*
*
Faith embraced Julian tightly, tears forming in the corner of her eyes, the instant relief that her brother had been proven innocent. Faith still didn't know how Sterling managed to do it, it was nothing short of a miracle that her brother was released so quickly.
"I just feel that there's something off about this whole thing, why would a security video appear all of a sudden? How did the police even skip that in the first place?!" Julian spoke and Faith thought about it.
Weren't the police being too careless with their jobs these days?
What would have become of her only sibling?
Thankfully, the detective Sterling hired had managed to find out the important clip the police had missed.
"There's no need to worry about that now, you've been released__you're safe and that's all that matters to me_" She started to speak but Julian appeared furious.
"It's not that simple! Do you have any idea what people in college would think of me now? Everyone will still think I'm a drug pusher! They should have ensured to get the right person before throwing me into custody! I'm filing a lawsuit against them!"
Faith placed a hand on Julian's shoulders and forced him to look at her.
"Please, calm down, will you? Mr. Hunter already promised to get to the root of everything! He already filed a complaint against them!"
One of Julian's brows quirked." Mr. Hunter? Your boss?"
Faith nodded affirmatively and murmured, "It's all thanks to him that you're out of that miserable place!"
But she had had no choice but to sell her very soul to him.
He owned her, in exchange for her brother's freedom.
Her body still trembled at the thought of marrying him in two days.
Even worse, she was going to live with him, for how long? This was definitely something important they should have discussed, she thought.
She would have to know for how long she was supposed to be bound by the agreement.
"He helped you? Just like that? I didn't know he was that kind."
Faith met Julian's stare, even though she had planned to keep the fact that she was getting married to everyone, she could at least tell her brother.
She took a deep breath and exhaled shakily. "Actually, there's something important that I need to tell you, I'm getting married!" She rushed out and Julian looked surprised.
"I didn't know that you and that Dan were that serious! When was this?" Julian scoffed and Faith hit his shoulders wearing a scowl.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"I didn't think he had it in him to propose to you! I also think that you deserve better! But if you're happy, I have no choice but to respect your wishes" He grumbled under his breath.
"Dan and I broke up a while ago! I'm not getting married to him!" Faith continued after a brief pause. "Mr. Hunter and I are getting married!" Faith's voice trembled slightly, she had to quickly remind herself that it would only be for a short time.
"What?! How did this happen! Why?" Julian yelled, looking genuinely worried and shocked at the same time.
"What do you mean how did this happen? Why else would anyone get married? Because we love each other?" Faith gritted, almost bit her tongue as she said the words, it didn't seem to convince Julian.
"This doesn't sound like you to end and start another relationship so quickly, I also don't trust that man! Why do I feel that it has something to do with the help that he offered me? Is that what happened?" Julian wore a grave look and Faith swallowed deeply. She had forgotten that her brother could sniff out truths quite easily.
"Now, you're ridiculous!! Why would you even think like that? This is not some kind of a drama series!" Faith laughed aloud but it sounded forced to her ears.
"I don't like him, the few times that I met him a few times, I've always felt that there's something unusual about him!"
"He seems quite normal to me!" Faith countered then slapped herself mentally, why was she always so defensive when it came to Sterling Hunter?
She shouldn't be!
"He's definitely not! Remember that day I dropped you off at work? He demanded to know exactly who I was and bluntly told me that you wouldn't be needing my services anymore! Who the hell does that?! And to think that he got you a driver the next day! He's an absolute weirdo, anyone can see it in his eyes!" He inhaled deeply and spoke more seriously.
"What happened to not judging a book by its cover? Sterling Hunter has always been kind to me, he even agreed to pay mom's medical bills!"
"That's exactly the problem!!" Julian flared and held Faith's hands gently in his.
"Don't you think he's always been too kind? What the hell does he want in return? Why do I feel that he's slowly buying you and succeeding because you are too naive to realize it?"
Faith shuddered inwardly, what was with all these men and Sterling Hunter? First, it was Dan and now her own brother?
"That's absurd! What's wrong with you? Aren't you supposed to be grateful that he's helping us? What would be your fate if not for him?" She had been the one who sold herself to Sterling and not the other way round, so they were wrong.
"I'm more worried about you, I just hope you know what you're doing, and do not realize too late that you might be making a mistake!" Julian concluded.
*
*
Faith swallowed hard at her reflection in the mirror, the elegant white dress suited her perfectly, her hair had been brushed and styled until it shone. Her make-up was moderate, she looked like a bride. Only that she didn't bore the radiance and excitement of one.
With every passing second, she had the urge to flee.
She lifted a palm to touch her face, this was happening!
"I didn't have to do much, you're already a natural beauty, your soon-to-be husband wouldn't be able to take his eyes off you!" The make-up artists gushed over her but Faith still couldn't utter a word.
Faith wanted a very small wedding, she thought the lesser people knew about it, the better it would be when it was time for she and Sterling Hunter to go their separate ways. Sterling hadn't objected to it, he allowed her to do and carry out whatever plan whatever she wanted. It seemed all that was important to him was that she married him.
Faith was lost in thoughts until the door opened and Sterling entered. Their gazes met through the mirror and her heart hammered hard against her chest.
The space in the room seemed to shrink as he advanced closer.
"You look so lovely."
Faith's breath squeezed in her throat when he gently caressed her face with his fingers. She stared at him nervously, his eyes held approval and a hint of satisfaction, how could he be so relaxed and collected while she was totally freaking out?
He produced a velvet box from his suit pocket and Faith blanched.
"This will suit you perfectly, what do you think?" He murmured lifting her stiff fingers. Faith stared at the sterling silver band, the tip was crested with a clear-cut diamond. It was so beautiful but at the same time, she couldn't help but think that the ring was probably more expensive than even the money he had borrowed her.
She shuddered when he fitted it around her finger.
"Perfect!" Sterling met her anxious stare, even though she looked slightly pale, she was undeniably the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen. And in a few minutes, she was going to be his___ in the eyes of the law.
"You didn't need to do all this! This isn't even real, there's no need to waste so much money when it will only be for a short time!"
Sterling's heart was stabbed with a sensation of annoyance at her words, was getting away from him the only thing she thought about? She would slowly learn that the mark of his ring was forever until death did them apart.
A slow smile spread across Sterling's features before he leaned to brush his lips across her warm ones, she trembled when he sucked gently on her full bottom lip and it sent a hot sensation towards Sterling's groin.
Jerking her closer so she was mashed against him, Sterling deepened the kiss, his body ached to be buried within her and he quickly had to remind himself that the priest was waiting for them.
Faith was lightheaded when Sterling slowly caressed her collarbone with his lips, and a moan slipped from her mouth. She felt him smile against her skin and flushed deeply.
"It has to be perfect because it is the only one you will ever have." He hummed against the exposed skin of her neck and she was confused.
"W_what?"
He only glanced at his wristwatch and spoke
"It is already time, everyone will be waiting"
*
*