Chapter 106

Stella

I stand beside Sebastian, my arm linked in with his, and smile brightly at people pass us by. We have stayed in the same place for what feels like an eternity. Countless people have wanted to come up and introduce themselves to me and Sebastian with the hope that they will secure a date with either of us.

We couldn’t help but laugh at their plights, knowing the truth between us.

The gala is on the smaller side. It is more of a networking event than anything else. It is a silent auction, though, with many new and dangerous weapons and pieces of information out for sale.

I wonder what my father brought to the table. One can only wonder if he has put up a promise or an oath of loyalty for sale or if he put up one of his many real estate properties for sale for lower ranking mafia families to use.

Sebastian was sneaky enough to bring business cards that he made for me, showcasing my new cybersecurity business. Much to my surprise, a lot of people have taken the cards and have promised to reach out to me, so hopefully I will have a few new jobs to keep me busy instead of running off on another date like how my father wishes for me to do.

I avoid eye contact with a many of men who stare at me from across the room. My gaze is hidden behind champagne glasses and Sebastian moving us away to a different part of the room, shielding me from the men who wish to have a ride with the infamous and recently discovered mafia princess.

It is only when I notice my father standing with a group of men my age that my body is covered in goosebumps. I know that in just a matter of seconds — minutes, even — that I will be swarmed by a group of power hungry men who think that the way to my father’s high ranking positions in the Obsidian pact is by marrying me.

Why is my worth determined by who I am married to? Why has my life been revived around my martial status? From a young age, I decided to marry Adrian and help out his own personal mission, singing a contract that gave him everything and more.

Now that I am free from the confines of that marriage, my father wants to force me into a new one. It is all a game of politics in the criminal underworld that I truly have no care in the world to be a part of and yet here I am, the prize cow ready to be sold off to the highest bidder who offers me the bets kind of slop to eat and a roof over my head.

What will these men do when they figure out that I am not just a figurehead? What will they do when they find out that I have dreams and aspirations of my own? That I am more than just a stepping stone to the role that they dream most of?

Many of these men think that by marrying me, they will become the next head of the Obsidian pact. Little do they know that Sebastian, the man who is currently standing beside me, is the one to inherit the title when my father decides that it is time to step down from his role.

“Stella? Are you okay?” Sebastian’s voice pulls me out of my thoughts.

I turn and look at him, one eyebrow perked up in the air. His eyes glance down at my grip on his arm. My fingernails dig into the fabric of his sleeve, my knuckles white from just how tight I am holding onto him.

I sigh and shake my head no. My throat feels raw from holding back tears, my anger and sadness towards my life situation slowly tightening the noose that hangs around my neck.

Without wasting another word, Sebastian whisks me away from our spot int the gala, leaving just before my father and his harem of eligible mafia bachelors can intercept me. The man guides me away from the gala and out towards a balcony that overlooks the city from the outskirts.

The lights are bright and they remind me of the night sky, the lights acting like their own stars. I sigh, feeling the slight chill from the breeze. I welcome it with open arms, through, and allow it to cool down my rapidly heating body.

“What is on your mind?” Sebastian asks from the side of me.

I turn around and lean back against the railing of the balcony. Flowers and vines wrap around the old and weathered stone. I cross my arms over my chest and let out a deep sigh.

Suddenly, my eyes fill with tears. I close my eyes and shake my head, unable to control and hold back the overwhelming feeling that settles deep inside my chest.

“I just…I am overwhelmed with the blind dates that dad is wanting to put me on. I just got out of a five year marriage, one that has destroyed my body and soul, and now he wants to force me into the same exact thing not even a couple months later,” I say.

Tears begin to roll down my cheeks. I wipe them away, finally opening up my eyes to look at Sebastian. He slightly frowns and moves towards me, closing the gpa that formed between us.

“Adrian just had to come and ruin it again earlier today. After you left, he had a surprise delivery for me. It was filled with gifts and jewelry. All of my favorite desserts,” I let out a quiet chuckle, shaking my head, “I thought it was from you but no…it was from him. And of course he just had to show up and fuck things up even more.”

My voice cracks. Sebastian takes one final step towards me. He takes my face between his hands and wipes away the tears that fall from my eyes. I am unable to stop my mind from running my mouth.

“I’m also worried that our family will not support our relationship. They all see you as a brother and not someone who has a romantic interest in me. Hell, even I saw you as a brother until you confessed to me. I just want them to accept us but I know that it is bound to be ruined anyways,” I shudder, “I always ruin everything.”

“No, Stella, you don’t ruin everything,” Sebastian sighs.

“Yes. Yes I do,” I choke the words out, more and more tears falling from my eyes. “It’s me. I am the problem. I should just leave and let everyone live their lives away from me and the drama that I bring.”

“Stella,” Sebastian captures my attention with ease, “you are not a problem, okay? You are not a problem or a nuisance or someone who only brings negativity. You are a shining light in this world.”

I don’t respond. I simply look up into Sebastian’s eyes, melting into his touch.

“Let me carry some of the weight for you, okay? Let me handle and deal with the family and Adrian. There is nothing to worry about now that I am at your side, okay?” Sebastian says.

I nod in response, unable to get any word out. Sebastian nods back and sighs, kissing my forehead.