SINFUL MATRIMONY

EXCERPT

"What happened to “I am a married woman” barely a month ago, Mi Cara?"

He stared at me intensely and when nothing fell from my lips, a smile took over his stoic expression.

"Talk to me, He took gentle steps to close the space between us.

With a finger that I am almost wrapped around, he lifted my chin to meet his eyes.

I gulped, my tongue snaking out to lick my dry lips while I hopelessly try to control my heartbeat.

His crystalline balls move to my neck then he leaned in, caressing my neck with his nose and lips. "Bastian," I breathed heavily.

"Mmmm?" He hummed and the vibration shook through me to the core.

"I don't…I don't know how to stop." My lips tremble as the words tumble out.

I know this is wrong and will definitely be the ruin of me but why do I badly want to be ruined?

"Think about this Mi Cara. Your family, the consequences.."

I didn't let him finish. "Damn those consequences, Bastian. And for my family, they've done much deciding for me. It's time for me to also do something so just… please." I practically begged.

He pulled back to look at my face, searching my eyes as if to verify if my

words were meant.

Then without warning, maybe he got an answer, maybe he wanted to hear that, Bastian crashed his lips against mine in a fierce kiss.

It was a delicate kiss but the feeling was lethal.

It was everything I wanted and more.

Just then, the door burst open behind us and we jumped away from each other as if a bomb has been set between us.

I was frozen for what seemed like forever before I turned with my heart hammering fiercely against my ribs.

At the door was a man whose face had turned as pale as a ghost. My husband.

~~*~~

Chapter 1

It's sad how one moment you're happy then suddenly something unexpected and drastic happens, turning your world around for the worse.

I sat with flaming eyes as I coldly glared at the three adults in front of me. Couldn't they wait for a month? Or for me to at least finish my meal before breaking the news that would ultimately end my life?

I tightened my grip around the fork as I tried so hard to keep my anger from boiling over.

I never knew a day like this would come and I'll get so livid with my family.

"Only if eyes could kill but they can't so stop trying to shoot us with it." Came my dad as he carefully dabbed the corners of his lips with the napkin.

He seemed less bothered by the fume I was blowing. It wasn't even getting to him.

"Did you guys realize this was supposed to be my congratulatory party? Why must you ruin it for me?"

I remembered how I was bubbling with excitement a few minutes ago and internally sobbed.

"Ruin? We're only trying to make it better. What could be better than you getting a suitor the moment you graduated?"

"Make it better? I just finished highschool dad! It's just a diploma." I cried out. Why are they making it seem as if I just got my PhD?

"Your groom is rich and he has promised to let you further your education after the marriage. It's not so bad." He replied nonchalantly.

"I'm not getting married!" I stated through gritted teeth, emphasizing on the words.

"We'll see about that." He shrugged and continued to eat.

I looked at my mom. I know I couldn't count on her either but a tiny part of me hoped.

"Why are you acting all shocked and surprised about this, Amelia?"

"Yeah. Right." I chuckled dryly as I watched the little hope in me get crushed.

My granny Nina was also quietly eating and I dared not hope on her. In fact, I had sensed this the moment we got home and I saw her. My dad's mom is nothing but an ambassador of arranged marriages and this could only be her idea.

Next to me was my younger brother who was quietly picking at his food with ear piece plugged in his ears. He's not even here.

"We're only doing what's best for you my child." My mom continued in her soft voice.

"You think marriage is the best for me! Is that what you think?" I was trying not to yell.

They all but Nina stopped eating to look at me. The only thing their eyes held was surprise. Yes. They were surprised because I was their pet, always easily agreeing to whatever they say, never challenged them but I was doing otherwise today.

What did they expect? That I will throw my dreams away?

"Then I don't want it! I don't want the best!"

"Would you stop being a brat? It's not like this is the first time you're hearing of this. Arranged marriage is our family's thing and I thought you saw it coming if not sooner." My dad seethed in a calm tone.

"Must you do it to all your children? What kind of parents are you two? Don't I have the right to choose who I want to spend the rest of my life..."

The rest of my words died in my throat when Nina looked up at me with sharp scolding eyes.

Seeing that I don't stand a chance at the moment, I dropped my fork and sprang to my feet. "Thanks to your great news, my appetite knew no end. What a great dinner it was."

As I ran up the stairs I felt their eyes boring holes at the back of my head. With how determined they are, it's certain this battle has just begun. And I wasn't sure I had it in me to stand up to them again like I did tonight.

I got in to the sound of my phone ringing. Once I picked up, Jenny's voice came blasting through the speakers.

"Hey graduant!"

Taking a seat at the edge of my bed, I rolled my eyes. "It's only a diploma, Jennifer."

There was a minute of silence before she spoke. "What's wrong, Lia?"

I never called her Jennifer unless I was in a bad mood so she got the hint.

"I don't know if I should tell you this."

"Don't be stupid. Who do you want to tell if not me?"

I sighed, running a hand through my auburn locks.

"Do you want me to come?" My best friend asked, her voice full of concern and worry.

"My parents..." I paused, sighing again.

"Your parents what?" She asked impatiently.

"They arranged a marriage for me." I let out.

I heard her breath hitch sharply for a second before she asked. "You're kidding right?"

"That was what I also thought but guess what?" I looked up at the ceiling.

"Is Nina around?"

"Yes."

"Holy shit!"

"They wouldn't listen to me." I whimpered as my eyes began to burn.

"What's wrong with them? It's not like we're in the fucking eighties. It's the 21st century for goodness sake."

"I don't know what to do, Jenny. They're all hellbent. You know even if my parents want to take my side they can't. Nina is everything." I blinked, trying to hold my tears.

"It's too early to give in Lia, we'll find a way. I'll never allow you to get married to any sleazebag."

I didn't know how on earth she was going to help me out of my misfortune but her words offered a sort of comfort I didn't know could exist and the noun she used just piqued my interest.

"What's that?"

"It's a new word I learnt." She replied proudly.

"For the male gender? Don't you ever get tired?"

"If they stop being sleazy."

"God. You wanted to tell me something." I reminded her why she called.

"Yeah. It's about the party tomorrow. And don't you dare refuse to come with me."

"Great. Now you just sounded like 'them' "

"Mine doesn't come with any sleazy old hag."

"What does it come with then?"

"Elliott."

"Elliott Scott?"

If I hadn't been daydreaming, I think he had wanted to talk to me earlier today at where I waited for my parents after the graduation in the parking lot. Unfortunately for me, my brother chose that moment to yell my name so I had to leave. As we left in my parents new car, I saw him enter his, sleek one.

Aiden had asked me then if he was my boyfriend and I wished I could blush in affirmation.

Aiden went on to make a statement which had me puzzled until now.

“Lia!” She yelled, her voice bringing me back to the presence.

“You mean Elliott Scott?”

"Yes. He'll be there and since you like him, you can make your move."

"A move? It seems you no longer know who your best friend is." I could never approach a boy and confess my feelings. Never.

"What if this can end your impending marriage?"

"How?" My interest piqued again.

"Your parents can't force you to marry someone else when you're already dating and in love right?"

"They can." I didn't even have to think before answering. My sister had a boyfriend then but guess what happened.

"It's because they think you're a virgin. They wouldn't dare marry you off if you're not."

"And who am I allowing to sleep with me?"

"Do I seriously have to answer that for you?"

I could imagine her big brown eyes rolling in their sockets.

"God knows I'm not going to let Elliott sleep with me."

"What is there to loose? It will be better than letting a stranger do it."

"You're getting me nauseous with this conversation, Jenny. Bring a proper idea."

" The most solid solution to stop your marriage is if you get pregnant."

"What! You know I would..."

"Never do that." She completed my sentence. "Yes I know you wouldn't so let's just stick to you getting a boyfriend okay. If they love you and respect your feelings enough then they won't let you dump your boyfriend."

"How am I going to get a boyfriend?" I asked sadly. Even if I want to try “the getting a boyfriend idea”, no boy has ever shown any sign of interest in me.

I could be walking with Jenny while she get hits on but never me and I always wondered if I was invisible. Jenny is a looker by the way. While I'm just... well, plain Amelia.

"Come to the party first and we'll start from there."

"Hmm."

"Don't try to dress from the house. It's not like you're good in that department so come over and I am going to doll you up so much that your hotness will set the entire place on fire."

If I didn't have so much on my mind right now, I would have giggled like the teenager that I am.

Teenager.

Suddenly, I wondered how old this man is.

"Amelia?"

I heard Jenny's faint calling from the other end. "Yes?"

"Don't worry too much about it okay? We'll figure it out." She assured.

"I hope so."

"The party will do you so much good I promise." She continued her campaign.

"You still sound like them."

She chuckled. " I wonder what your parents stand to gain in getting you married but..." She stopped mid sentence. " We'll have to talk later okay. I love you. Bye."

She ended the call before I even get to talk. I called her back immediately but only for her line to be busy.

Who the hell would she end my call to talk to?

I fell back on the bed with a heavy sigh.

Who the hell is even this man and why does my parents want him to marry me?

I remembered the new Porsche car they came to pick me in and sprang to my feet towards my brother's room.

Something doesn't feel right.