by K.J. Rivera
CHAPTER 18
"Quit sulking Leah and please get ready."
I rolled my eyes at Sebastian. "No this is so dumb."
It was early on Saturday morning. Too early for me to be up getting ready for something I was thoroughly against. I was debating internally if I should let Sebastian go without me although I knew he wouldn't let that happen.
Sebastian sighed. "Oh relax Bo is a big boy and if he wants to go through with the arraigned marriage to a women he doesn't know so be it. Look on the bright side we'll probably get to eat lobster."
I glared at Sebastian. He knew how pissed I was about attending this wedding. "I am not going!"
Sebastian switched his demeanor from playful to serious obviously understanding my stance was not changing. "Leah come on stop pouting we're going."
"I am not pouting Sebastian I am standing up for what I believe in." I knew I was pouting but I hated knowing this wedding was happening and there was nothing I could do about it.
"It's going to happen if we go or not Leah. You know Bo had to have gone through a painful time having his father allow us to attend."
"Or he doesn't even know Bo invited us and Mr. Tang will have our heads on a stake before the ceremony. Sebastian he is being forced to marry a girl he doesn't know when the love of his life is what? Moving on? Who knows what state of mind Grace is in right now or if Bo even freaking told her about the wedding yet!"
Sebastian rolled his eyes at me. "Leah we've been over this. We are going to support Bo even if we don't believe in their customs."
My glare softened. "I just hate the thought of attending this wedding it feels so fake and wrong. I feel like an enabler."
Sebastian snickered. "Leah just because we are going doesn't mean we agree, we are supporting Bo and I think he really needs us to be there."
"Yeah and what about Grace?"
I knew Sebastian didn't know the answer to this. He talked to Bo a week after his dad had sent us packing. Bo had called to thank us again and make sure his father gave us the cash. It was a short conversation. Bo let him know Grace was doing well while getting acclimated to life back in the states. Bo offered no specific details about Grace other than she was well and looking forward to going back to school for the second semester. A few weeks later the wedding invitation arrived in the mail from Bo. I couldn't believe it.
Sebastian shrugged. "Don't know sweetheart. She's a strong girl. She's survived Ping's hellish playhouse she can survive getting over Bo."
I guess that put it in perspective but I couldn't believe this girl had to go through all this heartbreak. Sebastian leaned down and kissed me before going into the bathroom to shower. I didn't get how some people could do what they do and sleep at night.
We went to Hawaii after we left San Diego. We wanted to lay low and enjoy some of our reward money. It was blissful and I didn't want to leave. Especially to come back just to take a return trip to San Diego the place I could do without visiting for a few years. I pulled myself off the bed and staggered over to the dresser. I didn't have the heart to pack but I reluctantly picked out my clothes for the trip. At least I got us out of the rehearsal dinner. Bo wanted us to fly in the previous day for the opening festivities. I squashed that plan. No way in hell I was going to spend anymore time than I had to around the Tang's.
"Come on shower Leah we have a plane to catch." Sebastian had his towel wrapped around his waist and grabbed a pair of underwear out of our dresser.
"Ugh this is horrible."
"Gosh Leah I knew you were dismayed by this wedding but I didn't think you would take it so...so personally."
"I guess I'm a romantic. I believe in true love and this arraigned marriage is such bullshit to me."
"I know I get that but it's life. This is their culture people live differently. Shoot a regular wedding is usually bullshit."
I shrugged. "I guess but this is different. I think it's because of Grace. It was a short time but that night locked up even though the circumstances were bad we bonded. I got to feel a little of her pain and her struggles she was weighed down with. I was with her when she got set free and I saw her experience a wide range of emotions. She's pretty amazing to have survived like she did and not let it destroy her. Now this thing with Bo I really worry about her. And Bo, when I talked to him it was clear he didn't want the life that was in front of him. He doesn't want this. Both of them genuinely seemed to be in love with each other. But it is being robbed from them and Bo is letting it happen. That's what I am pissed off about Bo has a choice in the matter."
Sebastian sat down beside me on our bed. "It's Bo's life sweetie he has to live with his choices. Look at me Leah." He tilted my chin toward him. "This is out of our control. I know it will be hard for you to mask your disgust but let's go try to have a good time, eat some good food, and then we'll drive up the coast like we didn't get to do before. Deal?"
A smile swept across my face. "We spend the day at the beach tomorrow?"
"Sure. We'll hit Laguna Beach then head to Santa Monica."
"Will you surf with me?"
"Ah I don't know about that the water will be cold it's January, but I will watch you and be ready to warm you up when you come to shore."
"Okay deal. I am not going to like today but I will try to make the most of it."
"We always manage to have a good time together wherever we go."
Sebastian kissed me on the cheek. He slapped my butt when I got up to make my way to the shower. I looked back sternly then broke into a smile. It's not my nature to sulk. I would go to Bo's forced wedding and enjoy the time with my husband. I would eat the expensive food and drink myself happy. Do the best we can with what we got. This made me think of the conversation I had with Grace. Is love enough?
It was a sunny day in San Diego and I gazed out the window taking in all I could of the surroundings when our plane landed. It reminded me of the first time we touched down at this airport not so long ago when Bo hired us to find his lost girlfriend. The two of us were all giddy to be chauffeured around like we were VIPs. Just like that time Bo said he would have a car waiting to take us to our hotel. The wedding was at sunset. I pulled my phone out of my bag. It was almost noon. We would have time to eat a nice lunch and take a stroll on the beach before we had to go to the compound for the wedding I was dreading to witness.
Sebastian slept during the flight. I couldn't sleep not only was I not tired but my mind was busy thinking about Bo and Grace. I was trying to get in a carefree mindset but I just couldn't shake my mood. Sebastian sensed it.
"Come on we will throw our stuff in the hotel room when we get there and go down to the beach to get you a margarita."
"Okay." I tried to sound a little bit excited but it didn't work.
Sebastian frowned. "Sweetie please."
After using the restroom we walked out of the airport hand in hand. The San Diego ocean air felt nice on my face. Maybe the beach would lift my spirits I thought to myself. Both of us glanced around for a black Lincoln Town Car. We didn't see one.
Sebastian nodded his head to the right. "Over there."
I looked in the direction Sebastian was referencing. There was a white limousine down the way with a gentleman in a tux holding a sign that read 'S. & L. Reyes.' Why does a limo always make you feel like a ten year old kid? I tried my best to hide my giddy expression from Sebastian.
"Everything is first class with the Tang's Leah. I am sure this wedding will be pretty spectacular."
"I guess." I said nonchalantly. I did not want to cave and show even the hint of excitement over this forced wedding. "What?"
"Nothing I can tell you want to smile."
I smirked. "Whatever it's just a limo and all the money in world can't buy Bo's happiness. It's all just material objects that appear beautiful but how happy is Bo going to be at the end of this day?"
"Relax Mrs. Reyes we are in paradise let's enjoy the beauty." Sebastian put his hand around my waist. "This limo is making me happy and there is enough r
oom we can get fresh."
Now I knew Sebastian was desperate to turn my mood around. "Oh behave Mr. Reyes and get fresh?"
The driver took our bags from us and opened the door. "Mr. and Mrs. Reyes."
"Thank you sir." Sebastian gestured for me to get in first. "After you my lady."
He said this in a sexy voice. Maybe this weekend wouldn't be so bad. "Why thank you Mr. Reyes." I stopped as I was getting ready to duck into the car. "Well color me happy there's sofa in here for two."
Sebastian tilted his head. "Stop flirting with me and get in the car pretty woman!"
I ducked into the limo and was caught off guard. We were not alone. Sebastian almost sat on me.
"Dang Leah scootch over sweetie."
I was shocked at the sight
"What?" Sebastian said stunned. "What is this?"
Bo and Grace were in the limo along with another young couple.
"Hey guys," Bo said with a laugh. "Surprise!"
Sebastian and I were speechless. We looked wide-eyed at each other then at Bo and Grace. A smile illuminated both our faces. The look that was on Bo and Grace's face was a look of pure joy.
"I did it Leah," Bo said boldly. "I walked away."
Maybe love is enough.
