In This Love

Chapter 3

I looked at myself in the mirror and frowned - why did I need to dress up so formal in my own home?  It was just a simple dinner nothing much. 

I wanted to show them how ugly I was that they would just reject me on spot. But these red locks I have inherited from my  bialogical parents gave the ugliness away.

For the first time in my life - I wanted to look bad, my worst - but I failed like I do all the time.

I had just gotten out of the shower after a bubble bath. And right now I wanted to hop in my warm fuzzy bed and go to sleep.

Sarah went back home to get her dress and things. She forgot to bring them with her because she was focusing on me at the time. In an hour she would come back and we will get ready.

After spending an hour with Ridge, just talking and catching up. Was enough for me to be happy again. 

Right now, he was in his room. Resting.

Suddenly, out of nowhere I heard a commotion downstairs. People were shouting. More like - two women were arguing very loudly and someone was stopping them - the shouting stopped and I heard heavy footsteps marching on the stairs. I saw a shadow stop in front of my closed bedroom door.

The door was thrown open and a really really angry Ashley stood there. With her hair going in every direction. Her eyes were bloodshot red from crying. The smudged makeup told me that she was extremely upset about something - and she was in my room which meant - Oh God.

Did anybody tell her about my marriage with Rhys Holt? 

Mom and Dad appeared from behind her looming shadow with a worried expression on their faces.

"Ashley! You came back! Didn't know where you went this time, like always. But it's good to have you back" I smiled at her. But my words only worsened her mood.

She started to cry hysterically - like her candy was snatched from her hands - and in her eyes I was the culprit. And the candy? Well...

"Why did you have to do this to me?!" She pointed at me "You don't know that I love Rhys Holt?! Why do you want to marry him?!" She yelled at me.

I noticed the choice of her words and a chuckle rumbled from my chest.

"You think this is funny? Avery?! Answer me!" She snobbishly grunted .

I looked at her with disbelieve and disgust. What was I supposed to say? This grown a*s woman was crying in front of me like I had ruined her perfectly good relationship with her boyfriend. The man she was crying over - she had never met him - maybe one time or two. But I don't think they ever talked.

"How strong is you relationship with Holt?" I questioned as I brushed my hair. Mom and Dad were just standing - watching the daily soap in which Ashley and I starred in - funny I know.

"What do you mean?" She sniffed back her tears.

"I mean - you are saying that you love him - you must know him that well to know that you are in love with him. The thing that I know for sure is that you have met the guy one or two times. I don't think that's how love works. It takes time. Try to find the logic in it - in your undying love for him - stupid" I mumbled the last part to myself.

I would have died from laughter right here, right now after seeing her reaction. Damn - this was the first time I'm speaking back to Ashley - it's new that Mom and Dad aren't stopping me from saying these things.

"I-I m-mean. I - you don't have to marry him! You don't like him. I would be happy to marry him!" Ashley now turned towards Mom and Dad. Mason Stark's face showed clear disapproval.

I reverted my attention from Ashley to them too. I wanted to hear from his mouth why Ashley couldn't marry Rhys Holt. I knew the answer already. I just wanted to hear his say all of it. 

"Yeah Dad? Why not Ashley? You can see that she is volunteering to do so?" I  raised my eyebrow at him.

He shifted uncomfortably "You see Ashley and Avery" he looked back at Mom then back at us "Ashley my darling, this wedding isn't real. I mean it is but just for one year. I know that Avery is that kind of a person who wouldn't get too attached to something that quickly. So we think it is better if Avery does this. Not you" I looked down at my feet now. 

This wasn't the thing I wanted to hear - so I was nothing more than an investment - it hurt hearing him admitting them.

"Why are you doing this in the first place?" Ashley fired.

It felt like I didn't want to hear the conversation anymore. I didn't want to be here. It will hurt even more when he will say everything that is he truth. The thing that he wants. Money. Every thing came down to it. Even if you have to sacrifice you home lamb.

I took my cane and stared to walk out of my room "Call me when Sarah comes. I'll be by the patio" I mumbled and left.

❤

I sighed again and looked at the time once again. I was ready - like completely ready - with light makeup and a royal blue sundress on. I sat in my room as my whole family and best friend sat with the Holt family and talked.

I thought that is this the 16th century? Did we really time travel without changing much - just our customs? 

I stopped my thinking when Sarah finally appeared in my room and squealed like a little girl. I mentally groaned because I knew why she was acting like this - she saw Rhys - I raised an eyebrow at her.

"First of all, he's really handsome with this deep brooding personality. Like he has all the power" she started to explain.

I intrigued "But??" I laid down on my bed carefully so that no creases would form on my dress.

"But he still has that charisma of a playboy. I completely understand why his parents want to do this just as badly as yours" my eyes shot up - along with me sitting up in my bed straight. 

I eyed Sarah "Why do they want him to do this?" I asked her "Money? Fame? Because they'll make money but I am not famous. I'm ordinary" I got up from my bed this time. I took the cane that was lying on my bed when Sarah motioned me to come with her - the elders wanted to see me - ugh I hate this.

"They want him to settle" she told me briefly " Mrs Holt is not hesitant when she says they are getting him married because he will become the CEO of the company  after marrige" I made an 'oh' face .

So all of this was just a business deal that benefited everyone. Even though I'm still trying to figure out how does it benefit me.

Sarah and I both walked down the ramp with my cane in tow with me of course to the main living room where everyone was getting ready for dinner.

The men were standing by the small bar we had in our banglow and the women were invested in a deep conversation.

Ridge on the other hand. Sat on the farthest sofa with whiskey in his hand.

Two backs were facing me and Dad's face was facing towards me as they talked. Sarah cleared her throat to get everybody's attention.

Everyone turned towards me. I took my time to read their expressions. Ashley had a frown on her face - as usual - she hated my guts I knew that. Mom on the other hand had admiration on her face - she gave Sarah a thumbs up - for her hardwork. 

Mrs Holt looked at my whole appearance. Suddenly, I started to become self-conscious. The frown on her face was the reason. Now I knew that my time with then will be hard.

I couldn't help but wonder what they will say about me. Are they going to pity me like everybody else? Or are they going to ignore it, like some normal people. Or are they going to judge me for it?

I simply smiled - trying to hide me nervousness - I looked at Ridge who was too focused on the whiskey in his hand. And Mr Holt were smiling at me with a fatherly admiration, I smiled back with my the same emotion. I hope I get along with him well.

And then I focused on the man who infamously had alot of power on his hands. Rhys Holt.

There he stood with a glass of scotch in his hand - it's veins were popping out like most of the guys - he had manly hands. Then my gaze shifted towards the well fitted suit he was wearing. I would have complained that his appearance was formal but the look suited him well. His sharp jaw line with his clean shaved face. His straight nose and eyes of the colour of deepest brown. To those messy untamed hair. Sarah was right - Rhys Holt has it all, the powerful demanor and the playboy charm. I didn't like any of it. It wasn't that I was repulsed. It was just that - he seemed like a person who was too full of himself but showed it on a rare occasion. 

I noticed the expesssion we chose to have. He was stunned but disappointed. I knew the reason why. The cane was the disappointment.

I lowered my gaze and walked towards the dinning table and bid my greetings to the guests. They all took my lead and took there seats. Sarah came and sat next to me. Next to her was Mrs Holt. In front of me was Mom next to her was Ashley and then Rhys. Then on the head chairs Dad and Mr Holt sat. Ridge appeared after a minute and sat next to Sarah. I leaned next to Sarah and whispered to him "Go easy on the drinks brother, the army didn't teach you that" I warned him.

I didn't want my brother to act like a drunk in front of these strangers.

I knew that Rhys was analysing me. He looked at me like he wanted to know every part of my life but it angered him somehow. Every now and then his jaw clenched and unclenched at his mother's words. 

I remained silent. I only answered when I was asked something. When Mr Holt decided to ask about my experience in the Olympics I answered "The entire experience was amazing, the year I was going to perform for the US was the same year I got into the accident. I have always loved the water and it's sports but I guess it wasn't my destiny" I tucked my loose strand of hair behind my ear.

"Now you're becoming an engineer! That's also a very promising profession" I smiled at his words.

"It is!" I answered.

"That's splendid, darling!" Silently started to eat my desert when Ashley butted in my conversation but I didn't make any remark and just let it go. She was trying to make an impression on the Holts that she was better than me but Mr Holt didn't fancy that topic of fashion and glamour. It was obvious that he hated the tabloids and celebrity trends. 

While his wife in the other hand was just like my sister and Mother. 

But Rhys took the same tactic aa mine. He only answered when he was asked and just observed.

"Why don't you two go out. Talk to each other while us adults settle the dates for the wedding?" Both of our heads shot up at my mom.

"We are adults too" we said at the same time making everyone laugh. Except for Sarah, Ashley and Ridge.

I fisted my hand in a five and gave my most fake smile to the seniors and got up from my chair. I reached for my cane bur from the corner of my eye I saw Rhys already leaving to the backyard.

What a gentleman. Chivalry is dead.

I didn't expect much from him. It was then I reckoned that I realised that my time with him will be hellish.

I just took my time and walked towards the backyard. He stood in the middle of the garden while the yellow lights that shown in the darkness complimented his structure.

He frantically typed on his phone, I clicked my cane on the marble tile and his gaze shifted on me and stayed there.

I didn't want to socialise with him - this was a mistake on my part.

His jaw tightened once again when he looked at my cane. I knew that he was repulsed by it. Good. It was fine by me. 

"So why do you want to do this? For fame? Money? Or just some stupid reason to get some closure from me?" He said in his rich deep voice. 

I snickered at him - I was right -  he was a self-centred son of a b***h.

"No" I kept my words short but they somehow intrigued him. His demanor changed and he marched towards me and stopped when he was a foot away.

"Then why?" He gritted his teeth.

I looked at him dead in the eye to let him know that I was angry about this too. I didn't have to hate him for this but I still disliked him.

"Family. That's all it matters" my words then again weren't enough to satisfy him "I have a feeling like you aren't satisfied with my answers to your short questions. So here's the thought I have in my mind that will hopefully vanish you query" my eyes roamed around his face and knew that I had got hus full attention.

"I never wanted to be a part of this. I am only doing this because my parents want this to happen. Apparently were have time travelled back to the 15 hundreds where arranged marriage is a thing. But hey! This plague - me -am going to be apart of you life just for a year. Then I'll be gone! Fin! Finitó!" I gestured with my hands to cause a dramatic affect.

He just smirked cheekily at me and said "Since we are on the page of sharing thoughts - here is mine " his face lost the smirk and he looked at me like he was staring into my soul "I do not want you to staying around me either. Of course we'll have to live together in a month but it's better if we lead our lives just the way they were. We do not interfare. That's all I have to say to you for now. Have a great night." he said eyeing my leg and the metal around it.

He retreated from me and stared to walk back into the house. It was clear that he was leaving. The moment he moved away I let out the breath I was holding without even realising it.

So he agreed with me and insulted me at the same time. He wanted us to carry on with our lives. I already had talked with dad concerning my studies and it came to a conclusion that I will finish my bachelors degree. But did that mean that Rhys will still carry out his old traits. Like - bringing girls, sleeping around a couple of one night stands. A womaniser he is known to be?

I guess my questions will be answered in the future then.