Chapter 5

           Sebastian hastily exited the hospital lobby, moving with deliberate and light steps to track down Kate using the bodyguard's updates. Beneath his composed demeanor was simmering frustration. He murmured to himself, "She's about to start a scandal, and we're not even married yet."

He rang the doorbell as soon as he got to the house. Kate opened it, startled and widened-eyed.

"Hello, how are you here? Wait, why and how?" Kate stumbled, confused and scared in her voice.

"Who's there at the door?" Jasmine came running out of the house and called out. “

Kate quickly whispered, "Nobody," but it was already too late. Jasmine was there already."Are you familiar with him?" With suspicious brow furrows, Jasmine inquired. Sebastian's mouth formed a chilly, menacing smile. "Exactly, are you familiar with me?" he asked in jest. Kate blurted out, her voice unsteady and her eyes blazing with dread. "He's a... friend.”Nonsense," Sebastian deftly corrected. Hi there, I'm her fiancé. Nice to meet you. He was satisfied to see the color drain from Kate's face."Fiancé? Is he kidding me? With the gaze bouncing between the two of them, Jasmine asked. Kate mutely said, barely able to meet Jasmine's stare, "No, he's not." "I'm engaged to him."Jasmine's stunned eyes expanded. "Please come in," she gestured for Sebastian to do so."Gratitude," he answered, entering with a demeanor of authority.

Jasmine kept staring at Sebastian as if she was trying to figure out where he was. "You seem like someone I've seen before. Are you famous? You're Sebastian Willows, the TV producer? Oh my god! She turned to face Kate, joy bursting in her eyes.

Are you and Sebastian Willows engaged? In what way did you come across him? Feeling the weight of the two women's stares on her, Kate swallowed.

She forced a smile and lied, saying, "We met in Canada two years ago, during an office assignment." "I recently returned and learned about her living circumstances." She gave the boxes a hazy gesture. "I followed her here after spotting her getting into your car.”

Jasmine was shocked. "Kate, you never told me you went to Canada and met a hot guy, much less a Willows!"Kate muttered,

"I didn't know who he was until recently when he proposed."Jasmine gave a "wow" and shook her head. "I cannot express myself.” Exactly my reaction when I found out,” Kate answered, trying a laugh. “I came to get her so we could leave together,” Sebastian interjected, keeping his voice casual.

I hope it's okay with you.“Of course not,” Jasmine said, and Sebastian bent down to pick up two boxes, while Kate grabbed the last one. They carried the items into the car and drove off, leaving Jasmine staring after them.

The moment the car door shut, Kate turned to face Sebastian, accusing him sharply.

"You followed me," She said. Sebastian clinched his teeth and answered, "Of course, I did." "I wouldn't have found you at the address the movers gave me if I hadn't.” I intended to text you the updated address," a defensive-sounding Kate mumbled."Well, you don't have to anymore," he stated abruptly. After a few minutes, they reached Sebastian's condominium. Like him, it was sleek and contemporary yet icy. With a great deal of tension between them, they sat down in the living room. "Well, we're sticking to the story that we met when you came to Canada for your business assignment," Sebastian said in a calm yet strong tone. Meet Jay, one of my friends.

The story goes that you became friends with him after meeting him at a restaurant. He then extended an invitation for you to join me on an outing. Even though we've been speaking for the last two years, you were unaware of my identity until I proposed. With a racing heart, Kate nodded. Naturally. She hesitated to ask, "But... are we going to be staying in the same room?"Sebastian said in an authoritative tone, "Of course." It will increase the credibility of the arrangement. Anxiety grabbed Kate's stomach. Will you please show me the room? Sebastian got up and gestured for her to come on. He showed her to a large room that matched the living area's decor impersonal, the design was modern.

You can use that closet. Sebastian stated, "The other side is mine," in a stern and commanding tone. "I hate to others touching my belongings. Do you understand? Kate said, her voice hardly audible above a whisper, "Yes... Mr. Willows.""To you, it's Sebastian," he angrily said. "At least make this seem realistic if we're going to do this."That being said, he started undressing without thinking twice. Kate's jaw dropped when she saw the distinct, hard lines of his abs. Her face became red as she noticed the elaborate tattoos all over his chest, which further enhanced his attraction."Have you finished examining me?" The mocking tone of Sebastian's voice cut through her thoughts. Kate said, "I wasn't checking you out," as she moved on her heel and hurriedly left the room.

But her mind was already racing as she ran away. How am I going to tell my mother this? The pretense she was going to live took a heavy toll on her shoulders.

Later that night, she busied herself cooking dinner, which helped to quiet her racing thoughts. Sebastian came downstairs just as she was finishing off the table, his timing almost too perfect. With hesitation, she said, "Dinner's ready."And who gave you the order to arrive? Sebastian sounded acerbic, and it was clear how cold he was. She began, "I just thought—," but he interrupted her."Never cook for me again, and don't make assumptions," he angrily said. Nonetheless, when he sat down and picked up his fork, his eyes darkened. "Eating is usually the quickest route to a man's heart. Similar to how she did.

His angry remarks hung in the air, stinging deeper than Kate anticipated, yet he ate quietly. Kate timidly requested after supper,

"Can I keep looking for a job tomorrow?”No," Sebastian said calmly. "If it's a job you want, I'll find you one."Before Kate could object, her phone rang and vibrated on the table. She froze, her gaze fixed on the screen.

"Kate, you've got a call," Sebastian remarked, his gaze hardening. Her cheeks became pale as she saw the caller. "I can't pick it up," she admitted, her voice shaking."Or I will," Sebastian said, his palm hovering over the phone."Please don't," Kate implored, her voice quivering."What are you hiding?" Sebastian inquired, his tone chilly. "Your boyfriend?" Or perhaps your true source of income?

Sebastian answered the phone without waiting for her response and put it on speaker. The voice on the other end threatened to hunt down Kate and her mother and sell their organs if they didn't pay the money within three days. Kate's heart sank.

"Harry, please..." I have some of your money. Leave my mom out of this, please," she begged, her voice shaking.

Sebastian's disposition changed from cold indifference to astonished stillness. This was not what he expected."Why didn't you tell me about this?" he screamed, his voice filled with rage."Because I didn't want to bother you," Kate answered, her voice barely audible.

Sebastian rose and approached her. The tension in the room increased as he came to a halt inches away from her.

Kate's breath became unsteady as his fierce gaze locked on hers."You didn't want to bother me?" he inquired, his tone low and menacing.

"You are my wife now. "Whatever bothers you bothers me."He drew her closer by the waist, his hand hard but soft. Kate's heartbeat as she gazed up into his grey eyes. She had an uncontrollable need to stand on her toes and delicately kiss him.

Sebastian hesitated for a second before deepening the kiss and tightening his grip. But, almost as quickly, he jerked back, his look cold again, as if someone had switched a switch in his mind."I'm done eating," he remarked quickly, turning on his heel and heading upstairs.

Kate stood locked in place, legs tensed and head racing. This is seriously messed up. Determined, she followed him upstairs, storming into his room without a knock. "You can't kiss me and then leave me! "You must finish what you started!" She yelled, her voice filled with desperation.

Sebastian turned, his body still damp from a recent shower, and a towel loosely wrapped around his waist. His look was strong and predatory."You want me to finish what I started?" he said softly, his voice so low it sent shivers down her spine. He approached her gently, each step purposeful. Kate backed up until she was pinned against the wall.

"You can't handle the demons in me, Kate," he said quietly, his tone threatening.