouldn’t! Marriage lasts forever. It is the friendship and passion that lasts your whole life. Loyalty and love are the foundation of everything!” I rapped

He stared at me amusingly. “And where did you hear that, princess?”

“I didn’t have to hear it from anyone,” I snapped. “My parents have been married for nearly forty years. My grandparents were married for sixty before my granddad died. All my brothers and sisters are married except for one. All married. Happily. Forever.”

Xavier looked at me for a long time before he pressed the intercom.

It didn't take long before one of the flight attendants walked up to us.

When she got to his side, he turned to her as he pushed the empty champagne glass back into her hands.

His voice was almost sounding like a whisper as he said, “Scotch. Rocks.”

She nodded to disappear behind the door to do as she was asked.

As she left, he turned back to me. “I can see marriage means a great deal to you. I can see that you really do love the title of baroness. To have people worship you and do your daily biddings.” He gave a hard look at the ostentatious diamond on my left hand.

When I discovered what he was staring at, I withdrew my hands and placed them behind my back.

“So much that you didn’t mind speaking a few false vows in order to get your hands on that. That you didn’t mind marrying such a terrible man for it.”

Xavier's words were piercing my heart like swords. He didn't care about my emotions, all he cared about was how to make me feel bad for my wrong decision.

He thought I cared about this huge diamond ring?

I clasped my hands which were behind me together tightly.

I didn’t care about jewelry, only what it symbolized!

“You think I would have let Arnold even flirt with me if I had known he was married? Never! I had no idea that he was married. I always believed in true love and I don’t care about money. If I wanted to get married for money, I would have done so a long time ago.” I said in a bid to oppose his words and whatever it was that was spurring him to speak.

“Everything is for sale in this world. Everyone has a price. And clearly…” he looked at me with scorn.

With my hands placed before me, his eyes wandered from my ring to my designer wedding gown.

“...that was yours.”

“The lace was hand-stitched by nuns in France,” Arnold had told me proudly when he had presented it to me.

He had laughed at my desire to wear my mother’s simple 1960s-era wedding gown to a simple ceremony in my California hometown.

“I will plan everything, petal. All you will need to do is be beautiful…and be ready for our honeymoon!” he said this too

Shaking the memory from my mind, I took a steadying breath.

“You’re wrong,” I said. “Either you’ve made a mistake, or…or…”

Or you’re lying, I wanted to say, but didn’t have the courage because I was faced with his wrathful gaze.

Rising to his feet, my captor crossed two steps to me.

His eyes were like black fire. He towered over me, and I had to force myself not to cower, but to stand straight and tall.

I had to stand my ground, I can't let him intimidate me.

“Arnold has no money of his own. His money comes from his wife’s inheritance, from her wealthy mother.” His lips twisted as he scornfully touched the exquisite lace of my sleeve.

“That’s her money you’re wearing on your back right now.” he added

My lips broke into a smile then a frown at his words.

My facial expression continued to switch from smile to frown for a while before it settled for a frown.