Chapter 10: Chapter 10

Cecília

- I was worried about you.

I hug the pillow and sigh as Kelly settles into bed next to me.

It's been a few days since my life turned upside down and I'm at a loss for what to do. I'm getting desperate about missing classes, but I emailed some of the teachers and they let me make up later. I just want my life back. I don't want to be stuck in a hotel room waiting for the good will of an arrogant tyrant who has decided to make a puppet of me.

My dad keeps calling, but I didn't pick up the phone once. I don't want to talk to him, I don't want to hear his excuses. The last time I spoke to Mom, she said he's in a lot of pain from this whole situation, but what about me? I am paying for a mistake that is not mine and they are not doing anything to help me.

“I'm fine,” I lie and try to smile at my best friend.

“I didn't understand anything when that guy picked you up at the party. I only let you go with him because he said the name and I remembered that you told me you were your father's friend. She smirks and pinches my arm. "You didn't say he was handsome, but he's really hot!"

—Kelly! I scold. I actually laugh for the first time in days. She fanned herself and raised her eyebrows.

— I was jealous when he picked you up and carried you out of there — she confesses with a chuckle. "I wish I was in that man's arms." But Cecilia…” She pinches her eyebrows together. 'I was drunk and I don't know if I remember correctly, but I got the impression that he said… is he your future husband?'

I let out a pained groan and throw myself onto the bed. I need to tell someone, talk to someone or I'm going to go crazy. So I tell her, but I leave out the part that Dad committed a crime.

“It was an agreement between him and my father,” I say and look at my friend. “He came to get me to…marry,” I say the last tearful word and Kelly's eyes sparkle with excitement.

“You lucky one! He shouts and claps his hands. I grimace.

"I don't want to marry him!" I complain and she looks at me like I'm crazy.

- And why not? You don't even come with that Prince Charming talk, Cecília. It is the most normal thing in the world for the heirs of wealthy families to marry to increase companies. Or do you think my father will let me marry anyone? Of course.

I stop to think for a second, because I had never considered that.

“But you have a boyfriend. I thought you liked him.

Kelly sighs and strokes my hair.

“And I like it, but I know he's not the one I'm going to marry. Maybe we'll even stay together afterward, because I know that my marriage when it arrives will only be for show.

—Kelly! How can you say such a thing? don't want to get married

love ?

She sighs and shrugs.

“I'm just being practical, friend. You hit the jackpot. He is a great man, hot, rich. It will give you a princess life. Besides, he looks like he knows what to do with a woman. Oh my friend, your first time is going to be like something out of a movie. I wish mine had been with someone who knew what they were doing,” she says with a grimace.

I bury my face in the pillow again, wanting to cry. This cannot happen to me. I don't care what Kelly believes, I always wanted to marry a man who loved me more than anything in the world. Not with one who's just using me to make my dad's life hell.

“I'm not going to lose my virginity to him,” I decide. "I'd rather die a virgin than go to bed with... with... that arrogant man!"

She arches an eyebrow.

"Arrogant, is it?" Why are you affected this way if you're not interested? she teases. - Even because you have eyes, I doubt you're not affected by the hottie. Friend, don't waste a man like that.

"Let's change the subject, shall we?" - I ask and sit on the mattress. — I haven't left this room for days, I need to distract myself.

“Okay,” she agrees. - Sleepover?

**

I wake up to a knock on the door and it takes me a while to get out of bed. Kelly is sleeping next to me, completely passed out on the pillow. The television is still on with the movie we were watching, but neither of us is paying attention. We gossip and eat junk food until late. It was nice to feel my life go back to normal for a few hours at least.

I'm looking for my cell phone. Along with a million missed calls from Dad, I check the time. It's after one in the morning and I have no idea who might be knocking on my door at this hour.

I walk there in the dark so as not to wake Kelly with the light, and I struggle to find the handle. When I open the door, a little light from the hallway spills into the room and I startle when I see Thomas standing there with one hand resting on the wall.

He looks tired. There are deep circles under his eyes and his light eyes are irritated. He doesn't wear the same suit he's normally wearing every time I've seen him. Instead, he's only wearing his dress shirt with the first few buttons undone, and I can see some fair skin exposed there.

“Thomas? I ask, confused. I take a step out of the room and close the door. I yawn, still just waking up.

He doesn't say anything. I feel his warm eyes roaming up and down my body. Suddenly, he locks a hand on either side of my body and I feel my back against the hallway wall.

"What the fuck are you wearing?" - he asks. I look down, not understanding what's wrong with my sleeping suit. Thomas takes a deep breath and glares at me. "Is that what you use to open the door?" What if it was one of the security guards?

- What's the problem? I ask, confused. He laughs dryly.

“Trouble is, I can see your fucking chest behind that see-through little thing, Cecilia,” he growls. I immediately try to cross my arms, but he holds them down.

- I…

I take a deep breath under his intense gaze on me. My chest rises and falls and Thomas lets go of my wrist and places a hand on my waist. Put your mouth to my ear and say:

“How many times do I have to say I have an image to uphold, girl? ’ he asks and squeezes my waist. “I can't have my future wife walking around dressed like that.

“It's one in the morning, Thomas,” I reply, almost unconsciously moving my body closer to his. - I was asleep. I didn't think anyone would come knocking on my door and… Why are you here?

— I came to see if you were alive, what do you think? he asks, irritated. I shudder when his hand slides into my hair and he pulls my strands hard. "I didn't think I'd find you half-naked in the hotel hallway."

I don't have time to defend myself and say again that I was asleep and that if I'm in the hallway it's because he's here, because Thomas presses me against the wall and crushes my body with his, and I'm lost for words.

“I've had a shitty day, Cristal,” he says into my ear and drags his beard down my neck.

I should push you out of here. My God, no one has ever touched me this much, what am I thinking? But your touch is so good, so warm and soft. I forget all the reasons why I hate him for a second.

“I've spent all fucking day solving problems your daddy created,” he snarls. He mocks when he says "daddy". “The last thing I need is to have to deal with you too.

“But… you're the one who came here,” I say quietly, but I gasp when his other hand squeezes my thigh. I feel my legs wobble and I rest my hands on his arms to keep myself upright.

“You're not my type girl, but I really need a good fuck after the hell it's been the last few hours,” he says and drags his nose down my neck.

"Thomas, I don't…

Then, just as he grabbed me, Thomas released me. He leaves me with my back pressed against the wall and breathing fast, and walks a few steps away. My skin feels hot and I bet I'm flushed all over, my mouth slightly open staring blankly at him as he runs a hand through his hair nervously.

Thomas clears his throat and shakes his head.

— I came to tell you that I'm going back to São Paulo tomorrow afternoon and I have no intention of leaving you here alone so that you can find time to plot something with your father — he says, stern and composed as if nothing had happened while I was still awake. I feel myself melting against the wall. “But I'll let you stay and finish your college.

A wave of hope and happiness hits me, but he continues:

“Tomorrow morning we'll meet with a lawyer and sign a contract. When I return to Brazil, I will announce our engagement to all media. We'll get married as soon as you graduate.

I bite my lip and nod, feeling my mind go round and round after the roller coaster last few minutes .

“Go back to your room and go to sleep,” he says with his eyes on my mouth. Then he lets out one of his sneering laughs. “And pull yourself together, crystal. No one has the patience for a little girl who blushes all the time.

I blink several times in confusion as I watch him walk away, having no idea what just happened here.