The wedding games
1412 Words
Reina’s POV
The morning after the engagement announcement felt heavier than the night itself.
I barely slept.
Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Sebastian’s face — controlled, unreadable, infuriating.
And yet…
When we argued after I stepped on his toes, there had been something else in his eyes.
Amusement.
That unsettled me.
A week.
In one week, I would become Reina De La Cruz.
The thought twisted my stomach.
I was still standing in front of the mirror when my phone buzzed.
Come to my office. Now.
My father.
No greeting. No warmth.
When I entered his office, Sebastian was already there.
Of course he was.
Standing near the window. Black suit. Hands behind his back like he owned not just the room — but the world.
His eyes shifted to me briefly.
Just briefly.
But I felt it.
“From today onward,” my father began, “you will begin appearing together publicly. The media has caught wind of the alliance.”
Alliance.
Not marriage.
“And if I refuse?” I asked.
The room went silent.
Sebastian’s jaw tightened.
“You will not,” my father replied coldly.
I turned to Sebastian. “Do you ever speak? Or do you just nod like a well-trained soldier?”
His gaze darkened.
“Careful,” he said quietly.
That voice again.
Low. Dangerous.
After the meeting, I tried to walk past him.
He caught my wrist — firm, but not painful.
“You will not challenge your father publicly,” he said calmly.
“And who are you to instruct me?” I shot back.
“The man you’re about to marry.”
“I am not yours yet.”
His eyes held mine.
“You will be.”
And for a second — just one second — my breath hitched.
Sebastian’s POV
She walked into that office like a storm.
Defiant. Proud. Beautiful.
I shouldn’t notice that.
This marriage was strategic.
Necessary.
But watching her argue with her father stirred something protective inside me — something I quickly buried.
She doesn’t understand what’s coming.
There are enemies watching this union.
People waiting for weakness.
And once she carries my name, she carries my battles too.
She thinks this is about control.
It isn’t.
Not entirely.
The Wedding
The ceremony was brief.
Private.
Strategic.
White roses lined the aisle. Influential families filled the hall. Cameras flashed subtly.
Reina stood beside me in ivory silk, looking breathtaking.
When she said, “I take you, Sebastian, to be my husband,” her voice was steady.
But her fingers trembled.
I felt it.
Across the hall, Agnes smiled.
Not politely.
Not maternally.
Ruefully.
Satisfied.
She was too happy about this marriage.
She believed Reina would resent me enough to help her weaken my control over my father’s empire.
Because of our past conflicts.
Because she thinks every woman can be manipulated.
If only she knew.
Reina’s heart is too pure for that.
The rings were exchanged.
Applause erupted.
And just like that—
She became my wife.
After the Ceremony — Reina’s POV
We drove home in Sebastian’s newest ride — sleek, black, powerful.
Just like him.
“You didn’t faint,” he said casually.
“Was I supposed to?”
“You looked like you might.”
“I was not nervous.”
He smirked.
Infuriating man.
When we reached the mansion, reality hit me fully.
This was my home now.
After showering, I stepped out with a towel tied securely around my waist, assuming he was still downstairs.
I turned the corner—
And collided into him.
I slipped slightly.
Strong hands caught me before I could fall.
My palms pressed against his bare chest.
His grip tightened just enough to steady me.
“You plan on falling into my arms every time we argue?” he asked softly.
“I slipped,” I snapped, trying to regain balance.
His eyes lowered briefly — then returned to my face.
Slowly.
“I know you can’t wait for this marriage to be consummated,” he murmured teasingly. “Don’t pretend.”
My mouth fell open.
“You are unbelievable!”
He leaned closer — not touching, not forcing — just close enough that I could feel his warmth.
“If I wanted it tonight,” he said calmly, “you’d know.”
My heart betrayed me.
“I’m not afraid of you,” I whispered.
“I don’t want you to be afraid.”
That softness…
It wasn’t mocking.
It was real.
He released me slowly.
“I don’t touch what doesn’t willingly come to me.”
My pride flared.
“This marriage is just an alliance,” I reminded him firmly.
He walked toward the balcony, loosening his cuffs.
“We’ll see.”
And this time…
It didn’t sound like a threat.
It sounded like a promise
The following morning
Reina’s POV
Sunlight streamed through the tall windows, brushing over the soft cream sheets. I blinked, stretched, and realized—married.
I swung my legs over the bed, wearing the light silk nightgown I’d changed into after showering. Its fabric clung slightly, making me acutely aware of Sebastian’s presence somewhere in the room.
Before I could think further, my phone buzzed.
Ajax.
I hesitated. Did I want to answer while Sebastian was awake?
“Good morning, baby girl!” Ajax’s voice boomed cheerfully. “How’s my favorite sister on her first day as a married woman?”
Heat rushed to my cheeks.
“First day?” I whispered.
“Yep! Did Seb—uh, I mean your husband—let you sleep in peace?” he teased.
Before I could answer, Sebastian’s deep voice cut across the room:
“You’re talking to him?”
I froze.
“Yes… just—”
“Hand me the phone,” he said smoothly, striding over.
“Excuse me?”
“Now.”
I hesitated. His presence made my heart race. I reluctantly handed him the phone.
Ajax’s voice came through again, loud and teasing: “Sebastian! Hello? Are you treating my sister well?”
I peeked at him. His smirk was infuriating, his jaw sharp, commanding. He lifted the phone with one hand.
“Of course,” he said calmly. “Our first night was… very sweet.”
My jaw dropped.
“Sweet?” I whispered, reaching for the phone.
“No,” he murmured, holding it just out of reach, leaning slightly closer. His warm gaze made my heart stumble. “You don’t get it back.”
I sputtered, cheeks burning. “Sebastian! You—”
Ajax laughed loudly on the other end. “Whoa! That’s my sister’s husband! Didn’t know he had it in him!”
Sebastian’s lips twitched in a restrained smile.
I tried to snatch the phone again, and in that moment, my nightgown slipped slightly at the shoulder. I grabbed it instinctively, and he noticed. His eyes flicked, amused, then returned to mine.
“You see,” he said softly, “you can’t even argue properly when I’m near.”
“I am arguing!” I protested, though my racing heart betrayed me.
“And yet,” he whispered, “I think you secretly like being caught off guard.”
I glared, flustered. He simply chuckled, low and teasing.
Click.
Ajax hung up, and I was left glaring at Sebastian.
“You are impossible,” I muttered.
“And yet,” he replied, calm and infuriating, “you secretly enjoy it.”
---
Phone Call from Her Mother
The next buzz was my mother.
Sebastian immediately took the phone before I could, holding it to his ear with a confident tilt of his head.
“Hello, Mom. Everything’s fine,” he said smoothly. “Yes… the first night was wonderful.”
My eyes went wide.
“Sebastian! Give me that phone!” I protested, cheeks aflame.
“Nope,” he said, keeping it just out of reach. “You don’t get to correct me.”
“Sebastian!” I tried again.
He laughed softly, that low, teasing sound I hated and loved in equal measure. “Relax, Reina. I only say nice things. Our first night was… perfect.”
I groaned, realizing I was losing this playful battle.
He leaned closer, forehead brushing mine lightly. “You really are something, Reina.”
I wanted to scold him, to wrestle the phone away, but my pulse betrayed me.
And somehow… the morning felt more intimate than the night before.
---
- Writer
