Chapter Three

Luckily the media ate up the fake engagement and the blogs were terming them 'a match made in heaven’ , ‘ power couple ’, and the anticipation for their grand wedding was heavy in the air.

With the wedding being just hours away, Cara started to feel more anxious than ever. She sat in her luxury presidential suite at one of Xander's hotels, thinking to herself. What the hell was I thinking accepting to this arrangement, since the engagement dinner Xander hasn't even said a word to me even after I told him I intend to file for a divorce.

‘ He just confirms that all arrangements are in place from our planner and my parents. I fear he wants to leave me at the altar to embarrass me ? No he wouldn't do that to my family. Or could he not even care about me ?I'm just a means to an end for him. He surely has other better looking women throwing themselves at him and couldn't care less about what I think or feel ’

Tears filled her blue eyes staining her thick lashes, she felt she was sixteen once more obsessing over why he couldn't see her as a woman.

She heard a knock on the door and quickly wiped her tears, hoping her face wasn't puffy. That must be her best friend Tracy and her bridesmaids or the planner, she thought to herself.

“ Coming ”, she tried to make her voice sound light and cheerful.

She opened the door with the brightest smile she could muster.

“ Hi bitch ”

Her smile died immediately, it was Amanda, her cousin, who stood at the door.

“Won't you let me in dearest cousin, ” she said with a mocking tone.

Cara tried to calm her boiling temper, “ what the hell are you doing here ? ”

“ Easy girl, you're my family and of course you are getting married to my ex-boyfriend ” she emphasized the ex-boyfriend .

“ You stole him from me first and I told you from the start how I felt about him . I can never forgive your betrayal, especially how you mocked me and flaunted him in my face”

“ Yes I did do all that but what did you think? That a man would ever pick you over me ? You had it come stupid ” Amanda rolled her eyes.

“ Get out Amanda, you're a snake and can never change, you only shed your skin . I shared all I had with you including my parents but I never knew you hated me all the while. Till it became crystal clear, get out of my face before I call security”.

“ You're just pissed I had him, felt his sweet touch first, I know exactly what he can do to a woman and I can't imagine how much more he has improved”

Cara’s eyes burned hot with rage she took a step forward, Amanda took a step back and laughed mockingly, happy she had driven her to the edge.

“ You don't want to fight me , you don't need a broken nail, you're a bride remember? And just think of how much the blogs would eat this up ?”

“ You may have had him first but guess what he dumped your pathetic self and even you !weren't enough for him he had to move on to other women and you'll never be enough for any sane man ”

Amanda's green eyes glinted, Cara smirked “ I struck a barb right?”

“ Maybe I'll never be enough like you said but at least my Daddy didn't have to get me a husband and force me down his throat” she laughed darkly as she turned to walk away. Then turned once more, smiling darkly, looking Cara in the eye .

“ I had him before and I will again, hold your husband this time or I'll have a taste of him again and again till I've had my fill , by the way you know he is only marrying you for the money and convenience”

Cara banged the door in her face. She leaned against the door frame , holding back tears trying to calm herself down .

She heard a knock, oh she's back for more right.

She opened the door aggressively, blinded by rage

“ I thought I warned you to stay the hell away from me ” she screamed .

“Are you crazy woman ?”

Tracy's amused eyes stared at her but they quickly changed to a look of concern . She walked towards her and hugged her .

“ Hey are you okay , what's going on ”

She led her in and shut the door .

Her tear choked voice spoke up “ Amanda was here ”

“ What was that bitch doing here ”

“ She said some stuff , really rattled me up honestly ”

“ You know she's just jealous, she just wants your life ”

“ I know but more than ever I feel like I'm making the wrong decision ”

“ I don't think you are babes, but I understand your fear but even if you are what can you do ”

“ I'm going to run away, Tracy ”

Tracy stared at Cara like she was drunk, “ you're out of your mind ? What about your parents ? And there's a ton of security outside ”

“ I can't live my life on their terms ”

“ I don't like the sound of this but I know there's no stopping you and I don't want you to hold this over for till were eighty years old women in retirement homes ”

Cara stood up excitedly and pecked her cheeks, “Thanks, you're the best Tracy. Now quickly switch clothes and shoes with me ”

Cara thought of booking a flight but that may be predictable and she could be caught easily, she decided to take a train to Chicago it would be hard for them to trace her. She made sure she carried no personal item that they could use to track her .

She hailed a taxi to the train station , just before the turn to the station two sleek black cars drove up behind and in front of her and parked.

The cab driver parked and got down . Cara got out of the car seat and screamed at the driver.

“ Can't you manoeuvre your way out of this? I have a train to catch ” she was desperate at this point.

The car in front swung open and Xander Granger stepped down looking like he came out of a GQ front page magazine. He walked towards her, Cara tried to run away but the driver blocked her path, she stared at him in confusion.

“ You underestimate me Cara ” said Xander darkly . He leaned his head down behind her and was so close to Cara she could feel his hot breath, she shuddered slightly repulsed.

Cara turned to face him “ how did you find me ?” her blue eyes went hot .

“ Of course I have people watching your every move , I knew when you left the hotel before then I anticipated you trying to runaway every cab man around the hotel works for me. ” he smirked“ and there's a tracker in your ring darling”

Cara felt so angry with herself ‘ how did I forget to take off this damn ring ”

Suddenly he pulled her close, their lips almost touching , her heart was fluttering so hard she was sure he could feel it .

“ I won't kiss you now”.

Cara couldn't find her voice to respond .He let her go and spoke to the men from car behind hers “ get her to the hotel and don't take your eyes off her ”

Cara felt embarrassed by his intimate actions especially by her reaction she wondered to herself I hate this man, or am I just fooling myself?

“ Yes sir ”

She let herself be led by the men and back to the hotel .On getting to her presidential suite, she narrated what had happened to Tracy.

“ Can't lie girl it sounds kind of hot ” Cara rolled her eyes.“ I'm scared honestly, I hate him, but he pulls me like a magnet ”

“ You'll be fine I promise for now get some sleep , tomorrow is your wedding girl and yea the stylist stopped by and said she'd be here with her team by 4:am sharp ”

“ Yeah we should sleep ”

They climbed the king-sized bed and Tracy fell asleep instantly. But Cara couldn't, she pondered about what the future held for her as Xander's wife.