Trapped by the Bastard's Kiss

Chapter 9

Becky’s heart sank as she checked the time on her wrist again. They were running late for Cole’s birthday party. That was a social faux pas, especially for a soon-to-be wife. But there was nothing she could have done to avoid it.

Becky looked across at her stepmother. She felt a twinge of frustration. Sylvia was the reason they were running the risk of offending the Pollens on such a rather significant day. The woman had taken forever to get ready, fussing over every detail of her outfit and makeup as though she were determined to make a statement at the party.

Even Becky, who was the birthday boy’s fiancee, hadn’t taken so much pain-stricken effort to look good. She barely had any makeup on, just enough to enhance her natural beauty. Her dress, on the other hand, was a little more eye-catching, even though she hadn’t spent hours picking it from a line of boutiques. It was an amethyst statuesque evening gown made from comfortable jersey material. The deep-v neckline showed off her ample cleavage, and the dress was adorned with a crystal-beaded waistline and draped sleeves. The dress hugged her hips and flowed gracefully all the way to the floor, almost hiding her five-inch heels.

The drive from their house to the Pollen Rose house took almost an hour on a normal day. At that time of the evening, they were looking at close to two hours because in this part of the city people liked to go out in the evening and have a good time.

The only good thing about the long drive was that it was done in the comfort of her father’s old Bentley Mulsanne Grand Limousine. She was surrounded by plush leather seats and hand-crafted details that exuded sophistication.

Her father hadn’t used the vehicle in a while, saving it for occasions when he wanted to make an impression. And Becky knew her father was trying to make a strong impression today in front of the Pollens and their guests, just like Sylvia. It was almost a sad thing to watch two grown adults all trying to show off so badly, but it was what it was.

If only the reality was that pretty, Becky thought to herself, remembering the phone call she overhead earlier this week outside her father’s home office.

Trying to distract herself from the stress of being late and all other worries, Becky took a moment to admire the car’s exquisite interior. The soft carpets felt plush under her shoes, and she couldn’t help but run her fingers over the polished wood paneling on the doors. The driver was impeccably dressed in a tailored suit and expertly navigated the busy streets while Sylvia chatted away to her husband about some gossip she had heard at the boutique earlier in the day.

Becky’s attention was then drawn to Sylvia’s outfit. A green, long-sleeved dress had a v-neck neckline and a natural waist that hugged Sylvia’s curves in all the right places. The dress also had a long slit that ran all the way up to Sylvia’s smooth right thigh, adding a touch of sexiness to the otherwise sophisticated look. The material flowed beautifully around her stepmother’s figure, and Becky had to admit that she looked stunning.

However, Becky couldn’t help but feel that Sylvia was exaggerating a tad too much about how much she had paid for the dress. It seemed like a frivolous expense to Becky, especially considering they were already running late for the party. But Becky kept her thoughts to herself, not wanting to cause any unnecessary drama.

As Becky sat lost in her thoughts, her father’s sudden voice interrupted her. She looked up to see him staring at her expectantly.

“Becky, can I assure your future father-in-law that everything is in order on our side for the wedding?”

Becky nodded, forcing a smile on her face to hide the nerves she had started to feel every time the wedding was mentioned. “Yes, father,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

Emmanuel Quin nodded in approval. “And you managed to pack the things you would want to take with you to your husband’s house?”

“I still say she shouldn’t have to pack anything,” Sylvia interjected with her own opinion on the matter. “It is her husband’s duty to buy everything new for her once she gets married. That’s the way we do it, where I come from. Did you see me come into my husband’s house with anything?”

Becky was thirteen-years-old when her father married Sylvia. It was just a year after the death of her mother, a dark time in Becky’s life. However, she could recall perfectly well that Sylvia came from a very humble background and actually hadn’t had anything of value she could have held on to and brought into her new husband’s house. Not forgetting that the woman had wanted to shake off the stench of her past so badly, she hadn’t even allowed her own surviving family members to attend the simple marriage ceremony.

Everyone had whispered in the corners when they thought no one was listening that the twenty-one-year-old Sylvia had only married a forty-two-year-old widower for financial security. In all honesty, Becky didn’t think her stepmother was in any position to give an opinion on the matter.

But instead of pointing that out, Becky hid her frustration behind a fake smile and said, “Cole will have many years to buy me lots of things. Besides, I can’t leave my cameras behind.”

A disapproving snort escaped her stepmother. “You don’t surely intend to continue with your hobby in Cole’s house.” She turned to her husband. “You see what I told you, Emmanuel? You shouldn’t have encouraged her with that crazy idea.”

Emmanuel patted his wife’s bare thigh as though to calm her. “It is just a hobby. Something to keep her busy from time to time. It won’t harm anything,” he said, his voice calm.

Becky gritted her teeth at the dismissive way her father and stepmother always talked about her passion. Photography was more than just a hobby for her. But they refused to see that.

A pang of sadness slithered its way into her chest. It was moments like these she wished her mother was still alive. She knew her mother would have been proud of her for following her heart and supporting her. But there was no point dwelling on that right now, as she noticed they had finally reached the Pollen Rose house.

Showtime, Becky thought and stepped out of the limousine with a deep breath, determined to put aside any negativity and be happy for Cole on his thirtieth birthday. As she straightened her posture, she checked herself in the reflection of the car window to ensure she exuded confidence. She was ready.

For several minutes, however, Becky had to stand by the steps waiting. Because yet again, Sylvia was checking herself. She watched as her father helped his wife, who was half his age, but had him wrapped around her finger with the dress. Sometimes Becky forgot, but her stepmother was actually the same age as her soon-to-be husband. Becky shuddered. Not the thought she wanted to be entertaining tonight.

Finally, Becky took a deep breath and pushed all her troubling thoughts aside as she walked into the house, her father’s arm firmly wrapped around hers while Sylvia held onto his right arm. The sound of chatter and light music filled the air as they entered the room, and Becky felt a wave of relief wash over her as it seemed their late arrival had gone unnoticed. Thank God.

She quickly scanned the room, looking for Cole, and when she finally spotted him, her heart skipped a beat. The nerves she had been battling about the wedding just a week away hit her again. Damn. Seeing her future husband just made it all too real.

Cole was talking to a group of men. But as he turned around and finally saw her, a wide smile spread across his face, revealing his perfectly straight, white teeth. Nothing in his bright eyes suggested nerves or doubt. He seemed to light up with joy and excitement, like he didn’t have a care in the world.

As he made his way over to her, Becky took in Cole’s impeccably tailored outfit. Becky couldn’t help but admire the way his navy sport coat hugged his lean frame. The crisp white dress shirt underneath was left unbuttoned at the top, revealing just a hint of his chiseled chest. His trousers were a muted gray, tailored to perfection, and falling just above his ankles, showing off his polished brown leather shoes.

Despite the nerves, Becky felt a wave of pride wash over her as she realized that she was going to spend the rest of her life with such a handsome and stylish man. Cole’s smart casual attire perfectly complemented his natural good looks, making him stand out in the crowd.

Or at least she thought so until her eyes landed on another man.