Not Mine

Chapter 7

Carla

Today we were going to look at the venue for our wedding. I wasn't keen but I had to go. I pulled up in front of Nina's mansion.

I get out and walk to the main door but before I could knock or ring the bell, the door flung open startling me a bit. I looked up to see Sarah standing on the opposite side.

She pulls me in by my arm and takes me somewhere. I walk behind her without uttering a single word. She finally stops as we enter a bedroom. She turns around and closes the door behind her. I frowned looking at her. She looked distressed.

"Carla, please stop visiting us," she said hurriedly. My frown deepened if that was possible.

"What?" I asked her confused.

She took a few steps back and looked at me before she turned around and now I could only see her back. "You are ruining Pearl and Aeden's relationship." She said through gritted teeth.

I couldn't help but feel guilty. I knew that. I just didn't know how to stop visiting. I tried but Nina wouldn't stop calling me. She said she wanted me right by her side. I put all of my efforts into explaining myself to her but it was all in vain because she just wouldn't listen.

"Carla, Pearl is my friend. She was with me through my thick and thin. She was there for Aeden when he was just starting his business. She was always there for us. She cares for us and moreover for Aeden. I can't see her get hurt because of someone like you." She said and looked at me.

"She deserves everything. She is the one who is supposed to marry Aeden. She is sacrificing her love, her dreams, and her man for you. She needs Aeden but my mother is forcing him with someone like you."

"Aeden loves her and she does too but you entering our lives, their lives, it's hurting their beautiful relationship. They deserve each other. They deserve to be happy and enjoy their lives and not worry about Aeden marrying someone he doesn't love or even care about."

"I can't see Pearl so sad. I know she would never tell me anything but I know how she feels. I can read her. She is an amazing woman and she needs to be with her man. I don't like it either, and you being here, makes her more uncomfortable."

"Please stop visiting us," she said and a lone tear slipped from my eye.

She looked at me one last time and walked out without uttering anything leaving me looking like a complete i***t.

Someone like me?

Her words kept ringing in my ears. Someone like me! Someone who's probably after their money. Even if I wasn't, according to them, I would be. After all, I'm just an outsider.

Did she think I wanted to destroy their relationship? I of all people am against this marriage but what Sarah doesn't realize is that I'm also being forced into this. I don't want to marry him either.

I wipe the tears that ran down my cheeks with the help of my hand. I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply and walked out. Correction marched out.

"Hey, Carl...." I heard Nina's voice but didn't pay any heed and ran out of her house. I dashed to my car and as I was about to open the door, but someone turned me around swiftly.

I look at the familiar blue orbs and huff in anger while pulling my arm from his hold. He just looked at me with a huge frown. His brows knitted as he looked at me completely confused.

I tried hard to let a tear drop down from my eyes but failed miserably as tears rolled down my cheeks.

"What happened?" He asked as he cupped one side of my face and wiped my tears away with his thumb. "Hey," he called out. His voice was as low as a whisper and held authority and the soothing power at the same time.

I blinked looking at him and realized why I was actually running out. I slapped his hand away and wiped my tears and got in the car.

"Miss. Ray?" He called out annoyed.

"Carla!" His voice became louder when I decided not to acknowledge his presence.

"Carla," he called out again, and this time anger took the best of me, as I rolled down the window, and utter a "f**k you," and started the car and drove the car out of the place.

I parked the car in front of my apartment and got out. By the time I entered my apartment, I was crying and seething. How could she think I was after her brother's money? Really? Money?

I switched off my phone and turned off all the lights and stripped out of my pants and shirt. I fished for one of my t-shirts and wore it. I pulled out one of the alcohol bottles from my closet. I had a huge stack of them. I couldn't go a day without alcohol. It was usually one glass a day but if I have a bad day it would even go to two bottles. I plopped on the bed and buried my face in the pillow.

I kept drinking the vinegary liquid remember how Sarah thought I was there to ruin her brother's relationship.

Sarah was just icing on top of the stupid cake today. I already had an awful day and she just made it even worse.

I cried myself to sleep. No one has ever thought so low of me. No one. Why can she understand that I'm being forced into this marriage by her mother and brother? Is it my mistake? No.

I woke up to loud constant banging on the door and ringing of the bell. I groaned as my head felt really heavy. I looked next to me to see the bottle empty. I finished the entire bottle yesterday night.

"Coming, asshole," I yelled loudly when the banging didn't stop. I looked at the clock. No, it was four in the f*****g evening! I decided to push the time worry away and answer the person before the door.

I picked up the bottle and walked towards the kitchen and dropped it in the trashcan. Scratching my head, I walked towards the door. As soon as I opened the door, my jaw dropped.

"Why couldn't you answer?" Aeden seethed and barged in. He stopped and turned around as he assessed my clothes.

I look down at my clothes, only to realize I wearing a crop top and a pink thong. I haven't really had anyone come home or worry about anyone coming so, I was used to walking around in my panties and just a t-shirt.

I tried pulling my crop down to cover my thongs but what the hell was I thinking! I was wearing a crop top for god's sake!

His eyes lingered on my thongs and legs. Heat rushed up to my cheeks as I looked down. Why do I have to embarrass myself every time he visits?

Last time it was the towel and this time he caught me almost naked. No, is actually checking me out right now.

Whenever his eyes racked my body, I couldn't help but feel naked under his gaze. It was like he was stripping me down only with the way his eyes moved around my body.

And now was no exception. His eyes moved from my feet all the way up to my tattoo and felt him lick his upper lip. As his eyes traveled up to my thongs. And the worst part of it all was, I liked it.

Stopping at my thongs, he looked up at the thin straps of it on either side of my hips before moving his gaze up to my very visible belly button. I looked at him only to find his eyes darkened a shade or two. He wasn't ready to avert his gaze and I desperately wanted to hide from him.

"f**k," he turned slightly to the side and growled. And the next thing I knew, my body was pressed against the cold wall and his face was just an inch away from mine.

My eyes widened in horror realizing our position. My hands were on either side of my head, caged by Aeden's. My breathing labor as he moved his face a little closer to mine.

I could smell his expensive citrus cologne and his minty breath fanned my face. I tried to breathe but I couldn't.

He leaned in and brushed his lips onto mine. I shivered and curled my toes up. His soft lips against mine felt electrifying. His lips brushed mine with extreme care and gentleness.

He pulled away just as immediately he had me caged. "Don't provoke me!"

"s**t!" He cursed loudly as I stood against the wall, breathing heavily.

He ransacked his hair and walked out without even sparing me another glance. I looked towards the door confused.

What was that all about?

What was happening to me? Why was my attraction towards him uncontrollable? This isn't the first time I'm attracted to or found someone attractive. But this has never happened before. I was always able to keep my feelings in control. What was different with him? Was it because he had the bluest of blue eyes or the perfect jawline? Was it that he was built like a freaking Greek god or the way he talks so nicely to his loved ones? Was it his height as he could be anywhere around six feet tall or his earth-shattering smile?

I slid down against the wall thinking what was wrong with me to feel something towards someone who could never love me back. He had already given his heart to the woman who was with him with every step of his life. Someone who will probably be irreplaceable in his life and heart. I didn't want to take her place either but a part of me wished if he could look at me the same way he looks at her. If could just once treat with the same love he does with Pearl. I know all these feelings are wrong but I couldn't help but feel that.

Why?

I don't know.