Still want to post something for you guys. I am spacing out the chapters for ATEOTB and LAF as my writer's block continues. Lost a few family friends and I guess the inkling of that was what made my mood shift as my mother and I tend to know when something bad or uncomfortable will happen. It's like a gut feeling that won't go away and it brought back my migraines which is always fun. Hopefully, things should get easier and we're all in this together xx
Kenna watches as Mary stares at her wedding and engagement rings happily. They're expensive rocks and Kenna sighs. She hasn't even received an engagement ring, not that she expects one. She clears her throat and sips her mimosa.
"Ready to come back to the real world, honeybuns?"
Mary laughs softly, blushing furiously as she takes a sip from her drink and looks up at Kenna saying, "Sorry, sorry! I just still can't believe it. We celebrated our one-month anniversary this morning. Francis surprised me with a bunch of roses and after your wedding, he's whisking me off to Cancun."
"So, this whole arranged marriage is working out for you?" Kenna asks quietly, leaning her head on her hand with her elbow propped on the table.
"Yeah," Mary replies softly. "How was the meeting with the lawyers?"
Kenna swallows nervously. "Narcisse hates me."
"He hates everyone."
"He treated me like a child!" Kenna cries out, rolling her eyes.
Mary snorts, drinking her mimosa. "He gets like that when he doesn't have his morning coffee. Don't take it to heart, he was the same with me."
"Did you agree to the allowance?"
"Hell no!" Mary cries out. "They didn't even suggest it."
Kenna frowns deeply, shifting her drink to one side. "I'm sorry, what?"
Mary stops, blushes and bows her head. "Maybe because they know me better?"
"Mary..."
"Francis argued on my behalf," Mary says bashfully. "He was so against controlling my whole life, down to the last cent I spend, so he complained to his parents until they gave in."
Kenna nods slowly. "Sebastian told them to scrap it and keep the joint account."
"What?"
"Technically, everything I own is his but..."
"But...?"
"He was sweet about it," Kenna mumbles shyly. "Like he said if he died before we divorced, everything he owns would be mine."
Mary smiles widely, taking one of Kenna's hands. "He likes you then."
"What?"
"Bash never likes anyone."
"How do you know that?" Kenna asks, removing her hand from Mary's grip so she could lift her drink and take a sip.
Mary gives her a coy look. "He's the complete bachelor experience. Cool house, stringless one-night stands, all work hard and play hard... And good-looking," she starts, taking a quick sip that could put the Flash to shame. "Francis says that he thinks you're beautiful, sexy, gorgeous. Bash's words, not ours."
"Mary..."
"'So stunning'! You impress him," Mary tells her. "I told you that first impressions mean everything and you've left quite the impression on Bash."
Kenna falters and she downs her drink, raising her hand to cull a waiter. She orders four more drinks, two each, and leans back in her seat with her arms crossed and a sour look on her face.
"But I don't..."
"Don't what?"
Kenna shrugs helplessly. "We've just met. There's no way to say what he is really like unless we know each other better. Sebastian is just being kind, he just wants this to be as painless as it can be for the both of us."
Mary rolls her eyes hard and almost slams her hand on the table. But she keeps reserved, gives Kenna a smirk and checks her watch.
"Do you think there can be something between you both? That's more than an attraction for each other?" Mary asks her.
Kenna shakes her head. "He's gorgeous, sure but he's a completely closed book. Even asking him about his religion was awkward enough. I feel like we just need to be friends and try and get through these fifteen years of marriage in peace."
"Trust me," Mary starts, finishing her drink just as the waiter appears with their new ones. "You and Bash will be breaking beds before you know it. The sexual tension is real."
"Mary, you've been in a room with us, once," Kenna tells her, laughing. "What the hell do you know?!"
Mary grins. "Oh, I know plenty." She blows Kenna a kiss and winks before starting on one of her new drinks. "You'll see."
...
Kenna shifts on her feet as she waits for someone to answer the door. She's at the Valois estate and she knows she's at the right place because of the giant V and A entwined into the gates her chauffeured car drove through.
"Madamoiselle Beaton?" The house manager asks once the grand doors open.
"Uh, oui," Kenna says nervously, hoping her dress hasn't ridden up as she quickly pulls it down to its limit.
The man steps aside and puts his hands out to help her take her coat off. He waits patiently and hands her back her clutch, the bottle of wine and flowers that she's bought as peace offerings. She has no idea what she's offering peace for, but it seems needed.
"Is that Kenna Beaton?" Henry's voice comes from somewhere in the house before he appears with his wife and beams happily. "There you are."
Kenna smiles a little and hands the flowers to Catherine and the wine to Henry. "I hope I am not too late."
"Just in time," Henry says. "Francis and Mary are already here. It's your fiancé who is late."
Kenna blushes. She's still not used to that. "Oh. Is there any reason why?"
Catherine scoffs as she leads them into the dining room. "He spends three hours in his wardrobe. You connect the pieces."
"I thought I took too long to get dressed," Kenna replies lightly.
Henry places a hand on her shoulder and directs her to greet Bash's half-siblings and their partners as well as Francis and Mary with whom she sticks with when they're seated.
She sits next to Mary as Francis is across from them, an empty seat on his right reserved for Bash.
She looks around the dining room, seeing the portraits of whom are probably ancestors of the Valois-Angouleme family. They are really into the family aspect, Kenna notes and she blushes when she hears Catherine bemoan the wine she brought as well as the 'cheap' flowers.
"Those flowers are grown every five years, Catherine," Mary says, raising an eyebrow. "You should be grateful my best friend knows people."
Catherine narrows her eyes and smiles politely. "What beautiful flowers," she says. "And this wine... '98. An interesting year for me."
"I hope you enjoy them," Kenna says.
She's grateful for the next couple of minutes because that's when Bash finally shows up, dressed in casual-formalwear and he whispers into Francis's ear which makes the blonde smirk.
"Mary, why don't you sit next to me?" Francis asks.
Mary sends Kenna an amused look before she stands and switches seats with Bash. She sends Kenna a smirk from across the table and laughs softly when Kenna glares at her back.
"Sorry, I'm late. Major accident in central Paris," Bash finally says to the table as food is brought in.
Kenna is taken back at the amount of food and when all is laid out, the family join hands and she takes Bash's and Henry's, closing her eyes before they say, Grace.
When they're done, everyone just digs in and Kenna doesn't make an effort to serve herself. For some reason, it feels like she's intruding and needs permission. Also, she isn't entirely sure if she can even eat the food without suffering from anaphylactic shock. She takes a much-needed sip of her wine.
"Do you want me to serve you?" Bash asks quietly.
Kenna blushes. "Everything's so French... I'm not sure if I'd..." She stops herself. She doesn't want to be rude. "Uh, whatever you think is best. Stay clear from nuts though. I'm allergic."
Bash raises his brows and turns to his father. "Is there anything on the table that contains nuts?"
Henry stops eating and furrows his brows. "Yes...?"
"Kenna and I will dine privately. She's allergic," Bash states before helping her up and taking their wine glasses.
"Oh, dear," Catherine says, unimpressed. "I am so sorry. We should have checked. They're mostly in the salad. In fact, I believe the beans may contain them too... Try the fish in the kitchen, I'm sure nothing has touched that."
Kenna nods. "Thank you," she says softly before she follows Bash to the breakfast table in the kitchen where he deposits their drinks on the table. "I'm so sorry."
"What for?"
"That's why I was awkward with the family dinners thing... I didn't want to make a big deal about it," she says quickly, playing with her hair.
Bash laughs softly, waving the chef over. "You don't have to apologise for something that can kill you. I'd rather a live fiancée than a dead one."
"Sorry, again. Your stepmother looked like she was going to kill me," Kenna mumbles as they're served salmon and potatoes with greens.
Again, she's nervous about eating the food. It's a simple dish, not as extravagant as the ones laid out on the table for the rest of the family, but everything is done so properly here, she can't remember the last time she and her family sat down and ate dinner together.
She's almost spent all her dinners alone or when she was growing up, on her lap in front of the TV in the informal living room as her parents worked constantly.
Now, she will have dinners with her future husband every night.
The idea is foreign to her.
"Is there something wrong with the food?" Bash asks her.
Kenna blushes and shakes her head, making an effort to eat. "I don't know what's wrong with me," she says, her voice breaking. "I haven't had a family dinner in so long."
"Are you... crying?"
Kenna sniffles, wiping her eye. "No. No, I just have hayfever."
Bash looks out the open back doors. "Oh, I'll close the doors for you then."
She nods and continues to eat, taking bigger bites now. The food tastes amazing and she smiles fondly, trying to remember a time where she had dinner with her family. She's always wanted to have dinner with her own family. A son, a daughter, a husband.
Now, her life's unconventional.
Bash returns to his seat and continues to eat. He swallows before saying, "For the nine years I lived with my mother, I was vegan."
"Really?"
"I didn't even know what meat was," Bash says, laughing softly. "Until I stayed with Dad and Francis shoved a beef burger into my mouth and the next thing I know, I wasn't vegan any longer."
"I've always eaten whatever," Kenna says. "But not nuts. Nuts can kill me and well, that won't be good."
Bash chuckles. "No, it won't be."
They settle into a comfortable silence, the sound of cutlery hitting china plate every so often. Eventually, they finish their dinners and the chef gives them dessert - a molten chocolate cake with a raspberry on top.
"Share," the chef says coyly.
Bash sends the man a playful glare before offering Kenna a fork. "I don't want it. You can enjoy it."
"Seriously?" Kenna asks. "We're going to have to get used to sharing some time."
Bash smirks a little and grabs his dessert fork from the table, digging into the cake. "Chef Roux is the best chef you could ever have the pleasure of being served from. He's five Michelin star approved."
"No way," Kenna says as the chef nods and smiles. "Hi."
"Hello, Madamoiselle," Roux says. "You'll soon be his wife, oui?"
Kenna nods. "Yeah," she says softly. "Between you and me, he doesn't look like the one who can cook."
Bash scoffs and shares a look with Roux. "I'll have you know, I spent my Easter holidays learning from this man so you're in for a treat once you move in. That is if I'm not busy at work."
Kenna giggles, flicking her hair over her shoulder. "I'll eagerly await your cooking prowess then."
Bash lifts his wine to his lips, his eyes on her. "You'll never eat out again once you've eaten what I make for you."
"We'll see about that," Kenna replies cheekily.
...
Kenna spots her parents lounging in the living area of their suite when she returns to the hotel that evening. She kicks her heels off and takes her jacket off before she's bombarded with questions regarding the family dinner.
"They served dishes with nuts-"
"Did you have your EpiPen?" Her father asks, checking her over.
"I'm fine!" She cries out, ducking away from his grip. "Bash sounded the alarm once I told him before I could eat anything. Had some salmon instead - very delicious."
Her parents sigh in relief and her mother stands, leaning against the back of the sofa and turning to her.
"Did you and Sebastian get a chance to talk?" Joanna asks.
Kenna blushes a little. "We talked about food. He used to be vegan apparently."
"I can't imagine life without a decent steak," Robert mutters lightly.
Kenna laughs softly. "No, same here. You're right, he's a nice guy and I guess I can see myself being married to him. But we're just friends, there is no attraction beyond that. Is that what marriage really is? Friendship?"
"I guess. You can't be partners without being friends," Joanna states, turning to her husband. "Right, honey?"
Robert returns that with a nod. "Indeed. You'll find your way, both of you. Now, get changed - we're having a movie night in."
Kenna beams. "I'll be just five minutes then."
She heads into her room and smiles when Bash sends her a meme about nuts. Something about nuts being expensive and costing an almond a leg and she covers her mouth to stifle her laughter. She sends him one back and puts her phone on charge before getting dressed for bed and joining her parents and siblings in watching a film.
...
"How was your private dinner with wifey?" Francis asks teasingly as he joins Bash in the balcony, the older brother slowly sipping on Scotch.
Bash snorts. "Interesting."
"How so?"
"She never tells me stuff about her," Bash says. "But she's allergic to nuts and she rarely had family dinners. That's how much I know. And she's Catholic. We mustn't forget that one."
Francis smiles a little. "Give it time. You'll be acquaintances in no time."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence, Francis," Bash says, rolling his eyes. "Acquaintances, when we're supposed to be husband and wife."
"It's better than strangers living in the same house," Francis replies, laughing. "Here's an idea. When she moves in, transform a guest-bedroom into a wardrobe for her. I think my house cried when Mary's heels were shipped in."
Bash chuckles, raising his brows. "How many?"
"Region of a thousand. How can one small person wear a thousand heels? Who even needs that many?"
"Women," Bash says knowingly.
Francis laughs and leans against the iron fence. "After you surprise her with a wardrobe, tell her that you'll just have to sleep in the same bedroom because we all know that Dad doesn't have boundaries and can drop in at any time. As in, walk through the doors, head upstairs and catch you naked and having sex-"
"You're weird-"
"And I've been told that story many times and he still doesn't learn," Francis finishes, laughing loudly. "Seriously though, if you do that, then you and Kenna can get closer. In more ways than one."
"Celibacy," Bash mutters. "I'm celibate now."
"Are you?" Francis asks dubiously. "You won't be until Delphine turns up for her yearly visit. What is with you and flight attendants?"
Bash rolls his eyes. "I've known her since we were nine and I'm going to have to stop our yearly agreement. If not for my sake, but for Kenna's. She'll be my wife, it would be awful if I slept with another woman even if we weren't intimate."
"You can talk to her about that?" Francis tries.
"I don't know. I don't want to impose," Bash mumbles. "We'll probably share a bed as well as a house and bank account and now, we'll have other people in our marriage? Something's unsettling about that. I want this to work even if it's only for fifteen years."
"How considerate and sweet of you," Francis says, nudging his shoulder.
"Oh, shut up. And help me find more of this," Bash tells him, heading inside.
...
"You better be awake."
Bash groans, digging his face deeper into his pillow. He's not hungover but he did drink more than expected with the intention of staying in for the morning and not going out. But his father has other plans.
"Did you tell Narcisse to add Kenna to your will?"
Bash opens his eyes and stares at his dad. "Yes."
"Why?" Henry asks.
"Because she's going to be my wife?" Bash tries. "Also, it's doesn't exactly mean anything. I was being nice."
"Being nice is offering a holiday home in the Alps," Henry starts, opening up the blinds. "Not your whole inheritance and then some."
Bash covers his eyes. "Well, you and Catherine have very outdated opinions. Catherine's just glad her family's rich and she has money squirrelled away so she won't ever depend on you. Times have changed, Dad, and Kenna seems really nice."
"'Nice', hmm?" Henry asks. "We have an image to uphold, the man is the head of the family - there is no equal standing between him and his wife-"
"Outdated!"
"Yes, but you try running a family when they're old money, son," Henry tells him, turning to face him.
Bash pulls his duvet up and covers his head, settling back to sleep but his father has other ideas and yanks on the duvet.
"We're not done talking."
"I am," Bash mutters darkly, sitting up now. "Can we talk about this later?"
Henry sighs, taking a seat at the end of the bed. "I know it isn't what you wanted and Francis was all for his own arrangement but you do have to be careful with just how much you let Kenna into this family. Think of it as this way, you're a prince and she's just a comtessa from an insignificant province and you are married. Obviously, there will be a distinct power play. You control the strings, she's just a pretty trophy wife to make our family more favourable."
Bash furrows his brows in slight annoyance but a lot of disgust and he scoffs. "That is so chauvinistic. This is the twenty-first century, Dad. Hell, if we really wanted to, Kenna and I could be a power couple where we both are successful as opposed to her being my personal cheerleader. I have a personal assistant for that stuff, I don't need a glorified one slapped with a ring."
"Sebastian-"
"Can you leave? I might as well wake up and get ready," Bash mumbles, getting out of his bed. "I'll be at the headquarters today, so I'll probably see you then."
Henry nods slowly and gets up. "Fine. À plus tard."
"Yep."
When his father leaves and he checks this by seeing the man get into his car from his window, Bash returns to his bed and falls back asleep.
...
"Starting to feel like a third wheel here," Kenna tells the couple, using her straw to stir her Coke.
Francis laughs a little, presses a quick kiss to Mary's nose and turns to her. "I can call Bash?"
"No, thanks," Kenna mutters. "I'm sure Sebastian's busy."
Francis shakes his head, grinning widely. "He called in sick. Him calling in sick means that he's taking a lazy day off where he'll probably be on his treadmill doing some miles or go swimming. Also, to avoid Papa Dearest."
Kenna blushes faintly. "No, I still don't think that we need to disturb him."
"If you're sure," Francis says. "Like, you're getting married in less than a week, you might as well get every opportunity to know him."
Mary nods. "I think Francis should call him, right Kenna?" Mary pointedly asks, giving Kenna a look.
Kenna sighs heavily and orders for a round of shots for herself. "I think Francis can do what he likes."
"She's not saying 'no'," Mary mock-whispers.
Francis shields his mouth to do the same. "I think that means we've got the green light!"
"Do it!"
Kenna snorts and downs her shots before sucking on some lime. Now, she's sure she will definitely be an alcoholic by the time she divorces Bash. She laughs to herself, shaking her head as she asks for more.
"It's only lunchtime," Mary says, noting that she's ordered some more.
Kenna shrugs. "And so?"
"Slow down, sweetie," Mary replies, running her fingers through Kenna's hair. "Are you really that bummed about marrying Bash?"
Kenna sighs, covering her face. "No. He's lovely and kind. I've never had a boyfriend kinder than he is but he's not my boyfriend, is he? He's my fiancé and he's a stranger." She swallows down another shot. "I'm just scared that he won't like who I am. I'm trying to get out of old habits, I'm a lot better about money and appreciating that and all but what if he thinks I'm vain and hates me forever? Oh, God and then we'll have a kid and he won't let them see me-"
"Hey," Mary says softly, stopping her from taking another shot. She turns and sees that Francis has left to take a call and she returns her attention to Kenna. "What's this really about?"
Kenna sniffles. "I want true love, Mary," Kenna says quietly. "I just keep thinking about worst-case scenarios and they keep me up at night. My parents fell in love and got married, they didn't have an arranged marriage, nor did my older brothers. So why am I having one?"
"Do you want this?"
"I feel like I have to," Kenna whispers sadly.
"Why?"
Kenna pouts a little. "We're broke, Mary."
Mary gasps, laughing in disbelief shortly after. "No... Are you?"
With a nod, Kenna says, "We're bankrupt. Literally, the stocks fell and they never got back up again. Me marrying Bash is to benefit my family. It's not just to help some bachelor at a chance of finding love and a decent trophy wife, but to help me help my family out."
"Oh, Kenna... I didn't know," Mary breathes out in shock. "Why didn't you tell me or my mum? We could have-"
"We will never ask you guys to lend us money," Kenna tells her. "You're our friends. You don't have to share our burdens."
Francis returns with a smirk. "Guess who's coming?"
Kenna rolls her eyes. "Great," she mumbles, downing another shot. "Don't worry about it, Mary. I'm fine."
Mary nods sadly and plants a smile on her face, giggling a little when Francis attacks her cheek with kisses. "If you keep that up, I'll have my way with you in the toilets."
"Oh, ew!" Kenna cries out, making the couple laugh as she downs more shots and orders for a rum and coke. "So nasty and you both disgust me, you rabid rabbits."
...
She's completely wasted by the time he arrives and she is sure his eyes have got more green than the last time she saw him at the dinner. She eyes him up, wrapping her lips around the straw of her Sex on the Beach drink and her eyes cast towards his attire.
He's wearing red.
She's wearing red.
Francis is looking proud of himself.
"You so suggested-"
"Shh," Francis hushes his wife with a chuckle.
"Hey," Bash says, finally meeting their table and taking a seat next to Kenna. "If Dad asks, I've been working from all despite my sudden cold."
Francis clicks his tongue. "And I'm nursing an upset stomach."
Kenna lets out a snort, sharing a look with Mary. "Or I could give you both up for a reward."
"You'd throw me to the wolves?" Bash asks with a hint of a smile.
She turns to face him and nods. "Yes," she drawls, pretty sure that she's slurring her words now. "Definitely. You'll probably talk yourself out of a harsh punishment anyway."
"Are you drunk, Kenna?" Bash asks, slightly concerned.
Kenna laughs it off. "Nope. Just enjoying a few drinks-"
"More like fifteen," Mary says under her breath.
"-with my best friend and her lovely husband who is a complete arsehole," Kenna finishes.
"What?" Francis asks, eyes wide. "Why?!"
"You did this on purpose," Kenna mumbles, slurping the remains of her drink. "Tell him that red looked sexy on him, huh?"
Francis snorts into laughter. "I will never call my brother sexy, thank you very much."
"At least I know what you think of me," Bash says, amused now.
Kenna blinks nonchalantly. "I think you're too mysterious," she whispers dramatically before closing her eyes and leaning her head on his shoulder. "Sexy mysterious. High-maintenance."
"I think you should lay off on the drinks. From what I know about you, you definitely don't think that about me," Bash tells her with a chuckle as he actively removes Mary and Francis's drinks from her reach.
"No...," Kenna whines, opening her eyes to reach for her empty cocktail glass. "Just one more."
Bash shakes his head and instead gets up. "Get up."
Kenna frowns. "Why?" She asks, her lips wavering as she tries not to cry.
"You need to sleep this off," he says softly, helping her up. "I guess this is what you meant when you said you have mood swings when you're drunk."
Kenna doesn't fight him, she collects her bag and blows a kiss at Mary and Francis's way which makes them laugh as they wave her off. She lets Bash lead her up to the front desk of the hotel.
Kenna and Mary mostly spend time at the bar mostly, drinking or relaxing and talking about anything but the wedding before she heads up to her suite, and Mary heads home but today, Kenna is confused when Bash requests that the ladies at the front desk keep his stay between them and not tell his father.
"He'll think you're an alcoholic," Bash says lightly into her ear as he leads her to the lift.
"You're staying with me?" Kenna asks him. "Why?"
"I don't want you to hurt yourself."
"Take me to my suite-"
"And have your parents all over you?" He asks knowingly.
Kenna pouts and nods. "I guess," she mumbles when the lift doors close. "Where are you taking me?"
"The Royal Suite," he tells her, pressing in a code.
Kenna giggles. "I'm a queen now?"
Bash looks down at her, amusement in his eyes. "No, but it's where we stay if we don't want to go home after a long day's work. It's bigger than the Presidential Suite and the normal suites that you and your family stay in, and we normally reserve it for royalty but they mostly choose the Paris location, not the Versailles one."
"I didn't understand a word you said," Kenna says to him, letting out more giggles. "Oh..." She gags when the lift shoots up and stumbles, using Bash for support. "Uh-oh."
"Are you going to throw-"
She throws up, all over his white shoes.
"-up..." Bash finishes with a sigh. He thumbs a button beneath the levels. "I'm going to need the lift cleaned. Guests should use the 1st, 3rd and 4th lifts as signs are posted on the doors on every level until it's done. Oh, and can someone go to my office and get me my spare shoes, please? I'll be in the RS. Thanks."
"Oui, Monsieur," the intercom replies.
He cancels the call and closes his eyes, keeping his hold on Kenna's waist and hand.
"Sorry," Kenna mumbles shyly.
"It's fine," he says quietly. "Totally fine."
...
Even when she's passed out drunk, she's still stunning Bash realises and he chucks his shoes back onto the floor when he realises he can't scrub the stain off. He'll have to use a washing machine to do the job.
It's been three hours since she fell asleep and he's busied himself with cleaning his shoes and watching the News. He's texted Francis at one point, telling his brother about the vomit incident amongst other things.
Next thing he knew, his brother was laughing in his ear, claiming that Kenna was "Your wife for sure!" and that he was worse than her whenever he got drunk.
He had hung up a while later, talking shop before checking on Kenna. Then he settled in the bedroom sofa, cleaning his shoes and staring at her sleep.
Her dress was low cut and he had covered her up with the duvet out of respect for her. Even if they were going to be married, eyeing up a woman without her consent was still not decent male behaviour.
He hears a moan and he looks up, seeing her shield her eyes and he gets up, closing the blinds.
"Nice sleep?"
"Oh, my God," she mumbles. "Sebastian, I am so sorry..."
"You're not the first woman to throw up on me," he tells her. "My sister, Claude. Her eighteenth birthday included a lot more than any of us expected as our parents were out of town. Drugs, sex and alcohol... Francis and I had to kick people out and ended up with alcohol poisoning down our clothes and everywhere in our father's study. We never let her live that down."
Kenna laughs wryly. "I'm guessing you won't let me live this down?"
Bash smirks. "Never."
"Connard..." She mutters lightly.
"Oh, learning French swear words now?"
She scoffs lightly and sits up, grabbing the water bottle and pills. "Thanks."
"No worries."
"What time is it?"
Bash checks his watch. "About half-past six in the evening."
"I'm starving."
"I can order you some room service and get out of your hair?" Bash suggests, grabbing his shoes and jacket.
Kenna blushes. "Why don't you join me?"
Bash checks his watch again before he glances up at her. "I've actually got some stuff to do-"
"Whatever. I'll throw up and choke on my own vomit and you'll be wherever..."
"Fine," Bash says, laughing. "Jeez, way to make a guy feel guilty for leaving a perfectly capable woman on her own."
Kenna meets his eyes. "Who says I'm perfectly capable?"
"Look at you," he says, gesturing to her. "You look like you've got yourself prepared for anything. I don't know what earlier was about, but you can hold your own."
Kenna blinks in surprise and slips out of the bed, not noticing that her dress has ridden up. "Most of the time."
"Your..." He trails off, glancing downwards briefly.
Kenna looks down and gasps, yanking her dress down. "I've just flashed my fiancé, for fuck's sake..." She mutters to herself.
Bash laughs, shaking his head. "It's fine. Didn't see much. And it's not like it matters, right? I'm sure most fiancés have seen their partners like that."
"Heh," Kenna says softly. "Well, why don't you stay and I'll try not to expose my womanly bits to you again?"
"Yeah, why not?" Bash says with a smile.
...
Kenna lightly bangs her head against the table repeatedly. "I had a sex dream-"
"Oh, my God!"
"Next to the guy that I was having the dream about," Kenna finishes, looking up at Mary with teary eyes. "I was making all sorts of noises as well! He couldn't wait to get out of there."
Mary gapes. "So you guys fell asleep watching a film after dinner?"
"Yeah," Kenna says. "I've never had a dream like that ever. He said it was fine, that it sounded like I was attacking someone... We were roleplaying as big cats in my dream."
"Dear God," Mary mutters, mouth wide as she spots Bash walk past with Francis. "He's coming."
"For fuck's sake-"
"There are my lovely wife and future sister-in-law," Francis says, pressing a quick kiss to Mary's lips.
Mary smiles happily. "Hey, my love."
"Can we take you out for lunch?" Francis asks the women.
Bash looks away. "Actually, I've got something to do. Really important... Yeah, I'll see you all later."
He leaves quickly and Kenna pulls a face, burying it into her arms.
It doesn't go unnoticed by Francis who is bewildered, silently questioning his wife who shrugs in reply with a small smirk on her face. Kenna knows it's present and she flips Mary off, emitting a roar of laughter from the other woman and her husband is even more confused.
"Don't," Kenna warns. "I know a hundred ways to bury a body."
"Shit," Francis mutters. "What happ-"
"Don't ask!"
"Alright, I won't!" Francis cries out, raising his hands up in defence before whispering into his wife's ear, "You're so telling me later on, though?"
Mary nods, grinning. "Yep," she mouths to him.
...
Kenna hurries over to Bash, catching him before he can leave the hotel. Her family are watching, confused as to why she left their sides so quickly as they were preparing to eat dinner at the restaurant.
"I want to say that I'm sorry about yesterday," she tells him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I've never had anything like that happen to me, ever. I know it's because I'm probably indulgent in sex and haven't had it in a while but-"
"Please, don't explain," Bash says, slightly pained. "It makes it harder for both of us and I don't want to..."
Kenna's face falls. "Right. I'm so sorry."
"Don't apologise," Bash says. "It's normal. I get it." He then smirks a little. "Like a dog on heat."
"Sebastian!" Kenna cries out, blushing.
"I'm flattered," Bash continues, now in a teasing manner. "I've never had women dream about having sex with me. Much less one who will be my wife of all people. If you wanted to see what was underneath, you could have just said-"
"I know you're fucking with me," Kenna snaps, but she's relieved he's not holding it against her. "I'm so sorry again. I'll try and keep my sexual desires for you non-existent."
Bash raises an eyebrow. "I hope not because we still need to have a kid, honey."
"Honey?" Kenna asks, scoffing. "And you're not going to bother putting me through IVF?"
"Nah, I think we're both adult enough to perform something as simple as sex. Hey, more points to the one who can fake an orgasm," Bash replies.
"Sebastian!" Kenna says breathlessly. "Why are you talking about this in such a public...? Stop." Her cheeks must be redder than a tomato.
He chuckles. "Sorry. I like it when you get flustered. You're too easy."
She raises her eyebrows when she realises that he's doing what she did to him when they went for their first date. He's playing her.
She bats her eyelashes and looks up at him. "Well, lover, I wouldn't get too comfortable playing with me like that." She runs her fingers down his chest, stopping on his belt and presses a kiss on his neck. "See you later, honey."
She walks away, smiling to herself. She knows he's still there and she can't believe that she's just done that. How did it go from apologising to him to playing with him?
When she gets to her family, she raises her hand to silence them from saying anything about what just happened. But she does share cheeky wink with her mother who is amused by the whole encounter.
...
"At this rate, I'll probably sleep with Kenna before our wedding," Bash says, pacing the room. "She's a complete... She's dangerous!"
"What?" Francis asks, laughing. "How did dangerous come from you wanting to sleep with her?"
Bash stops and shrugs helplessly. "She... She was about to..."
"Point to the area on the doll where she touched you," Francis teases him, making Bash realise that he saw everything.
"Shut up."
"'Oh, Kenna, let's make love right here on the floor! Forget about everyone, we're the only ones who matter!'"
"Francis, stop," Bash whines. "She's evil."
Francis bursts into laughter. "The sexual attraction is real," Francis sings. "I'm so happy for you. There was you thinking you and she won't get along but if you're doing whatever you guys are doing..." He wriggles his eyebrows.
Bash glares at Francis and grabs his keys from the table. "Don't say another word. I don't like Kenna!"
"You do!"
"Even if I did, she doesn't like me. She's made that clear - this a contract, an agreement that will last for fifteen years and we'll both go our separate ways," Bash tells him, feeling his phone buzz in his pocket. He checks the text.
"Who is it from?" Francis asks, smirking. "Wifey?"
Bash looks up and flips him off before replying to his text. "Uh, Delphine. She will be in town, the weekend of the wedding."
Francis raises his eyebrows. "I thought you were celibate now?"
"You really need to stop listening to me when I'm drunk," Bash mumbles, slipping his phone back into his pocket. "If there's something with Kenna, I'll end things with Delphine. If Kenna only wants us to be strictly professional, then I'll see if she'll allow me to..."
"Continue whatever you have with Delphine?" Francis finishes.
"I'm a creature of habit, okay?" Bash replies. "I barely know Kenna, can you blame me for going to what I know already?"
"Well, better the devil you know than the one who feels you up in front of your employees," Francis replies, laughing.
Bash scowls. "I hate you."
"You really don't."
"I do."
"Prove it."
Bash glares at him and leaves. "Screw you, Francis."
"Go on, send wifey more flowers! What is her favourite again?"
Francis laughs harder when he sees his brother's middle finger rise up.