Chapter 16: The Ultimatum

Alissa Moore's Point of View:

I couldn't believe that Rafael proposed and I was even more shocked that I said yes. We hadn't known each other long but for some reason it just felt unbelievably right to be together. So when he asked me to marry him the thought of saying no didn't even cross my mind.

"Isn't this just cute," someone behind me spoke and by the way that Rafe's body tensed he knew exactly who it was.

"Who's this?" I asked him excited at the prospect of sharing the news with one of Rafe's friends.

"He's nobody," Rafe mumbled as he led me away from the person.

"Don't lie to the pretty lady," the man laughed.

I stopped in my tracks, "Rafe what's going on?"

"Tell her what's going on Rafe?" He taunted him with the nickname.

Rafael sighed, "he's my cousin"

I was confused, "then why did you say he was a nobody?"

"He might as well be," he muttered as he looked away "Let's go baby"

"Aw why are you in a hurry cuz?" He snickered "afraid I'll tell her the truth?"

"Rafe, what's going on?" I asked him, fed up with the back and forth between them. "what is he talking about?"

"Yes, dear cousin, what am I talking about?"

"Baby, just ignore him," he pleaded with me "Let's go celebrate our engagement"

"Wait," he gasped dramatically "he proposed and you actually said yes?"

"What's wrong with me saying yes?" I ignored Rafe who was becoming more insistent about leaving.

His cousin walked closer to us, "Did he tell you about the ultimatum that the council gave him?"

"What ultimatum?" I was very confused at this point.

"Baby. let's go," Rafe urged me.

"No, what are you hiding from me?" I snapped "why do you insist on leaving?"

"Would you like to tell her or should I?" His cousin smirked.

Rafe lost it. "Shut up, Harry...you don't know what you're talking about"

"Baby, please listen to me...I'll explain everything but not here"

His eyes were begging me to leave. I couldn't ignore the look in his eyes and so I agreed, "fine let's go"

As we were walking out Harry yelled after us, "make sure you tell her that you have to marry someone or you lose your right to the throne"

Rafe tensed but didn't stop as he continued to lead me outside. I on the other hand was reeling from the information like I had just been slapped with. Was what Harry said true? Is that why Rafe proposed to me? Is that why he was in such a hurry to leave?

I couldn't function as my mind remained in shock for the next few minutes. Rafe took that opportunity to lead me out of restaurant and to the park that we went on a previous date.

I was numb the entire walk there as I began to overthink everything. Did he even love me or was he just saying that to make sure I married him? I was so confused.

"Are you okay?" he asked me quietly.

"I don't want to believe that it's true," I mumbled quietly "but if it is I need you to tell me"

He pulled away from me and sat beside me instead, "what?"

"Was what he said true?" I put the question out into the open "do you really have to get married to ensure your place on the throne?"

He reached out for me, "Alissa look it's not what you think"

"Just answer the question," my voice grew louder "is it true or not?"

He sighed looking down at his feet, "it's true"

"Oh my God," I breathed "this was all a lie wasn't it?"

"What?" He reached out to take my hand but stopped when he caught the look on my face "none of this was a lie"

I was hysterical at this point, "you lied to me!"

"Baby, please calm down and let me explain"

"Explain what that you've been lying to me for days on end?"

He ran a hand down his face, "baby—”

I groaned, "don't call me that"

He took a deep breath, "Alissa... please believe me when I tell you that what I feel for you is real. I really do love you and I would never do anything to hurt you. I admit that it was wrong to keep the ultimatum from you but believe me when I say it has nothing to do with my decision to marry you. I mean have you looked in the mirror lately? You're perfect for me"

"Why am I perfect for you?" I asked him "because I was the only girl stupid enough to agree to marry you after just days"

The smile slipped off of his face, "Alissa please believe me when I say that I love you"

"Why do you love me?"

"What?" He looked confused.

I shook my head, "I really wish I could believe you Rafe, but I just can't right now"

Tears ran down my face as I looked down at the ring he just gave me. I slowly took the ring off and took his hand placing the ring inside of it.

"Lissa, please don't do this...I'll do anything for you to not do this"

"I'm sorry," I told him quietly "I need some time alone...please don't follow me"

I stood to my feet and walked away from him, leaving him sitting there on the bench. I looked back once to find him staring at the ring. I quickly looked away and hailed a cab to go back to the hotel.

As I sat in the cab the tears kept flowing despite how much I tried to stop crying. I was just so hurt that he kept this from me. Was he ever going to tell me or was he going to keep it a secret? I only found out because of Harry, his cousin.

I partly wished that Harry had kept his mouth shut so that I could still be basking in my engagement, but I knew that I would rather be aware than ignorant to what was happening.

I kept my eyes down as I walked across the lobby to the elevator and all the way up to my floor. I pulled out the hotel key opening the door. I shut the door behind me and turned around. A loud gasp escaped my mouth when I caught Bri standing in front of me with a smile on her face.

Her smile gradually dimmed when she saw my tear-stained face.

"Oh, honey, what's wrong?"

I flung my arms around her and cried my eyes out, mourning the loss of what could have been a beautiful relationship.