Father In Law

Charlotte:I see something flash through Anthony Crosswalk's eyes as his son ignores him.I look away when he glances down at me. Goosebumps rise on my skin as I feel his gaze on me. He is an intimidating man."Excuse him. He's not used to not getting what he wants."I appreciate his honesty, despite his words."It's alright Mr. Crosswalk. If he loves someone else, why not get married to her?""I'm sure you of all people know how our world works, Ms. Daymond. We don't marry for love. It is a mere abstract concept. Marriage is just a tactful strategy to further improve our businesses."I shake my head vehemently, completely at odds with his words, but I know it's useless arguing with men of his power. Men like my father. They're thick headed and refuse to listen to what the other person has to say. If Sebastian's childhood was anything like mine, then I feel sorry for him.Everyone knows about Anthony Crosswalk and his ruthless reputation. I could guess having him as a father is not an

Charlotte:The next morning, I brush my teeth, take a shower and pack a bag. When I finish zipping up the bag, my phone buzzes with a text. I open it and find an address to a private airport. I eat an apple and banana for breakfast and sling my bag over my shoulder, locking the door behind me. Franco, being his usual punctual self, waits for me. "Good morning Franco." I toss him an apple which he deftly catches. "Good morning Ms. Daymond.""Oh Franco, just call me Charlotte." I say over my shoulder as I get into the backseat of the car. He closes the door and gets behind the wheel. "Where to Ms. Daymond?"I sigh. "We need to go to Teterboro Airport."He nods and starts the engine. I look through my phone to check my mail and respond to the ones that say 'Immediate response required'. When I'm done, I have nothing else to do, so I decide to bother Franco. He's only been my driver from the past two weeks. "Franco, are you married?"He laughs. "For the past 25 years miss."I lean

Anthony:"I do not want a wedding ceremony. Forcing a woman upon me wasn't enough for you? Putting my signature on the papers is the most I can do. The only wedding I ever wanted was with Adeline, and you so selfishly robbed me of that. Only Adeline will ever be my bride. So, if you think I'd even attend my own wedding, you're poorly mistaken, father dearest."It takes all my effort to push down my anger. What the fuck is that bitch Adeline doing to him? "Crosswalk Industries and Daymond Diamonds. Both of them Fortune 500 companies. You expect us not to throw a grand wedding? That's what your future wife does for a living, mind you""I don't give a shit about her, least of all, about what she does. You can throw the biggest wedding ceremony you want.""Thank y-""But the groom won't be attending." He finishes with a smirk and leaves. As soon as he closes the door to my office cabin, I launch a dart. Bulls eye. I continue to throw more darts till I've expelled all my anger. Just the

Sebastian:She doesn't hold a candle to Adeline. She's ugly. Her face is ugly. Her shoes are ugly, and her style is ugly. She gives me a smile, but I ignore it. I can be civil to the parents, but to her? All cards are off the table when it comes to her. She's the wall standing between me and my Addy. A wall I'll go through any lengths to destroy. My father goes onto the makeshift podium to deliver a small speech, which I tune out because I'm focused on Charlotte Daymond, thinking of all the ways I can make her miserable.She must sense some malice in me, because she looks at me again, but this time she holds my stare. A nudge to my elbow brings me face to face with my father. His speech was over quick. He hands me a ring box and gives the other to the Daymond bitch. I open the box and see a simple gold band encrusted in small diamonds. I bet he picked out the rings himself. He seems more invested in this sham of a marriage than the groom himself. Why can't he marry her instead? The

My favorite part of Casa de Crosswalk is the abundance of palm trees. We all get out at the same time and I marvel at the black rose bushes once again. The black SUV goes into the right garage and I ask Sebastian, "Which garage is yours? Right or left?"There's a long pause before he answers."Left." It's grumbled so low that I almost hadn't heard it. Of course the SUV belongs to Anthony. I stand in the foyer and take in my surroundings. To my right is a wide marble staircase which leads to the second floor and to my left, two wide archways lead into the hall. Sebastian just storms up the stairs, leaving me and Anthony to stare at his retreating form. "You'll be sharing the same room as him. As you are, after all, husband and wife now."I clear my throat and nod at him. I expect him to leave as well, but he looks like he wants to say something. After a beat of hesitation, he looks straight into my eyes with his hazel ones. "If Sebastian gives you trouble...you can tell me."I d