Chapter 9

The next couple weeks were crazy. The press got ahold of the story that we were engaged and ran with it. Sebastian and I were plastered on every news stand in the city. I didn't know how to handle this kind of attention. All I knew is that I didn't want it. I had to explain the entire situation to Debbie which was far from easy. Since my father is currently staying in the hospital for treatment it's been easy to hide it from him. I hadn't gotten to speak to him since I left, but today Debbie said he would call me. She had said he was doing much better, but something in her voice told me she wasn't telling me everything. Kayla had informed me after my suspicions that the treatment has a 20% chance of actually weakening my father even more. I guess faith in God would be the only thing we could cling to right now.  Fourth of July was next Sunday and I was sad not being able to spend it at home. We'd always throw parties at my house where my family and friends would all come. It was my favorite holiday actually. Dad would be barbecue, Debbie would host, Uncle Leo would be drunk. It was a blast, there wouldn't be a person not having a good time.  Whenever I got a free moment with Sebastian I was going to ask him. We were currently on our way to another brunch, but this time... with his parents. I can't believe the man was actually lying to his family too! I asked him if he felt bad about it this morning before we left and he simply answered that he wasn't. I tried to talk to him more about it, but just his luck, I was interrupted by another one of his business calls.  I twirled my thumbs around the other and looked out the window. My nerves were getting the best of my.  "Christy, don't be worried." I looked over to him. He always knew what I was feeling. It was almost irritating not being able to hide my emotions from him.  "I feel terrible for lying." I admitted.  He sighed. "You're not lying, we're really getting married."  "For a year, Seb.We'll plan some elaborate wedding and then what? Divorce?" I questioned. "It's just a lot," I whispered out the last part. I knew by the end of this things wouldn't be the same. How could they? I'm a person of interest in New York now that I'm engaged to Sebastian Knight.  He smirked, not making me feel any less bad. "We don't have to get a divorce." What?  I rolled my eyes. "Please, you'll be begging for a divorce by the end of all this." I concerted.  "Don't hold your breath," he muttered under his breath, looking out his window.  I furrowed my eyebrows, not knowing how to respond. This man was so confusing 87% of the time I was around him.  We got out of the SUV, immediately surrounded by flashing camera. How did they knew we'd be here?  Seb’s arm went around my waist, leading me into the restaurant. As we entered he turned back to his bodyguard, Bobby. "Who the fuck tipped off the press?" He nearly growled at him. I'd never seen Seb this pissed.  He's so hot.  Oh my god, Christy, stop.  "I'll find out immediately, sir." Bobby said, now calling someone. Sebastian turned towards me, his hand still on my waist. "Christy,I'm sorry, I didn't know they'd be here." He sounded truly sorry, he couldn't even look me.  "Hey," I said, taking one of his hands and give a reassuring squeeze. He looked at me now, gazing down at me with his piercing eyes. "it's fine, I'm fine, we're all good." I told him.  He nodded, removing the hand off my waist, still holding my hand, and leading me into the dining area. "Don't be nervous," he whispered to me as we approached the table. An older looking couple sat at the round clothed table, I'm assuming his parents. Seb resembled both of them, but was nearly a clone of his father. "Mom, dad," He greeted them and they stood to give each him a hug. Sebastian’s Mother was a small petit woman with brown straight hair cut to her shoulders. She was the classiest looking woman I've ever seen. Sebastian’s father was just as tall as he was with the same facial features, but it was clear Seb had his mother's eyes.  "Mon fils, comment allez-vous?" His father started speaking what I assumed was French. I had take one French class in high school and failed miserably.  I looked between the two of them as they continued talking in French and laughing at some inside joke.  "This is, Christiana ." He introduced me as we all sat down.  "Christiana , beautiful name for a beautiful girl." His father said in his thick French accent, he was just as charming as Seb. "I'm Domino, this is my wife, Eva." He said, looking at her lovingly.  They really were a perfect couple.  "Nice to meet you, Christiana ." Eva said with a warm smile.  I nodded and smiled back. "You too, Seb speaks so fondly of you both." I told them, earning a smile from the man himself.  We all ordered and continued talking. I even heard a couple of stories from Seb’s past. He was apparently a riot and always on his feet as a child, getting into things he shouldn't be. Nothing's changed apparently.  "Oh my goodness, you didn't give me a moment to breath before you were into something else." Eva huffed.  Sebastian chuckled and shook his head. "So sorry, Mom."  She smiled and shrugged. "Don't say sorry to me. Say sorry to this poor woman who will have children just like you."  I nearly choked on my water at her words, coughing. Sebastian patted my back. "S-sorry," I croaked out. The thought of have children was enough to make me have a panic attack.  "Are you alright?" Seb asked, but his tone gave away that he found my reaction hilarious.  I could see his smirk for the corner of my eye. I just nodded and took another sip of the water I nearly spat out everywhere.  "So when will you be having children?" She asked innocently, but just like her son, she knew exactly what she was doing.  This woman is trying to make me choke to death.  Shortly after we had finished our food we said our goodbye and were on our way back to his home.  "They loved you," Sebastian said.  I looked over to see him smiling. "They're lovely," I said.  "We don't have to go back home. Let's do something," He offered.  "Like what?"  "Anything," He said with a shrug.  "Can we go change? I don't really want to wear heels and this dress all day." I said, tempted to take my shoes off now.  He nodded and took me by surprise when he grabbed onto my hand and kissed the top of it. "Of course," his smirk returned.  I rolled my eyes, but couldn't help the small smile that graced my face.  We entered the pent house and I went upstairs to change. I put on a pair of khaki shorts that hit around mid thigh and a cotton, olive green, v-neck. Finally I slipped on my black strappy sandals. I was dressed casually for the first time in what felt like forever.  I went downstairs and was surprised to see him dressed in a pair of jeans and black cotton shirt. "Sebastian Knight not wearing a suit? The world must be ending." I teased.  He smiled at me. "I'm a man of many surprises, Christy ."  I nodded. "Can't deny that, where are we going?"  "Let's go to Central Park. It's not far from here."  I nodded and followed him to the elevator. "Is Bobby coming?" I asked.  He nodded. "Yes, he and Drake." His voice fell a bit at Drake’s name.  The elevator dinged as we passed each floor, but then my worst nightmare happened.  We stopped.  But the door didn't open.  And the power went out.  Shit.  "What the hell?" I said. It was pitch black and I nearly screamed when I felt Seb’s hand touch mine.  "It's just me," he laughed.  The emergency dim lights kicked on and I could see the shadows of his strong features.  "What happened?" I asked, moving forward to click the emergency button on the panel.  He pulled out his phone. "I'm not sure." He began dialing a number and was talking to someone on the phone. Not long after he hung up with a groan. "They're doing construction down the street and knocked the power out for this block." He said, annoyed.  "This is New York! They can't just fix it?" I questioned, feeling very claustrophobic  at the moment.  "Christy , calm down, we'll be out shortly."  "Don't tell me to calm down, Knight." I snapped, crossing my arms.  He bit his lower lip, obviously trying not to smile. "It's going to be okay."  I took a deep breath and sank down on the ground. "Sorry," I murmured.  "Whats that? An apology?" He teased me.  I looked up to glare at him. "Shut it,"  He chuckled and sunk down next to me on the floor of the elevator. "You know... I know a few ways to make the time pass faster." He smirked.  "I will end you, Sebastian ."  He leaned his head back on the metal wall, laughing.  Being this close to him made me not think clearly. All I could think about was him.  "Wanna play a game?" He asked.  I shrugged. "What game?"  "Hmm," he tapped his chin and pursed his lips slightly. "20 questions?"  "Very cliche," I said, laughing. "but fine. Do you have any siblings?" I asked. I meant to actually ask him earlier when we went to brunch.  He nodded. "A brother, 24. He lives in Chicago. When was your last boyfriend?" Of course he'd ask this.  "Three years ago." I dated a guy name Chris through out high school. We broke up shortly after he went away to college. It wasn't a bad break up, we just wanted different things in life. He was my first everything and I was glad he wasn't some terrible guy. Even to this day we occasionally speak. "How many bribed wives have you had?" I asked as a joke.  He laughed. "Just you, my dear." He said and patted my knee. "Do you hate me?" He asked, completely changing the easy going atmosphere.  His question took me off guard and he looked uncomfortable after a few moments of me not saying anything. "Christy , you don't have to answer-"  "I don't hate you," I told him. He had a small smile on his face. "I'd rather spend time with you than Olivia ." I told him truthfully.  He grabbed my hand and intertwined our fingers. "Can I kiss you?" He asked, looking straight at me with those eyes. His gaze was heated as he looked between my lips and eyes. He scanned for an answer as he slowly began leaning in.  "It's not your turn," I said with a smile, stopping him.  He laughed and shook his head. "Well go on so I can ask you again."  Butterflies in my stomach like crazy.  "When was your last relationship?" I asked him.  "I've never been in one."  My eyes went wide. "Never?" He had to be lying.  He shook his head. "I'm not going to lie, I've been with a few woman, but never more than sex."  I nodded, accepting the answer I guess I already knew. He was a casual sex kind of guy. I could never do that.  "Do I need to repeat my question?" He asked with a smirk.  "Seb-" before I had a chance to respond the elevator lights kicked and the doors opened up, revealing a few staff members of the building.  "Mr. Knight, our sincere apologizes." A man said.  Sebastian stood and lent out a hand for me to grab. I did so, standing up and adjusting the shorts.  "It's alright," He said to the manager. "Central Park?" He turned to ask me.  I nodded and he grabbed my hand, pulling me out onto the street. Luckily there weren't any photographers there today so we got out in a breeze.  We walked over to the large park. It was beautiful and today was the least humid it's been since I came to New York. We walked along the path, under the many bridges that laid over us. The architecture of each one was unique and beautiful.  He continued holding my hand and I let him. Even though in the back of my hand I questioned my own sanity. Something about this moment with him felt real, like we weren't faking everything.  "Seb-"  "Christy -"  We both started at the same time.  "Go on," he gestured for me.  "When are we getting fake married?" I asked him.  He shifted uncomfortably for a moment, not looking at me. "It'll be a real marriage, Christiana ." He reminded.  I rolled my eyes. "You know what I mean."  "I'd probably say three months."  "That's it?"  "We could elope," He said, now smirking down at me.  I nudged my hip into his. "Not funny,"  He laughed lightly. "Never a dull moment with you," He said almost to himself.  "Same to you, dude."  He stopped walking a looked at me. "Dude? Did you just call me dude?" Humor clearly in his voice.  I laughed and nodded. "I think I did,"  He threw an arm over my shoulder and continued walking again. "Did you just friend zone your husband?"  "Shut up, Seb."  I can't believe I was going to be spending the next year with this man...