AMELIA

I woke up slowly, my head heavy and foggy.

My eyes adjusted to the dim lighting. I was in an unfamiliar room. It was clean, spacious, and eerily quiet. My wrists were still tied, and my ankles too.

I tried to get off the bed, but I fell instead. The sharp and sudden impact jolted through me. Panic clawed at my throat as the door suddenly swung open.

He walked in, the same man from last night. Calm, and annoyingly confident, like he owned the whole damn world.

"I can see that you're awake," he said, amused, placing a glass of water beside me. "Drink."

"Oh, so now you're being hospitable?" I scoffed, trying to find my balance. "You kidnap me and now you're offering a drink? Let me go if you're feeling generous."

He didn't flinch. He stepped closer, grabbed my arm, and lifted me back onto the bed like I weighed nothing.

I felt my heart beat twice as fast, I had no idea where I was, who this man is or what was going to happen to me. I struggled with the ropes. "You know this is illegal, right?"

"You shot someone," he replied coldly. "If it had nothing to do with you, why get involved?"

"Why else? I was trying to save your life."

He tilted his head, a dark gleam in his eyes. "You thought your tiny ass could save me?" He let out a low chuckle. "That's cute. But that's one version of the story. The other? You're in cahoots with them. And when I prove it's true... I'll end you myself."

I let out a frustrated sigh, "what else do you wa..."

His phone buzzed interrupting my attempt to plea for freedom. He glanced at the screen and sighed before answering.

"Yes, father... I'm aware... What? Right now? Fine. I'll be there."

He turned to me, pocketing his phone. "Well, ive got something to take care of. Someone will help you out of that take you home."

"Gee... how kind of you," I muttered feeling a little relieved.

He was halfway out when the door opened again.

My jaw dropped as my father-in-law walked in.

"Amelia?" my father-in-law said, brows furrowed. "What's going on here?" His eyes darted between me and Rafael. "Rafael, what are you doing with your brother's fiancée?"

I blinked in disbelief, the long-awaited brother of Ethan that has been out of the country forever was the man I fucked?

I looked at Rafael, he seemed to have been shocked too but quickly covered it with a smug smile. "Don't worry about it dad, I thought she was someone else when I kidnapped her."

"You just arrived back last night and you're already pulling such stunts?!" His father shouted at him. "Get Amelia out of that and take her home. We have business to attend to."

I flinched as he cut the ropes on me. I studied his expression, he doesn't seem to be fazed in any way about who I am.

My father-in-law turned his full attention to me. "Amelia, you need to be more careful. You know how precious you are to this family. You refused bodyguards, fine. But if something like this ever happens again, I won't give you a choice." His voice softened. "Are we clear?"

"I'm sorry father," I told him. "It wouldn't happen again."

*********

The ride home was painfully awkward.

After the tense meeting, Rafael had offered to drive me back. I didn't know if it was kindness or, guilt.

Just as I decided to break the silence, he muttered something too.

"What?" we both said at once.

"You go first," he added quickly.

I took a deep breath. "I'm sorry about last night. I honestly didn't know who you were. I hope things won't be... weird between us?" I glanced at him. "And Ethan."

He didn't answer right away. Then finally, "Amelia?"

"Yeah?"

"How does Ethan treat you?"

He took his eyes from the road and glanced at me for a second. I caught a glint of something in his eyes, was it pity?

"What do you mean?" I asked, wondering what he was really thinking.

"I might be wrong," he said, "but you don't seem like the type of woman who sleeps with strangers. Especially days before your wedding."

I let out the heaviest sigh. "It is better I do that now than when I'm married. No?"

We pulled up to the house and I immediately wished we hadn't. Ethan was outside, looking like he was about to devour anything in his part. When he saw us, his eyes went wild.

Rafael reached for my hand just before I opened the door. "You don't have to marry him, you know?"

I stared at him, speechless.

Ethan charged toward the car and landed a heavy punch straight to Rafael's face.

"What are you doing?!" I screamed, trying to stop him.

He ignored me and hit Rafael again.

Rafael wiped blood off his lip, totally unfazed, he straightened himself up and stared down at Ethan.

"Don't you fucking touch her again," Ethan hissed, then grabbed me by the wrist and dragged me into the house.

I looked back at Rafael, who simply got into his car and drove off like nothing happened.

"Let go of me," I snapped, struggling against Ethan's grip. "You're hurting me!"

He shoved me inside and slammed the door.

"Where the fuck have you been, Amelia? What were you doing with him?"

"You told me to get out of your face, Ethan. That's where I was." I didn't even look at him as I headed toward my room.

Normally, I'd feel guilty. But I was too tired to care.

"What were you doing with Rafael?" he barked again.

"Ask him. He fancied me enough to kidnap me."

"Amelia," he said, voice low but sharp, "my brother is not someone to mess with. I mean it. Be careful with him."

I stopped. "So now you care?" I scoffed. "Go find your mistress, Ethan. I'm exhausted."

"Amelia!" he shouted. "I don't want to ever see you with him. You don't know who he is!"

"Oh..." I turned to face him fully, eyes burning. "Then tell me... who is he, Ethan?"

RAFAEL

I chugged down a glass of liquor as I stared at myself in the bathroom mirror. "What a brotherly reunion" I muttered, rubbing the fading bruise on my lip.

I would have very much loved to return those punches, but starting a fight there would not be to anyone's benefit. And Amelia...

I still remember the feel of her body in my hands, I think about it every night since then.

She could have been from my enemies, she could have been someone sent to aid that measly attack. Why did she have to be his fucking fiancé?

"She's too good for that prick."

I wondered why she was at that park and how frustrated she must have been to let me fuck her. Well, I wasn't going to let her forget me.

I picked up my phone and tapped the call symbol, "Yes boss" he picked almost immediately.

"Send her flowers... just her name... Yes. Do it discreetly." I said and dropped the call.

*********

AMELIA

Every day since Rafael dropped me off, I would receive a bouquet of flowers immediately Ethan leaves the house almost like his movement was being monitored.

The flowers would have no note to tell who it's from, only a huge 'AMELIA' on it in cursive.

I have not heard or seen Rafael since then, but he was the only one I could think of with balls large enough to pull stunts like this.

Ethan didn't like it. It infuriated him more that he knew it was from Rafael but there was no way to prove it. He felt threatened.

Sadly that didn't do anything to make him change, Ethan showed up to the house with another woman.

"For the love of God," I said immediately they walked in. "there are thousands of hotels in this freaking city. And if they're not to your taste, you have other houses. Why do you have to do this here?"

Ethan just looked at me and scoffed as he took her inside. He reeked of alcohol and the girl looked like something he just picked out from the club for a one night stand and is probably only agreeing to do this for his money.

I was still outside when the girl came out doing the shame-walk as she tried to leave. Not long after, Ethan walked on. He looked sobered up at least.

"I'm sorry about that." He said unexpectedly. That was a first.

"What exactly are you sorry about, Ethan? That you are fucking everything in skirt or that you're doing it here?"

"Yeah" he replied nonchalantly as he poured himself a glass of water.

I rolled my eyes, why do I even bother. "The dinner is in three days. Try your best to come sober and with your dick in your pants." I didn't wait for a response before I left.

"Get rid of the flowers" he said stopping me halfway up the stairs.

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"I don't like them. Get rid of them."

I knew he was trying to get something out of me, but not today. "If you don't like it, do it yourself"

*********

I gasped when I saw him.

"What are you doing here, Rafael?" I asked, nearly dropping the mug of coffee in my hand.

"Just saying hello to my future sister-in-law," he said casually, leaning against the counter like he lived here.

"Well, hello. Now goodbye." I turned to walk away.

"Wait, Amelia..."

I paused, sighing. "We shouldn't be talking. What happened between us was a mistake."

He stepped closer. "Then why can't I stop thinking about it?"

"That's a you problem," I said flatly. "Excuse me. My coffee is calling."

He smirked. "What if Ethan finds out about that night?"

I stopped in my tracks, slowly turning to face him. "Are you threatening me?"

"I'm just saying... it doesn't have to be a secret. You could come to me willingly." He replied with his smug smirk.

"No. Things are already complicated enough... you sent those flowers, didn't you?"

He gave me a blank stare like he had no idea what I was talking about.

"I know it was you, why?"

He reached for my hand. "Amelia... I felt something between us. I know you did too. Besides you and Ethan can't even stand each other."

I hesitated, but only for a second. "The wedding is in a few days. It's too late."

"It's never too late." He took a step back, eyes gleaming. "Besides, you know Father wouldn't care which son you end up with, as long as you end up in the family."

I frowned. "What are you planning?"

He only grinned. "It's a surprise." waving as he walked out the door.

There would actually be no greater revenge for all what Ethan has done to me than to go with his brother, who is already better than him in so many ways.

I sighed, "What a day."

*********

Ethan and I sat side by side at the wedding rehearsal. We had not had any arguments since that day, but I knew it was just a facade.

His true colors would show again once this ceremony was over.

Everyone else seemed super excited, laughing and toasting.

Then Rafael took the mic.

"Amelia..." he began, eyes locked on me. "Since the moment I met you, I haven't been able to get you out of my head. Especially our... unforgettable night together."

Gasps echoed around the room.

Ethan shot to his feet. "What the hell did you just say?!"

He lunged, but one of Rafael's men held him back.

Rafael ignored the chaos. He walked toward me, and held out his hand.

"Amelia and I... we've decided it's time to make our relationship public."

The room fell silent. Every eye turned to me.

I barely had time to process before Rafael dropped to one knee.

He opened a velvet box revealing a glimmering diamond.

"Amelia," he said, voice clear and confident, "will you marry me?"

AMELIA

I stared at the ring. It sparkled like it had been plucked out of a fairytale, but this wasn't a fairytale.

Everyone was waiting. Ethan looked like he was about to explode. His father, my father-in-law, just stared, his expression was unreadable.

I could feel my heart drumming in my ears. This wasn't just a proposal. It was a choice. A power move.

Did I love Rafael?

No.

Did I enjoy that night with him? More than I should have.

Did I want to watch Ethan burn with betrayal after everything he'd done to me?

Hell yes.

I took a breath, then let my fingers fall into Rafael's open hand.

"Yes," I said.

A collective gasp filled the room. Rafael slipped the ring onto my finger and stood, grinning like he just won a game.

He kissed my hand, then whispered, "You wouldn't regret it, sweetheart."

I turned to Ethan with a smile that could cut glass. The look on his face was priceless. I could feel his confusion and defeat radiating like heat waves off his skin.

After the event, everyone had something to say. Of course it wasn't what they expected, but for the sake of love, or at least the illusion of it they congratulated us anyway. The cameras were everywhere, flashing like we were some royal couple.

My father-in-law wasn't so pleased at the switch, but he decided that if it was what I wanted, then so be it. He gave me a stiff nod and asked that I meet him briefly before I left the reception.

Later that evening, Ethan burst into my room, slamming the door behind him like a spoiled child.

"What the fuck was that, Amelia?"

I barely flinched. I had been expecting this. "That was a proposal. Do you need me to explain any further?"

"You made a fool of me!" he barked. "You're supposed to marry me, Amelia!"

"Oh, spare me," I said, standing up to face him. "You brought your mistress to our engagement dinner, to our home. You spat on me, humiliated me, made it clear I was nothing but a pawn. So don't cry when someone else moves the board."

His fists clenched at his sides, his jaw ticking with rage. "You'll regret this. You don't know Rafael like I do. You think he wants you? He just wants to win. And when he's done with you..."

The door swung open, interrupting him mid-threat. Rafael stood in the doorway, calm as ever, with that arrogant gleam in his eyes.

"She's not your problem anymore, Ethan," Rafael said. "Move on."

"You're both insane," Ethan muttered, pushing past him as he stormed out. "You'll regret this. You both will."

Rafael looked at me and smirked. "That went better than I expected."

*************

RAFAEL

"You really want to get her, don't you?" Kelvin, my right-hand man, asked, leaning against the doorframe.

I smirked, tapping a pen on my polished desk. "Yes. Whatever it takes."

Kelvin's eyes narrowed. "What about your brother, Ethan?"

I let out a low chuckle. "Ethan has already lost by being a bitch to her. He only made things easier for me."

"I'd make her mine," I thought to myself.

And I did.

The look on Ethan's face as he walked out of the room was pure bliss. The air felt better without his whining voice in it.

"Hello, wife to be..." I said, reaching out to hold her waist, pulling her gently against me.

She grinned, her eyes glinting. "That sounds nice, husband to be."

I looked at the bed, then back at her. "Should we do what lovers do?" I asked, voice dipping as I leaned in to kiss her.

She leaned closer to me too, and before I could think much about it, we were in a deep, seductive kiss.

I pressed her against me, savoring every curve of her very round and plum bum. Her body fit into mine perfectly like a puzzle piece I didn't know I'd been missing.

My hand went to the back of her dress and pulled her zip down. The hands of her dress fell to reveal her big breasts, full, soft, and even better than I remembered them.

I kissed her neck and watched as she reacted to it. She let out sharp breaths, little gasps. My hands unhooked her bra as my tongue teased her nipples. She let out a soft moan, her hand pulling me closer, her nails scraping my skin.

I slid my hands down, and dipped my fingers into her panties, but she suddenly held my wrist and pulled it away.

She pushed me toward the bed and climbed on top of me, kissing me again. Her lips were hot and commanding. My mind ran wild. I was prepared for her to ride the hell out of me. I could feel my dick bulging harder in anticipation.

But then, Amelia reached out and pulled something from under her pillow. She handed me an envelope, and almost immediately, she stood up and began getting dressed.

"Amelia, what are you doing? What's this?" I asked, confused, glancing down at the brown envelope resting in my hand.

She met my gaze steadily. "It's a contract for our marriage," she said evenly.

I was shocked and a bit impressed. I'd known Amelia was smart, but I hadn't expected this level of calculation. Regardless... "Can't we do this after? I'm all hard."

"Oh, I'm sorry, Rafael, but we can't do anything else if we don't sign that."

"Fuck." I sighed, adjusting my pants. "That's evil, you know?"

She just nodded, acting a little bit sorry, but I knew damn well she enjoyed doing this.

"So... a contract?" I repeated, trying to get my mind off my dick. "What do you mean?"

She took a slow breath. "I'm not sure what this marriage would mean to you, Rafael... but your father asked that we sign that before we can go ahead to get married."

I opened the envelope slightly, eyes darting over the terms outlined within.

"Amelia... what on earth is this?"