Scandalous Wedding

Chapter 6

s**t. He cursed as he looked at Sang's face. The first feeling that crossed his heart was panic. She was coughing, and from the way her cheeks were bright red, he knew she has been coughing for a while now. After all that is how he broke apart from Erin and walked into the living room. He thought there was a thief in there, but then it dawned on him that a thief wouldn't give away his presence by choking himself. Curiosity made him come look for the source of the choking sounds and it would be an understatement if he said he was shocked. He didn't know whether she was real or it was just another fragment of his imagination which was haunting him since the past hour while he tried to f**k his maid.

He pulled her by her wrist and walked to the couch. He pushed her shoulders gently and made her sit on the couch, while he went in the kitchen to fetch a glass of wine.

Ace's nose was running and tears flowed from her eyes, while bits of cough escaped her throat every other second. He hurried with a glass of red wine and sat beside her.

"take slow sips of this. It will help", he said bringing the glass to her lips. She obeyed him silently and took slow sips of the sweet wine.

She frowned at the taste, "I know. It's sweet. I bought it at a charity auction. Hated the taste ever since, but", he shrugged. She gulped the rest of the bubbly sweet red wine and leaned back.

Elijah could see that she was recovering. He wanted to ask her why she was here. Not that he was complaining, in fact he enjoyed having her in his house. But he could have avoided the encounter if he'd knew beforehand that she would show up.

"So...",

"Could you send her out. I mean, I know I don't have a right to say that but I badly need to say a few things. You know," she cleared her throat, "just let it out. And I would prefer if there isn't a women naked waiting inside your bedroom for you while I am saying those things", she said expectantly. Her moss green eyes wide like a child's at a fair, looking at her favorite toy. Could he ever resist her look? Those eyes?

"Sure", he said and walked back into the bedroom with quick strides.

He wasn't bothered to send Erin out. After all she is just a maid, and throwing out girls after the deed's done wasn't a new thing for him. But he preferred doing the walk of shame rather than making the girls do, because for one it would save a lot of emotional drama and tears to witness for him and secondly he won't have to change his sheets afterwards.

"Hey babe", he said as soon as he went in. As expected she was sitting on the bed, with the sheet wrapped around her body in a seductively inviting way. He wanted to roll his eyes at her attempt to tempt him into bed, but didn't. "I have an important guest right now, so you gotta leave", he said pulling her gently up from the bed.

"B-but..", she stuttered, shocked that he was throwing her out in the middle of their act.

"I know, I know, but this is more important. I am sure you understand", he said walking towards the discarded underwear and bra and throwing them to her. "She is my fiance after all", he shrugged.

"Fiance?" Erin's surprise didn't miss Elijah's attention.

He smirked, "What? You didn't know that your employer is engaged? Come on!" Erin had the grace to blush in shame. She knew he was a taken man, yet she went to his bed cause she wanted to. She hastily walked into the living room, where Sang sat with her back facing her and picked her clothes.

She daren't look in Sang's direction, after all she was the woman who slept with her fiancé. And with quick strides, she walked out of the house, buttoning up her blouse.

Elijah returned to Ace, with a glass of brandy in his hand and settled on the couch beside her to hear her thoughts. Neither of them spoke though. The silence was a mixture of comfort and awkwardness. He didn't know what to say to her and she looked too calm and composed to disturb the silence. He could give anything to hear her thoughts.

***

"Do you want a refill?" Elijah's deep voice brought her out of her thoughts and she realized her wine got finished.

"Yes please", she said and Elijah walked to the minibar, to refill their drinks.

"here you go", he handed her the glass of red wine once again and she muttered a thanks. She loved the wine. She was never a fan of bitter alcohol. She always preferred cocktails which were pleasant to taste, hence this wine became her favorite instantly. And the way it soothed her burning throat was complete magic.

"What brings you here?' Elijah's question was casual, but Sang read the underlying question, 'What the hell are you doing here, at this hour?'

"I am sorry. I texted you saying I wanted to talk and that why I came over, but I should have known that you might not read my text. I was just... too caught up with my thoughts that I couldn't stop myself from coming here", she babbled until suddenly she felt big strong hand cover her own in a firm yet gentle grip She glanced down at her lap where Elijah held her hand and immediately pulled her hand away from like his touch was fire. She was too disgusted to even touch him after he just had s*x with some random girl. when she looked up at him, for a brief moment, she saw hurt flash across his perfect face but just like it came It was gone in a matter of seconds that even sangavi began to wonder if he really did feel bad.

"It's okay. You can come see me any time you want. You don't' have to give me a prior notice", he said flashing her a grin, even though his face was masked with a blank face. Sangavi could tell he was just smiling to hide his real emotion but she couldn't be asked to confront him as there was nothing to confront. She smiled weakly and shifted her attention back to the wine, creating a tiny bit of space between them. She didn't want him near her. He was dirty.

"So... what did you want to talk about?" he asked casually, gulping down the entire drink and ignoring the space she created between them.

"Our marriage", she said sighing.

"What about it?" he asked.

"The way you want it to work, I don't think that is remotely possible", she laughed bitterly, the wine making her feel light headed.

"care to elaborate?" he asked taking the now empty wine glass from her and placing it on the coffee table.

"I am a human being, Eli. Not a robot. I have feelings too. Look, we might not love each other ever, but we will definitely feel other things, like jealousy, possessiveness, pity. I don't know about you but, if I marry you, I will constantly be worrying about your whereabouts. Where you are? Who you are with? Are you sleeping with someone else? When are you doing it? How? Who? And what not. And I will end up being that suspicious, jealous, depressed or obsessed wife who has nothing better to do than keep worrying about her husband", she said pulling her face into a pout. The wine was actually loosening her up.

"Go on", Elijah probed and leaned against the armrest so that he was facing her beautiful face.

"Not only that, I will keep wondering for ever that I am not good enough. No matter what you say or any other man say, I will always have this inferiority complex in me that I am not a good s****l partner because of which my husband goes out to sleep with other women. Then I will keep worrying that you are gonna compare my performance with other partners you've had", her pout was deepening.

"That is so bad" she whispered and made a face at that.

****

Elijah didn't know whether to be amused at her cute face or worry about her insecurities which she was openly letting him know.

He was proud of her, that she was being so open about her feelings and insecurities. It made him feel great that she was giving a thought to their s****l life and their married life. But it also pained him to see her so sad and confused. He wanted to tell her that nothing such as her fears would happen and they both will be fine, but that would be an absolute lie. He knew deep down that Sangavi was right. Women often tend to lean on the obsessive and depressive sides in a failed marriage. He would never let that happen to his Ace. She was special.

"What do you suggest we should do?" he asked half hoping that she wouldn't suggest the cancelling of their wedding. He got used to the idea of marrying Ace, and he would go crazy if that didn't happen.

"I don't know", she cried and hit her head on the back rest covering her face with her hands. He let out a sigh. At least she didn't say that we should cancel the wedding.

"Tell me what is the problem between our companies", she asked in a determined tone and looked at him straight in the eye. "I badly want to call off the wedding but I know that this wedding is really important for both the empires or my parents would never ask me of it", she said shaking her head. He was taken back with her question.

"What happened all of a sudden that this peace agreement has to take place to unite the empires?" she asked, "The rivalry which is going on for three generations wouldn't come to an end, just like that. Something serious must have happened to make our parents go to such lengths to arrange our wedding", Elijah's heart skipped a beat. She was too innocent to let her know about the dirty business politics.

There was a reason why she didn't show any interest in the business empire her father built and chose the fashion world. She was sensitive like that, from the beginning. She was too sweet to be dragged into this mess.

He sighed, She is already in this mess, his mind yelled at him. They dragged her into this mess by arranging this marriage. Or we could say 'he' dragged her into this by proposing the marriage to her father. He still remembered that meeting.

Everyone was silent. Too guilty to speak, or too scared to speak. The eight men in suits had a same expression of disappointment, anger and vengeance. Elijah and his dad came with their lawyer to meet the de Silva's at their Morocco farm house.

"What ever happened in Sicily, shouldn't have happened", said Mr. de Silva

"And there is no point in blaming each other", James McCoy nodded his head, agreeing to his archenemy. There was gritting teeth, clenched jaw, tight fists, which were a clear indication that neither of them wanted to be here, to have this discussion.

"This needs to end. Today. And we must make arrangements to clear the mess. An agreement would be the perfect way to start", Mr. de Silva said uttering the word 'agreement' nauseously.

"Huh", the elder McCoy snorted. "Do we trust each other enough to bound by the agreement? I know that I don't", he said arrogantly.

Mr. de Silva said nothing but narrowed his eyes at his enemy who now sat in front of him, in his farm house.

A deafening silence occupied every nook and corner of the room. The peace was necessary, or else things could go so wrong. The once cold war has now turned ugly and bloody, if precautions were not taken, then there won't be any empires left for them to run. That inevitable reason was why they were here.

Elijah was restless. He devised the perfect plan while flying over to Mexico. But he was hesitating whether to propose it or not. James McCoy has specially ordered his son to keep his mouth shut and wanted to handle this deal, even though he no longer worked in the company and made his son the chairman.

But there was only so much Elijah could take. Thoughts of police coming to arrest them all, jail, court, case everything flashed in his mind and he instantly found himself muttering the words aloud, "I would like to marry your daughter, Sangavi de Silva".

The silence that followed was not only deafening but also deadly. Mr. de Silva looked like he was going to kill him for suggesting something like that. But Elijah didn't give him a chance to react, he quickly explained his intentions in a single go, which though were pretty cold and harsh but were very confident and convincing.

He was surprised when her dad actually agreed to the proposal. He expected him to ask for some time to take her wife's and daughter's opinion but he said nothing as such. He agreed after an hour of discussing the terms and conditions of the 'deal', along with his dad.

As the meeting progressed, the thought of marriage completely flew out of his mind and the only thing he could think of was 'the deal'. The deal he made with her dad, to save the empires from falling to pieces.

A deal which he wasn't proud of. Three greedy business men were burying the dreams and desires of an innocent women for their own selfish reasons. To stay rich, to stay safe under the shade of money and power.

"Eli", Sangavi shook his shoulders which bought him out of his thoughts.

"Yeah?" he asked and she looked at her curiously with those big doe like eyes. He groaned inwardly. She would hate him, if she knew why they were getting married. He couldn't let her know about the dirty business deals he or her father made to keep the empire standing strong. He can't let her know about the filth in which their lives are built.

She'd be devastated. She would hate her dad and most importantly she would hate him. No. That cannot happen. She doesn't need to know.

He sighed heavily, "Why didn't you ever think of joining your fathers company?" he asked to which she just shrugged as if it was self explanatory. And it was too. She was just not made for this business world.

"Exactly my dear Ace. You aren't meant for this business world. So, there is no point in getting involved now", he said gently. He was shocked at how gentle his tone became and how his eyes softened whilst he was looking at her.

"But I want to know why this marriage is so inevitable. Why isn't there another option other than marrying you", she said angrily. Elijah was quiet offended at her words but he knew it wasn't her and the alcohol talking. She was baring out her heart to him and he felt honored.

"Is it so bad? Marrying me?" he asked slowly, his voice laced in desperation.

She let out a bitter laugh at his question, "Don't take offence Eli. You are handsome. Any girl would be lucky to have you. But my definition of happiness and love is quiet different", she said leaning her head back and staring at the ceiling.

"And what would it be?" he asked curiously,

"Tell me something. You want to f**k me right?" she asked crudely

"Yeah", he answered immediately his heart leaping into his throat with anticipation,

"Why?" she asked and Elijah couldn't help but frown at the stupid question,

"Because you are hot and sexy as hell", he replied immediately before he could filter his words. She let out another bitter laugh.

"Oh my sweet Eli", she caressed his cheek lovingly, "That is why I think our marriage is an horrible idea. You love me because I am beautiful. What if I have an accident tomorrow and my face burns off and I lose my beauty or I get fat after our marriage or my hair fall out completely and I go bald? What if I am not beautiful anymore? Then you won't want me like you do now. Then what?" he didn't have an answer to that.

Honestly he was too shallow to think of such things. He could easily suggest plastic surgery or laser treatment or gym etcetera to her, but he knew what she meant and he was embarrassed to admit that she was right. He lusted for her, not loved her.

"Exactly my dear. I want a husband who would love me despite my outer beauty. I throw tantrums, I have mood swings. I am a b***h and no saint. I want someone to love me with all this. And I know that, that someone isn't you. You cannot love me for who I am. You won't make me smile, only cry. You won't be able to handle me. Now tell me, how can I not feel this marriage as a horrifying idea?" she asked and he once again had nothing to offer as a consolation.

"Marriage is for life long. There will be a point of time in our life when we will both be old and weak. Young women might throw themselves at you cause you are rich and powerful but I,.. I will remain as that silly old cow who is too depressed or a complete bitter b***h. My life will become miserable", she spat her words, while a tear escaped her now closed eyes.

I won't let you be miserable. I will keep you happy. He wanted to say but he didn't. Words didn't escape from his throat which felt dry and heavy all of a sudden. He gulped down the feelings and made a promise to himself, to protect her from his world and its cruelty. To make her happy and content. He didn't know whether he had the ability to keep up his promise or not, but he knew would try his level best.