Christian

The sound of glasses shattering on the floor distracts me as well as other guests. As they shift their eyes to where the sound came from, I found myself doing the same.

"Get this into your thick skull... I don't know you!" The oppressor yells to the victim and as I took a closer look, I realise the oppressor was Harieth Gryffin.

What on earth is she doing now?

For some reason, she stood still regardless of how everyone had begun staring. I knew the night was finally ruined because of her childish act. I couldn't stay still anymore so I walk up to her, grasp her by the arm and drag her with me towards the exit of the room. Finally, I let her arm go once we were outside and no one seemed to be staring anymore. I stared at her for what seemed like a while, wondering where I should start from. Honestly, I didn't sign up for this. I have way too many things to deal with myself that I barely have time to handle someone else. I ran my hand through my hair and yet, her eyes hadn't met mine since we stepped out. She was oddly silent as well.

"Are you a child? Do you have to be told every single time about what to do and what not to do? Why would you cause such a scene?" I questioned, my voice a little higher than usual. For a moment, she says nothing.

"I don't want to talk about it. Let's just go." She suddenly spoke up before attempting to walk past me. Quickly, I took hold of her arm and she instantly looks up to me. Her eyes were red and teary. My brows slowly cease up at the sight of them. Something about her eyes told a story. A strange and sad story. Wait... that can't be right. As I stare longer, I could also see just how much she was trying hard not to let the tears roll down her cheeks. She was obviously putting up a strong front and I must confess, it did startle me a bit. This wasn't what I was expecting. She wasn't the victim here. Why does it seem like she was hurting more than the person she oppressed a while back?

Slowly, my grasp onto her arm releases and she instantly looks away from me and hastens her pace towards the car. She pulls the door into the backseat open then got right in before slamming it shut.

A strange sigh escapes my lips as I stare at the car. What in the world is going on?

I could hear her sniffing at intervals in the backseat. I took several glances at her through the rear-view mirror but was barely able to get a good glance at her face. Somehow, I could just feel how hard she was trying not to burst into sobs. Something about that act reminded me a little about myself and for the first time since I met Harieth Gryffin, I felt a strange relatability. Regardless of my thoughts, I felt unable to utter a word to her. Actually, I didn't know what to say. I didn't even think anything I say would make her feel better about what was wrong with her or perhaps, I didn't want at try at all.

Finally, I drove into the compound of her home and as soon as the car drew to a halt in front of her home, she opened the door and stepped down. She slammed the door shut right away before storming off towards the entrance into her home. She didn't say a word. Well, it didn't really bother me much. I was just a tad bit curious as to what would make someone who was pompous and claims to own the world suddenly cry. It didn't make much sense. Regardless of it all, I drove forward towards the gate. I had done my own part of dropping her home safely. The rest was up to her.

Harieth

I ran up the staircases as fast as my legs could carry me. I didn't want to see anyone. I didn't want to burst into tears now and so I hurry towards my room, push the door open then walk in before shutting it right away.

Afterwards, I rest my back on the door and slowly slid down to the floor. There, I sat with my heart still pounding against my ribcage and the horrendous memory of the past flashing to and fro in my mind. The tears finally began rolling down my cheeks. Oh how hard I've tried to tuck away those memories. Why did she have to bring it up? Why did she have to talk about it?

I take a look at my hands and they were visibly shaking, it frightens me a bit and so I sob a lot more in silence, praying and wishing to get over this already.

Christian

"Harieth's coming, right?" Lucas asked as he took one more look at his wristwatch before getting up on his feet, seemingly a bit nervous. I nod after much hesitation. Honestly, I didn't know if she was going to make it or not. She seemed quite upset last night and looking at Lucas, I could understand why he was nervous about this meeting with the press. Everything was riding on this. It has to be perfect from beginning to the end. No loopholes for the press to tear us apart with. Harieth not showing up could bring up several ideas.

"You did tell her the time she needed to be here, right?" He questions one more and as I stare at him in silence, a silent sigh escapes my lips. I would have to be honest with him.

"Lucas, I don't think she'll..."

"I'm here!" She exclaimed louder than normal. She? Both I and Lucas turn to the direction of the voice to sight her hastening her pace towards us and only stopped when she was in front of us.

A huge smile played on her face and the woman here resembled nothing like the one of last night. That's strange.

"I'm sorry for the tardiness. I woke up quite late this morning and for a moment forgot about the meeting with the press." She explained still with a smile on her face. Neither I nor Lucas barely said a word in response to her explanation and thus, she went on.

"See, I don't have an assistant yet to keep me updated with my schedules..." She continued, emphasizing more on the word, yet.

"...but I'm planning to get one so... it will not happen again." She finished and looked from Lucas to me with expectant filled eyes.

What's wrong with her? Why is she behaving like nothing different happened last night? What's this supposed to mean? Why am I even thinking much of the situation? I don't have any plans for getting involved in her life. Yes, we're getting married but our relationship is solemnly going to be based on papers. Nothing out of the ordinary was going to happen. Why she's behaving strangely is none of my business.

"You must be Lucas Hendrix. I've heard a lot about you." She spoke up as she stretches a hand to Lucas for a handshake and with the same rehearsed smile still playing on her face. Lucas accepted the handshake.

"A lot?" He questions regarding her comment and she slightly shrugs her shoulder as they let go of the handshake.

"Well, sort of from the news and... you know, the internet. I needed to know a little about my to-be in-laws." She cleared up and Lucas nods in understanding.

"Sir, it's time to go." One of the attendants stated as she rushes out of the room through the door. Lucas nods in understanding before taking one last look at me.

"Ready?" He questioned as if giving me one last chance to back out. I took in a silent deep breath before nodding to him.

"I'm ready," Harieth stated optimistically and I had to shift my eyes to her. Our eyes barely met for a second and she looked away.

"You don't have to say anything. I'll give the majority of the replies." I commented and her eyes instantly shift back to me. A light snort escaped her lips.

"Fine. Whatever. Let's just get over with this already." She stated before walking ahead towards the entrance into the room.

As soon as we walked into the room, several flashlights attack us and the uneven voices of people trying to talk at once filled the room. Regardless of it all, we took our seats. The questions began, one at a time and smartly, I gave each reply until the question was directed solemnly at Harieth.

"Miss Gryffin, what would you say to the thought of you and Mr Hendrix getting married solemnly on the business agreement? I mean, its happening is not unheard of in the corporate world. What do you say?" The reporter questioned diligently and I shift my eyes to Harieth hoping she gives a good reply. For a moment, she was silent and so was the room as they all eagerly await her reply. One wrong sentence and they could use it against her.

She can't do this. I'll have to take charge from here. I slightly open my mouth to speak up but her sudden voice restrains whatever I had in mind to say.

"Well... we can't stop people's thoughts, ideas or even rumours and there's also no denying that our marriage would provide financial increase but that's that." Suddenly, she locks her left arm with my right arm much to my surprise. I stare at her in the wonder of what she was up to.

"Christian and I love each other and we're ready to face anything together, including the harsh rumours." She added with a convincing smile on her face whilst staring right at me.

"Right Christian?" She questioned out of the blue and for a moment there, I felt lost. Her acting skills were impeccable. One would think all this was real.

"Christian dear." She quietly calls as she lightly pulls on my arm.

"Yes. Yes, we love each other very much." I finally reply staring her right in the eyes. She stares back to make it all seem real. Her fantastic smile that made everything all seem perfect still played on her face.

God, she was dreadful.