Chapter 6
The wedding was getting closer every day.
I spent every day with Alaric, staying way too late. Dad kept lecturing me about “proper lady behavior,” but I couldn’t care less.
1/4
Alaric was thriving. His appetite came back, putting some meat on those bones, his skeletal fingers finally filling out.
Then one day, Marvin ambushed me outside the office.
“He’s got you under some spell,” he grabbed my arm. “Pack your bags we’re leaving.”
–
“Are you insane?” I yanked away, staring at him.
“Call me whatever you want, but I won’t let you ruin your life.” His jaw clenched. “This isn’t love, Eileen. It’s just curiosity. You can’t throw everything away for that.”
“Why do you even care? It’s none of your business.” I retorted.
He looked like I’d slapped him, his eyes bloodshot and desperate. “Marry me instead, Eileen. Don’t do this to us…”
He was a mess – wrinkled suit, broken expression, begging for
mercy.
Chapter 6
I recalled what my friend said in my past life after Marvin’s wedding. “If you’d married someone first, he would’ve worshipped you. Some random ‘love at first sight‘ couldn’t compare to what you two had.
2/4
“He’s only acting like this because you’ve never shown interest in anyone else. You’re his safety net, and he’s just not worth it…”
“Marvin.” I brushed some lint off his shoulder, turning cold. “Let’s pretend this never happened.
“I’m getting married. Watch yourself – people might get the wrong idea.”
He stared at me, tears streaming down his face. “Did I lose everything just because I was a moment too late?”
“We’re friends,” I threw his own words from my past life back at
him.
“If you like it, we can stay that way
forever.”
I walked in to find Alaric on the couch, clearly frustrated and a bit pissed.
“What took you so long?”
“Bumped into someone downstairs, got talking.”
I dropped the snacks on the table.
He still looked like storm clouds, so I had to ask, “What’s
Chapter 6 wrong?”
Alaric looked up, sounding like a kicked puppy. “Have fun chatting with Marvin?”
3/4
“How did you-” Then I remembered his little spy and switched the topic. “He tried to get me to run away with him.”
His eyes went dark as hell.
I slid next to him, dragging out my words. “But I told him no. Said I’m sticking with you.”
His throat bobbed, and he managed a delayed “Oh.”
“Don’t I deserve a gold star?”
He looked away like a teenager. “For what…”
“For picking you, dummy!” I pinched him, playing mad. “Can’t even get a ‘good job“?”
He froze up, then bolted for a velvet box.
Inside was a blue crystal necklace from an auction – the one the
media called “The Dumbest Purchase of the Century” when it
went for three billion.
“Why’d you buy this?”
“You like blue.” His voice was soft. “Thought it’d look good on
you.”
Chapter 6
“Thank you so much, honey!” I wrapped my arms around his neck, nuzzling his cheek.
“The auction was two months ago. Why give it to me now?” I asked.
4/4
“You seemed upset today.” He murmured. “Was saving it for your birthday, but… thought you could use some cheering up.”
“When was I even-” I stopped, remembering my fake tantrum. earlier. I tried hard to bite back a laugh.
This poor guy really couldn’t tell the difference between real and pretend anger.
I poked his check.
“I wasn’t actually mad, you know. But this still makes me happy.”
“Babe… I’m falling harder for you every day.”
His cheeks flushed pink as he pulled me onto his lap, pressing
the softest kiss to my forehead.
B
Write your comment