Hellbound Heart

Sebastian unceremoniously stood, walked forward and opened the door, leaving Elle standing where she was, her eyes widening as she stared at his retreating back. But the expression on her face quickly changed at the thought that came belatedly to her – that the clothes Ava was talking about must be clothes for him to change into since his suit had been splashed and soaked in the front when he had pulled her out from the tub earlier.

Watching the door that had closed after he walked out, Elle took a long deep breath. Then she climbed back onto the bed as her limbs still felt a little weak and shaky. If she had attempted to follow after Prince Sebastian, she might have tumbled right there and then to the floor. She wondered if this was still the effects from the wine that she had taken, which was again, really strange. Sighing, Elle laid back, stretched out and stared up the ceiling as she thought back on what happened.

Her mind wondered again. Was Ava the one who called for Sebastian to come? Why? Could it be because Ava came to check on her first, but she did not open the door and that was why she asked for help? But why would Ava call for the prince? She should have just called for the hotel staff or even their manager to open her room door, right? Or could it be that… Ava had reported to Sebastian that she was acting weird since they left the restaurant and that was why…

Elle shut her eyes closed and covered her eyes with the back of her hand. Her other hand was clenching on the bedsheets at the possibility that had occurred to her. She truly wished that she was overthinking it and what she suspected was not the case. She never wanted Sebastian to think that she was sulking because she had seen him with another woman!

Minutes passed but Elle just could not fall asleep. She turned to her side and stared unseeingly at the wall when she heard the door opening again. Was Ava there to check on her? She kept her eyes closed and pretended to sleep, feigning deep and calm breathing. She did not want Ava to think that she was having a hard time sleeping or she might make a fuss out of it.

Her eyes flew opened when she felt a heavy weight climbing onto the bed behind her. Turning, she looked at the man with shock. Sebastian? He did not leave after changing?! Why?

Once again, her expression quickly readjusted itself from a shocked surprise to a mask of calm indifference as she noted that he was not wearing his sleeping clothes, but instead, he had on a new suit.

Sitting up, Elle straightened her back as she gracefully sat and faced Sebastian who was now looking at her. "I'm guessing you have an important matter to tell me, Prince Sebastian." She said, looking at him curiously. Him sitting in her bed made her it hard for her to stay as composed and relaxed as she wanted to because right now, she was being reminded of that night.

"Yes." He said, his unfathomable eyes seemed to be observing her. At the same time, he seemed to be expecting something else from her. But what… she did not know.

Elle did not rush to speak and just waited patiently for him to start the ball rolling.

"We're getting married tomorrow." His deep voice informed her as the spine-tingling vibrations caused by his voice travelled from her ears and through her entire frame. She stilled for a while.

"Okay," She replied, nodding agreeably at him. "I'm guessing it will be a civil wedding, right?" She hazarded a guess, knowing that a marriage that was as quick and rushed like this without giving either side much time for preparations whatsoever could only resort to a civil wedding.

He gave her a nod. "Let me know if you object and prefer a formal wedding setting instead."

Elle could not immediately respond to his comment. She would be lying to herself if she said she had not been dreaming of walking down the aisle with that perfect white wedding dress of her dreams. But… she did not want to tell him that. She did not want to object. She could not bring herself to.

Not only because she was not sure how he would respond if she objects to him or if this was another test, but also because she knew that if she go ahead with a formal wedding, it will take more time for preparation. Not to mention that it will definitely be made known to the public. Elle did not know why but after what happened tonight, she felt an uneasy feeling that she was not as safe in this beautiful place as she had initially thought she was. She could not shake off the feeling that perhaps it might all be related to Brandon Haze. She could not think of anyone else who would want to cause such troubles for her other than that monster. Unless there was someone else in this place that was… but why? She quickly forced herself to stop thinking too much about it and finally gave her answer to Sebastian.

"I'm okay with a civil wedding." She answered, keeping her tone neutral, neither her eyes nor expression showed any signs of being forced.

Sebastian nodded and suddenly reached out to her. Elle tried her best not to react when his gloved hand brushed against the sides of her neck. She felt him pick at something that was seemingly caught in the hair at her nape.

It was a red petal from the bath. He stared at the petal with those discerning grey eyes before crumpling it in his leather gloved fist, as if he was trying to crush it into dust.

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