"I am sorry, Mr. Graham. I can't comply with your wishes." I placed down the teacup and looked up at the men in front of me.
Cliff Graham, the so-called fiance of mine; infamous playboy of Graham City. If it wasn't for my grandpa's insistence I would have never agreed to meet someone like him. The unkempt black hair, ruffled shirt with top buttons undone, showing a bit of his chest and sunglasses concealing his eyes. It didn't take much to understand where he was coming from.
Cliff removed his sunglasses and took a look at me as if he wasn't expecting such a reply from me. "You must be misunderstanding what I said." He replied, huffing slightly with his brows furrowed.
"I'm not." I said, sitting up straight, "You want a contractual marriage with me for a year to satisfy your grandpa's clause to inherit your inheritance. If I am right you are turning twenty-eight this year and you have not even work for a day in your life and you are notorious for yo-your-"
"Playboy?" He finished the sentence calmly.
I nodded, hesitation tightening my chest. My plan was simple: reject him and edge his pride enough to make him give up on this idea of marriage without offending the Grahams. The very people after whom the city was named.
Cliff scoffed, "You know your reputation is not that stellar either."
My spine went cold. I knew exactly what was coming. I have heard it countless times. The very word for which I prepared myself yet I could feel my heart sank.
"Going after your sister's husband, making scenes to get his attention is far worse than being a playboy, don't you think."
There it was. Homewrecker. The very gift my stepsister gifted me with. It's been five years since that incident and I continue to live it every single day.
There was a time I used to refuse and stand up for myself, try to tell I was the victim. I was the one who got harassed and forced by them but they became the victim and I was the villain. The homewrecker. There was no point of arguing or denying, in their eyes the truth was whatever they wanted. The truth in their eyes was that a daughter of a homewrecker can only be a homewrecker.
I let out the same practiced smile, leaning forward and rested my chin on my hand, "Since Mr. Graham knows my preference then you must know you are not my type. Maybe get committed to some girl, who knows I might accept this marriage and try seducing you."
I stood up slowly, grabbing my bag still keeping the smile, "Since I am not your type either you can understand my rejection. I hope we don't have to meet again, Mr. Graham" I continued as I started walking towards the door.
Cliff didn't speak further, he just remained quiet till the very end. I can only take his silence as acceptance to my refusal for marriage, after all no one wants a homewrecker. This meeting would have not taken place if it was not for an arrangement our grandparents made long before we were born. The arrangement was originally made for my mother and Cliff's father but my mother blindly fell in love with that man.
"Stephanie…" Before I delve further into my thoughts, a voice brought me back. A voice far too familiar. I glanced up and there he was, standing a few feet away from me with a child in his arms. The very man who ruined my life and gave me the brand of homewrecker.
I turned away instantly and started walking. I had no intention of having another encounter with him and ruining my life further. I was foolish once but not anymore. Memories of the past slowly flood in front of my eyes. No, I can't show my weakness again.
"Stephanie, wait!" Daniel called out, making me flinch. A chill spreading down my spine. I could feel my whole body freezing and trembling. No, I can't let him catch once again, I need to get out but my body refused to move. How can even after years my body fear that man more and listen to his command like an absolute threshold? I could hear my heart pound like crazy yet I could only stand there frozen just like five years ago.
"Stephanie.." I heard his voice, closer. From the peripheral I could see his hand coming for me. No, please this can't be.
"Darling." Just as I thought it was the end of me, I felt a hand from the other side wrapping around my waist and pulling me close into a warmth. The smell of woody and spicy fragrance filled my lungs. The unfamiliar warmth slowly unfreezes my body. I looked up and there he was like a knight in a shining armour looking down at me smiling. His hazel eyes twinkled with fun.
"How could you leave your husband behind just because I took a call while on our date? Can't you forgive me for this once?" Cliff stared at me like a whimpered puppy waiting for his master's forgiveness. No wonder he was a casanova, if i didn't know him well i would have fallen for it.
"Ahem…" The voice brought me back to the reality I wish to forget. Instinctively my shoulder tightened and jaw clenched, as if Cliff saw it he looked across to where Daniel might be standing. I had no courage in me to face that man worst of all, see his face. His presence was a bitter reminder of my reality.
"Who are you? Do you know my wife?" Cliff asked, unlike his sweet voice second ago it was sharp like a threat.
"Wife? Stephanie, you didn't tell me you got married?" I could hear Daniel's voice, it was polite and friendly but I knew the underlying tone of it. He was angry…and that means. I shuddered remembering what happens when he gets angry.
Just like before, Cliff pulled me closer, his arms protectively wrapping tightly around my back. "It seems my wife is not comfortable with you enough. We will take our leave." With that Cliff lifted me into his arms, holding me tightly.