章節 6: So much for being a prude!
"It's official, you've finally lost it." Karen says, no longer choking.
"I know it sounds crazy but hear me out, if you pretend to be me, all the unwanted attention would shift from me to you, that way I'd have less eyes watching and be able to dig up dirt on the Kellingtons, threaten our way out of the contract, and be on the next plane to France." Crystal finishes, satisfied with herself.
"Like I said, you've gone totally bonkers!" Karen tells her.
"My father doesn't lose all of his money, I'm freed from this arranged marriage and finally be in the country leading the fashion industry, you get the chance to order me around all you want for an entire month, it's a win for everyone." She says in a singsong voice.
"Can't you see that there are so many things wrong with your plan? Your parents are also flying in for your engagement today, don't you think they'll notice that, I don't know, I'm the one getting engaged!" She asks rhetorically.
"What if I ask them not to come, tha_" Crystal starts to say but is interrupted by Karen.
"I know you're panicking, I would to if I were to be in your situation, but this is not the way out Crystal. You just have to keep to your word and actually try. It's one month after all, it will pass before you know it." She assures her, patting her back in a comforting manner.
"You're right, it was a stupid idea. I guess I just panicked, it's just a month, It will be a piece of cake." Crystal says more to herself than to Karen.
"That's the spirit! Now let's cheers to your last day as a single woman!" Karen says cheerfully, ignoring Crystal's signature glare.
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Crystal drives side by side with Karen, at least twenty bodyguards and four maids towards the Kellington's mansion. If she didn't know any better, she'd think she was about to be kidnapped because of the large number of convoys escorting her. Everything about these people already seemed extra to her.
The house was very extra, if it were somebody else, they would have called it magnificent.
The gates were tall and made of wrought iron, with intricate designs that looked like they had been crafted by a skilled artisan. Beyond the gates, she could see the expansive garden, with perfectly manicured lawns and rows of colorful flowers.
A grand fountain stood in the center of the garden, its water spouting high into the air and cascading down into a pool below. As she made her way up the winding driveway, she caught glimpses of the mansion itself - a sprawling, white-washed building with ornate balconies and towering pillars.
The windows were large and sparkling, reflecting the sunlight in a dazzling display. It was clear that no expense had been spared in creating this estate, Crystal felt a sense of panick wash over her as she took a step inside.
She didn't know what to expect, both families hated each other naturally so it wouldn't be a surprise if everyone she meets was hostile towards her.
She had been told by her father that Eunice, her soon to be mother-in-law was to receive her before the rest of the Kellingtons, which would just be Richard and Orion as Henry and Chelsea, Orion's siblings were not presently in the country.
Both she and Karen are directed to an enormous living room, where they were to wait for Eunice to come greet them. While she waited, she scanned the room and noticed a family picture hung on the wall. She noticed a picture of a boy and a girl and could tell immediately by how young they looked, that they were Henry and Chelsea Kellington.
A low gasp escapes her mouth when she lays eyes on the picture of her supposed betrothed.
His black hair was tousled and fell in soft waves around his face, while his honey brown eyes sparkled with an intensity that seemed to draw her in. Long, thick lashes framed those captivating eyes, making them even more alluring.
His face was chiseled and angular, with high cheekbones and a strong jawline that gave him an air of confidence and power. His body was lean and toned, with broad shoulders and a defined chest that hinted at a life of physical activity, he was stunning!
Crystal is brought out of her thinking by Karen whistling in a suggestive manner at the picture of Orion, also very impressed by him.
"Still think it's going to be a piece of cake?" Karen says to Crystal who had now recovered.
Just as she was about to give a smart response, she hears the clicking of heels and shifts her direction to its source, Eunice Kellington.
Crystal could see from where Orion got his looks. Eunice, also had silky black hair cascading down her shoulders in an elegant manner, her eyes were also brown like his and she had a bright smile plastered on her face.
"You have no idea how excited I am to see you my dear." Eunice surprised Crystal by pulling her in for a hug. She also impressed her with her ability to recognize her without having seen her face before.
"Hello Mrs.Kellington." Crystal greets awkwardly, not knowing how to react to the warm reception she had just received, she was expecting one of those cliché ill-tempered, mother-in-law situation.
"Don't be silly, call me Eunice." She says cheerfully. Karen also greets her, she acknowledges her with a side smile, keeping her attention fixed on Crystal.
"I apologize for not being here earlier, your father called requesting that we switched your wedding to an engagement so it kept me busy all day." She explains to Crystal, who really didn't care about her been late or not.
"I'm sorry for causing you trouble, I wanted to be more involved in the planning of the wedding. I'm only getting married once, right?" Crystal lies swiftly to cover up the actual reason it had to be switched.
"It's amazing how you're taking everything so well, I heard you were informed about it only today. Then again by the expression you had on while looking at Orion's picture, I won't be surprised if you wanted to get married right now." Eunice teases.
Crystal wished the ground could swallow her there and then, she had no idea she was being watched. She hated herself for letting her guard down so easily.
"There's nothing to be embarrassed about sweetheart, he's going to be your husband after all." Eunice adds when she notices the sour expression Crystal now wore.
"The engagement ceremony will start in a few hours and there's still a lot to do. One of the staff will show you to your room where you can freshen up and start getting ready, there's isn't much time." Eunice says In finality.
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While Eunice focused on getting everything ready for the party, Karen was shown to her own room where she began unpacking all the things Crystal would need for her engagement, as she was her maid after all. Crystal, herself, had just arrived at a room, a kind maid had said was hers.
She pushes the door open with no care in the world and immediately stops dead on her track, Orion Kellington, the man she was originally meant to wed today, the same man she was about to be engaged to in less than four hours, was a few feet away from her, passionately kissing a blonde girl whose face Crystal couldn't make out from where she was standing.
"So much for being a prude." Crystal whispers under her breath, still in shock.
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