Chapter 83
Alaia
“I was with my fiancée,” Cedric said. In an incredibly quick movement, he slipped a ring onto my finger and placed his hand firmly on my waist. “Isn’t that right, my love p>
We reached them, and I saw Freja absolutely beaming, just like the rest of his family. Bart–something looked like he was about to explode with anger. He wasn’t with his wife anymore; now he was accompanied by another man, who whispered something to him.
“I was proposing to her in the beautiful garden,” Cedric said confidently, turning to smile at me. “She said yes p>
I stared at him in disbelief. Bart looked at me intently.
“That’s right,” I said, my tone almost questioning. Fortunately, he didn’t know me well enough to detect the doubt on my face.
“Oh, how wonderful! It’s finally happening!” Thea clapped her hands against her chest. I shot Cedric a murderous glare. It was clear from this alone that he had gotten himself into serious trouble.
“When will the wedding be?” Thea asked with a mischievous smile.
“In six months?” Cedric looked at me for confirmation, but I said nothing.
“Marvelous,” Bart commented as a man in a suit whispered something into his ear.
“If you’ll excuse us, my fiancé and I need to have a private conversation,” I said through gritted teeth, placing a hand on Cedric’s chest. Bart’s eyes were fixed on my ring–now that I looked at it closely, I realized it belonged to Thea. Cedric had clearly lost his mind.
I dragged Cedric down the hallways of the house, searching for somewhere private, but it was my friend who eventually led us to a room. The bed was unmade. I walked toward one of the balconies, looking in every direction to make sure no one was nearby.
“You’re going to tell me what’s going on right now,” I said, pointing at him, breathing heavily. ” You just lied to your family and to that asshole.” I referred to Bart.
“Aly,” Cedric grabbed my hands to stop them from flailing.
“Could it be that I… may have just slept with his wife?” he asked, pulling a complicated expression. My eyes widened in shock.
“You *what*?! You idiot!” I slapped his chest.
“She’s the one who suggested it! Tell me, who am I to say no?” He shrugged. I couldn’t believe the level of arrogance.
“This isn’t the first time you’ve done this, is it?!” I demanded, full of indignation.
“I’ll put it this way: this was our fourth encounter,” he said, holding up four fingers like it was no big deal.
“What the hell are you thinking? No, no, you’re not thinking–your dick is doing all the thinking for you!” I continued my scolding.
“Aly, that arrogant bastard was practically begging for it. And so was she.” He raised an eyebrow and gave a flirtatious grin, which I vehemently shook my head at.
“How did I not see this coming?” I scolded myself. Of course, this idiot was plotting something, but I hadn’t seen it. He hadn’t given me any reason to suspect anything in months.
“And what about the whole wedding story?” I showed him the ring.
“We’ll give the ring back to my grandmother. We’ll fix everything. There won’t be a wedding. I just made it up to make them believe I was with you. I needed to distract them p>
“While you were screwing his wife? My God, Cedric, you’re not a teenager anymore p>
“That man sleeps with every woman he can find. Relax, I’ll fix it.” He grabbed my shoulders and shook me lightly.
“Keep your damn dick in your pants and stop sleeping with that married woman,” I warned before storming out of the room.
“I promise,” he said, raising his hands, laughing shamelessly.
What an idiot.
“There they are,” Freja said, smiling as Bart joined them. His wife was back, and she didn’t seem like she had just rolled around with Cedric.
“It’s time to discuss our partnership,” Bart said, squeezing his wife’s arm as he pressed it against his own. I squinted at her as she gave Cedric a hungry look.
“Go ahead,” Cedric’s grandfather, Van Holt, said, raising his glass to Bart.
“As we’ve discussed in previous meetings, your company is developing equipment that will revolutionize the medical industry. Biomed is working on something similar. We also aim to ensure a cure for the diseases causing the highest number of deaths worldwide. I had the opportunity to see the studies–or at least what I was allowed to see–and they’re impressive, almost like ours,” Bart commented, while Cedric rolled his eyes.
“Our alliance would mean that both companies could bring these machines to market much sooner than projected, both for your company and ours. Additionally, we’d be able to provide more effective equipment for patients, not to mention the benefit we plan to offer for low–income countries,” he said, addressing Van Holt the entire time.
“I agree,” Cedric’s grandfather nodded, turning to his family. “I don’t think there’s anything more to discuss. We can close the deal, Bart.” He extended his hand, and they shook on it.
“Perfect,” the Biomed owner said. “We can sign the first part of the contract p>
They nodded, and Cedric’s grandfather asked a young man to bring the documents. They sat at one of the tables in the room and began signing, while the rest of us were just there as witnesses.
“All set. The contract outlines the details of how we’ll proceed,” Bart said, standing up and taking his wife’s hand. “There’s one more thing.” He kissed her hand and looked at us. “For
Biomed, it’s important that families possess the virtues needed to inspire trust and represent the values of our company.” He kept his gaze fixed on Cedric and me.
“Therefore, it’s essential that the heir to Sinedine rise to the occasion. We want to witness that wedding p>
I internally gasped and pinched Cedric’s arm.
“shit,” Cedric muttered under his breath.
“The second part of the contract will be signed in six months, after your wedding,” Bart continued, pointing at us. “I assume there are no objections p>
“Of course not,” Van Holt said, “you’ll be in the front row at the wedding.” He reassured him while I pinched Cedric harder. Bart and his wife said their goodbyes and left.
“Grandparents-” I began, wanting to clarify everything immediately.
“If you’ll excuse us for a moment,” Cedric interrupted, leading me out into the garden, looking around nervously.
“I am *not* marrying you,” I said, punching his arm once we were alone.
“Aly, damn it, we *have* to get married p>
“What p>
“That bastard just wants to screw me over p>
“I don’t blame him–you slept with his wife!” I scolded, and Cedric laughed.
“Don’t laugh. This is serious p>
“I know, I know,” he said, trying to suppress his laughter.
“Aly,” he took my hands in his, “Bart made my grandfather sign the contract, and now we’re tied to it. There’s a clause worth millions. If he backs out, we’ll lose everything we’ve invested so far. He’s made sure we’re cornered. Think about it–we’ll save countless lives. This will revolutionize medicine. You’ll be a part of it. Plus, we’ve committed to providing equipment to underprivileged countries, helping cure sick children–something that won’t happen if we don’t get married p>
“You let your dick get between those kids and their wellbeing?” I asked, furious. “I really feel sorry for your parents p>
“Aly, please marry me. We’ll sign the second contract, and then our marriage will end. No one will get hurt. Think about those children and the families who lose loved ones every day,” he said, completely shameless. I glared at him.
“You’re such an asshole,” I muttered, placing my hands on my hips.
“Please, I’ll owe you for the rest of my life,” he pleaded with puppy–dog eyes. Damn it, if he weren’t such a good friend, I would’ve thrown him to the wolves.
“What about your parents?” I asked, considering his proposal for the sake of those people
Cedric hadn’t thought about.
“They can’t know. My grandfather could disinherit me if he finds out. It’ll just be between you and me.” He stroked my hands, and I pulled away to rub my face in frustration.
It was unbelievable that the fate of all those people rested in Cedric’s hands.
“Fine, but we’re getting divorced as soon as the second contract is signed. And don’t drag my children into this.” I jabbed his chest.
“I promise,” he said, raising one hand and pulling me into a hug.