6. Goodbyes and Promises

I spin around at the voice behind me and look straight into the eyes of Sebastian. Anger flared in his honey-coloured eyes as he took in the scene before him; Nicholas cupping my cheeks and my arms around his waist.

I feel the anger radiating off Nicholas when he lets go of me and faces Sebastian, “We were just saying our goodbyes. There is no reason to be rude, Sebastian.” He says, meeting Sebastian’s angry stare.

Wait, why the heck was he so angry, anyway?

Stepping forward, I walk towards my supposed fiance and meet his gaze, “Nicholas was my intended before they forced me to marry you, Sebastian. I am saying goodbye to him, that is all.” I say to him and he peers down at me.

“Irrelevant. I will not have another Eliana as my betrothed. You will go with me right this instant as we need to discuss a few things regarding our pending marriage.” He says and turns on his heel, “I don’t like to be kept waiting, Elena.”

I watch him as he strides away and immediately I’m filled with a boiling anger. How dare he? Acting as if I belonged to him now! I almost stomped after him, when suddenly I felt a pair of firm hands on my shoulders. I turn around, looking up into Nicholas’ sad smile.

My heart breaks anew, and I spin around, wrapping my arms around his middle. “I am so sorry, Nicholas!” I cry into his arms and feel him stroking my hair. “Shh, it’s okay, my love. We will just have to soldier on through it. I know you will be strong enough to survive this sham of a marriage, I will wait for you, this I promise.” He says, a gentleman if I ever knew one. I let go of him and meet his gaze.

“I can’t make you wait for me, Nicholas,” I say, shaking my head, So let’s agree to this; if after 5 years you find you still love me, come to me. I will always love you, I do not think my feelings will ever change.”

“ELENA.” Ugh. For a moment I forgot about Sebastian waiting for me.

Nicholas cocks his head towards the mansion, “Go, he’s waiting for you. I love you, Elena.” He says and gives me one last kiss on my forehead. Then he turned around and left me.

I watch him walk away with despair filling my heart. How could he say he would wait for me when I just broke him?

The sun was starting to set and it cast a warm glow over the gardens, Nicholas and I would always have our tea in the gardens at sunset; this hour belonged to us. Now I would be spending the rest of my days as a wife to an arrogant CEO.

I turn on my heel and walk towards the mansion where Sebastian was waiting for me.

As soon as I step out of the boxwood hedges, I felt myself being pulled and slammed against the mansion wall.

“What the-!”

Sebastian looks down at me and puts his palms on either side of my head, caging me in. His face was so close to mine, if he moved his head any closer we would kiss! His Tom Ford scent assaults my senses and I cower in submission. What was this all about?!

“Sebastian, what are you doing?” I breathe out and regard his honey-coloured eyes, which were currently filled with sadness mixed with anger.

He bows his head, and his eyes close. When he looks at me again, he had hidden his emotions but the anger still radiated from him.

“Elena, you are aware of what your sister has done. Please do not make me regret this union.”

I stare at him, confused, “I thought you regretted it already.” I tell him as a frown crosses my face.

He chuckles then pulls my chin up, making me look into his eyes, “Indeed I do, trading beauty for a podgy replacement isn’t exactly what I’m looking forward to.”

This made me more angry than I ever thought possible, and I push him away with a lot more force than I intended. He looks at me with amusement playing in his eyes, “How dare you, Sebastian! I know my sister has hurt you, but there is absolutely no reason for you to insult me at every turn. I have done nothing but be polite to you.” I exclaim, tears running down my face. This awful man, what did I ever do to him?

I walk towards him and my eyes flash with anger, “What did I ever do to you?! Why do you always feel the need to hurt my feelings? Is it because I have my sister’s face that you feel as if you’re hurting her?” I cry out, horrified at my own honesty. The last comment seems to throw Sebastian off kilter, and he stares at me in surprise.

I turn around and stomp towards the mansion and stare at him out of the corner of my eye. I bet he’s not used to people standing up to him. Good. He better get used to it.

Running inside, I bolt up the stairs and slam my bedroom door with angry tears stinging my eyes.

Every time I try to give him the benefit of the doubt, he does this. Every single time I start to be okay with this whole thing, he does something that puts me off. I don’t know what my sister ever saw in that awful man, but by gosh, I never saw it. He’s a terrible person.

With my face buried in my pillow, I lament for the days my life did not include being Sebastian Dumont’s intended bride. I am aware a lot of girls would be elated at the prospect of being married to Sebastian, but not me. I despise him.

There was a knock at my door, “Elena, can I come in?” It was my mother. Weird. She never asked for permission to enter my bedroom. I breathe out a strangled yes and clear my throat, grabbing a tissue from my bedside table.

My mother pokes her head in and smiles at me. She then walks in and takes a seat on my bed, “Elena, I am aware that you and Sebastian aren’t the best of friends. I want to tell you a little story about my marriage to your father.” She started, and this actually made me take notice of her.

“Your father and I despised one another before we were married. We bickered and fought and only kept up outward appearances of a happy married couple. Eventually we got used to one another and fell in love, I could not be happier than I am now. You see, love, an arranged marriage does not have to signal the end of your life. Make the best of it while you can; accumulate knowledge, travel, meet influential people. When the 5 years is over, it will prepare you for your own life.”

I look up at my mother who, for the first time in her life, has given me sage advice. I smile at her then throw my arms around her. Her usual Chanel scent burning in my nose, but I smile through it.

When I let go of her, she had an odd look on her face. “Thank you, mother. I will take your advice. Might as well make the best of things.” I tell her and she finally smiles as she gets up from my bed. “Thank you, Elena. Sebastian has asked me to collect you, he is waiting for you downstairs. Please give it another go?”

I look up at my mother and nod, a genuine smile crossing my face, “I will be down shortly.”

With that, she leaves my room and I sigh, walking towards my dressing table to fix my makeup. Then my heart sinks as her words suddenly hit me.

Sebastian was still downstairs???