Chapter 12

12 1095 DAYS

ABBY

He takes my hand and presses the liquor cabinet, then it swings open. The door looks like it can only fit one person.

“Well, that’s new. What I’ve seen are bookshelves.”

“Yeah, you’re right. The liquor cabinet is my passage. So, can we keep it our secret?” He winks at me, and instead of giggling, I smile and bite my lip.

“Sure, when one of us is dead.”

“Funny. Can we not talk about death?” He’s still holding my hand, and I can’t help but tighten the grip as it feels good. He closes the door behind me and flicks the light open.

“Watch your step. The stairs are narrow, and with your heels like that, you might miss them.” He let go of my hand, and I hold on to the handle of the spiral stairs.

“Thanks for the heads up, bad boy. Where are you taking me, anyway? Are we treasure hunting? Do you happen to have a gold mine down here?” I ask while my eyes are wandering out of curiosity

“I want to show you the cellar, bad girl. So, relax and just follow my lead.” We reach the bottom, and the incandescent lights illuminate the whole cellar.

I can see now probably a thousand wine collections and wine barrels. My eyes widen. I’ve seen a wine cellar from Vitner and Vigneron in France and Italy, but this is awesome. Dad has only room for his liquors and wines, and Seb has his own old cellar.

“This is amazing. Thank you for showing me these. What is the oldest you’ve got?”

“I have 102 years old in Italy. I got it from the auction. The first owner of this house brought his family here to hide.”

I sit on a small bench with a small wooden table and he sits across mine with two wine glasses and a wine bottle in his right hand.

“Don’t you think it’s too early for this? Even for wine tasting, but I’ll never say no to that,” I tease him.

“Yeah, and too early for you too. I can’t let you wait for two years to try this.”

He puts the two glasses and opens the wine with a corkscrew. Then the cork pop up. He pours wine into the glass until half full and the other glass about a quarter.

I raise my brows. “So, is this mine? We’re in your house, and it’s legal for me to drink.” I point and pick up the glass that has a little amount of wine.

“Figured. I don’t want you to be half-ass drunk going home in the middle of the day. Your dad will kick my ass, and he’ll let me stay away from you. I don’t wanna be a bad influence on his daughter.”

I raise the glass, and he raises too, and we drink in silence.

“Hmm. It’s sweet.”

“Sweet enough to your liking?”

“Nah. It’s perfect.” I take another sip. “Yeah, I like it. Can I have the other half?”

He just chuckles and pours me another.

“Thanks. So, why did you show me your precious collections?” I take another sip, and I quickly feel the effect—it warms my entire body.

“I just wanna show you and talk maybe.”

“We can talk anywhere, you know. Even in a coffee shop or just in the kitchen, or in your office, but thank you for showing me these. It means a lot.” Then I realize maybe he doesn’t want other people will see him with me in public because he has a reputation to uphold. I forget the reason why I’m here. See, Drew I told you so he doesn’t like me.

“I really want to apologize for what I did in your office and for causing you trouble about my mother’s will.” I pause. “And if you’re going to marry me, I could take away three years of your life from you, and I finally realize that now why my mother chose you,” I say as I toy with a wine glass. I feel so nervous when I’m around Seb. There’s something between us that it’s hard to explain. I feel that I can trust him with my life, and at the same time, I don’t trust myself when I’m with him.

“And why your mom chose me?” he asks with his creased brows.

“She knew you very well. She knew you that you’re a smart and confident businessman, and you can put the money to good investments if you want to since I don’t have the experience, and you can have profit out of it.” I pause and lift my gaze to meet his, and he’s staring right back at me.

“You don’t do relationship, so when we get married, I can’t hurt any woman’s feeling. Mom probably knew that I’m not your type of woman.” Though it hurts a lot, I continue, “So we don’t have a problem in getting involved with each other. You won’t fall for me. You have an overprotective tendency. I mean you protect the people surrounding you, and Mom worried too much about my safety, and that I might fall in love with the wrong guy. I guess my mother thought that you could protect me too. I have a few favorites to ask if you don’t mind.”

“Go ahead.” He smiles.

“First, will you marry me?”

He laughs at me, and I mean. he laughs out loud. And I sink at the bench. It hurts that he thinks I’m joking. Why is he laughing?. I look at him, and he’s wiping his tears away. God, I want to bolt out of this cellar and out of his mansion.

“Wow, Abby! You have the lamest way of proposing. Didn’t you Wikihow or read on How to propose for Dummies?” His eyes glimmer.

“Excuse me, Mr. All-romantic, but I’m not proposing. I mean. I’m asking you if you’re willing to marry me.” I roll my eyes. He’s playful, but it still hurts my feelings.

“You’re still proposing, Abbygail. Admit it, or I won’t say yes.”

“Then don’t. I guess it’s my cue to leave.” I’m already embarrassed, and I can’t take another embarrassment. I stand up, but before I can move, he stops me.

He holds my wrist then he looks up at me. “Abby, I’m just joking. Sit down, baby. Let’s talk. And are you leaving if I didn’t stop you? Jesus, you’re so stubborn and impatient.” He says and tries to restrain his smile. And he keeps calling me baby. How many women did he call them baby?

I glared at him. “I’m already embarrassed that could last for a decade. So, yeah. I’m leaving.”

“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to laugh, but seriously we need to talk and let me hear your proposal.” He’s still holding my hand as he motions me to sit down.

I slump my butt back to the bench. “If you will marry me, let’s make it private. I will sign a prenup. Let’s get married to our witnesses, officials who conduct the ceremony, then I’ll move back to Boston. I’ll never contact you, talk to you, and you can have your life back as a single man since nobody knows you’re married to me. I’ll be back for the divorce or annulment when the three-year condition is over.” I pause.

“In the meantime, you can do whatever you want with the money for as long as you will maintain my trust fund. You’ll be free like before, Seb. I don’t want to be the reason to hold your life back. This marriage is just of convenience. No strings attached—no intimacies. Can you do it for me?”

His eyes widen, and if my eyes are not tricking me, I think I just see sadness and pain, but Seb nods anyway. He doesn’t say another word, so I continue, “Do you have something to say. Let me hear it, please? You can sleep with any woman you want, but you can’t marry yet while you’re still married to me. When you meet someone within three years, let me know, and I’ll explain it to her to wait until the three-year agreement is over.”

“Wow. You’ll leave after we get married?” Seb asks, but it sounds more like a statement.

“Yeah. Dad won’t let me stay here long, and I have to finish college. I give you my word that I won’t bother you, and please, don’t feel guilty enjoying your life.”

He shrugs. “What if you’re the one who will meet someone before three years?” He looks at me in the eye, and again, I feel hypnotized.

I bite my lower lip before I answer him. Deep inside, I already met someone, and that someone doesn’t like me back. “I’m not meeting anyone Seb, I’m not ready to meet someone. I am—” I pause. “I’m not interested.”

“Wait, are you?” His eyebrows furrow.

“Am I?” I’m confused.

“Are you gay?”

I laugh out loud and shake my head. My voice echoes in the entire cellar. Jeez, he’s the first one to think that I’m gay. “No. I’m not gay. I may be still a virgin, but I’m definitely into guys.” I roll my eyes with exaggeration.

Crap. I cover my mouth with my hand. Did I just admit that I’m a virgin? Oh, my god, this is so humiliating.

I think my face is burning. Great. Just great. Abby.

“Abby, there’s nothing to be embarrassed about being a virgin. You’re still young and have a lot of things to enjoy than having sex with random guys. You’ll have your moment to enjoy sex with the right person. At least, he should deserve to have sex with you, and he should respect you.”

I’m now beyond mortified. “Can we... not talk about my sex life.”

He chuckles. “Okay, I’m sorry. Just please, don’t rush, okay?” he says as if he means it.

“Okay. If I ever meet someone before our divorce, I guess you have the right to know, so I’ll tell you myself.” I’ll probably stay a virgin for three years.

“Okay. So um, anything else?” he asks, but he seems not certain.

“I think that would be all. Do you have anything to add or conditions?”

“I don’t know. Honestly, I don’t know what to say, Abby.” He rubs the back of his neck, then he clears his throat. I feel guilty for doing this to him, and I don’t even know how to repay his kindness.

“Did you talk to your dad about your plan?”

“Not yet, but I’m sure he won’t like it. I don’t want to humiliate you than I already did.”

“Humiliate?” He looks surprised.

“Yeah. If we will plan for a grand wedding, people will think it’s a business proposal, and you don’t wanna end up your life with someone like me. Then after three years, we’ll end up with the divorce. I don’t wanna ruin your life, Seb. I can’t do that to you than I already did.”

“Don’t look so little yourself.,Abby, please? You’re not a humiliation. and you’re not going to ruin me. You’re an independent and strong woman and a good daughter who tried to do everything and is willing to give up her life to honor her mother’s wishes. That’s something I would never find in any woman.” Then he takes my hand, and I have to swallow hard at his sudden act. “Come here.”

I move out of the bench. Sebe holds both of my hands and looks at me in the eye. His looks alone have penetrated my soul, and his eyes are full of hope and sincerity.

“I have only known you for a couple of days. You are the most stubborn, infuriating woman with a filthy mouth, but you’re smart, beautiful, and a loving daughter and willing to do everything to please someone you loved, and I am honored to be a part of your life. And it would be an honor to be your husband for 1095 days.” He smiles and kneels in front of me. What is he doing?

I think my eyes just pop out from each socket. My breaths stuck in my lungs.

Oh, my God! I cover my mouth with my free hand.

“Mackenzie Abbygail Catherine King, will you marry me?” Oh, crap. He fishes out from his pocket, and I know what is it, and I don’t bother looking at the ring. I keep my gaze on his beautiful gray eyes.

“Yes.” Out of excitement and shock, I don’t even recognize that I said yes, and I’m now engaged—engaged to Seb Hughes III.

He rises to his life like we’re in a real proposal, and not a fake one. He places the ring into my ring finger and kisses my hand and my forehead, but he doesn’t kiss my lips. I feel a little disappointed, but what would I expect with fake engagement and marriage of convenience?

After I said those terms, I felt heartbroken and empty. It hurts, and I never even realize that my attractions to Seb are growing stronger and faster than I can ever control. But I have to do this. I need to do this, for him. For his sake.

Here I am, sacrificing for the people I care about. I guess he’s right after all.

Seb looks at me, and I look at him. “Hey, are you okay?”

I must have zoned out. I blink away those jumbled thoughts. “Yeah. Why not? I just got engaged.” I launch myself into him, wrap my arms around his neck, and hug him tight, and I feel his arms wrap around me.

“I’m okay. Did you just actually propose to me? Like properly?” I ask while still in his arms, and he feels so good.

“I guess, yes. Even you won’t get a proper wedding, at least, you got a proper proposal.”

“You didn’t have to do this, you know. I’ll still get a proper wedding because it’ll be a real wedding just minus the fancy part. I pull myself away from our hug before I get too clingy and attached to him.

“I can still give you a fancy wedding like every girl’s dream. Just say it.”

“No, Seb.” I shake my head. “I’m not gonna change my mind. Thanks though. That’s tempting, by the way. But no. You thought, deserve a fancy wedding with the right woman.” Then I look at the ring and inspect it. “Wait. Where did you get this ring? It’s not mom’s?” I raise my voice, and I am a little bit hysterical. Did he just buy me a ring?

“Why would I give you your mom’s, though they’re beautiful, I want you to have that something I chose my own.”

“That’s not part of our deal. And it’s huge. It must cost you a fortune. I can’t take it. I’m sorry. It’s too fancy, and it’s a rock and not a stone.”

He chuckles and starts laughing. “Abby, have you forgotten that your husband-to-be is a billionaire with a big fat bank account? I can afford bigger than that, but it won’t look good on your finger that’s why I chose and designed it by myself. It’s personalized. You should thank me for my effort.”

I take a look at the ring, and it’s gorgeous. “It’s beautiful. Thank you.”

“So, do you like it?”

“No. I don’t.” I look at him, and he looks sad. ”Jeez, you’re such a baby for a big guy. I love it, Seb. Thank you.” I kiss his cheek, and he blushed. “Did you just blush, bad boy? Omigod! Did I just make a bad boy blush?”

He touches the cheek I kissed. “No. I didn’t.”

“Oh, you definitely just did, but whatever floats your boat, big guy.” I giggle. “I’ll give this back to you after you know, the divorce.” And why I feel suddenly hurt. I notice something in the ring. “Is this an S and an A? Wow. You really did personalize it. I think I’m in love.”

The ring is a 35-carat diamond princess cut surrounded by small rubies with his initial and mine that connect both to the platinum band.

“I thought you won’t notice them. My pleasure, Abby, but it’s yours whatever happens between us. That’s yours. It’s designed for your birthstone.”

“How did you know my birthstone?”

“Of course, I know your birthday. I have to know a little about my future wife. We got the license, and we’re getting married on Monday.”