Chapter 2 (Cont.d)
1269 Words
(Cont.d)
The banquet began soon after. Speeches were made, alliances formed and food eaten. Soon after, it was father’s turn to take the stage, and when Mr. Winchester followed behind him, I knew it was about the engagement.
“An alliance between families is the strongest and the most important bond to us,” Mr. Logan started and everywhere went silent. “And nothing strengthens that bond like marriage.”
Mr. Winchester stepped in. “We would like to declare the beginning of a new found alliance between our families by announcing the engagement of our children, Ryan and Vanessa.”
Cheers and applause filled the room and I mentally rolled my eyes. Beside me, Ryan stood up, gave a curt nod to his father in show of respect before turning to me with his hand stretched out.
“Shall we?”
Taking off guard by the gesture, I hesitated a bit before taking his hand and raising to my feet.
Walking to the stage hand-in-hand, I tried not to let my discomfort show. Ryan, on the other hand, looked perfectly calm like it was just another Tuesday. The bastard didn’t even look like he didn’t care,
In fact, he looked like he was on board with the whole thing.
My stomach churned. This is not the plan.
Our fathers announced a dance before returning to their seats, leaving us to our company. I exhaled as I mentally prepared myself for the next few minutes of discomfort.
I looked at Ryan, whose hand was already outstretched, and took his hand with a nod.
Grabbing my waist with his free hand, he gently pulled me to him until our faces were only inches about. My breath hitched at the contact and the action didn’t go unnoticed.
“Relax” Ryan whispered, his warm breath fanning my ear and neck. Heart pounding, I turned away afraid he’d be able to tell just how nervous I was.
We started moving, slowly and a bit clumsily. “I’m perfectly fine,” I bit out, even though I knew it was a lie.
“You’re tense.”
My head snapped to him. “And you’re pretentious.”
His jaw ticked. “What?”
“You know exactly what I’m talking about.” I sneered. “You hate me yesterday and act all cordial today. It doesn’t suit you.”
“I have a role to fulfil.” He said plainly.
I scoffed. “That’s your answer?”
He paused. “Both families benefit from this alliance.” He simply stated. “The Winchesters need your family’s social influence and legitimate business channels and the Logans need Winchesters capital. It’s a perfect and necessary balance.”
I wasn’t convinced. “So you’ll marry someone you dislike just to uphold your role?”
“I’ll manage,” he said dryly. Plus, you’re beautiful so I’ll do just fine.”
I rolled my eyes at his attempt at a compliment. I’d be a fool to trust the sweet words of a man who thought me to be shallow and spoilt only a day back.
His hypocrisy irked me.
Unintentionally, my feet missed the beat and I stepped on him. His jaw ticked ever so slightly.
“Are you that bad of a dancer?”
“Are you that bad of a liar?” I shot back.
“Watch what you say, little princess.”
My jaw ticked at that stupid name. “You better don’t f*****g call me that again.”
I stepped on him again and smiled victoriously at his irritation this time.
“Then stop f*****g acting like one.”
My eyes narrowed in anger. Who exactly did he think he was?
“I swear to God – ah” my words morphed into a gasp as my shoe mistakenly pierced my long red dress, causing me to trip backwards.
Just when I prepared myself for the impact, Ryan quickly held on to my waist and pulled me to him, my chest landing against his. I instinctively grabbed onto his shoulder, steadying myself as my other hand latched onto the hand on my waist. Wordlessly, we stared at each other, our breathing in sync.
Subconsciously, my tongue darted out of my mouth and swept across my lips, directing his eyes to the movement. He exhaled as he squeezed my waist gently and pressed me further against him.
He lowered his head slightly, stopping only when we were a few inches apart. Due to the intimacy of the moment, my eyes fluttered close, and just when I thought he was going to close the space, he dipped his head past my cheeks and stopped at my ear that was hidden from the crowd.
“You’re smart, princess, but in this arrangement, you need to be even smarter.” He ran his lips lightly against my ear and I shuddered. “I look forward to this engagement.”
My heart beat rapidly against my chest as he pulled away looking unaffected by our lingering contact. Any smart rebuttal I had at the tip of my lips died with my deep exhale. He turned to the audience, dipping his head curtly and claps filled the room. Confused, I looked at the audience and realised our little display had looked like the finalisation of our dance. It was confusing but I was grateful nevertheless.
Returning to our seats, I feigned a sudden interest in the event as Mr. Rossi took the stage, purposely ignoring the dark haired man beside me. I was embarrassed, not even at the fact that I almost kissed the ground, but at how hot I felt when our bodies pressed together.
I absentmindedly pressed my hand to my temple and groaned. Are you f*****g stupid, V? All these Ryan issues was starting to give me a headache.
“It’s been quite the event tonight.” Mr. Rossi began and loud cheers followed his introduction, some clinking their glasses with small spoons.
“Okay, before I give the closing speech, I have a little gift for the newly engaged couple.”
I tensed and so did Ryan beside me, seeming to know nothing about Mr. Rossi’s plan. That made me nervous.
He gestured to a man in the crowd who walked to the stage and handed him a little box before returning to his seat.
Ryan stood to his feet and I took it as my cue to do the same. Linking our hands, we walked to the stage and stood beside Mr. Rossi, who, in my opinion, seemed strangely excited.
He handed the box to Ryan. “Accept my gift, Mr. Winchester,” he looked at me, his smile widening. “And soon to be Mrs. Winchester.” I tried not to shudder at that.
Letting go of my hand, Ryan opened the box to reveal a key. We both looked at him in question.
He smiled. “Keys to your new mansion. Congratulations. Let this be a symbol of the lasting friendship among the Winchesters, the Rossis and the Logans.”
Impressed by the gift, the crowd broke into fits of applause and cheers. Beside me, Ryan remained perfectly calm as he firmly shook Mr. Rossi’s hand to show appreciation. Mr Rossi soon stood in front of me, arms stretched for a handshake. I hesitated before putting on a smile and taking his offered hand.
His smile widened as he pulled me in for an uncomfortable hug. As he pulled away, he stopped by my ear and whispered, “goodluck,” before turning to the crowd.
I have a very bad feeling about this.
- Writer
