Chapter 23

Just two days until Sebastian and I would be officially married. The papers were already signed and ready to go. We were having a private ceremony on the NYC Town Hall. Santiago insisted he had to be there to witness everything. We were in no position to decline any of his requests at this point. A small get together was quickly arranged by Eva. She insisted and is also someone you couldn't deny.  Marrying Seb wasn't the part I was nervous about. It was dealing with what Santiago had in store for us. After talking to him that night nearly two weeks ago at the hotel, we hadn't heard from him since. Seb told me not to worry, but I could see on his face that Santiago silence wasn't a good sign.  I was at the a wedding dress store with Drake and Diego trying to pick something out to wear.  Yeah I know, not the most ideal company to pick out a wedding dress.  My phone started buzzing and I saw Kayla name flash across the screen. Mentally I was freaking out. I hadn't told her or Debbie about getting married so soon. It wasn't that I didn't want them to know, but— okay yeah it was because I didn't want them to know. They always seemed to have an opinion and it's like if I didn't agree with them I was the crazy one. Getting married so soon is a little wild, but under these circumstances it was totally necessary.  I hesitated before answering, attempting to scramble some words to tell her. "Hey, Kay." I answered too quickly.  "Hey, what are you up to?"  Oh not much, just dress shopping for my wedding on Friday. You? "Grocery shopping," I lied, continuing to look at each dress. I lifted one off the hanger that was adorable. I turned it around to show the boys. They were sitting on the chairs put in the corner, looking bored to death. They looked at me, both shaking their head no. I silently groaned and put it back on the rack. "How about you?"  "Just got back from seeing dad." She answered.  "How's he doing?"  "He's alright I guess. The pneumonia is gone so they can start treatment." She told me. I felt bad for pretending I hadn't already talked to Debbie about everything. Her voice was strained with stress. The guilt of not being with them crept back.  I let out a heavy sigh. "Well that's really good news. When can he start?" I asked, already knowing.  "Sunday," was her curt answer.  "Why are they waiting til then?"  She further explained what Debbie had said to me on the phone the other day. "They're trying, Christy . The nurse told me that he's almost clear of it."  "Well that's good,"  "Not really," She snapped, now sounding angry.  I was taken back by her tone. "I'm just trying to stay positive—"  "Yeah it's really easy to stay positive when you're two thousand miles away." Kayla had never talked to me like this before. I know she was under a lot of stress, but I was helping the best I could.  "Kayla , I'm sorry I can't be here, but I'm the one who got dad treatment." I said.  "Yeah, you're really doing a lot for him. Partying and living amongst the rich and famous. Poor Christiana ," her words were sharp as daggers. I felt each one stab through my heart.  "Kayla—"  "Save it," with that she hung up, leaving me stunned.  Did that actually just happen?  I shake my head, still taken back. I walk over to Drake and Diego to let them know I'm ready to leave. We almost immediately head to the car, Drake holding the door open for me. I bid a quick 'thank you' before stepping in.  "Is everything alright?" Drake glances back at me. We'd been driving for a few minutes before he noticed my unusual silence. Typically we'd all banter back and forth, but I was in no mood for that.  I shrugged. "I don't know." I muttered under my breath. He turned back to face the front, getting the hint I didn't really want to talk.  Once we arrived at the apartment, the door was swung open by Drake and he helped me out of the car before walking closely beside me as we traveled through the paparazzi.  The elevator ride was silent as well. I didn't mean to make anyone feel uncomfortable. I just knew if I started talking about what happened with Kayla I'd most likely burst into tears.  As soon as I stepped out of the elevator Sebastian was standing there with an unhappy expression. "Christiana ," He greeted lowly.  "Yes?" I asked, not in the mood for his moodiness.  "Where were you?" His eyes snapped from me to Drake. I didn't realize how close I was to him until I glanced over my shoulder. We were inches apart and I knew that's what got Seb in this mood. Regardless, I wasn't up to dealing with it.  As if the day couldn't get much worse...  "I had to go to the store." I explained in a dull tone.  "You had to bring him?" He spat. "You're dismissed," he barked.  "Sebastian , stop. I don't know what you're trying to do, but you're pissing me off." I snapped at him, looking over to Drake who gave me a look of uncertainty. I nodded to him, letting him know it was fine if he left.  Drake and Diego both left. The elevator door's closed and Seb stepped towards me. "You can't just go out shopping without—"  "Without you?" I finished for him. "Sorry, maybe I should wear a shock collar just incase?" I sarcastically suggested.  He pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes, releasing a deep sigh. "Don't patronize me, Christy ."  I rolled my eyes. "Maybe you need to be alone." I turned on my heel to walk towards the door.  His heavy foot steps were coming up from behind me and reached over my should to keep the door shut.  I turned around, trying to act unphased by our closeness. He was a breath away at this point. Seb looked down at me with frustration in his eyes. "You're not leaving,"  "I'll do whatever the hell I want, Sebastian ." I tried pushing at his chest, but he wouldn't budge. "Move," I demanded.  "Where would you even go?" He questioned with a huff.  "I don't know, maybe I'll call Drake." I said to get under his skin.  And boy did it.  "He's fired," he pushed himself off of the door frame to pull out his phone.  I quickly snatched it from his hands and tucked it behind my back. "You're being irrational, Seb."  "I'm not the one making empty threats." He glared at me.  I lifted my hands just to drop them. I was beyond frustrated with myself and everything else that seemed to be going wrong today. "I-I need space." I set his phone on the small table against the wall and quickly went in the elevator, shutting the doors before he had a chance to come in.  Once it stopped on the main level, I exited the building through the back entrance to avoid any run-ins with the press. It was a colder summer day today. It had been sprinkling rain pretty consistently. It probably made my hair look like a lion's mane, but I didn't care. I continued walking down the busy streets of New York City.  Walking always helped me calm down. I did this back in Arizona also, but I'd always have to wait until night since it'd be too hot during the day. The rain today actually was more bearable than the typical humidity New York summer's brought.  Once the rain let up a bit, I found a spot at a random park and sat, I don't know how long. I didn't have my phone or anything with me. I watched different types of people pass by. Some with children, some with animals, some alone, some even on dates. I must've looked beyond creepy, but I really couldn't help it. On the outside most of the people looked happy, or at least content. It had me wondering how many people put on a fake smile just to make it through. That had become my life, faking it.  It reminded me of the fact that I'd be getting married in two days and I in fact had cold feet. As a little girl I dreamed of my wedding day, like most did. I wanted to fall in love with my soul mate and live happily ever after. Marriage to me now wasn't that at all. I cared for Seb, sure. And sometimes the feelings I felt for him scared me a bit. After we took Santiago down, that'd be it. He wouldn't need me anymore and it'd just be another day done for him. I'd go home a divorced woman with only memories of the life I lived here in New York. At least it'd be one hell of a story to tell.  The sun was setting and the rain began to fall a little harder once again. I got off my bench and began my walk home. I didn't realize how far I was until I was heading back. It amazed me that even when it was getting late, the streets were still filled with the same amount of people and the lights from the streets made it nearly just as bright as the sun.  I arrived back at the building, letting a breath of relief past my lips. There were no camera men outside so I was able to slip inside with no problem.  Good to know the paparazzi don't come out in the rain.  I took the elevator up and several eyes met me as the doors opened up. "Uh, hey." I said awkwardly, stepping into the living room.  "Mr. Knight, she's here." Bobby, Seb’s private guard called out.  Seconds later Seb appeared from the hallway, stopping dead in his tracks when he saw me. I expected him to be angry, but got the opposite. His face softened and he quickly walked over to me, wrapping his arms tightly around me. "Thank God, you're alright." He breathed out. "Where the hell were you?" He pulled back to ask. His eyes were examining my face.  "Why are they all here?" I asked, looking past him. Drake, Bobby, Diego, and a couple others were all standing.  He turned back to them, nodding his head. One by one they all walked into the elevator. Seb turned back to me, his hands running lightly up and down my arms. "You didn't have your phone. You were gone for hours." His voice was full of worry.  I sighed, not realizing I had put him through so much stress. "I'm sorry, I just needed to clear my head."  "I understand that, but there are people who could hurt you. I don't know what I'd do if..." his voice trailed off and jaw tensed at his own words.  I took his hand off my arm to hold it in my own. "Hey, I'm here and I'm okay."  He let go of my hand to wrap his arms around my waist. "When I couldn't find you I could only imagine the worst." He admitted.  I hugged him to me even more, trying to put his thoughts at ease. "Believe it or not, but I'm actually pretty capable of going on a walk without dying." I joked, pulling away slightly to look at him with a smile.  He looked down at me and swiftly tucked a hair behind my ear. "Christy , I... care about you. If you need space, I get that, but please take Diego or someone with you." I wanted to roll my eyes that he specifically said Diego instead of Drake. Nothing would ever go on between me and Drake and I wasn't being so stubborn because I wanted anything to happen. I just wanted Sebastian to trust me completely.  I nodded. "Okay," I could admit that it was reckless not bringing someone with me. Anything could have happened and if it did I'd be screwed.