Chapter 7

I was over an hour late. I grabbed a ticket wristband from the main entrance of the theme floral garden, and hurried to the location he’d given me directions to. All around me, beautiful butterflies swarmed, flitting from flower to flower, their colorful wings catching the light from the sun. The garden provided a sense of serenity and comfort. If I knew about this garden when I was vulnerable after my dad’s health issues started, I bet I would have come here, instead of going to the club where I met Ethan. Speak of the devil and there he is, I thought as I meandered through the secluded parts of the Garden. The closer I got to him, the more the sound of activity faded. My heart skipped in my chest when I saw that he was watching me walk towards him. He was focused on every step I took, like he controlled it, I could barely hear the clacking of my shoes above the sound of my heart. He took one last drag of the cigar cradled in between two long dexterous fingers, and moved away from the beam he leaned on.

“You took your sweet fucking time.” He bit out as he placed the cigar on the centerpiece, with deliberate slowness he stalked towards me.

I ignored the sizzle of excitement that pooled in my center and began to apologize. “I know I’m really late, but it wasn’t entirely my fault, not that I’m trying to push the blame but moving forward I promise it won’t b-“

Ethan’s mouth sealed over mine, swallowing the rest of my words. He kissed me fiercely; like he was punishing me for making him wait. His arm snaked around my waist till I was pressed flush against him, with no way to turn if I wanted to. Not that I did, I was riding on a wave of mindless sensual delight. I cocked my head to the side giving him better access to my mouth. he tasted of cedar, tentatively I sought his tongue out with mine, mimicking his actions. As his hands travelled an old but familiar path down my body I whimpered with longing.

The small sound was enough to break the spell. With labored breath he broke our kiss, Thankfully he still held on to me. I was afraid my legs would buckle under me, if he left me. Embarrassed I let go of the lapels of his shirt. Kissing Ethan was supposed to be hard for me, a task that I would consider heinous, but my traitorous body felt otherwise. I found solace in the fact that he seemed to have lost himself as well.

“Still the little vixen I remember.” He remarked as he pulled away from me. “I should be glad I chose you then, your little display will look good on camera.”

I subdued the need to look around and try to find any journalist with a camera. It was a tourist site anyway. There would be lots of people with a camera. I focused on the other thing he said

“I’m not a vixen, as you so fondly put it Ethan. not the first time I met you, not now.” I muttered. It was unfair how a man could make you feel one way for a second and then lead you in the opposite direction later. This man, in her case.

“Try to look like you’re enjoying yourself. It’s not everyday you get to share a meal with a multibillionaire. That fake modesty won’t get you anywhere, here. “ He buttered a toast as he spoke.

“Maybe if you weren’t being such a douche, it would be easy to look like I’m enjoying myself.” I retorted, picking up another toast.

His eyes darkened and worried that I had said the wrong thing,

“My mother has requested for your number, no doubt to make further plans about the engagement party.” he continued.

“I look forward to speaking with her.” I responded, planting a smile on my face. “how’s your grandfather taking it?”

Ethan shrugged. ”He’s stubborn and suspicious. I’d be surprised if he reacted any other way. He’s waiting on me to chicken out, at least that’s what he thinks will happen.”

Little does he know the length his grandson is willing to go.

“You know, you could‘ve easily just married someone from your circle. I hear rich people do it all the time. Why didn’t you do that?”

“Because none of them are in a desperate position as you, Mae. They’ll be harder to dispose of when the contract is through.”

And I was easy to dispose off, like I was the morning after we’d made love. I felt a sharp stab at the implication of his words.

“No need to look so down.” He smirked. “This time around you’ll be leaving with a shit ton of money. That should be a win for you.”

To a random passerby in the garden- and Ethan’s journalist, we would look like a romantic couple. if only they knew how far from the truth it was. He ran his fingers through the soft curls atop my head like he had not insulted me a second ago.

“Did you sell the ring I gave you already?”

I looked down at my bare finger. “it’s in my purse. I was going to put it on when I got in the park but-“

“Take it out. You are to wear it every single minute, it’s not a bag accessory it’s a fucking ring.”

I hated the thing. In my purse it was easy to pretend that it didn’t exist. Seething I brought it out of my purse. It’s heavy weight felt like a burden.

“Put it on.” I did.

“On you, at all times. Got it?”

“I think it would be better to we-“s

“No Mae, you don’t think. You do exactly what I say, when I say it.” he kissed the ring clad finger slowly before letting it fall back into my lap.

“Mae darling!” Grace’s voice came through the phone later that evening. “I hope this isn’t a bad time for you? I was hoping we could schedule a little outing tomorrow. Get to know each other more as you’ll soon be my daughter-in-law, we could stop by at a dress shop if you want, I heard

Vera Wang has new designs in, and like I always say, you can’t go dress shopping too early.” She laughed at her own joke. “Will ten be alright for you?”

I crossed my fingers and prayed that I would not upset the mother of that psychopath I was fake dating. “Actually I have work tomorrow...” I tried to sound as sorry as I felt through the phone. There was silence on the other end.

“Oh...of course. Silly me. Well let me know when you get off...or when you’re free.” “Of course I will” I answered enthusiastically .

The phone went dead.