Father In Law

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 don't know why, but his words spread relief through my chest. I was afraid I wouldn't have any allies. Not to say Anthony is exactly my ally. Well not yet, at least. But, there's a possibility and for that, I'm grateful.

"Thank you." I give him a warm smile, and then he too storms off.

I take a deep breath for courage before climbing the stairs behind Sebastian.

A narrow gallery filled with framed paintings greets me on the top stair. I can go either left or right. I choose right and knock on the door.

"Sebastian? It's me."

After a long pause, I think I've got the wrong room, but I hear the faint rustling of clothes.

"Can you please open up?"

I think it's a lost cause, but before I turn back the way I came, the door swings open and Sebastian grabs me.

I squeal when he slams me against the wall, his hands shackling my wrists to the wall.

He gets into my face and curls his lip.

"If you think this marriage is going to be sunshine and rainbows, think again. I didn't want to marry you. I was forced into it. If you expect something else, you're not getting it. I may be your husband on paper, but I'm not yours in any other sense of the word. Do you understand me?"

His words are a lot to take in, but I understand where he's coming from.

"Okay."

His brows dip and he pins me with a confused look.

"Okay?"

"I understand. You were forced into this, and I knew arranged marriage was in the cards for me. I don't expect anything from you, don't worry." I explain to him softly.

His face relaxes for a fraction before he pins me with another glare.

"Don't expect me to be faithful to you. I also don't expect it from you. I don't care for it."

It's disappointing, but I give him a small smile.

"You're a man in love. I know. I won't stand in your way."

He seems at a loss for words, but soon narrows his eyes into thin slits.

"How do I know I can believe your words?"

I shrug. "I don't have a reason to lie. So...are we friends or...are we friends?"

Confusion mars his face, but he clears his throat and let's go of my wrists.

"Well, that's not what I was expecting."

I laugh. "What? Did you think I would scream bloody murder and go on a rampage or something?"

He frowns. "I wouldn't go that extreme."

I hold out my hand.

"Charlotte Daymond. Friends?"

He ignores my hand.

"I don't trust you yet."

I sigh. I guess it'll take time.

"Well, now that that's over, I apparently have to share a room with you. But hey, you won't even feel like I'm there."

I open the closet and see my clothes on one half and male apparel on the other half.

"Guess it's too late for that." I look at him apologetically. I don't want this union to be spiteful or hateful.

He waves it off.

"You win some, you lose some. I don't mind sharing closet space. Throwing a tantrum over something so small is immature, even for me."

"Well, well, well, sharing closet space with THE Sebastian Crosswalk? Always been my dream." I don't know if he knows I'm kidding, but he smirks.

The Crosswalk men were blessed in the looks department, even I'll give them that.

"Well, I have to drop by the office, but don't make yourself too much at home. No rummaging through my stuff." He warns.

I give him a nod and proceed to take off my pearl earrings when he closes the door behind him. Looks like Anthony didn't have to worry about anything. Sure, the first few moments were tense and hostile, but I handled it. I think.

I put silver hoops through my ears and remove my gown to change into more appropriate business attire.

I slip into my nude wedges because Lord knows I need the extra height, even though it adds only a few extra inches to my 5'1.

I leave my hair as it is and walk out the door, only to bump into Anthony downstairs.

"Sorry." I look at him sheepishly, to which he only stares at me blankly.

"Sebastian wasn't...so bad. We've founded a truce. A friendship of sorts?" Sebastian didn't agree to being friends, but hey, Anthony doesn't need to know that.

His brows dip, similar to his son's. Honestly Anthony doesn't look a day over 35.

"I never said my son is bad. He can be difficult at times, but he's not a bad man. A husband and wife relationship between you both is what I was angling for, what with the marriage and all, but I guess friendship is a start."

I look at him in bafflement. If logic had a name, it would be Anthony Crosswalk.

"I will keep that mind."

"Here." He hands me two pairs of keys.

"One is the SUV's and one is a Rolls Royce. Both mine, but you can have one. Take your pick."

My eyes nearly bug out of my sockets.

"You would let me have your Rolls Royce?"

He shrugs. "I don't care about which car I drive in. It's just a vehicle. I'm guessing you don't like to be driven around."

He's right. As much as I love Franco, I like driving myself around.

I gingerly hand him back the Rolls Royce keys, keeping the SUV keys in my palm.

"Thank you Anthony."