Okay guys this chapter is going to have Vincent's and Selena's story! Told from both their perspectives! And of course a little surprise at the end
Chapter twenty one: Selena and Vincent
"Shawn! Let's go!" how can he be such an idiot? I adjusted my bag on my shoulder and looked over at the clock, we have less than five minutes to sprint across the campus to our American literature class and this moron STILL wasn't ready!
"Just go without me man!" I could hear him call from the bathroom "Stacy's moms beans are kicking my ass right now!" my face twisted in disgust but I didn't need to be told twice I pulled the door open and sprinted out the room, out the hall and into the courtyard. Usually I didn't mind being late to class, hell I condoned it but mom had called last night and was hounding me about coming home if I didn't pick up the slack.
I love my parents, both of them but I never felt right at home. I didn't see dad too often because he was always at the office and mom is always pushing things on me. Picking business as a major instead of music, choosing Yale instead of Georgetown, Getting an apartment in the city instead of living on campus, or when she pushes her friend's daughter on me! God that Karin girl was the worst! She was the carbon copy of every wealthy family's spoiled daughter. She only wore designer labels, only drove the latest cars, apparently she already had one of those new pagers, and she thought that she should have anything she wants…including me.
Just thinking of Karin made me shiver, I heard she spent the past year in a psych ward since her mom passed and I really felt for the girl but she came back just as superficial as ever. I was lost in my own thoughts running to class that I completely lost all sense of myself. I heard someone yell and looked up to see a guy riding a bike right at me! I tried to maneuver out the way of the cyclist but just ended up crashing into someone else! "Whoa I'm sorr-!" before I got a chance to speak I was being pulled down along with the stranger and into the fountain!
"Selena!"
I heard someone scream out a name right before I went under; the water was still cold and took me by surprise. I ended up choking as I came up trying to breathe and I heard someone else doing the same but I didn't even get a chance to open my eyes before I was being wailed on and an angry voice was yelling.
"What the hell is your problem!" a woman yelled landing a good punch in my right eye sending me flying back into the water
"Me!" I yelled standing up "What the hell is YOUR problem!" I turned and was ready to give this person a piece of my mind but then I came face to face with the brightest green eyes I had seen in my entire life.
"Oh I'd love to hear how mad YOU are" she crossed her arms and sent me a glare that could kill "I didn't see anyone pushing YOU into the fountain! If this is how all Georgetown guys are I sure as hell don't want to come" the last part of her sentence was aimed to a group of people. She was a part of a school tour! I still couldn't speak, she was beautiful. No she was perfect. Her long dark brown hair was clinging to her body and she was so petite, I can't imagine something so small just punched me as hard as Shawn does!
Something must have caught her attention because her face changed from anger to shock "Hey! You're bleeding you idiot!" she wadded the water and was in front of me before I even knew it. Her small hand came up and touched my brow, that's when I felt a sharp pain "Ow!"
"Don't be a baby!" she pulled me to face her and examined my brow "I must have cut you with my ring when I punched you" she said it like it was the most natural thing in the world "C'mon" and just like that she took my hand and lead me to the edge of the fountain "I'll catch up with the group later!" she waved off her group and turned back to me "Take a seat you idiot!"
"Who are you?" Nice Vincent, real smooth.
I must really have looked like a bigger idiot then I was because she smiled and that's when I knew I was going to marry this girl. "Selena Cook" she extended her hand and I took it "now strange guy who tackles girls into fountains can you have a seat so I can clean up that brow for you?"
"Vincent" I did sit but I had to tell her my name "Vincent Sanchez"
She nodded but didn't spare me a second glance as she peered at my injury "Well Vincent I think you'll survive" she pulled her bandana from her hair and pressed it against my brow "now do you want to explain why you did what you did? If you wanted my number there are other ways around it"
"No I was distracted-"
"By my beauty?"
"No"
"So you're calling me ugly? That's harsh dude"
"NO! You're gorgeous!"
"Too late" she stood up and sauntered away from me "I'm hurt, you called me ugly" she started wiping at her eyes and I panicked.
"Selena Cook you are the most beautiful woman I've met!" I suddenly yelled out before I could even stop myself. She looked back at me and looked a little shocked, I could hear some giggling and looked to see a group of girls huddled together laughing. That's when I realized everyone in the court yard could hear me. I felt my ears heat up and thanks to my tanned Hispanic skin I know I don't blush but I was pretty sure I was damn near close by this point.
A beautiful laughter broke out and I looked back to see Selena holding her stomach with tears running down her cheeks.
XoXoXoX
"Selena!" I jumped out of bed at my roommate's scream, I had been up for a while now just procrastinating getting to bed.
"Jenna?" I called out as I ran out into our sitting area, I saw her at the door and I walked up to her "What's wrong?" she just smiled and pointed at the door where someone was dressed in a horse costume and on all fours "What the hell?"
"He handed me this" Jenna giggled passing me a note "It says to get on the horse's back and enjoy the ride" I read it over and she was right it also had my name on it.
"This has Vincent's name written all over it" I mumbled grabbing a hoodie from the coat rack next to the door. I knew better than to go against it, going along always saved me a headache. I grinned and decided against the hoodie, if he wanted to pull on of his stunts then I'll pull mines! I bet he won't like me going out with no bra. I sat on the horse and Jenna laughed
"Camando?" she asked
"Served him right" I stuck my nose in the air and let whoever Vincent bought off to act as a horse start the journey. One set of stairs, a courtyard, and countless stares later I found myself at the fountain where we first met. Vincent was sitting there with a bouquet of roses and one of his heart warming smiles.
"Can I get off the horse now?" I asked attempting not to smile but failing miserably. Any time Vincent was around this goofy grin just wouldn't leave my face. He walked over and handed me the bouquet then dramatically bowed while offering me his hand.
"My princess, if you would do me the honor of joining me for breakfast" he faked an English accent and failed miserably. I couldn't help laughing but took his hand nonetheless. As soon as I was standing my 'horse' jumped to his feet and I realized it was Shawn "What could he possibly have given you that you agreed to this?"
"You're man is a genius!" he cried "I can't pass my final to save my life! So Vince is going to take my final for me and boom! I can finally graduate from this hell hole"
"Horses should be seen and not heard" Vince commented from behind us. I turned to say something but he must have seen my braless state first because he immediately pulled me to him. "Now get the hell out of here before I conveniently forget what day your final falls on!"
"So bossy!" Shawn yelled but I could hear his footsteps as he walked away.
Finally Vincent pulled away and gave me a stern look "Did you give the school a nice show of your tits?" he asked pulling off his varsity sweater. I nodded and he just gave me a look taking the flowers as I pulled his sweater on, it was still early morning and mid-May so a sweater wasn't uncommon in Washington.
"So why did you drag me out here? You graduated last year boy genius you don't go to this school anymore" I asked taking my flowers back.
"Come here" he seemed to gain back some of the enthusiasm he has when I first showed up so he must really be in a good mood. He pulled me to the fountain and sat on the edge pulling my hand until I did the same. "Do you remember this spot?" he asked
"Yeah it's where I learned firsthand how to be tackled properly" I joked.
Vincent spared me a smile but corrected it instantly into a very serious mask "Seriously Selena"
His seriousness sobered me up and I reached my hand up to cup his cheek "How could I forget?" I can't help but notice that he looks nervous "this is where I first fell in love almost three years ago"
He visibly relaxed and in return it relaxed me. Vincent took my hand and smiled "You really are my soul mate Selena" then he did something completely unexpected and dropped to one knee "Selena"
"Vincent get up!" I said panicking and looking around to make sure no one was around.
"No let me do this" he took my now shaking hand "Selena I have been in love with you since the day I met you"
"Vince please" I stood up but he held on to my hand
"I know you're afraid of commitment because your parents never worked out but I want you to know I will never give up on us" I could feel my eyes water and tried pulling away, Vincent was more than I could ever dream of asking for but to suddenly propose? I was beyond terrified. "Will you marry me?"
I tried stepping back but bumped into the rim of the fountain and lost my balance, Vincent took hold of my hand but my sudden trip backwards must have been too much for him because before I knew it we both were stumbling into the fountain.
The cold water stunned me and I involuntarily swallowed water so once I made it up to the surface I was choking, I could feel Vincent next to me patting my back and asking if I was okay but I needed a minute to control my breathing. When I looked up and saw the tenderness behind his eyes and worry mixed in there I knew what I had to do. "Yes" I whispered
Vincent seemed to freeze "Yes…you're okay?" he asked skeptically and I shook my head "Yes….you will…marry me?" I nodded slowly and before I knew it he was picking me up and swinging me around in the fountain.
XoXoXoX
"Karin!" I tried controlling my voice but when I got back home in New York the first thing I didn't want to hear was that Karin was in my room after the stunt she pulled at the fundraiser this weekend. I had just gotten off the phone with a hysterical Selena. She thought I was playing games after reading that Karin confirmed an engagement between us. "Karin!"
"You don't have to yell Vincent I can hear perfectly fine" I opened my door to find her lounging on MY bed.
"What the hell do you think you're doing spreading this trash in the tabloids?" I hissed tossing the magazine at her.
She caught it with ease; on the front was a picture of us at the fundraiser 'Confirmed! Karin soon to be Mrs. Sanchez' she sighed "They could have used a better picture of me"
"Are you insane?" I asked "I mean I know your spoiled beyond reason but what in your right mind makes you think it's okay to spread lies as big as this?"
She smiled and sauntered over to me placing a well-manicured hand on my shoulder nothing like the paint covered hands I was used to "Is it a lie? Your parents brought up the subject to mine and I thought it was a perfect idea" she started adjusting my blazer and it took every ounce of self-control not to smack her away "we've been friends since we were in diapers, our families will be financially secure for another generation and Vincent you can't say I won't make the perfect trophy wife"
I stepped out of her grip and grimaced "You will one day, to someone who isn't already engaged" if I could take a picture of this moment and save it for all eternity I would. Karin's face is completely priceless! Frozen somewhere between shock and anger.
"What? Who?" she screeched
XoXoXoX
"So you see darling, It would only hinder Vincent's future if you two kept this up" I stared up into familiar eyes but ones that didn't belong to my Vincent but his father "The doctor says I have about three months with the cancer in its final stage. Vincent refuses to come home and I wouldn't feel right telling him this now that I only have such a small amount of time with my son. The only one who can make him come home is you"
My hand instinctively fell to my abdomen, I was happy we were out for lunch so I could hide the action from him. I had only just taken the test but I knew I was pregnant. The morning sickness, my missed period, I wasn't an idiot and I knew it happened the day Vincent proposed to me. "Mr. Sanchez, are you asking me to send Vincent home…or to break off the engagement and give him no choice but to go home?"
The older man in front of me heaved a heavy sigh and I wanted to smack him. He may have cancer and unfortunately he's dying but he's acting more like this is an annoying matter he was forced to take care of "Selena Vincent must take over my company, this dream of singing in that stupid band is only going to fail him and in the short time we have left I have to groom him into the next CEO" he reached over and laid a hand on my hand that still held a coffee cup in it but I pulled my hand back, if he was offended he didn't act it. He only gave a smaller sigh and smiled "Tell me are you prepared to become a wife to a busy CEO? One who will be sought after by many women? Sitting up late at night wondering if he's in another woman's arms?"
"Vince isn't like that!" I hissed
"Maybe not, my wife surely never thought I was" I wanted to vomit at the thought "your still in college another year left and you'll have your nursing degree, you can travel to Ecuador like you wanted to and help the under privileged like you planned to. Staying with Vincent will hinder that, he won't follow you and you'll only end up resenting him when you realize you gave up everything for him"
"Mr. Sanchez, I understand where you're coming from but I'm-" I didn't get a chance to finish before he slid something over to me. I stopped and looked up at him but he only smiled.
"It's blank so you can write whatever number suits you, being an orphan and college student must be hard" I was in shock yet he looked so at ease handing me a blank check.
The rage that coursed through my blood was instant I snatched the check and ripped it apart tossing the pieces in the old man's face "you can keep your money! I refuse to be insulted like this!" I stood from my chair and grabbed my purse "I'll stay away from Vincent and that's only because when my mother was alive she taught me to respect my elders and myself" I shouldered my purse and turned away from him ready to step out the café but stopped and looked back "If this wasn't a request from a dead man walking I wouldn't even give it a second thought and go running to Vincent to tell him just how much of a sleaze his father was but since that isn't the case I hope you enjoy the next three or so months"
XoXoXoX
"Sel? What are you doing here?"
I felt the tears well in my eyes and started rubbing them furiously "Robbie I need help"
"Are you crying?" Robert stepped away from his doorway and pulled me to his chest, a chest I knew I didn't belong "Sel what's going on?"
"I have nowhere else to go, growing up you parents took me in I have no family, no job, and no home" I cried harder admitting everything was gut wrenching.
"Come inside and help me understand everything" he reached down and picked up my suitcase then ushered me in the house "Why aren't you at school anymore?" he asked once we were sitting at his kitchen table. Robert Valentine was my most trusted friend, when my parents died his took me in and raised me as their own.
"I quit" I mumbled feeling that throbbing pain of heartbreak.
"What do you mean? You can't quit!" he practically yelled "Selena! That scholarship was your only way to pay for school!" he stood from his seat and dropped to his knees before me "Let me take you back to school, they might not have processed everything! We can say it was a big mistake and you had a minor panic attack" he took my hands "Let me help you fix this"
I shook my head "I'm pregnant Robbie"
He jumped back like he had been burned and the tears fell much faster "By who?" his voice was hoarse.
"Do you remember Vincent?" my voice was small as I spoke
"That little rich prick?" he roared "you telling me this guy knocked you up and doesn't even have the decency to take responsibility of it?"
"It's not like that" I cried finally looking up at him "Vincent doesn't know" I proceeded to tell him what happened between me and his father. About the cancer and about Vincent being away at a fundraiser when I found out and all of this happened. I didn't tell him about seeing him and that Karin girl together in the newspaper the other morning. He was already livid and I didn't want to give him any more reason to be upset with him. Once I finally got everything off my chest I noticed that Robbie was eerily quiet. "Rob?"
"You said you need my help right?" he asked quietly standing up and walking to the window, he peaked out as if he expected someone to show up "Because I have love for you I will help you but it has to be on my terms, can you do that Selena?"
Robbie stared back at me and I was scared, not because I didn't trust him but because I know leaving Vincent is easier said than done. Once I agree to this I know I can't turn back, I touched my lower abdomen again and felt my resolve strengthen. I do love Vincent, more than anything but I had to love this squirt more. I know that if he knew he wouldn't let me go and having a child at his age wouldn't be good for his future. It could potentially ruin it and even if we could somehow make it work did I want my squirt growing up in that world? Where people thought they could solve everything with money? I looked up at Rob and nodded "Yes"
XoXoXoX
"What do you mean she's gone!" I stood rooted in the hallway of Selena's dorm after hearing Jenna's news "She can't just be gone without any word"
Jenna shrugged her shoulders "I don't have any home number for her and someone from administration came by to tell me I'd have a new roommate by next week because Sel was no longer a student" she walked over to the table and grabbed a small box from it "All that was left when I got home was this, I think you should have it"
I opened my hand and saw it was a ring box, I felt a tightness in my chest and went to open the box hopelessly thinking I didn't want to confirm what would be in there. When the face of the princess cut 3ct diamond I gave her stared back up at me I felt the sun to my world die out.
"Vince!" I jumped and looked to see Shawn standing in the doorway with a look of panic on his face, he was red and breathing hard like he had been running "It's your dad! Your mother just called to say he was just admitted into the hospital!"
XoXoXoX
"Smile more darling, it's our wedding day after all" that one thought had me finishing my second glass of whiskey in one gulp. Karin couldn't be happier as she works the room and I had done a good job of avoiding her thus far but apparently she found me.
"I haven't seen you since we had our first dance" damn she noticed "it's almost time to cut the cake" she pulled my hand and I pulled mines right out of hers only to scratch my head.
"Yeah, I'll be right there" she gave a little pout but left without another word. Shawn caught my eye from across the room but I ignored him, he was already very much against this and I didn't want to hear another objection.
Looking out in the sea of faces I couldn't help but think over the events that happened these past months. Selena disappeared off the face of the earth. When I went to her old apartment it was bear, she had no family I could contact and no way to reach her. In the beginning I thought she must be in some kind of trouble but what kind of trouble could she be in that she couldn't trust me with? With my father in the hospital I had to stay home in New York so I couldn't keep looking for her personally but I did eventually hire a private investigator after a few months.
I expected him to tell me she was involved in something big, but never as big as he reported back. She was married, and they had a baby girl together. Not only that but she confronted the investigator and gave him a letter for me. I was so angry I didn't read it at first only wallowing in m grief after my father died and the loss of the love of my life.
When I finally did it only angered me more all it contained was two words 'I'm sorry'
"Vincent!" Karin was waving from my mother's table absolutely beaming with happiness. I grimaced and grabbed another whiskey the bartender had so kindly refilled, Karin must have cornered me on one of my drunken nights because I barley even remember agreeing to this but it was my father's dying wish and really there would be no one else out there for me…
XoXoXoX
"Natalia...my little spitfire, my baby." I felt my squirt snuggle deeper into my chest and I started playing with her curls. "you've always been so strong for mommy" she has, even when Robbie drinks and gets in his moods she stays hidden in her room and does her best to keep out the way. My gaze drifted off to the ocean and I couldn't help but think of Vincent. "That's why mommy will do right by you and bring you to daddy"
"Daddy?" she asked "Don't be silly mommy, Daddy is at work. You know he doesn't like to be bothered at work" I could feel her shiver and I was filled with guilt. No child should be afraid of their parent, she wouldn't be afraid of Vincent, he'll love and protect her.
I looked down at her placing a hand on her adorably chubby cheek "This daddy wont" I smiled thinking of the love she will receive "this daddy will love you and protect you, and do everything a daddy should do" I can see her confusion but just shake my head hopefully she's still young enough to forget the times with Robert an embrace Vince I placed her in the san "you play here while I get the car ready baby" I kissed her head and walked away.
I walked into Grants and went strait to the payphone looking at the clock I was right on time. No sooner had I thought that did it start to ring "Hello?" I asked
"So you made it on time, I'm glad" a voice spoke through
"I wouldn't miss it for the world, Thank you again for doing this" I smiled and looked out the window to see my squirt playing with seashells now "Most people would have rejected the idea of another woman coming with a child"
"I think we know this is more for Vincent and his daughter than anyone else" the person sighed "He was really shocked when he received your letter but I spoke to him and you have a place here already set up"
I shook my head "You've already done so much already" I stopped and gathered the courage to ask the question I had been dying to ask "Can I speak to him?"
"Oh I'm sorry dear, he's at the office now, you should really get on the road now it's going to be a long drive I really wish you would have let us wire you money for a ticket"
"No you've already done so much but your right, I should be seeing you soon" I went to hang up the phone but stopped "Thank you again"
"It's a pleasure Selena"
Finally I hung up the phone and went to grab the car once I pulled up along side the beach I stepped out and called out my favorite name "Natalia!" her wild curls whipped around as she turned to face me "Let's go hun it's almost dinner time, Daddy will be home soon"
She dropped the pale so fast and started running to the car "okay mommy! Let's go get daddy" I smiled and opened the door for her to jump in and before I knew it we were on the road to New York. I looked up at the sky and noticed some darkening clouds "I hope the rain holds up until we're out of Washington at least"
XoXoXoX
"What gives?"
"Miss Valentine is there a problem?" Sebastian asked stepping into my room after me. I pointed down at the lavish white dress laid out on my bed.
"This isn't mine and I didn't leave it here before I left" he walked over and picked up the dress, a small envelope fell to the ground and he picked it up.
"May I check it before you read it ma'am?" he asked. I nodded and he slowly opened the envelope taking out the small card and examining it, he even opened the envelope up further and checked inside. I don't know what he expected to find but apparently there was no threat because he handed me the card.
Get dressed, the car will be here around 7 and the doors close at 8 and bring your Christmas gift from Teddy.
I grinned somehow Hayate must have found out about my phantom of the opera tickets I looked over at the clock and grinned it was only still morning I had enough time so sleep off some of this jet lag before I need to get ready "Bas can you make sure I'm awake by five?"
"Yes ma'am" he nodded once but didn't leave "Miss Valentine, I asked you before and you may not have heard me but if you would kindly call me Sebastian I would appreciate it"
I grinned and gave him a mock glare "Do you agree to call me Natalia?"
I saw the now familiar look of conflict cross his face "I can't do that Ma'am"
"Okay then Bas it is"
XoXoXoX
I stepped outside the car and was greeted a bouquet of flowers but I didn't recognize the person handing them to me "My employer will be meeting you inside Miss Valentine, if you would please go in ahead and take your seat that would be best"
"And who is your employer?" I asked. Hayate never answered me back when I called him before getting ready and now I was just getting nervous.
"Forgive me but I'm not at liberty to say Miss Valentine"
I gave him a skeptical look but preceded inside presenting my ticket, I was then led to a private box that only had three seats. Taking mine I was left alone and my nerves increased. If I had two of these tickets did that mean Hayate had the other? Or would there be a stranger here with us? Or was it just a free seat? So many questions filled my head and I was getting a headache. After being lost in my thoughts I noticed the lights dimming signaling the Play would be starting soon. Where was he? The lights finally dimmed completely and the soft music began to play from the first act. That's when I felt the air shift next to me. I turned and my whole world froze.
Why? Of all people Why was he here? He just gave me a devilish grin "You act as if you've seen a ghost Natalia"
"Teddy"
AHHHHHHH I finally got it up! And to anyone upset over the duration of how long it take me to update, you have no idea the life I live and I can't keep up with the chapters but I love this story and I will always return to it so please refrain from saying that I don't care for my own story it's just rude.