Chapter 7
Theodosia
The next day passed in a blur of activity, with me building my army and strengthening my warzone.
I had most of my belongings brought to Sebastian's apartment. If it could be called one.
It was a huge mansion, something like a Victorian era's. Only made modern in the most beautiful. It boggles my mind.
"Miss, it's ready." Grace beamed.
It doesn't seem like she was capable of any other expression since the time when Sebastian had interfered with her case and made my father give his permission.
"Like it or not, you're married to me now. And we need some rules to get by the next six months if we want no murder involved." He had said to me the instant we stepped into his gigantic house.
The living room was bigger than my house put together and several chandeliers hung from the ceiling, giving the place an ethereal glow. I was immediately reminded of glitters.
The surfaces were sparkling clean and I stared at the fire place to calm my breathing. The artificial cackle of fire restored my calm and I strove for a polite voice such as his.
"It's just as well. We're adults and some things are better said than assumed. I'll only be your wife in name. I won't perform any wifely duties." I laid the first rule with confidence.
That wasn't even opposable.
"Wifely duties huh?" He drawled, his gaze raking over my body. Goosebumps erupted all over my skin and my face heated with embarrassment at my own reaction.
Why? After all these years?
His chuckled was dismissive and full of derision, "If you think I'll demand wifely duties from you, I'm afraid you're chipped in the head. No touching except we're outside."
I nodded. That was acceptable. So, why couldn't I stop the slight slash of disappointment in my heart?
"We won't sleep in the same room." I told him.
I was clenching my fist. This part was the hardest for me. I had always been plagued with horrible nightmares whenever I sleep alone, but sleeping with him is the most scary of those nightmare.
"No," was his monosyllabic reply.
Fury was ignited in me. What did he mean? Surely, he couldn't be suggesting we sleep on the same bed?
"And before your imagination run away from you," he smirked, as if he knew where my thoughts went to. I didn't give him the satisfaction of blushing...much.
"We'll sleep in the same room but on different beds. That way, we'll keep the illusion of husband and wife." He reassured.
"It's not like I'll jump on your or anything.." he started.
"Why?" I blurted out.
He smirked at me, his mouth kicking up in the corner, "why won't I jump on you?"
I glared at him, "why do we have to sleep in the same room but different beds?"
"We could sleep on the same bed if you'll prefer." He chuckled.
"It's fine. Like I said, it's just for six months." I retorted.
His face closed off and he nodded.
"We'll work together as initially stated, I'll have my secretary draw up a schedule of things that could work." He stood up abruptly and turned to me.
"And lastly," he retrieved a black card from his wallet and handed it to me.
I looked from him to the card and back again. I laughed and pulled out my own credit card.
"What do you think?" I laughed again.
He dropped the card on the table, and stared straight at me.
"That card is yours now. Buy whatever. Do not ask your father for anything again. I don't care what you buy, just spend the money."
He stalked out of the room.
And I haven't seen him since then.
"The chocolate eclair is simply heavenly. You must try it." Grace was saying.
I nodded absently and wondered where I was supposed to go from here. Grace must have noticed the shift in my mood because she stopped talking and took a seat beside me.
"I think we should go out. Have some fun like the silly old days." She grinned.
I wasn't sold on the idea, but what could it hurt? My eyes landed on the black card that I had tucked away and a small smile crept on my lips.
"You have your psychopath smile on," Grace observed, "Should I be concerned?"
"Yes, you should be. This is such a splendid idea. Why don't we involve everyone to the fun?" I was full on cackling by now.
Grace look mildly horrified. But it's nothing she hasn't seen before.
"By everyone, you mean..?" She trailed off.
"Why yes. I meant all the employees. Call it some sort of after party if you please. We have some work to do. News to spread." I clapped my hands in excitement.
Grace groaned into her palm, "I should have known you'll find a way to sneak in work. You're allergic to having fun." She mused.
"But I'm already having so much fun! And the party's not even started yet. It's time to form alliance and discard the old ones." I told her.
Using Sebastian's money of course. Since he was so stuck on the idea of me spending his money, what else could I do but show him the stuff I'm made of?
"Miss," Grace's smiled slipped off as she held up my phone for me. My father's name flashed on the screen.
He was such a killjoy.
"Theodosia," he started.
"I'm in the middle of something important. I'll call you when I feel like it " I spoke into the phone and ended the call.
It felt so refreshing and sweet. I fancied I could taste it on my tongue.
Grace looked like she'd seen a ghost.
"Miss," she began.
"What?"
"He's rubbing off on you." She stated in an awe filled voice.
"I mean, it's barely two days since you got married and I can see the difference."
It was an observation that lacked insight. I might have married Sebastian unknowingly, but there had been a time when I would have consented to this marriage.