Chapter 168

Chapter 168

HENRY

Two days ago, when Shane called me into his office and told me to contact the wedding planning agency, I thought it was just a joke.

You know, I thought it was just Shane, being the sadistic Shane he is, pulling my legs just to see and revel in the look of despair on my face. Only for me to find out that it wasn't a joke when he repeated it, dead-serious.

And...

I haven't been the same since.

Shane really is intent on getting married to Alicia. And he's planning on marrying her pretty fast. His initial plan was to do the whole thing in under one week. However, he came to work the next day and said to push it up to two weeks.

And the wedding planner and her teams have already gotten to work.

I've said this before, and I'm saying it again. Most times, I forget that Shane is even engaged to Alicia, because, you know, he barely wears his rings in my presence and doesn't even talk about her.

Which brings me to the question I've been asking myself. Why is Shane even engaged to her in the first place? Why is he so intent on marrying her?

I know that it certainly isn't because he wants to appear as a straight guy and protect his public image. As far as I know, Shane could barely give a fuck about people's opinions of him. And I can swear on my grandfather's grave that Shane does not in any way love Alicia.

Yes, he might kiss her, whisper sweet nothings to her ears, have sex with her, but he does not love her.

So why? Why? Why in God's name is he so keen on marrying her? I've been racking my brain, trying to find the perfect answer to this mysterious question, but I always get nothing. Nothing!

I thought that he was starting to develop feelings for me. I thought that we were making some progress. I thought that the reason he killed all these people in front of me was that he loved me.

Did I think wrong all along?

I'm literally going crazy right now. How can I live with the fact that the man I love with all my heart is getting married to someone else? How?

How am I going to get through with this? My heart is in shambles. I'm in pain. And the fact that Shane hasn't come to the penthouse these past two days is making it worse.

The sound of the door opening jolted me out of my thoughts, and I flung up my head. Shane walked in, all perfectly dressed up as usual.

I didn't greet him. I just stared at him.

He smiled at me.

Yes, you read right.

He smiled.

Brightly.

Shane has been smiling since two days ago, when he told me to contact the wedding planning agency. I've been trying to figure out what could possibly be the reason he's this overjoyed, but I can't think of any ordinary thing. He doesn't even look this happy when he unalive people.

He disappeared into his office, the door clinking shut behind him. I sat still, my body rigid, heart pounding in my chest. Then I pressed my lips tight and heaved myself to my feet.

I rounded my desk and walked into his office without bothering to knock. He was standing in front of his desk, a paper in hand as he skimmed through it.

He glanced up and met my gaze when I walked in.

I crossed the office to him, stopping just two feet away. He didn't seem surprised. And his demeanor was impassive.

“What is it, Jones?” He queried, voice soft and flat.

“Why?” I asked. “Why are you getting married to her?”

He stared at me for a long moment, then replied, “Because I want to. Got any problem with that?”

“Yes!” I declared, voice full of vehemence and a mixture of desperation. “Yes, you know I do. Why are you doing this? Just to torture me?”

“Oh, Jones, as much as I relish torturing you, getting married to a girl just for the sole purpose of that, is not one of them.” He drawled quietly, face calm and composed.

“Then why?” I demanded, “Why? You don't even love her. Why are you getting married to her? You know how I feel about you.”

“Yes, I do.” He said, “But I gave you a condition. That you needed to earn it. But so far, all you've been doing is disappointing me, night after night. You're still horrified and disgusted by what I am. What use is your love if you aren't willing to do what it takes? Useless. Now, stop moaning and get to work.”

He turned and rounded the desk, then sat down casually and pulled his computer closer.

I stood there, feeling all kinds of emotions swirl in my chest at the same time.

I can't just sit back and let Shane get married to Alicia. What if he starts to love her? What if she starts to make him happy? Worse, what if she gets pregnant and he becomes a father, then wants nothing to do with me anymore?

I had a hard time ending my feelings for Collin. And now that I love Shane this much, I wonder if I'll ever get to move on. What am I gonna do without him?

Call me pathetic, but I don't even imagine a life anymore if Shane isn't in it. I love him so much. I need him to love me back.

And right now, I'm willing to do anything for his love.

Anything.

I turned to him, “What if I kill someone? Will it make you change your decision?”

He flung his head up to me, eyes lighting up with glee instantly. Then his lips did that usual curve.

“Why, yes.” He leaned forward and rested his elbows on the desk, lacing his fingers together, “Killing someone might help in changing my decisions about the wedding. But depending on how well you make them suffer before ending them indefinitely.”

My throat felt thick, and I gulped down nothing. “How about tonight, then?”

The smirk on his lips only stretched wider. “Perfect.”

I'm going to do it.

I'm going to kill someone.

If that's what will get Shane to love me, then I'm willing to do it.

Tonight.