The Forced Marriage

Chapter 4: Off To Miami

I stared at the five pink luggage bags in front of me, just gnawing at my brain. After my mother had entered my room, she nearly spent half an hour in there filling in these bags with god knows what. One thing I despised was that she told me not to open any of them. I couldn't even take a little peek at what these bags were hiding. What was the point anyways? Today I'm heading to Miami with Hal to spend a week at one of his family's pent houses.



A knock broke me free from my thoughts and I mumbled a come in. My door slowly creaked open and I looked back to see the devil himself. "What are you doing here Hal?" his eyes narrowed at me as if I had stolen his favorite chocolate bar. I shifted myself so that I was now facing him and he took only a few steps before that familiar cologne filled my nostrils. I swear I've recognized that cologne before.



"Let me explain what happened at the café." his fingers entwined with mine, dragging me closer to him. Hal's expression softened as I felt my nose slam against his hard chest. Talk about deja vu. "She was just a friend." he whispered in my ear, sending shivers down my spine.



I gave him a reassuring smile, "Look Hal. Um, I don't really mind if you're dating her..." I trailed off, taking my hand away. I had a really bad habit of twiddling my thumbs together, and I couldn't help but twiddle them right now. "My mom already saw you with her."



Hal shrugged and stuffed his hands inside the pockets of his jeans, staring at the ceiling. "So, you're not gonna' fuss about it?" the question caught me off guard and I found myself blushing as his lips slowly curled into a sexy grin. Why would I make a big deal about him dating another girl? I mean, we weren't even in a relationship. Well we were engaged, but it was forced onto me.



Taking a seat on the edge of my bed I sigh, "No. I have no control of your love life. It's not my business to fuss about your girlfriend, or girlfriends. It's just a waste of breath."



Silence filled the room and I looked up at Hal with a brow raised. His eyes were aimed directly at me but they were somewhere else, deep in thought. Clearing my throat I stood up from the bed and grabbed one of the pink luggage bags. "We should get going, don't want to miss our flight do we?" I forced a small smile on my face and walked past him, wishing our flight somehow delayed.


As I headed down stairs, my mind was flooded with the memory of him and the blond. I've heard the she's just a friend excuse countless times in reality shows. But somehwere in the back of my mind, he was telling the truth. I groaned and muttered something unintelligent as I walked toward the marble islands in the kitchen. Taking a seat on one of the stools, I dialed my mother's number and sighed as only her voicemail was reached.


"Madam Sinclair?" Harry, my butler, softly called.


Jumping off the stool I looked at Harry and smiled as he took my bag. "Sorry, my mind was just somewhere else." I apologized, watching the Santa Claus looking butler lead the way. I soon followed and spotted Hal waiting near the marble black limousine. This time he was wearing a navy blue armani suit that accentuated his eyes and a black shirt with matching dress shoes and tie. "Thank you Harry." I gave him a smile and he returned it with a bow.


"Ready?" Hal asked as he opened the door for me. I nodded without looking at him and slipped onto the brown leather seat. I wasn't in the mood to talk to him right now. "You sure are a quiet one." he muttered as he invaded my personal space. I cringed and squished myself on the corner, my face focused on the window. I wasn't the type of person to do small talk. Only when it was important.


"Yeah." I replied sourly, neatly folding my hands on my lap. Hopefully my tone would get him to realize that I really don't like talking in the car. My mother said it was indecent and rude.



"Well, since it'll take us about an hour to get to the airport." he continued, taking out two wine glasses from a rack near a tiny island on my side. "Why don't we get to know each other a little more?" he started to pour the red wine on our glasses while his eyes were on me. I shifted myself toward the window more and bit the bottom of my lip, holding in the rude comments I was about to spur out. I'm glad he was at least trying to get-to-know his future wife but I wasn't reciprocating the act.



Struggling for words I took a deep breath and took the wine glass from his hand. Taking a sip of the cold, red liquid, I blinked and stared at the remaining wine in the glass. "This is good." I blurted out, taking another drink of the remains. From the corner of my eye, I saw an amused expression on Hal's face and I immediately shoved the glass back into his hands. "Thanks." I blushed, facing the window once again as my hands folded on my lap. I can't believe I just thanked him.


He chuckled and scooted closer to me, "Red wine, check." I couldn't help but smile at him as he took a mini remote out of one of the cup holders. He made a list of things that I might like. Nice.


"What's next on the list?" I asked curiously as I felt my body shift toward him. His eyes burned into mine and I felt his body heat radiate against me.


A lopsided grin formed on his handsome features as he pressed some sort of button on the remote, causing the limousine to darken. A screen in front of us blinked and the music video of the song I love so much appeared. My eyes widened at the sight of Sweater Weather's music video and suddenly I was singing along to the magnificent song. Hal chuckled beside me and I felt my heart skip a beat. How did he know that I was absolutely in love with this song?


"Sweater Weather, check." I felt my self smile, but this time it was a genuine smile. His brows arched as I spoke before he could and a big smirk nearly split his face in half. Maybe I was wrong about him. I didn't expect him to be so...sincere. I definately made a mistake from judging him just because...he's the enemy's son.


"Is something wrong?" Hal's deep voice brought me back from my thoughts and I looked away from him. The atmosphere suddenly turned dull and I fiddled my thumbs together. Right, I nearly forgot the only reason I'm marrying him is because of our companies downfall. Don't be stupid, my inner concious told me. "Alana." this time he growled my name and I stared at him with my mouth gaped open. Did he just...growl at me?


"Leave me al--" but before I could finish, his large hand clasped my mouth shut and I found myself staring at his scorching blue eyes. They were darker than its usual bright ones. His lips were pursed into a straight line as I saw his jaw twitch. Oh, is he pissed? I can't tell...


Hal shook his head and his expression softened. "We're here Alana. Let's get in the plane right away. You need some rest." then with those words, his hand parted away from my face and the warmth of his hand still lingered. I raised a brow in confusion and opened my mouth before I was interrupted by him again, "No questions until we're at Miami. I need some rest too."


I crossed my arms over my chest and sighed. Ok, it was a little unfair that I couldn't ask any questions about him until we reach Florida, which is like 10 hours. After all, he was the one that suggested we get to know each other. Ugh, this man is a mystery. "Whatever." I muttered as I exited the door to my side and circled the back of the limousine before sha-shaying into the double doors of the airport.


Man, this was going to be fun.