Pretending To Be Sick

Roxanna's POV 

# A Week later

The engagement ceremony took place in our house. The thought of meeting Klaus made me sick to the stomach. 

While I was looking around, I suddenly set eyes on Paula, wearing a white lace dress with silver stones designed all over. She was wearing a tiara and who doesn't know about me would think she's the one getting engaged. 

I just stood at a corner watching her. I wasn't that dressed up as I wore a simple yellow sunflower dress, white heels and held my hair into a ponytail. This was because I have no idea what will become of me after meeting Klaus. I want to keep a low profile, just in case he breaks off the engagement. 

An hour passed and Klaus still hadn't arrived. At this point, I was having a bad feeling about the whole event. 

Just then, they called for a family photo. 

What the hell? A group family photo when the groom in question hasn't even arrived? 

“Roxanna, come over here,” my Stepmom urged with a smile on her face. I can't believe this. Isn't she supposed to be asking the Raymond's about their son? 

I rushed towards them, since I have no choice. Just then, I heard a deep voice beside me, “Hi.” 

Though I've not seen him in two years, I can recognize his voice anywhere. Instantly, my heart began to beat so wildly in my chest. What is this? Why is my heart beating so fast? 

I slowly turned to my side and there he stood watching me with a raised brow. Seeing him up close, my heart almost fell out of my chest. 

How can he be this handsome? I mean, I already knew he was handsome, but now, he seemed to have added even more handsome features. I blinked at this very moment and my heart pounded in my chest like it was going to explode any minute from now. 

“H…hi,” I replied, still staring at him like a fool. 

“You still haven't changed, Roxanna. You should close your mouth, the flies are about to feast on you.”

Immediately I shut my mouth, which I never knew was wide open. 

Shit! I quickly averted my gaze, feeling terribly embarrassed. 

“Roxanna, are you happy now?”

I quickly turned my gaze back to him.

“Huh?”

“I mean, this is our engagement party, isn't this like your dream come true since we will be husband and wife.”

What is he saying? My dream come true? 

“I never knew we were getting married,” I muttered, not looking in his direction. 

“Ah…and you want me to believe that? You probably begged your dad, didn't you?”

I folded my hands into a tight fist. Though he looked more handsome, he's still the scumbag from two years ago. My goodness! Why can't I get out of this mess, for heaven's sake!

“Roxanna, you know this marriage wouldn't be based on love, right?” I couldn't take it anymore, and so I turned around to face him.

“Why don't you do me the favor of calling it off then,” I said between my teeth, trying to control my anger. 

"Wow! So, you're angry? Then you should have refused if you weren't trying to take this as an opportunity to get into my bed, you've been craving since we were teenagers.

God help me! I want to slap him hard across the face, but the family photo is about to be taken. I can't afford to cause a disaster right now. 

After the photos were successfully taken, I breathed a sigh of relief. Enough of the pretentious smile. Just then, I noticed Klaus quickly walk away from the crowd without looking in my direction.

Where was he going? He didn't even bother to spare me a glance. This wedding was a mistake. I can't believe I'll be living with someone like Klaus my whole life in the same house and the same room. The thought made me feel like I had stepped on hot coal.  

I looked around me and saw happy guests with glasses of wine. I didn't fail to see my stepmom and dad who were chattering away with Klaus's parents. 

Everyone seemed to be happy except me who is about to be married. 

While looking around, I noticed Paula wasn't in sight. Where was she? I thought she'll be taking photos or come over to give me an earful as to why I'm getting married to a man who she had claimed to be in love with. 

Since no one paid attention to me currently, I decided to go to my room and freshen up. Just as I walked past Paula's room I noticed her door was open and, for some reason, I caught a glance of two people making out. Immediately I rushed back. To my greatest shock. It was Paula and…Klaus. 

At that moment, I felt my whole body go numb in utter shock. I stood right there on my track watching them kiss so passionately. They finally pulled away, but I didn't fail to see the love in Klaus's eyes for Paula. 

“Paula, you have no idea how I wished you were the one I'm getting married to.” Immediately, Paula placed a finger on his lips. 

“Shhh, don't talk like that. Though you'll be married to that fat bunny, we can still meet in private, right?”

At this point, I looked at Klaus, wanting to see his response. Unfortunately for me, he smiled at her and nodded his head. 

I blinked as hot tears streamed down my face. I can't believe what I was seeing. This marriage will kill me before any of them does. 

****

# A Week Later 

“Miss Roxanna, your food is ready,” Maid Louisa announced as she came into my room.

“Louisa, I told you earlier that I don't have an appetite for food. Please take it back.”

“What? You don't have an appetite today as well? Oh no, this isn't good at all. You've been saying this for three days now. Sure you're not sick?”

I didn't reply but rather tucked myself back in bed. 

For some reason I was feeling terribly cold. 

Louisa heaved a long deep sigh since I wasn't ready to talk. 

Just then, the door to my room flew open at once. 

“Where is she and why isn't she having any of her meals?!” 

That was the voice of Lady Diana. Immediately, I sat up straight in bed. She walked over to the bed with the speed of light and pulled down the covers from my body. 

“How dare you pretend to be sick. I'm sure you're doing this because you don't want to get married. But guess what? You lie!” She screeched. 

 “Doctor Steven, come in and have her checked!”