Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Vanessa’s pov

“it’s the time we’ve all been waiting for, let us welcome my beautiful daughter and vice president of our conglomerate, Vanessa.” My dad sad said stretching forth his hands to me while returning his champagne flute to a waiter passing by. Taking his hands and moving ever so gently down the stairs so as not to trip and rip the beautiful hand made beaded dress that was handcrafted for this party. Reaching the bottom of the stairs I couldn’t help but feel bile threatening to come out because I was irritated by the smug look on Sebastian’s face. If I hadn’t been insulted by his actions this morning and figured out his love life with my best friend who by the way was all smiles too, I’d be all smiles right now but thankfully I’d get the chance to ruin that look on both their faces and replace it with something else. Standing  beside him I smiled back at him remembering I have the upper hand here and would use it soon.

 ‘Clink clink clink’ my mom hit the side of her champagne flute with a teaspoon to get everyone’s attention.

“Thank you all for coming. It is a great honor to be here to witness the joining together of our children. Sebastian has been like a son to me and now he’s on the way to becoming the son” she said dabbing fake tears from her eyes

“Without anymore delay I would give the floor to the lovebirds and allow them do their thing”  She said then stepped back into the arms of my father. Sebastian looked at me and smiled, I didn’t understand why he seemed so happy, I turned around to see my best friend standing at my back which gave me the answers I needed, he wasn’t proposing to me but to her, I clenched my jaws so tight so as not to punch him in the guts then I took a step forward and faked a smile back. Looking up at the terrace, I gave a sign to my personal guard and he understood the assignment. I had my bodyguard trail Sebastian and also confirm if it was truly my best friend Anita he was cheating with. He had come back with so much evidence for just a few hours of trailing them . I guess they are so in love they didn’t notice they were being photographed and videoed.

“Ever since we were little I’ve always admired you, I’ve loved your smile, you laugh, the scent you emanate drives me insane and the feel of your hands in mine and your skin so soft has for a while now maddened me, I love you so much and would be happy if you make me the happiest man on earth and be my wife” Sebastian said getting down on his knees. If I hadn’t found out he was a scumbag I would have been so happy right now but then looking back at Anita and then looking at him I knew he wasn’t saying all that to me. I looked at my parents then at his parents and I felt so sorry for them but I wasn’t about to jeopardize my life for them and besides I didn’t risk this, Sebastian did. Turning back to him I looked him in the eyes to see if there was anything to tell me I was the one for him but there was none, he had eyes for her and her alone and they’ve made a fool out of me for way too long now.

“I’m sorry but No I can’t marry you” I said which got everyone gasping and shocked and some talking. “ By the matter of fact I’m not actually sorry, I’m happy I wouldn’t be stuck with a cheating scumbag like you for the rest of my life” I said with as much calm as I could muster.

“No?? You can’t say no Vanessa” Sebastian said a bit uncomfortable

My mom came to pull my hands trying to get me away from there to talk privately but I wasn’t going to allow anyone spoil this for me, I’ve been insulted and made a fool and I won’t let that slide, I was going to finish what I started. The light’s immediately went dim while pictures came into display on a screen at the bottom of the stairs. I looked at the several faces of the people I love and the person I had taken as my best friend since childhood and the look on her face was worth it. She looked at me and started shaking profusely.

“please don’t do this, we can talk about this” she said tearing up already and trying to hold my hands, I grabbed my hands away from her then moved the center of the room, facing the screen I laughed then looking at Sebastian I continued.

“of course I can say No, especially since you thought you could make a fool out of me. You weren’t even looking at me while proposing just now but you have the guts to tell me not to say No that I can’t say No, don’t give me that crap” I said then faced the crowd of surprised and confused guests.

“ I understand that you may feel confused but I assure you all it’s not” I said while giving the sign for more pictures to be shown while the video from this morning would be played last

“ So everyone, Sebastian here and my best friend here Anita have been in a relationship while he was in a relationship with me, she knows he is my man but still slept and had an affair with him and he knew she was my best friend and still went after her. I had dined with this two, I had trusted them both and they make a fool of me Vanessa Smith. So all this pictures you see where collated today which brings me to the question, why exactly are we having this engagement party for? “

“ it’s not what you think Nessa “ Anita said trying to salvage the last bit of her dignity.

“ Really? So tell me, what is it then”  I said

“ I was just helping Sebastian get you a gift, he wanted to gift you something really nice and didn’t know what to gift you so he asked for my help, isn’t that right Seb” she said looking at him.

“ Yes that’s right, I was going to give you something special after the party but I guess you misunderstood the pictures” he said. I scoffed and then laughed out loud, everyone looked even more confused at this point because even I would have been confused if I didn’t have evidence to back up my statement.

“ Oh really? You were just getting me a gift? That’s so sweet” I said mockingly

“ But I would really love to know if the gift was a baby because you both slept together “ I said looking at them daringly, I saw shock flash through Sebastian’s face so he didn’t know Anita had sent me a video and though her face didn’t show, her hair and friendship bracelete did and also Sebastian’s face of ecstasy.

“ Oh that, you just misunderstood it, we didn’t have sex, I slept over because it was very late last night and we were still working on some ideas for the gift” Anita said

“ Ahwnnn that’s so sweet but explain this and how it correlates with your story” I said while the screen slid to show the video from this morning. The shockwave in the room was enough to power a whole town. I looked over at my mom and she was fuming. Angrily she pulled me and gave me a slap.

“How dare you disgrace our family like this, The woods are embarrassed and have all the right to end all ties with us, you will apologize and accept Sebastian’s proposal and then we’ll move on to planning the wedding, Do you understand “ she said while I just stared blankly at her.

“So you knew about this, you knew he was cheating and you still want me to marry him, you knew of all this all along? “ I said still shocked that my own family would do this to me

“ Yes we did know and it doesn’t really matter, the Wood family are the biggest investors in New York and also our biggest investors and shareholders, you will get married to Sebastian and stop making a fool of this family” she said while I sucked in as much air as I can suck in, I felt as much pain as the rage in me, I looked back and locked eyes with Alex Russo, I hate that he was looking at me so intently and that he had seen all of that. 

“ I won’t marry him mother, I won’t be disgraced further” I said wiping my tears

“ Nessa stop being stubborn and let’s get this over with, I promise to not cheat in the house only hotel rooms” Sebastian said with a smirk on his face. The rage in me could melt down the ice wall but that wouldn’t do, I had to punch that smirk off his stupid face. 

“Oh how nice of you”  I said smiling “ but I’ll decline, you just a brainless Mama’s boy and I would definitely not be insulted by a Mama’s boy” 

The look in his face was enough to let me know that I had struck a cord.

“ Well then yes I’m a Mama’s boy but you’ll come running back because I’m the only one that you’re allowed to be with in this country, your family needs this union and you need me” he said with that stupid smirk again. I looked back and saw Alex still watching with a smirk on his own face and then looked back at Sebastian. It might not be the best idea right now but it’s worth a shot.

“Watch me” I said with a glare before walking towards Alex, looking at him and looking back at the crowd waiting, I knew there was no going back.

“I’m sorry, no offense “ I said then smashed my lips against his lips and kissed him. I could hear the murmurs from the crowd and could feel the look on Sebastian’s face, after about a minute of kissing Alex who had a shocked expression on his face I disentangled from his lips and took a step back.

“ Take that as payback for this morning, we’re even now” I said still a bit lightheaded by what just happened, he took a step forward looking at me and ignoring the whole crowd. Seeing his body towering over me and the fiery look in his eyes I was a bit scared that I’d gone to far and he would ruin me. What was I thinking he’s an enemy of course he won’t take it lightly. I looked back at him daringly while hiding the fear I felt inside and the burning sensation in the pit of my stomach, who knew a kiss could have ignited something so deep. He pulled me into his arms and looked at me with intensity, forgetting we weren’t alone.

“ No we aren’t “ he said then smashed his lips on mine, I forgot we weren’t alone and there were a bunch of people around, all surprised at the turn of events , someone’s glass fell and shattered while somehow the paparazzi’s were allowed in. The flashing of cameras got us out of our trance and then he pulled away, looking at me with so much primal intensity. Several flash from more camera’s brought us out of our soiree and back to reality. The paparazzis were starting to ask questions while several guard’s pushed them out, Alex grabbed my hands and pulled me outside getting me as far away from the drama and camera as possible.