The CEO’ s second choice novel Chapter 10

　　Elena

　　I keep my eyes straight ahead as the oak doors swing open and gulp down a breath of anxiety. This was it, I was getting married to the arrogant CEO Sebastian Dumont and there was no turning back.

　　My wedding procession had started, now it would be my turn to enter.

　　The attendees stood up as my father and I appeared at the doorway and I felt myself flush; the cathedral was packed with people I did not know. These were obviously people invited when Eliana would have married Sebastian, people of noble blood and prominent in high society.

　　“Don’t trip, Elena. Don’t trip.”

　　I repeat over and over in my head, willing my self-confidence to come forward as we stride down the aisle. Keeping my head forward and feeling thankful for the veil covering my face, I see Sebastian waiting for me at the altar and my heart beats faster.

　　Why did this man have to look so dashing in a classic charcoal grey three-piece Armani suit?

　　His mouth was a thin line as he saw me walking towards him, and I immediately felt deflated. If I had to put on a show, why couldn’t he? Putting the bad thoughts out of my head, I plaster a smile on my face and keep my head up high. I will push through this marriage. I will push through for 5 years, then I will have my freedom. The thought alone made me genuinely smile.

　　Then I realized we had stopped walking.

　　Oh, fudge. I look up into Mr Arrogant’s honey-coloured eyes and see annoyance there. Ugh, this man would be the death of me. My father takes my hand and places it in Sebastian’s, then he glances at me and a wistful look crosses his face. Why did it take me being given away for them to suddenly act like parents?

　　Sebastian then takes both my hands in his and we face one another; the first time since we kissed a few weeks ago. He smiles at me, then winks!

　　The cheeky bastard.

　　“Dearly beloved, we have gathered here today into the house of the Lord so that in the presence of the Church and the community your intention to enter into marriage.” The priest starts the ceremony, and both of us pay attention to what was being said.

　　“God abundantly blesses the love that binds you through a special Sacrament. He enriches and strengthens those he has already consecrated by Holy Baptism, so that you may have the strength to be faithful to each other forever and assume all the responsibilities of married life. And so, in the presence of the Church, I ask you to state your intentions.”

　　Oh, gosh. Here it comes. My intentions were to run out of there as quickly as possible, Mr Priest, but here we are.

　　“Sebastian and Elena, (There was a murmur in the crowd as the priest said my name.) have you come here to enter into this marriage without coercion, freely and wholeheartedly?” The priest asks and I stop myself from giggling out loud. Sebastian shoots me a glare and I immediately resume my poker face.

　　The both of us answer, “I have.”

　　“Are you prepared, as you follow the path of marriage, to love and honour each other for as long as you both shall live?”

　　“I am,” we answer in unison again.

　　“Are you prepared to accept children lovingly from God and to bring them up according to the law of Christ and his Church?”

　　This is where Sebastian and I both hesitate, but then I look at him and nod with a smile. “I am,” I answer and he follows suit, a frown forming on his face. We both knew we had no intention of making this marriage work, so he shouldn’t feel anything while these vows were being said. The priest then continues:

　　“Since it is your intention to enter into Holy Matrimony, join your right hands, and declare your consent before God and his Church.” He says and the both of us let go of the other’s left hand. It was time for us to say our vows.

　　“I, Sebastian Dumont, take you, Elena Wiltshire, to be my wife. I promise to be faithful to you, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love you and to honour you all the days of my life.” Sebastian says his vows with such honour that I almost believe him.

　　“I, Elena Wiltshire, take you, Sebastian Dumont, to be my husband. I promise to be faithful to you, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love you and to honour you all the days of my life.” I repeat my vows to him with as much sincerity as I could muster. I hope God could forgive me for lying today, I would try my best to pay for this sin committed.

　　The priest motions for the ring bearer, “May the Lord bless these rings, which you will give to each other as the sign of your love and fidelity.” He says and Sebastian and I both take the other’s respective rings.

　　Sebastian poses my ring in front of my finger and looks into my eyes, “Elena, receive this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” He says, then slips the absolutely gorgeous wedding ring onto my finger.

　　I look up into his eyes and feel a tear running down my cheek; it should be Nicholas saying these vows to me. “Sebastian, receive this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” I repeat robotically, willing my mind not to stray to the one person I had loved.

　　Sebastian notices my change in demeanour and frowns, but I remain impassive and keep the smile on my face. “Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you, Mr and Mrs Dumont. You may now kiss the bride.” The priest says and beams down at the both of us.

　　Sebastian lifts my veil, then pins me with that stare of his. He cups my cheek and wipes my tear away with his thumb; then he lowers his mouth to mine and kisses me the same way he had in his office.

　　In the church, in front of everyone!

　　If this isn’t him claiming me as his, I wasn’t sure what was. He swirled his tongue around in my mouth, then ended the kiss by gently biting my bottom lip. When he breaks away, I feel the blush on my face and he trails his thumb over my cheek again.

　　The crowd burst into applause at this and Sebastian smiles, “I’m sure they will believe we love one another now.” He whispers into my ear and I realize the kiss was all a show. Of course, it was, why did I think any differently?!

　　He laces my fingers with his, and we walk up the aisle in a bombardment of confetti and praise. I looked around at all the faces and did not spot a familiar one. Where were my parents?

　　Sebastian leads me back outside and into the limousine. The paparazzi got an excellent shot of him opening the door for me and giving me a smile as he closed the door behind me.

　　I let out a sigh, then he got in beside me. What would happen now? Do we talk, do we sit in silence?

　　Keeping my head up, I turn to him, “You play your role well, Sebastian.” I tell him, meaning every word. “Were you picturing Eliana as you kissed me?”

　　“Were you picturing Nicholas as you were saying your vows?” He shoots back at me, shutting me up. “I thought so.” He finishes and turns to look out of the window as we drive to our reception at his family’s estate.

　　I shake my head, then turn away from him as well. Feeling a tear falling down my cheek again, I quickly wipe it away and compose myself. The reception would go by quickly, it had to, or I would be miserable all evening. None of my friends would be here, I was all by myself in this world of wealth and opulence. Mirabelle had mentioned that I would need to attend balls and get-togethers so I could make a name for myself apart from Sebastian’s.

　　“You look beautiful today, Elena.”

　　My head whips around to Sebastian. Had he just complimented me?

　　“Not podgy?” I couldn’t resist asking him, and I caught his smile as he stared out of the window, then he turned his head towards me. “Not at all. The dress compliments your figure very well.” He says while pinning me with that stare of his, and I felt myself floundering, the blood draining from my face. Why was he causing me to react this way? I hated Sebastian, so why did his stare make me feel like a high school girl with a crush???

　　Sebastian moves closer to me, then leans into my ear, “Your kisses do something to me that I never thought possible…” He whispers and I feel the goosebumps forming on my skin. He looks into my eyes, then down to my lips again, and I feel his lips on mine for the second time today.

　　This kiss was different; it was filled with a need I knew could never be sated with kisses alone. His lips were soft and warm as they met mine, his tongue teasing and begging for my submission.

　　My heartbeat raced as I gave into this needy kiss of Sebastian’s, then all hell broke loose.

　　He pulled me into his arms and ran his hand down my back, finding the diamond-shaped opening there. Tracing his fingers down my naked back, I get a chill down my spine. The feeling of his hand on my skin seems to snap me back to reality and I push him away.

　　He regarded me with surprise, then the both of us realized what had just happened and turned away from one another. We sat in silence until we arrived at The Dumont Estate, then Sebastian turned towards me. “This changes nothing.” He states and I nod in agreement before he gets out of the limousine and walks over to my side to open the door for me.

　　But as he takes my hand in his and leads me inside, we both knew this just changed everything.