Meant Nothing

“Sierra!” 

“Come over here.” Joaquin’s sudden voice forcedSierra to look away from Alyssa and turn to look in his direction. He waved his hands at Sierra, calling her over. He was standing a few meters away with his wife and two more guests. Alyssa let out a scoff, while Sierra felt really grateful to her father for saving her at the right time. 

"Yes, Papa.” She hurriedly nodded in his direction before walking away without responding to Alyssa. She didn't want to stay in her presence for a single second after her words almost crushed her soul. Sierra took a deep breath on her way, trying to calm herself.

“Norman, this is my youngest daughter, Sierra.” Joaquin introduced Sierra to the middle-aged man and woman standing opposite him first, making her force a smile. 

“And Sierra, this is Norman Klein, my old friend. Beside him is his wife, Marlene Klein.” He then proceeded to introduce them to her. Seeing how polite her father was acting, Sierra instantly knew the man was someone important and he wanted her to impress him. 

“It's nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Klein.” Sierra smiled politely at them before shaking her hand with them. 

“Oh dear, it's nice to meet you too.” Marlene Klein grinned at Sierra happily while withdrawing her hands. Sierra felt her mother’s piercing gaze at her, looking unhappy. She was always unhappy with her. 

“Joaquin, I didn't know you had such a pretty younger daughter. I only met Ophelia.” Norman chuckled, looking at Sierra approvingly. She felt a little strange but didn't show it on her face. 

“I didn't get the opportunity to introduce her to you. She's still studying and hardly attends any parties.” Joaquin answered, laughing at his friend's words. He didn't lie but he didn't speak the truth either. It's true that Sierra was still studying and hardly attended any parties, but it's because her mother or sister didn't want her to attend them. They thought it was a waste of time and would hamper her studies. 

"Well, you shouldn't hide such a gem.Since Ophelia is already engaged, it's time to find a perfect suitor for our lovely Sierra too. I'm sure there would be countless young men interested in her.” Norman suggested with a grin, completely surprising Sierra. She immediately glanced at her parents, waiting for them to say something to clear up their misunderstandings but they both simply laughed at Norman’s words. Sierra’s heart sank as she felt a pang of pain in her heart. They were also pretending that her marriage to Rigel didn't happen. How could they do this to her? Her own parents! 

“She's right; why don't we introduce our Robin to her? I'm sure they would make a perfect match.” Marlene’s voice snapped Sierra out of her thoughts, making her look at her. 

“Mr Klein!” Rigel’s sudden, deep voice forced Sierra to tilt her head and meet his eyes. She felt a chill down her spine when she noticed the coldness on his face. Did he hear everything? 

“Rigel, Ophelia. We were just talking about you.” Norman greeted her while smiling at Rigel and Ophelia. Sierra teared her eyes away from Rigel before shifting to her sister, who had a sweet smile plastered on her lips. 

“Really? What were you talking about?” Ophelia asked, looking curiously at Norman and Marlene. Sierra could still feel Rigel’s eyes on her, which were making her feel self-conscious. Why was he still staring at her?

“It's just that we think it's time for Sierra to find someone like Rigel too. My nephew Robin would be a perfect match for her.” Marlene answered with a smile while glancing at Sierra. Sierra didn't miss the way Ophelia’s eyes filled with excitement at Mrs. Klein’s words. She looked thrilled. 

“Robin Anderson?” Rigel suddenly asked, making Sierra look in his direction. His face was totally void of emotion. 

“Yes, he's also present here. Wait a minute.” Marlene nodded and paused in the middle of her sentence. She then proceeded to scan the crowd around her, looking for a possible sign of her nephew.

“There he's.” She grinned once she spotted him. 

“Robin! Come here! ”Marlene called over her nephew excitedly with a wave of her hand. Sierra couldn't help but glance at where she was looking. A good-looking young man in a black suit walked towards them with a smile. He looked a few years older than Sierra but definitely younger than Rigel, who was also staring at the man. 

“This is my nephew, Robin. The one I was talking about.” Marlene introduced Robin with a grin. 

“Hello! ”He greeted Sierra politely, his eyes stopping on her. 

“Robin, meet Sierra. She's Joaquin's youngest daughter and you have already met the rest of the people.” Marlene took the chance to introduce Sierra to Robin. For a moment, Sierra was completely stunned to react because no one present bothered to correct the misconception going on. They all, including her husband, stood there silently while watching Marlene set her up with Robin. 

"Hi, Ms. Rodrigo. It's a pleasure to meet you.” Robin smiled before forwarding his hand towards Sierra. 

“Likewise,” she mumbled, reluctantly shaking her hands with his. She could feel Rigel’s eyes on her, watching her every move with that piercing gaze. She didn't dare to look up. 

“We will leave you youngsters to talk and get to know each other.” Rosalia suddenly announced, grabbing Joaquin’s hand and then smiling at Ophelia. Mr. and Mrs. Klein immediately agreed before walking away with them with smiles. The atmosphere suddenly became tense as Robin turned to look at Sierra with a smile. 

“Uhmm.” Sierra was finding an excuse to escape the situation when Rigel’s sharp voice cut her off. 

“I have something important to discuss with Sierra; excuse us.” He declared coldly before grabbing Sierra’s hand and pulling her with him. Sierra was completely taken aback. 

“But Rigel-” Ophelia tried to protest but stopped when she noticed the two of them already walking away without looking back. She clenched her fists tightly, trying to contain the sudden rush of anger inside her. 

“What are you doing? ”Sierra asked in a small voice while looking around. There were a lot of people glancing in their direction, making her feel uncomfortable.

“Leave my hand. People are watching.” She tried to free her hands when he didn't respond to her. 

“Rigel! ”Sierra tried calling his name but he didn't even spare her a glance until they were out of the banquet. 

“What the hell do you think you are doing, Sierra?” Rigel asked, letting go of her hands.

and turning around to face her as soon as they reached the empty and quiet hallway. His blue eyes were blazing with fire as he glared at her. 

“What do you mean?” Sierra asked, furrowing her eyebrows in confusion. 

“You don't know what I mean? Your father is setting you up with another man when you are still legally married to me. Did you forget our contract isn't over yet?” He gritted out, looking at her furiously. Sierra’s expression changed!So he had heard everything but deliberately stayed silent!

“So what? You are not being a saint either.” She scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest, ignoring the suffocating pain in her heart. Wasn't he being a complete hypocrite here? 

“What?” Rigel asked, looking clueless. 

“You are roaming around with another woman in your arms when you are my husband.” Sierra stated this while staring directly into his blue eyes.

“So you are deliberately playing games with me?” Rigel scoffed, taking a step towards her while his eyes gazed at her dangerously. 

“I didn't play any games with you, Rigel. I'm merely stating the fact.” Sierra retorted, taking a deep breath to calm herself. She couldn't explain the turmoil going on inside her. She was in so much pain yet he didn't even notice.

“Why? Does being with her bother you?” He raised his eyes at her, the corner of his lips lifting up in a smirk. Sierra stared at him, his six-foot-three body towering over her small frame. 

“Answer me.” He breathed near her, urging her to answer his question. Sierra took a deep breath to calm herself before taking a step back. 

“I'm your wife and you are going around with another woman in your arms in front of my eyes, giving everyone the idea that you two are still together and soon going to get married. How could you do that to me? How could you humiliate me like this?” She snapped in anger whileall the tears she was trying to hold back finally fell. She could see a hint of surprise in his eyes but he still remained calm, silently staring at her. 

"Now, why are you silent, Rigel?” She asked while angrily wiping her eyes. She wouldn't cry in front of him. She wouldn't be pathetic in front of him. 

"That's because you were never my wife, Sierra. You were just a substitute for your sister. A fucking replacement I never wanted." He spat, staring at her with an icy gaze. His words pierced her heart like a sharp knife, cutting it into pieces. Sierra felt her breathing stop. 

“Really? So the two years we spent together meant nothing to you?" She somehow managed to ask, trying to swallow the pain and bitterness inside her. 

"No! It meant nothing. You were never the one I wanted to begin with.” He answered indifferently, completely crushing her soul. It wasn't the first time he said it yet it still hurt the same. Sierra bit her lips, trying to hold back her tears. 

"Then you shouldn't have married me to begin with." She looked at him bitterly while once again failing to hold back her traitorous tears. 

“As if I had a choice. I already asked you to stop the marriage, didn't I? ”He scoffed, looking at her indifferently. 

“You are a cold-hearted bastard, Rigel. I really hate you!” Sierra spat heartbrokenly before turning around and walking away from the heartless man she fell in love with.