Chapter 5
1352 Words
ELARA
“Wow,” I breathed immediately as the car stopped in front of the house.
“My family isn't the best,” Sebastian warned. “Put your best foot forward.”
“Oh wow, he decides to talk,” I teased. “I was beginning to think you've turned dumb.”
“Don't embarrass yourself,” he said instead before alighting from the car.
I sighed and got down too. He seemed too uncomfortable for someone who was visiting his own family. Vanessa had told me they weren't close but I didn't expect him to be this nervous.
****
“Sebastian,” a voice called immediately as we walked in. He looked at Sebastian and acted like he didn't see me.
“Adrian,” Sebastian replied.
He looked at me then.
“The girlfriend?”
“This is Elara, my woman,” Sebastian said. That sounded hot. I think this boyfriend of mine is a great actor. I held out my hand then.
“Nice to meet you,” I said as he took it.
“You're pretty. what are you doing with Sebastian?” he asked “A secret? He is a sadist.”
“A hot one though. Don't you think so?” I asked him.
He smiled. I didn't like him, I decided immediately.
The rest of the family walked over then.
“You came,” a woman I figured was his mother said.
“Yes.” Sebastian replied stiffly. He wasn't cool with them. I figured.
“Who is she?” The father asked.
“Elara Moore, his girlfriend,” I answered with smiles while stretching my hand. He ignored it.
“I was asking him.”
I put my hands down.
“And she answered you,” Sebastian deadpanned. I could kiss him.
“You are beautiful,” the younger lady said. Sister or sister in law?
“Thanks. You too.”
She smiled.
“I'm Matilda,” she said. “This is my husband John, Seb's brother.”
“Sebastian.” Sebastian corrected.
Asshole.
“Nice to meet you,” I said smiling. She hugged me then. A sweetheart I guess.
I looked at John, who nodded at me with a small smile. There was something quiet about him, something…regretful but I didn't dwell on it, because I could feel Adrian's uncomfortable eyes on me. I looked at him and he smiled. Creepy.
The attorney came in when we had all settled down.
“Thank you all for coming,” he stated. He looked at Sebastian and I and continued.
“Alastair believed in family and the warmth that came with it. This is why he had specifically asked that members of his family stay together at his mansion for 6 months. During the six months, everyone would be watched, and after that, it would be decided if they were fit for their respective roles.” He looked at Sebastian then. “Mr. Sebastian, you will stay at the main suite with your woman. Where are your belongings?”
I frowned slightly. What? What woman? I looked at Sebastian who didn't react. There was a brief pause.
“Your belongings?” The attorney asked again.
“What about them?” Sebastian finally asked.
I turned slowly to face him.
“They were expected today.”
“It would be brought in next week; there were delays.”
The attorney nodded . But I didn't.This isn't new information. He knew about it before we came here. He knew we were supposed to live here together and he couldn't have the decency to tell me? I was slowly starting to boil.
“Well,” Adrian said lightly, stepping forward to us. “I guess we’ll all be interested in seeing how…. convincing this is.”
There was something in his tone, like he was mocking. Yeah, he was an asshole.
“Good,” I said sweetly. “I'd hate to bore you.”
A pause, then he smiled but not without surprise flickering through his eyes. Good.
************************************************
When we were coming, there was silence; now, it was tension. Fine, if he wasn't going to talk about it, I would.
“What was that?” I turned to him.
He didn't look at me. “Be specific.”
“You knew we were supposed to move into your family house,” I accused.
He shrugged. He dared to shrug? My nose flared.
“Why didn't you tell me? I asked calmly.
“It wasn't necessary.”
I looked at him, mortified. “Not necessary?” I laughed sadly. “You think that's something I shouldn't know?”
“You know now.”
“That's not the point!”
He finally looked at me. “Why are you making this a big deal? This is something you should be prepared for,” he deadpanned.
I shook my head in disbelief. “You don't get to decide what I should or should not be prepared for.”
“I decide what's relevant.”
“Not in this case, it doesn't work that way. You were supposed to tell me before we got there, You should have asked me what I thought about it.”
“Asked you?” He scoffed. “You seem to be forgetting your role here Ms Moore. You are a fake girlfriend and your only role is to get your payments and do exactly what you're being asked to do.”
“I am not living with you,” I stated.
“You don't have a say.”
“Oh like hell I do,” I blew off. “ and I am not going to live with a man who thinks he owns everyone and acts like people's opinions don't matter.”
“Your’s don't matter,” he said coldly.
“I signed to pretend to be your girlfriend, not living with you and your weird ass family!”
He looked at me sharply.
“Why do you have to live with them? What are you proving? Why do I have to live with you?” I asked.
He ignored me.
“You won't answer my questions huh? Cancel the contract then.”
“Excuse me?”
“I won't risk my life and that of my Sister Sebastian. This whole thing was for her afterall. I can't leave her to live with you.”
“She can stay with us.”
“You either tell me what all this is about, then I'll know what I'm walking into or you cancel the damn contract,” I deadpanned.
He looked at me for a second and turned to the driver.
“Pull over,” he ordered. The driver did instantly. He turned to me again.
“Get out of the car,” he ordered.
My eyes widened.
“What?” I whispered.
“You want to cancel the contract? We start now so get the f**k down from my car. You don't get to sit in my car for free.”
I looked at him surprised for a few seconds and then smiled. Burn in hell,” I said and unbuckled the seat belt.
The car zoomed off immediately I stepped down. I stood there, angry. This whole thing was a big mistake, I thought. Agreeing to do this with that asshole. I looked around, it was dark, and I was in the middle of nowhere. Fear took over immediately. What if I get kidnapped? I took out my phone and tried calling Vanessa. Not reachable.
A car lights suddenly flashed at me, I swallowed in fear and started walking fast but the car was faster. Good lord, I'm about to get kidnapped in the middle of nowhere.
“f*****g Sebastian,” I cursed and made to run but the car suddenly stopped in front of me. It took a while before the tinted window rolled down. Adrian.
“I can see you got dumped down by your boyfriend,” he taunted.
“What do you want?” I asked calmly, relieved it wasn't a kidnapper.
“Let's start with getting you home safe.”
- Writer
