Reluctant Vows

Victoria walked down the hall of Sebastian Tower, her high-heeled shoes clicking on the floor. Each sound made her more nervous about the upcoming conversation. She paused at the door, took a moment to fix her blazer, then knocked. 'Come in," Louis's voice called, deep and calm, slightly muffled by the thick door. Victoria opened the door and stepped inside. The room was big, filled with soft afternoon light from the large windows. Her eyes met Louis's, and the tension in the air was strong. She paused, a bit startled by the intensity of his gaze, almost forgetting why she was there. 'Victoria," Louis said, his voice sharp and professional, breaking the silence. 'Have a seat." Victoria walked to the chair across from him, sitting up straight and clasping her hands in her lap to calm their slight shaking. She usually prided herself on staying calm, but today felt different. 'Let's get this over with, shall we?" she said, trying to sound confident. Louis leaned forward, his fingers pressed together. The sunlight cast shadows on his face, making his expression hard to read. 'Our wedding is in a week," he started, his voice steady but cold. 'We need to talk about… arrangements." Victoria scoffed, unable to hide her annoyance. 'Arrangements? You make it sound like a business deal." She raised an eyebrow, challenging him, her heart racing. 'Isn't it?" Louis shot back, narrowing his eyes. His jaw tightened, showing his own tension. He was good at hiding his feelings, but Victoria had learned to spot the small signs. The words hung in the air, sharp and painful, showing that they were more strangers than partners. Victoria sighed, brushing her hair back. She leaned back in her chair, trying to create some space between them. 'Fine. What do you want to discuss?" Louis's face remained serious. 'Our exes," he said bluntly. 'We need to end things. Completely." He spoke firmly, as if it was not open for discussion. Victoria's heart sank at the mention of Barry. Memories of happy times flooded her mind, causing a pang of regret. 'I… I understand," she whispered, looking down. 'Do you?" Louis challenged, his voice sharpening. 'Because I saw you with him the other night." His gaze was intense, searching for any sign of a lie. He leaned closer, his presence almost overwhelming. Victoria's eyes widened in shock, anger quickly replacing her surprise. 'You were spying on me?" she exclaimed, standing up suddenly. Her anger flared, her hands clenched at her sides as she faced him. Louis didn't back down. 'I was protecting my interests," he responded, his tone calm. He stood up as well, towering over her. 'This marriage may be arranged, but I won't be made a fool of." 'How dare you!" Victoria shouted, her voice shaking with anger. She felt heat rise in her cheeks, humiliation and frustration bubbling inside her. 'I haven't done anything wrong!" 'Then prove it," Louis challenged, his eyes flashing. 'End things with Barry. Today." They stood there, caught in a silent standoff, tension between them. Neither was willing to give in, both too stubborn to back down. Suddenly, the door swung open, breaking the standoff. Malcolm Sebastian entered, his presence strong and commanding. He was followed closely by Victoria's parents, their faces bright with excitement, completely unaware of the tension. 'Ah, good! You're both here," Malcolm boomed, his voice echoing and breaking the silence. 'We've come to talk about the wedding plans!" Victoria and Louis shared a frustrated glance, their eyes briefly meeting in a moment of understanding. They quickly put on fake smiles, masks they had learned to wear at high society events. 'Of course, Father," Louis said smoothly, his voice shifting to a warmer tone. The change felt like a slap to Victoria. 'We were just… discussing some details." Victoria's mother smiled at them, her eyes sparkling. 'Oh, how wonderful! I'm so glad you two are getting along." She clapped her hands, completely unaware of the tension. Victoria forced a smile, suppressing a bitter laugh. If only they knew the truth. She felt Louis shift beside her, their arms almost touching but not quite. As their parents excitedly talked about flowers, guest lists, and seating, Victoria and Louis stood side by side, their faces neutral and bodies tense. To an outsider, they looked like a happy couple, but the distance between them told a different story. 'We'll make this work," Louis whispered under his breath, his voice low. 'For their sake." Victoria nodded slightly, her eyes on the floor. 'Agreed. But this doesn't mean I like you." Her voice was also low, filled with defiance. She didn't hide the coldness in her tone. Louis's lips almost formed a smirk. 'Wouldn't dream of it, darling," he replied with dry humor. They shared a bitter acknowledgment of their situation. As the day went on, Victoria and Louis acted perfectly, smiling, nodding, and even holding hands when needed. They moved through the motions, hiding their doubts and resentments beneath their polished manners. That night, when Victoria was alone in her room, she lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling. The day replayed in her mind, filled with frustration and regret. Her phone vibrated on the nightstand, pulling her from her thoughts. She reached for it, her heart racing when she saw Barry's name. 'Can we talk?" the message said. Victoria hesitated, her finger hovering over the keyboard. Louis's words echoed in her mind, weighing heavily on her. With a heavy heart, she typed: 'I'm sorry, Barry. It's over." She stared at the message before finally pressing send, feeling a mix of sadness and determination. Across town, in a dim apartment, Louis stared at his phone, Amaya's name lit up on the screen. She was asking for an explanation, but he didn't reply. He stared at the message, his jaw tight, expression unreadable. After a moment, he locked his phone and tossed it onto the couch, running a hand through his hair. He closed his eyes, feeling the weight of his choice settle over him. The silence in his apartment felt heavy, mocking him. For better or worse, he was now committed to this marriage, this life chosen for him. As the sun rose over New York, Victoria and Louis lay in their separate beds, both preparing for the challenges ahead. Each was lost in their thoughts, hardening their hearts against the uncertainty of their future. The wedding was a week away, and there was no turning back. The city woke up, unaware of the personal struggles of two soon-to-be newlyweds..