Prologue #5
Again, disbelief passed through me. The smug expression on his face made me want to crash my fist into it. I’d never heard a parent speak so lowly of their child before. Xylina sat next to him petting her dog and now on her phone as if she hadn’t heard him downplay her to just being a pretty face.
Silence passed through the office. Everything about this was wrong.
Xylina seemed unbothered by her father’s harsh words which made me think this wasn’t the first time he’d voiced them around her.
The longer I sat in front of Phil, the more my dislike for him grew.
In the end he wouldn’t allow Dad to have his company back.
He seemed like the guy who enjoyed making people uncomfortable and using it against them.
He was power hungry and didn’t care who he had to step on to get what he wanted.
His list of enemies was long and I wouldn’t doubt if it only grew.
Out of the corner of my eye, I watched my dad.
By how he looked, it was clear he was just as unhappy as me.
Thoughts of my mom suddenly appeared in my head.
It was clear she wasn’t aware of everything going on or she would have thrown a fit and Dad would probably be in a hotel.
Mom was one of the sweetest women I’d ever met but she didn’t take any bullshit and didn’t play about her family.
There was no way she would allow all this to happen so quietly.
Seeing there was no other way, I pushed a deep breath out and my shoulders folded forward. I closed my eyes, pushing the regret and resentment already building to the back of my mind.
“I’ll do it,” I answered reluctantly.
That caught Xylina’s attention, bringing her focus back to the conversation. She sat up straighter, causing the dog to pop its head up and look around. “You hear that, Princess, you’re getting a daddy,” she gushed, rubbing the dog’s head while it barked and wagged its tail.
“I thought you would see things my way,” Phil answered, that smug look still on his face.
He grabbed the briefcase on the side of the chair and stood.
Placing the case on my dad’s desk, he popped it open.
“Here’s the contract and prenup I had my lawyer draw up, along with the NDA.
We’ve already signed our parts. I’m sure you want your lawyer to look it over as well, so how about say three weeks?
That’s more than enough time to get everything signed and the wedding out the way. ”
“Three weeks? The wedding?” I blinked while furrowing my brows. “We’re not just going to elope?”
Xylina scoffed. “As if!” she huffed. “Do you know how long I’ve had my wedding planned?
It’s going to be the event of the season.
Good thing the planner has already been on standby with arrangements.
The colors will be pink, lavender, silver, and white.
” She tapped something on her phone then held it out.
“Give me your number and I’ll text you the details.
Your tux should be gray. I’ll send you the planner’s info so you can make sure to get her your guest list and details for the wedding. ”
My eyes dropped to the phone.
“We can wait for the wedding to pass before Xylina moves in with you. That should give you enough time as well to find a suitable place to live.”
“Daddy’s going to purchase us a house as a wedding present.” Xylina beamed.
“Move in? Suitable place to live?” I asked, dumbfounded.
The more this meeting went on, the harder it was to keep my composure.
“I don’t need another grown man buying anything for me,” I expressed. “Also my house is fine and has enough space for—”
“Absolutely not.” Xylina turned her nose up.
“No offense, hubby-to-be, but I’ve seen your house.
It’s cute and modest, but it won’t do. I mean, Princess doesn’t even have a yard to enjoy and you don’t even have a pool to relax in, in the summer.
My closet is probably bigger than your bedroom alone. No, we need more space.”
The faint throbbing in my head began to intensify.
I was trying to stay civil but all that was about to go out the window.
It was one thing to agree to this ridiculous marriage, but being handled like I was beneath the Foxes wasn’t something I was about to let slide.
My dad must have sensed I was losing my cool and was finally about to blow because he spoke up quickly.
“We’ll have my lawyer look over everything and get these back to you. Xylina, leave your number with my secretary and I’ll make sure Yosiah gets you everything you need.”
“Sounds good.” Xylina popped up. “C’mon, Princess, it’s almost time for your spa appointment anyway.” Xylina looked at me. “See you later, hubby-to-be.” She waved and settled her purse on her shoulder. With that, she turned and bounced out the room.
“My daughter is used to a certain lifestyle, as you can tell. If you’re going to become my son-in-law, I expect you to live up to our standards.”
Phil didn’t bother glancing my way again. Closing his briefcase, he turned for the door. “Alonzo, I hope in the future you’ll take this as a lesson learned when it comes to doing business with certain people.”
Silence passed when it was just me and my dad. I was boiling inside. It felt as if I had just signed my life away to the devil.
My dad finally spoke. “Siah.”
I stood. “I need some time to gather myself.” Without bothering to give him another glance, I turned and stalked out the office, yanking the door open and storming out.
Nothing my dad was about to say would fix this bullshit he’d gotten both of us into. Phillip Fox had him by the balls and he knew that. The ball was in his court and there was nothing we could do to fix it.
For now, I had to play by the Foxes’ rules.
Since I didn’t care about this wedding or marriage, I would allow Xylina to have her way with it.
My parents taught me marriage was sacred and something beautiful.
While I only ever wanted one marriage in my life, I knew now that wouldn’t be the case.
For the next five years, Xylina would be my wife on paper to satisfy the terms her father demanded.
By the end of all of this, the two of them would regret ever making this plan in the first place.
Xylina
“Is there anything I can get for you while you’re waiting, Ms. Fox?” the sales associate at the dress shop asked, stepping into the private room.
Never lifting my eyes from my phone, I waved her off. “I told you no the first three times and it’s still no.” I couldn’t hide the annoyance from my voice if I tried.
“Just ring the bell when you’re ready.” Rolling my eyes, I reached over, grabbing the flute and bringing it to my mouth.
Currently I was waiting for my mom to arrive at the bridal shop. I was between three wedding dresses, all Nori Brooks exclusives, and my mom was meeting me to help decide which I should wear. She was where I got my eye for fashion. For my big day I needed to make sure I looked my best.
Glancing at the top of my phone screen, I noted the time.
My mom was supposed to be here over half an hour ago.
I wasn’t a patient person to begin with and my mom knew that.
She always complained that it was an unwanted trait I inherited from my dad.
After this I needed to get ready for my bachelorette party tonight.
There was only a week left until I would become Mrs. Bedford.
Another fifteen minutes passed when a notification appeared on my screen. It was from my mom, and when I checked it, my face fell instantly.
Mother
Honey, something came up and I’m going to have to skip our lunch. I’ll check my schedule so we can reschedule. See you later. Kisses.
My shoulders sank forward, a band tightened around my ribs, and my stomach clenched.
Biting the inside of my jaw, I didn’t even bother to respond.
Instead I clicked out the message, tossed back the rest of my drink, and stood.
Mom not even remembering why we were meeting didn’t shock me.
She often mixed things up, especially if her assistant left her on her own.
Forcing a smile on my face, I shifted my attention to the wedding dresses awaiting me. If anyone knew what I looked best in, it was me. Walking to the button to call for the worker, I waited for her to enter the room.
“I need more wine.” I lifted my flute. “I’m also ready for the try-on.
” No one batted an eye at my age when I requested an alcoholic drink.
It had been like that since I was fifteen with my fake ID.
Of course people knew who I was and that I was lying about my age, but no one would turn me down knowing what my father was capable of.
She blinked a couple times then plastered a smile on her face.
“Of course, Ms. Fox! I’ll get right on that.
” Huffing, I shook my head as she scrambled out the room, shutting the door behind her.
Flicking my hair behind my shoulders, I tossed my phone on the chair and turned to face the wall of mirrors.
Stepping forward, I ran my eyes down the front of my body.
My breasts sat up high in my orange halter top and the low rise, dark denim, skinny jeans hugged my slim frame perfectly.
I might not have been the curviest girl out there, but I knew I was good looking and anyone would be lucky to have me on their arm.
I had modeled over the years and the compliments I’d received were more than fitting.
I pictured Yosiah next to me and how we’d be the best-looking couple the city had seen.
A small smile split my face. I swiped the wetness pooling in the lids of my eyes with the back of my hand and straightened my stance.
Picking out which dress I would wear was something I could do on my own.
Since the prepicked dresses were already high on my list, it shouldn’t be too hard to come to a final decision.