002: I Accept

ANYA

The sound of laughter erupted behind me, sharp and mocking. Cameras flashed, their lenses pointed at me like spotlights, capturing every humiliating second. I clenched my fists, trying to block out the noise. I knew this would happen. I knew Hunter Steele would humiliate me, but I didn’t care.

If enduring this proved my love for Cross, it was worth it. I kept reminding myself: By the end of today, I’ll have my first kiss.....from the love of my life. Cross will see how much I love him, and everything will be perfect.

But then Hunter’s annoyed expression softened. A chuckle escaped his lips, sending a chill down my spine. Before I could process it, his face turned cold, his eyes narrowing as he stepped closer. My heart raced as he loomed over me, his presence suffocating.

“Why is he so close?” I thought, frozen in place.

He reached out, his hand catching my chin. His grip was firm but not painful, and his intense gaze seemed to dissect every inch of my face.

“Is he going to slap me?” My mind spiraled into panic.

Then he let go of my chin, but before I could step back, both his hands moved toward my face. My stomach twisted in fear.

This is it. No one can save me now.

I imagined the worst. What if he ruined my face? What if Cross saw me as ugly after this? I needed to look perfect for my first kiss. Desperation surged through me.

“Hunter Steele,” I stammered, my voice trembling, “please, if you must hit me, not my.....”

“Shh,” he interrupted, his voice low and commanding.

His hands cupped both sides of my face, and before I could react, his lips crashed against mine.

I froze, my entire world spinning. His lips were warm and firm against mine, and for a brief moment, I couldn’t comprehend what was happening. My eyes fluttered shut, but then reality hit me like a slap.

"This isn’t Cross."

My eyes flew open, and disgust churned in my stomach. I tried to pull away, but his right hand slid to my back, holding me firmly in place. The grip was strong, unyielding.

When he finally released me, I staggered back, staring at him in disbelief. My lips tingled from the kiss, but my mind screamed with confusion and anger.

Hunter’s eyes glimmered with satisfaction, as if he had won some twisted game. He seemed completely unaffected by the chaos he had just caused.

The bar fell silent. It was as if time itself had stopped. My heart pounded so loudly I could barely hear anything else.

“I accept your proposal,” Hunter said, his voice calm and authoritative.

“What?” The word slipped from my lips in a whisper.

“I’ll marry you,” he continued, ignoring my shock. “Get ready. First thing tomorrow, we’ll get our marriage certificate. As for the wedding ceremony, that’ll depend on my mood after we’re married.”

He turned to one of his bodyguards. “I want every piece of information on my future wife delivered to me within the hour. Let’s go.”

And just like that, he walked away, his bodyguards falling in line behind him.

I stood there, paralyzed. My legs felt like jelly, and my mind raced to process what had just happened.

The laughter, the jeers, the flashing cameras....they all came rushing back. Murmurs spread through the bar, people whispering and gossiping. I could feel their stares burning into me.

Suddenly, a sharp sting snapped me back to reality.

“Slap!”

My cheek burned, and I turned to see Bernice standing before me, her face twisted with rage.

“How dare you kiss my man?” she screamed, her voice shrill.

“What?” I blinked, confused. “Bernice, I didn’t....”

“You knew I came here for him!” she spat, her eyes glistening with tears. “You threw yourself at him! How could you?”

I wiped my lips, trying to rid myself of the lingering taste of Hunter’s kiss. “No, Bernice, I swear, I didn’t.....”

“Hunter Steele is mine,” she hissed, her voice trembling. “Stay away from him, or I’ll tear you apart!”

With that, she turned on her heels and ran out of the bar, leaving a trail of anger and tears behind her.

“Wait!” Cross’s voice called out behind me, but Bernice didn’t stop.

I turned to face Cross, relief flooding through me. "He’ll understand," I thought. "He’ll believe me."

But his face was hard, his eyes cold.

“I’m disappointed in you,” he said, his voice dripping with disdain.

My heart shattered.

“You promised me your first kiss,” he continued, “but you gave it to another man. You’re cheap, Anya, undeserving of my love. And now you’ve made my sister cry. I’ll never forgive you.”

“Cross, wait!” I pleaded, tears streaming down my face as he turned to leave. “Please, listen to me. I didn’t....”

Before I could finish, he pushed me away.

“We’re done,” he said coldly, his words cutting deeper than any slap.

I fell to the floor, landing hard on my hands. Pain shot through me, but it was nothing compared to the ache in my chest. Tears blurred my vision as I watched Cross walk away, his friends trailing behind him without a second glance.

I sat there, my palms pressed against the cold floor, my heart breaking into a million pieces. Everything I had done, everything I had sacrificed, all for Cross.....it was gone.

And now, I had somehow become the fiancée of Hunter Steele.