Chapter 5
Theodosia
4 hours later
I snatched the remote and turned off the TV.
I paced around the room, biting down on my lips to stop myself from screaming.
This is unfair. This is so unfair to my life. I wasn't looking forward to my marriage, but I knew it would be something I could live it. For the rest of my life.
There's been nothing on the news except Sebastian and I.
I mean, was I really surprised??
Not really. This isn't something that happens everyday. It isn't everyday that heir and heiress of enemies get married albeit by a sick joke of fate.
My phone has been blowing up with calls from different people. Whom I even had no earthly idea that I was related to.
Sebastian had us gotten lodged in some kind of seedy hotel for the time being. He reasoned every hotel in the country is going to be besieged by reporters and medias.
It was better to lay low for the time being. Lay low! Ha!
This wasn't what I imagined my wedding night to be. A corporate meeting where both companies were coming in with their full legal force.
"They are here." Sebastian announced from the door.
I had gotten out of my wedding dress and stuffed it into his trunk and was now wearing some soft cotton dress I picked up somewhere.
By "they" he actually meant our parents and their lawyers and some other bullshits they brought with them. I'm not sure but I think Ethan and Sebastian's bride were here too.
A bile rose in my throat. I think I'm going to be sick. How do I face my father?
He had angrily called me that he's coming here and that I better have a solid explanation for what I had done.
What have I done?
It was when I entered the impromptu meeting hall that it dawned on me like a cold water. My mouth turned dry at the full impact of the small mistake that happened not long ago.
It felt like a lifetime ago when I was contemplating about how kind my marriage with Ethan would be.
I was grateful for the lack of presence from our supposed-to-be-spouses.
I was able to breath easier.
My mother was huddled by the corner, she was quietly sniffing into her handkerchief and Grace was doing an amenable job of consoling her.
My father's mouth was twisted with displeasure. His face was pinched and he was having a furious discussion with the three lawyers he brought.
All of which were things down in their notes.
He could get on the next flight to be present for the negotiations but he couldn't be bothered to come to the wedding.
How absolutely amusing.
On the other hand, Sebastian's grandfather and a man that looked so much like him except for the thin scar that ran down his face.
They brought two lawyers and a bodyguard whose neck was the size of a tree trunk.
They were the very picture of coordinated and professional. They looked so professional that I wanted to puke.
"She's here. Miss is here!" Grace announced loudly.
The room was plunge into silence.
"Oh Theo! Thank God you're safe. I've been so worried." My mother stood up and grabbed me in a hug. "My group chat has been blowing up with message with my friends demanding to hear the news from me."
The warm feeling that rose in me was quickly banked after that.
"I'm fine mother." I replied steely.
Graced squeezed my hands to oblivion and nodded rapidly at me. I nodded right back.
My father regarded with with disappointment and calculating eyes as usual and motioned for me to sit.
"This meeting was orchestrated because of this event of this morning. Both sides have been suffering since then." Sebastian's grandfather spoke up.
His voice was low yet firm and authoritative. He regarded everyone in the room with a frank and open stare, I could feel my mom cowering before me.
My father dismissed his words with a small wave, "Let's leave the sentiments and get to the most important bits if you please."
His grandfather growled, "I'll say what I please."
"Let's stop the cockfighting please. This my future we'll be talking about." I shouted.
This was my future they were talking about. Like a business plan. Like some sort of negotiations.
The room was suddenly silent. My mother was trembling in the corner, I saw her fumbling for her ever present flask. Filled with Sherry.
"The Delacy corporation stock has decreased by 50% in the span of 4
hours." One of my father's lawyer stated. They were going for offense I see.
"While CC&co. Has decreased by 60%. Therefore we came up with a solution."
I stopped listening right now, just watching as the men hash out the details of a contract. A contract that involves my own fucking future.
At this point, the emotion I was keeping in check was so tight and taut it might burst. I simply let everything go and embrace the overwhelming site of feeling everything and nothing all at once.
The blessed feeling of numbness.
"And so, they'll be living together for the duration of six months. The time in which each company have signed to help each other restore their images and profit to the highest peak. And then, if there's no more agreement reached, the marriage can be dissolved and the contract nulled." The lawyers shook hand and the contract was passed around for signature.
My father's face gleamed with smug satisfaction and an oily smile tinge his face.
My mother as usual, had seek comfort from her usual place.
Grace looked torn because horror and amusement. Horror won out.
And there it was. Me signing six months off my life to do my father's bidding and all for the better good.
One thing was sure though. There was no going back. Only forward.
And I'm looking forward to a future where none of this face was present except Grace. That future seems so far away