The CEO’ s second choice novel Chapter 13

　　Elena

　　Was this the woman Sebastian was supposedly in love with? It would make sense since he keeps on going back to her. I walk down the stairs, feeling drained and despondent; couldn’t this darn wedding reception be over by now? Scanning the crowd for Mirabelle, I find her chatting to another couple. I walk over to her, and motion for her from the side until I manage to get her attention.

　　She smiles politely at the couple, then excuses herself before walking over to me. “Elena, darling, is something the matter?” She asks me and I nod, “It has been a long day, mother and it is 8 pm already. Can we please toss the bouquet and call the celebration to a close? I am exhausted.” I say and wait for her to reprimand me and tell me I am a Dumont now and have to accept the social standing that comes with it.

　　But it never came, Mirabelle just beams at me and nods her head, “Of course, love. I understand completely. Let me just find Spencer and Sebastian and inform them.” She says lightly as she pats my hand before disappearing into the crowd.

　　This woman was a god sent. If anything good came from this marriage, it was my budding relationship with Mirabelle.

　　Fifteen minutes later, Mirabelle calls for everyone’s attention by tapping her champagne flute. “Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen. As the wedding of Sebastian and Elena draws to a close, the time has come for the bride to toss the bouquet!” Mirabelle exclaims, to the excitement of the other ladies.

　　The smile drops from my face when I see Sebastian walking up to me. Mirabelle sees him and a sly grin flashes on her face, “Let us not forget about the garter!”

　　I am screaming internally right now while smiling and wishing Mirabelle a slow death. I did not want Sebastian’s hands on me after seeing where they were earlier. Why was she always trying so hard to get us together? I cannot stand the man!

　　The single women all line up behind me, “Ready?” I call, and a murmur of excitement ripples through the crowd. I fling the bouquet behind me and hear the women scrambling. Turning around with a smile, my eyes fell on the woman who caught it.

　　It was the blonde Sebastian had on her knees, and she flashed me a knowing smirk. My smile was a thin line, and I turned around, ready to leave. I was done with this evening, heck I was done with this damn marriage.

　　But I feel a pair of arms around my waist; Sebastian pulls me close to him and I smell the bourbon on his breath again. Was he drunk?

　　“Not so fast, petite pâquerette, the people want a show.” He whispers in my ear, and a wave of nausea crashes over me.

　　“Stop calling me that,” I say through gritted teeth, maintaining the smile on my face and gently pushing away from him. This man truly disgusted me. How Eliana kept up the pretence for so long, I would never know.

　　I could tell that my words did nothing to him, but he goes down on his knees in front of me, anyway. The crowd heckles him as he takes my foot, slips off my heel and places my foot on his knee. He grazes my inner thigh and I freeze up, flashing him a glare. This only causes him to chuckle as he pushes my dress up, showing everyone the garter on my upper thigh.

　　“Please get this over with, Sebastian,” I tell him through a forced smile, but all he does is wink at me and lower his head towards my garter.

　　HE WAS GOING TO REMOVE IT WITH HIS TEETH.

　　This could not be happening and right in front of everyone. RIGHT IN FRONT OF MIRABELLE. My eyes search for my mother-in-law, but I see that she’s one of the hecklers and roll my eyes at the excitement in her eyes. Thanks a lot, mom.

　　Sebastian grips the garter with his teeth, lightly grazing my skin with his teeth, and starts pulling it down slowly. It felt like hours, but he eventually pulled it all the way down and slipped my heel back on.

　　What game was this man playing? After seeing him in a very compromising position earlier, I realize that his touch makes my skin crawl.

　　He tosses the garter into the waiting bachelor crowd and a man I did not know caught it.

　　After a few more congratulatory pats and conversations, I bid goodnight to my parents and in-laws, then we left Dumont Hall. Sebastian holds the limousine door open for me and I clamber in, not looking at him. I don’t think I would ever see him in a different light after tonight. It was only day one of the next 5 years together and I already felt drained.

　　Sebastian gets in next to me, and then we are off.