“Sebastian, I can’t do this.” I stopped and was ready to walk off the floor, back into the shadows of the trees.
“Just close your eyes and feel the music,” he said.
I hesitated. He took my arms again and replaced them on his broad shoulders. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. I could feel his arms around me, guiding my steps. With no eyes watching us, I felt calmer. The slow sway and vibrations were a lot easier to feel. I leaned my head against Sebastian’s chest. His heart was part of the rhythm of the night. I could almost dance to its beating. I didn’t want to stop.
But then, suddenly, the music came to an end and the clinking of a glass filled the air. I opened my eyes. It was Emanuel, and in his hand, he held a wide-rimmed champagne glass.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I apologize for interrupting the party like this, but I just couldn’t wait. I’d like to make an announcement. I would like to raise a glass to my two sons…”
Murmurs spread around the crowd as they searched for their glasses to join in the toast.
“…Ever since our sons were young, my wife and I have striven to teach them about love. The love of a family, and the importance of finding love for themselves above all else. Today, I am proud to say that my sons have finally made my heart bleed with pride. They have both now found love. Sebastian and Elonzo, and Elly and Laura. This toast is to you. For love!” Mr. Rojas announced and raised his glass high.
“To love,” was echoed around the room.
Standing there, still in Sebastian’s arms, his warmth seeping through his shirt, his heart loud in my ear, I realized one thing: I had fallen for Sebastian. And in doing so, I had broken the most important rule of the contract.
I leaned closer to Sebastian’s ear and murmured, “We have to talk.”
“Now?”
I nodded once, then took his arm and led him away from the crowd around the house, and to the front stairwell. There was nobody there, no lights in the house or the cars parked outside and inside the driveway.
I stopped and placed my hands on my hips. It was now or never.
“Sebastian. I can’t do it.”
“Do what?” he asked. His voice was almost choking over the words. He knew exactly what I meant.
“This. This whole marriage thing. This whole performance. I can’t go through this fake marriage idea. I’m sorry, I just can’t.” I was trying hard to keep myself composed, but it was a struggle.
His eyes were wide in the semi-darkness. “We had a deal, Elly. You can’t back down now. Besides, you need the money, don’t you? What about your mother?” He stepped closer to me. He was angry, I could hear it in his voice.
I stepped away. Not from fear but from a feeling that if he got too close, I might just burst out in tears. There was no room for crying right now.
“I can’t go on deceiving your parents or be the one responsible for Elonzo’s losing the company when it is rightfully his…” I continued, my arms folded tight across my chest.
“It’s not rightfully his!” His voice was loud, booming in the stillness of the night.
“But you said. Your father…”
“My father is a fool. He is ready to throw away the company that I’ve grown all for something as fickle, as stupid of an idea as love. Don’t you see, Elly, there is no such thing as love?”
He doesn’t believe in love. And…he never will.
“Maybe not, Sebastian. But even if you’re right, I don’t think I could live with myself in a fake marriage.” And with that, I turned away from him.
One step, two, and three before one shadow emerged, blocking my way. A shadow that turned out to be Elonzo. A furious Elonzo.
CHAPTER34
ELLY
Iwas an only child, so the concept of sibling rivalry was one I only ever observed from the sidelines, on screens, or in the pages of books. I knew in theory that they could be quiet enough that no one but those involved would notice the little signs striking the match. Or explosive enough to cause wars.
I wondered if, in another era, Elonzo would have been the type to order the beheading of his own brother. Or at least deploy some nasty firestorms against his fortress.
“You really are a piece of work, Sebastian,” Elonzo spat. “I would go so far as to say inhuman. You are a monster. A power-hungry, money-grabbing creature working for the devil.”