The CEO’ s second choice novel Chapter 16

　　Elena

　　Sebastian and I have been married for close to 3 months already and yet we live past one another. The last time I saw him was when he had to rush out for an emergency at 4 am. I never asked what the emergency was because I couldn’t be bothered.

　　There is nothing lonelier than an arranged marriage, no matter what anyone says. The attraction that Sebastian and I shared before is all but gone, replaced by a simmering dislike. Will I ever get used to feeling this way? Did I want to feel anything other than a dislike for Sebastian? I must be honest, it would be easier to not live with this heaviness in my chest 24/7.

　　I had been trying to reach out to Charlotte and Esme Langford, my two best friends from high school, but they had been out of England for the last few months or so. They had not been following England’s social news and did not know I was married now. We had a brunch date today, and I was on my way out to meet them.

　　It was in the middle of Autumn and quite chilly outside, so I opted to wear a lovely cerise blouse that hugged my waist in a belt, thick black leggings and stiletto ankle boots. My double-breasted black coat ended off the look. With the weather as bad as it was today, I doubt I would be able to show off my blouse. Oh well, at least I knew I looked good.

　　As I walked down the stairs, I was deep in thought and nearly didn’t see Sebastian as he walked up towards his bedroom. The minute our eyes met, there was a pause, and I finally had a chance to give my husband a proper once over.

　　Truth be told, he looked like shit. It looked like he hadn’t been sleeping at all; his face was sunken in and he had bags under his eyes.

　　“Are you okay, Sebastian?” I ask him, an unwanted feeling of concern washing over me. What was wrong with him? “You look like you haven’t slept a wink.”

　　He regards me with a scowl then walks past me, “Mind your own business, Elena.” He says and disappears up the stairs. Wow, okay. Remind me never to show concern towards him again. But as much as I tried to push it down, I could not help it. Sebastian looked as if he carried the world on his shoulders and had no one to lean on.

　　Should I be the bigger person and approach him?

　　Ah, I’ll put it out of my head for now. I had a brunch date with my best girls and could not be late. 30 minutes later, I arrive at our favourite restaurant and immediately spot the redheads from across the room. They were beautiful, as usual, but looked like they had gotten a tan from being overseas for so long.

　　“Looks like I need to spend a few months in Greece, your tan is to die for,” I say as I come up behind them, their responses being shrieked when they hear my voice.

　　“Elena!” I hear through hugs and kisses and they engulf me. Standing back, I look at my two best friends and realize how truly I had missed them. They were supposed to be my bridesmaids if I ever were to get married to Nicholas. Now I had to explain to them why I was wearing a £1.5 million diamond ring on my finger.

　　We were finally seated after all the hellos and kisses, when Charlotte turned towards me, “Okay, so I need to fill you in on EVERYTHING that happened to Esme and I over these few months! You will not believe…” and so Charlotte goes on to tell me what they had been up to. They were taking a gap year before they were to get married to the men their parents had chosen for them. The Langfords were old blood and wanted to keep it that way by marrying aristocratic people, similar to my family.

　　After about an hour, Esme looks at me with a grim expression, “So how have you been coping?” She asks me, and I couldn’t help but frown at this question; did they know about my marriage to Sebastian?

　　“It has been difficult, I must confess. But I am keeping my head up and not allowing the predicament to bring my spirits down. Who knows, maybe this union will be good for the both of us.” I say and notice the confusion on their faces. “Are you sure, Elena? It is a big step to have taken in such a small amount of time.” Charlotte says, taking my hand in hers.