Page 62 of Adoration: Isn't What It Seems (Love Isn't What It Seems 2)

“Airplane?” I felt like I kept asking dumb questions, but I was so confused. “Where are we flying to?”

Before he could answer, his office door opened and we both looked to see who would come in without bothering to knock. Brandon’s blonde head peeked in.

“Livy,” he started in a small voice. “I have to go to the bathroom. You were taking so long.” Then as if he remembered his manners, he added quickly. “Hello, Mr. Alexander.”

“Hello again, Brandon.”

“I’m so sorry,” I got up and walked quickly to him. “I’ll take you.”

Glancing back at Alexander, I added. “I guess I’ll go home then and figure out something for Saturday.”

He nodded in agreement. “I might need some information on you for our marriage license. So keep your phone close.”

I shook my head in disbelief. I couldn’t believe I was doing this.

This was crazy, wasn’t it?

I took Brandon to use the bathroom. Right after we left the building, I dialed up Layla and told her what was going on. She was shocked; it was actually the first time since I had known Layla that she had nothing to comment.

“Tell me I’m crazy and shouldn’t do this,” I muttered into the phone.

“It sounds crazy, but maybe that’s why it makes sense to do it.” Her reply didn’t make any sense. “You already agreed. So stop second guessing yourself and let’s focus on getting it all together for this Saturday.”

Leave it to Layla to make sense out of something that didn’t make any sense at all. As soon as we got home, there were several text messages from Alexander waiting for me, inquiring about my clothing size, date of birth, and other nonsense for this charade.

My preparations for the wedding over the next two days consisted of Layla forcing me to be pampered by having a spa day, having my hair and nails done, and insisting on getting a wax job done although I tried to explain to her that this was just a business arrangement. Finally, I gave up and did whatever she thought we should do.

I just prayed all this wouldn’t backfire. Mom always said it was all fun and games till someone got hurt. The question was who was going to get hurt?

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Liberty

Shit, how in the hell did all this happen so fast?

Just last Tuesday, Brandon came to my office teary eyed, and four days later, I was getting married. Apparently, as soon as I sent off my acceptance of Alexander Caldwell’s business proposition, he put all plans in motion. When he told me we’d get married on Saturday, I laughed. I didn’t think it was possible to get it all together that fast. I had absolutely no event organization skills, no interest in gaining them, and didn’t even know what had to be done. Fortunately, or maybe unfortunately, Alexander had amazing organization skills and staff that made it all happen.

I still wasn’t sure how he managed to make it happen.

He flew Brandon, me, and Layla on his private jet from London to Scotland yesterday. Maxim came with us, and I had a feeling it was more to ensure I didn’t chicken out. Every time I felt like putting a stop to the madness, I looked at Brandon and my resolve came back.

He said it would be a small wedding, but I realized his definition of small wedding and mine were obviously not the same. I stood here, staring at my reflection in the mirror, dressed in a white wedding dress. Three years ago, I stared at my reflection in the mirror, thinking I was getting married to the love of my life. Today, I was hoping I wasn’t making the biggest mistake of my life.

My dark hair was professionally put in a bun to support the diamond crown that Alexander requested I wear. The make up was done professionally, and thankfully the woman thought less was more. She accented my hazel eyes, high cheekbones, and lips. The white dress was exquisite, beautiful, simple, and expensive. The top part was all made out of lace and it flowed down my body, hugging every curve, with the bottom part falling straight to the floor with a small flare and a long train behind me. The veil with the diamond elegant crown finished the whole look just perfectly.

In my hands, I held a bouquet of dark pink, white, and deep red peonies. How these peonies haunted me at every event! The fragrance was a mixture of sweet, rosy and citrusy, giving it a slightly different smell than I remembered from Mom. I regretted not taking any interest in the details of this wedding. Any other flower would have been better than the peonies, no matter how beautiful it looked.

I glanced at my reflection again and felt like I was staring at a stranger. Nothing in this whole event had any semblance of me.

“Are you ready?” Layla’s voice startled me. I turned around and we watched each other.

No, I wasn’t ready, but I couldn’t very well say that. This was not what I imagined for myself. I never imagined I would be getting married without my mother and Lena by my side. Or as a business arrangement. This place was full of strangers I didn’t know. I could name people I knew and cared for on one hand.

“Liberty.” Her voice was soft. “You can do this. Arrangement or no arrangement, I have a better feeling about this than I did about you and Callen. But if you want to stop it, I’ll support you.”

Next week was the court date, and Alexander had been pulling strings from all ends. No, we couldn’t stop this, but I remained quiet. Callen no longer mattered, all that was in the past.

“Yes,” My voice sounded strange. “I’m ready.”

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