The CEO’ s second choice novel Chapter 16

　　Elena

　　Sebastian and I have been married for close to 3 months already and yet we live past one another. The last time I saw him was when he had to rush out for an emergency at 4 am. I never asked what the emergency was because I couldn’t be bothered.

　　There is nothing lonelier than an arranged marriage, no matter what anyone says. The attraction that Sebastian and I shared before is all but gone, replaced by a simmering dislike. Will I ever get used to feeling this way? Did I want to feel anything other than a dislike for Sebastian? I must be honest, it would be easier to not live with this heaviness in my chest 24/7.

　　I had been trying to reach out to Charlotte and Esme Langford, my two best friends from high school, but they had been out of England for the last few months or so. They had not been following England’s social news and did not know I was married now. We had a brunch date today, and I was on my way out to meet them.

　　It was in the middle of Autumn and quite chilly outside, so I opted to wear a lovely cerise blouse that hugged my waist in a belt, thick black leggings and stiletto ankle boots. My double-breasted black coat ended off the look. With the weather as bad as it was today, I doubt I would be able to show off my blouse. Oh well, at least I knew I looked good.

　　As I walked down the stairs, I was deep in thought and nearly didn’t see Sebastian as he walked up towards his bedroom. The minute our eyes met, there was a pause, and I finally had a chance to give my husband a proper once over.

　　Truth be told, he looked like shit. It looked like he hadn’t been sleeping at all; his face was sunken in and he had bags under his eyes.

　　“Are you okay, Sebastian?” I ask him, an unwanted feeling of concern washing over me. What was wrong with him? “You look like you haven’t slept a wink.”

　　He regards me with a scowl then walks past me, “Mind your own business, Elena.” He says and disappears up the stairs. Wow, okay. Remind me never to show concern towards him again. But as much as I tried to push it down, I could not help it. Sebastian looked as if he carried the world on his shoulders and had no one to lean on.

　　Should I be the bigger person and approach him?

　　Ah, I’ll put it out of my head for now. I had a brunch date with my best girls and could not be late. 30 minutes later, I arrive at our favourite restaurant and immediately spot the redheads from across the room. They were beautiful, as usual, but looked like they had gotten a tan from being overseas for so long.

　　“Looks like I need to spend a few months in Greece, your tan is to die for,” I say as I come up behind them, their responses being shrieked when they hear my voice.

　　“Elena!” I hear through hugs and kisses and they engulf me. Standing back, I look at my two best friends and realize how truly I had missed them. They were supposed to be my bridesmaids if I ever were to get married to Nicholas. Now I had to explain to them why I was wearing a £1.5 million diamond ring on my finger.

　　We were finally seated after all the hellos and kisses, when Charlotte turned towards me, “Okay, so I need to fill you in on EVERYTHING that happened to Esme and I over these few months! You will not believe…” and so Charlotte goes on to tell me what they had been up to. They were taking a gap year before they were to get married to the men their parents had chosen for them. The Langfords were old blood and wanted to keep it that way by marrying aristocratic people, similar to my family.

　　After about an hour, Esme looks at me with a grim expression, “So how have you been coping?” She asks me, and I couldn’t help but frown at this question; did they know about my marriage to Sebastian?

　　“It has been difficult, I must confess. But I am keeping my head up and not allowing the predicament to bring my spirits down. Who knows, maybe this union will be good for the both of us.” I say and notice the confusion on their faces. “Are you sure, Elena? It is a big step to have taken in such a small amount of time.” Charlotte says, taking my hand in hers.

　　I nod, my eyes brimming with unshed tears. Esme takes a tissue out of her handbag and hands it to me. “When we heard the news, we almost died. How could he do that to you? And we were out of town, so we couldn’t even be here to comfort you. The least he could have done was break things off with you before announcing his engagement!” She says, and I pause.

　　Wait, were we not talking about the same thing here?

　　I look at them, confusion clear in the frown on my face, “What are you guys-”

　　“Mrs Dumont, your husband is outside and wishes to have a word with you. Could you please follow me?” The manager interrupts us, and waits for my answer.

　　Esme and Charlotte both were wearing the same stunned expression on their faces; wide-eyed and mouth agape. I held up my hand before they could start, “I will be right back and THEN we need to talk about things.” I say before I stand up and follow the manager out.

　　Why was Sebastian here?

　　I spotted his black Rolls Royce Phantom as soon as I left the restaurant; the driver was waiting for me with the door open and smiled when he saw me. “Mrs Dumont,” he greeted with a nod, which I returned when I got into the car.

　　If there was one thing I must commend Sebastian on, it was his impeccable taste. This car was gorgeous and screamed luxury. I could see why he went for someone like my sister; she too screamed luxury and good taste.

　　I turned towards my husband, who was facing the opposite window. He was well dressed as usual and looked like he was on his way to a meeting of some sort. With his slicked-back raven hair, his hazel eyes stood out. He pushes a button and the clear glass partitioning suddenly turns white, offering us privacy, then he looks at me. “Elena, I know I haven’t been the best person these past few weeks,” he starts and I bite back a witty comment. Yeah, you’ve been a sucky person, but do continue. “Please know that it hasn’t been on purpose. I would like to make it up to you, starting tonight; would you do me the honour of joining me for dinner this evening?”

　　Woah, wait… Did Sebastian just ask me out on a date?

　　A blush crosses my cheeks and I feel myself nodding coyly, “I would love that,” I tell him and mentally kick myself. Why was I sounding like a high school girl with a crush?

　　Sebastian smiles at me and leans forward, taking my hand in his then turning it around and kissing the back. “I know neither of us wanted this marriage, but we have to try and make it work or at least be civil to one another. I have stopped my affair with Sarah as I would like to become a better husband to you, playact or not.”

　　This revelation has me stunned. Did he want to change for me? Put in the time to actually act like a husband? I don’t exactly know what to say to this, so I just nod and a shy smile plays on my lips and I subconsciously bite it.

　　This minor act seems to do something to Sebastian as his eyes drop towards my lips and his hand tightens around mine. But before he could react, he lets go of my hand, opens his door and walks out and around to open mine. Holding his hand out for me to take, I reciprocate and get out of the car.

　　Sebastian pulls me closer to him and I inhale his yummy Tom Ford scent I had grown accustomed to. With one hand on my lower back and the other at the back of my neck, he lowers his head down towards me and plants a light kiss on my forehead. “Don’t worry, I promised myself that I will not force any more kisses onto you, not until you ask me for it.” He said in a low voice that made my insides tremble.

　　Good God, what was Sebastian Dumont doing to me?

　　The blush that had crossed my cheeks earlier had now deepened, and I blamed it on the Autumn chill. He smiles down at me, then lets me go, “7 pm tonight.” he says then gets back into the car. The chauffeur bows his head then they are gone, leaving me with a confused feeling in the pit of my stomach.