Chapter Three

I was shocked at first. It felt like my body had moved on its own. 

I don't know why or how I did it but I did. 

Jillian didn't move a muscle. We broke apart and he stared at me.

I was hoping the earth would open up and swallow me but I don't see that happening anytime soon.

I stood a few centimeters away and held my hands over my lips.

“I'm so sorry” I immediately apologized. “I don't know what came over me”.

Jillian still didn't say a word. His cold, calculating gaze was on me and I felt like an ant at that moment. I had completely forgotten about the gun still in his hand.

I watched him as he averted his gaze, walked toward the dresser, dropped the gun, and walked back toward me. 

In the blink of an eye, his lips were on mine, capturing them in a heated kiss.

After realizing what was happening, I kissed back with as much intensity as I could. One hand snaked its way around my waist and firmly grasped it while the other hand went around my thigh as he hoisted me onto his waist. I wrapped my legs around his waist straddling him and ran my hands through his thick, smooth hair.

He carried me to the bed, lips still connected, and sat on it with me still straddling him.

His arms roamed my body, cupping my chest and lightly squeezing them. 

A small moan escaped my lips as he did this and he broke the kiss. He looked at me, his eyes slightly hooded and his hair a mess. 

He sat back a bit, using his elbow as support with me still straddling him.

“Take it off,” he commanded.

It took me a second to realize he meant my tank top. I did as he said, taking it off and letting my long hair cascade down my back.

“Keep going,” he said. I kept my eyes locked with his as I slowly took off my bra. His eyes trailed down as he sat up slowly.

Being self-conscious, I tried covering my chest with my hands but he stopped me. 

He trailed his hands down my chest and gently cupped them. His hands were warm.

Just before we could continue, there was a knock on the door and a voice that followed.

“Jillian, we have a meeting. Come out immediately” Joseph said through the door. I froze, my eyes widening as I realized the position I was in.

I quickly tried to get off Jillian but he grabbed my waist and held me in place. 

“Did I tell you to move?” his voice, cold and demanding, said.

“No,” I whispered.

“Then why did you try to move?” he said, his hands slowly starting to dig into my waist.

“I'm sorry,” I said softly. 

He stood up and let me down. 

“Get dressed,” he commanded.

“Jillian? What's taking you so long?” Joseph asked through the door.

“Give me a minute,” Jillian replied.

I got dressed as fast as I could and I barely noticed that Jillian had gone into the bathroom and put on some work clothes. How he did it so quickly was beyond me.

He then walked towards the door and opened it.

Joseph came in but had a look of surprise when he saw me.

“What are you doing here, Christy?” he asked, surprised.

“I…” I trailed off.

“I ordered her to come in. I wanted to get a taste and see if she was worth anything” Jillian said coldly. I stared at him, his voice stabbing through my chest.

“And?” Joseph asked expectantly.

Jillian locked eyes with me for a brief second. His eyes are cold.

“There's nothing special about her. I've had better” I felt like I had been punched when he said that. Not just because we were literally about to sleep together before his father interrupted but because he said it to his father, in front of me.

It was then the realization of how cold Jillian Colbert truly is, dawned on me. 

I stared at him speechless.

Joseph stared at me with what looked like pity but I was too lost in thought to dwell on it.

‘If he hated it so much, why did he do it? Why did he look at me like that?’ I thought to myself, still staring at Jillian.

Jillian looked indifferent.

“It's time for you to leave.” His voice brought me out of my thoughts.

I was still standing at the same spot.

“Get out” he commanded, his voice sharp.

“Yes sir,” I said flatly, walking out of the room and bowing my head in respect to Joseph.

I walked straight into my room and closed the door behind me.

I couldn't quite find a word to describe how I was feeling. I wasn't hurt nor was I sad or mad. I just had a moment of clarity. It was like it finally hit me. 

I am getting married to the cruelest and coldest man I have ever met. Of all the people in the world, it had to be him. Just my luck.

Hours felt like it had passed while I sat on my bed, imagining how miserable my life was going to be.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. 

“Who is it?” I called out. 

“I have come to inform you that dinner is ready ma'am. Your presence is requested downstairs by Mr Colbert.” said a female voice.

“I'll be right there” I replied.

“If you don't mind ma'am, I suggest you wear something presentable. We have guests.” The voice informed me.

“Oh, okay. Thank you” I said to the lady.

“My pleasure, madam,” she replied. I'm assuming she left because I heard footsteps receding.

I picked out a red, slim-fitted dress and made my way to the dining room.

Upon getting there, I was greeted by the sight of a woman sitting on Jillian’s lap. 

Jillian looked unbothered and uninterested while Joseph looked used to the sight in front of him.

I slowly walked into the room and that's when Joseph finally noticed me.

“There she is. Christy, I'd like you to meet someone”, Joseph said as he walked me over to Jillian and the woman sitting on his lap.

Upon seeing me, the woman got off Jillian’s lap and met me halfway. She smiled.

This woman is absolutely gorgeous. However, something about her didn't seem to sit right with me.

As soon as we were close enough, she stretched out her hand. I shook it after slight reluctance.

“Hi, I'm Alyssa.” The woman said, her voice smooth. “Alyssa Martins”.

“I'm Christy. Christy Rhee” I replied.

“Well, Christy, welcome to hell”.