CHAPTER FIVE
1119 Words
ISABELLE
True to his words and much to my dismay, a wedding actually takes place two days later, and I am the bride.
Arranged marriages were not an unusual occurrence among the people in our social circle. Marriages were used to seal contracts, form bonds between powerful families, alliances and whatever went. Even my marriage to Ethan had been transactional. But no matter how hard I thought of it, I could not for the life of me understand the reason behind this marriage. I wasn't going to be delusional and tell myself he is doing this out of love. He'd proven otherwise many times in the past few days. What did he stand to gain? But more importantly, what had he done to make my father agree to it?
Standing in front of the altar in a wedding dress Laura, the wedding planner had gone through a lot of unnecessary stress to pick out. Almost a hundred dresses later, and with no contribution whatsoever from me, she'd finally settled on this one. Saying it was "The dream dress" may be hers, but definitely not mine.
Ironically, if this wedding had been held five years ago, I would have been more enthusiastic. I'd actually been in love with Santiago and there was a time when I'd have squealed in excitement at the thought of marrying him.
Looking up into his face, I watch his bored expression as the priest recites the process.
No vows are recited and we exchange rings unceremoniously. The plain band sitting coldly on my finger.
"You may now kiss the bride"
Santiago hesitates for a second before swooping in to capture my lips in a hot searing kiss. I'm surprised at the heat that spreads through my body. I'd expected a quick peck, but this kiss is a proper one and I kiss him back. I can't help it. And it seems to go on forever until I think I hear the priest clear his throat. Santiago releases me still holding me close, and it takes me a while to recover. This time when I look at him, he is staring at me with an expression that is nothing near bored.
There's no applause, no cheers. Just the two of us, A priest, My father and a man Santiago calls Lucas.
"Sebastian. I suppose I should call you Father now" Santiago places his right hand on the small of my back, drawing me even closer. I try to make eye contact with my father, but he makes it a point to always keep his face turned away from me, and I just know he's doing it on purpose. He and Santiago share a stiff handshake while Lucas comes to slap him on the back. Surrounded by the three men, I feel out of place. Like I'm the only one left out of some kind of secret.
"Take care Isabelle " my father's voice is weak and quiet. All my life, my father had been a force to be reckoned with. I'd never seen him looking so vulnerable as he did right now. Maybe Santiago was right. Maybe I had overestimated his power.
"Dad?" Santiago's hand tightens around me in silent warning.
"If you don't mind, I'll be taking my wife home." he looks my father dead in the eyes and smiles mockingly. My father doesn't say anything to that and steps away quietly.
"The car is out front" Lucas says and Santiago drags me once again, away from my father. This time, I don't bother to look back because I'm afraid I'll see a confirmation of Santiago's words, that there is in fact, nothing my father can do.
*******
SANTIAGO
I kiss her again as soon as we are inside the car. Pulling her into my lap and running my hands over her body. She looks absolutely stunning. Sad, but stunning. And she looks rightfully mine. I couldn't have mistaken the look of desire in her eyes after that first kiss. And right now, as I release her to look at her face, she looks flustered. Eyes wide with confusion and desire. f**k if she didn't look so innocent and vulnerable. I wanted to ruin her. Images of her writhing under me in delirious pleasure flash through my mind and I could feel blood rushing South. Pushing her away from me in alarm. I couldn't allow myself to get distracted -I already was-. There was a plan, and that plan did not include being fiercely attracted to her and wanting to f**k her brains out. I'd already made the mistake of kissing her. Twice. And as I stared at her plump pink lips, hell I still wanted to.
Focus Santiago.
I mentally berate myself. Forcing myself to look away from her and stare out of the window. She is the daughter of your father's killer. She is still Isabelle. My brain and my body are at a silent war within me.
I wouldn't be f*****g her no matter what. I couldn't. I wasn't going to deceive myself and say it would be just one time. Because it wouldn't. And I couldn't let the emotions I'd spent the last few years taming, resurface and ruin everything.
As soon as we get home, I jump out of the car and away from her, Heading straight to my home office.
Pouring myself a drink, I take huge gulps. Shutting my eyes to calm myself. I need a cold shower. f**k!
My eyes are still closed when Lucas comes in.
"Everything alright ?" I open my eyes to find him peering closely at me with concern. Whatever he sees on my face makes him burst into laughter. And I frown harder.
"It is not funny" I grit out and swallow another gulp of my drink. It isn't. I feel like I'm going to combust. With desire or anger, I'm not sure.
"You are attracted to her," he says amidst fits of laughter. It is not a question.
"Don't be an idiot." I grunt. Of course, I'm attracted to her, Isabelle is a beautiful woman. Always has been. Maybe even more now.
"I don't seem to see the problem here. " his laughter has subsided now. Thankfully. "You are attracted to her, she's your wife and she is right here under your roof"
"It's not that easy" It isn't
"Actually, I think it is. You are the one who is trying to complicate things. It'll just be s*x. It's not like you are going to fall madly in love with her. "
When he says it out loud, I realize that is indeed my fear. And I make up my mind right then. Because with Isabelle, it'll never be just s*x.
- Writer
