6

SEBASTIAN

I tapped the pen against the blue manilla folder as thoughts of the previous night threatened to get the best of me. Chloe’s panicked smile as she slid her hands into mine when the paparazzi had shown up was still in my mind. The fact that someone so smart was nervous about being seen with me puzzled me. How much had her ex hurt her, that she felt so lost?

"I wish you can simply open up and talk to me, Chloe," I whispered slightly to the quiet office.

But, I knew that was definitely not possible. She may have opened up a bit, but something told me that she didn’t trust me. I don’t know what to do to make her see that I wasn’t like her ex, and I was a better man than her ex.

Shaking my head lightly, I couldn’t help the smile that touched my lips. Gosh! I was really acting up these days.

My iPhone beeped, and I peered closely to it, realising that it was a message from Draco, telling me to call him. You would have to wait for a long time, man. I’m not in the mood to listen to your whining.

Just then, a knock sounded at the door.

"Come in," I said gruffly.

James dressed in simple black overalls walked into my office with a bunch of newspapers cradled in his hands. He looked flustered as he haggled them together so it wouldn’t slip on the floor.

"I believe that I told you that I don’t like messes," I said evenly.

He gulped. "I’m so sorry, sir. But, while I almost tripped and..."

I waved him off dismissively. "Just put it on the desk and leave," I grumbled.

He didn’t need to be told twice as he did as I said before walking out of the door as though he was running a race. James was my steadfast employee, but he always forgot himself most of the time.

Carefully, I pulled at my suit jacket, and grabbed one of the papers on the table. I and Chloe were right at the centre of the front page, and we were smiling at each other so wildly like it was a love marriage.

I pulled the newspaper even closer to my face as my phone buzzed. Without thinking, I slid the call button.

"Well, I never knew you as a man to have a marriage in the dead of the night?" Draco’s excited voice rang out.

I groaned as I placed the newspaper on the table. "Can’t a man be alone for five minutes without such shades?" I teased back.

"Nope!" He said childishly. I rolled my eyes. "I’m mad at you, man! This was the most important day of your life, and you couldn’t even call me in for the event. Nah, that is not done."

I shrugged. "I wasn’t planing it, ok? It just happened."

"Really?" He said with a voice laced in disbelief.

I sighed. "Yes, really..."

"Sebastian, people buy extra burgers when they don’t plan it. People sleep with their socks on when they don’t plan to. People don’t get married in the dead of the night. Which planet are you living in?"

"Earth," I supplied lamely.

"Stop trying to be a smart ass."

A reluctant smile tugged on my lips. This was the reason Draco was my best friend. He knew me a bit too much, and definitely understood when to insert the humour. I wouldn’t know what I would have done without him. But, I couldn’t let Chloe stay without being protected. 

The world was cutthroat, and she needed to be safe from its sharp edges. It was my duty to protect her.

"Don’t zone out on me," Draco whined at the other end of the line. 

I sighed. "I didn’t. But, you’re making up wild theories, it’s crazy."

"I haven’t started yet, Seb," he said easily. Then, there was a sound of shuffling papers. "Wait, did you get her pregnant?"

"Maybe..."

"You’re awfully tightlipped about this marriage. What is happening? It’s not like you, but..." More shuffling of paper. "This girl, they claim her name is Chloe . Is she the same girl you always talk about since forever?"

I groaned softly. "Good bye, Draco," I said evenly.

"You’re driving me off because I’m right. You naughty boy, you finally pegged her. Good luck with this marriage because you need it," he said happily.

I rolled my eyes once more as I disconnected the phone, placing it on my desk.

You have no idea how much I need that good luck. My parents weren’t’t going to understand my decision, and the only reason they weren’t blasting my phone was because they might still be dealing with the shock. I know fully well that the tales of my flash marriage was pasted everywhere for people to gloat and awe. 

Fuck!

I don’t care though. I have always been called the black sheep of the family, so there is that. Chloe was the most important thing now.

I just need to keep her sheltered from everyone, including my family.

With a sigh, I leaned back on the chair, picking at the newspaper with the tip of my hand. Our image was clearer in this newspaper as we slid into the car, and I could see the way Chloe held onto my hand. 

"There is nothing to fear when you’re with me, Chloe. I know pretty soon, you will realise this yourself," I whispered softly.

With a smile, I watched the images some more, before tossing it on the table. I had to work. I couldn’t bring myself to shift the newspapers, so I took the folder I had been using from underneath it, and placed it back on it as I skimmed though.

Time seemed to pass when suddenly, a knock sounded at the door. 

"Who is it?" I asked calmly.

"It’s Chloe, sir," she said softly.

"I believe that’s my wife?"

There was a pause, and I heard a soft, "Yes," that made me smile softly.

She was just too cute.