Just a Simple Love Story by Kimberley Nunes (best historical fiction books of all time TXT) 📖

reprimanded her husband putting her hands on my shoulder. "You guys have a seat. I'll inform our attendants to start serving us breakfast.""No way" Karin's shrill voice rang through the room. "YOU of all people are dating Sebastian?""Tune it down, Karin" Ian warned her."But...""I said to hold your horses" he shot her a dreadful glance keeping her quiet."I can't believe it" Sheldon exclaimed disappointedly. "Sebastian, what did you do to get her?"My boyfriend's eye twitched in irritation: "Apropos can't believe. Keep your hand off her."Their cousin seemed to recover in light speed. Wanting to tease Sebastian a little more he slung his arm around me once again."Now, why would I do something like that? Just look at her" he pursed his lips smiling devilishly, ignoring the death glare he was getting."Tell me, Kate-babe" he led me to a chair two seats away from Frederick. "What do you actually like about that guy?"Sheldon settled to my left while Sebastian sat to my right slapping away his cousin's hand from my shoulder."That's none of your business" the younger Benz brother hissed.Ian sat to his father's right. Daimen, Mia and Karin seated themselves next to him. The empty chair belonged to Madeleine, placed to her husband's left.Everyone conversed in some form or the other. Sheldon kept on teasing Sebastian with me in the middle. Daimen and Mia animatedly talked about their favorite superheroes, while Ian and Frederick held a moderate conversation. Karin did not utter a single word during the entire time. Madeleine returned with an attendant and two cooks who served us the best breakfast I had ever tasted. This is going to be a long and exciting day. I Could Never Replace You

 

"You ready?" Sebastian asked eying me in my new red dress. He had been leaning against the doorframe of our bedroom looking way too good. His tuxedo was altered especially to his measurements and fitted exactly. The black bow was tied and positioned perfectly under the collar of his crisp white shirt. His shoes were polished and shone in the bright ceiling light. Smoking hot. I applied my red lipstick matching my gorgeous dress and rechecked my reflection in the mirror. Madeleine had helped me style my long hair. Bright sparkling diamonds garnished my ears, chest, wrist and fingers. I turned around to that godly looking specimen of man and smiled.

"I am" I walked over to where he was standing with his arms crossed.

"Are you planning on seducing someone or why did you choose this dress?" his hand drew up along my bare leg, along the long slit, while the other rested on my waist.

"Who knows" I pursed my lips smiling sheepishly.

"Remember one thing" he whispered into my ear before boring his fingers into my naked thigh. "The moment we enter this room today night I'll tear that dress down and do things, you won't be able to imagine, even in your wildest fantasies."

I giggled while I felt deep desire pull in my lower body: "I expect no less from you, Mr. Benz."

"You won't be this cocky later" he warned placing a light kiss on my cheek and walking me out of the room and down the grand granite stairs, linking my arm with his.

A few guest had already arrived and mingled in the vast hall on the ground floor which had been turned into a beautiful ball room with round tables, a small stage where a live band entertained the guests and a huge open space allowing everyone to dance. Madeleine had explained to me that she had picked green and cream to be this year's theme colors. And as per her choosing the hall was decorated in exactly those shades. The program had been set by her as well. As per plan the Benz's would be greeting their guests first, then snacks and appetizers were supposed to be served, followed by the main course. A few speeches were scheduled for after dinner and ensued by desserts. The dance floor was open at all times, save for when people recited their speeches.

Sebastian had never left my sight when greeting the new guests and had always introduced me, no matter whether to family members, friends or even business partners.

"Aunt Maddy" a loud voice exclaimed after one long hour of greeting guest.

Sebastian's hand on my back tensed at this voice. I turned my head towards the main entrance and saw a blonde goofy-looking guy around my boyfriend's age with dark brown eyes. He was accompanied by a beautiful young lady with light-brown hair and fair skin. Her eyes were a bright grey, matching her evening gown.

"I heard he has returned" the blonde man hollered through the entire room.

My eyes shifted to Sebastian who grit his teeth.

"Hey," I tried pulling his attention away from the loud-mouth, "What's wrong?"

"Where is he?" the newcomer called loudly.

"We need to greet them" my companion hissed under his breath leading me to the new guests.

"Sebastian!" he hyperactively and loudly greeted.

"Neil" my boyfriend moderately replied while realization dawned upon me.

He was Sebastian's best friend. The one who slept with his fiancée, ex-fiancée.

"No way in hell did I expect you back, man" Neil lightly patted his former best friend's back.

"Helen" Sebastian went on, not responding to the earlier comment.

"G... good eve... evening, S... Sebastian" she stuttered shyly.

Aww, she's cute!

Neil sappily and suddenly addressed me: "Wow, and who are you?"

"This is Kaitlynn Noakes, my girlfriend" the young Benz introduced me. "And this is Neil Grunt and-"

Sebastian was interrupted by his guest: "And this is my fiancée and soon-to-be wife Helen Chace."

"Nice to meet both of you" I smiled.

"Oh my gosh!" suddenly a stunning woman with blazing blonde hair called.

I heard Madeleine squeal beside her younger son: "Constance!"

Both the women hugged tightly. They looked like teenage girls.

"Well, if that isn't mini Benz" a man with hair similar to Neil's smiled towards Sebastian.

"He surely is not a mini Benz anymore, Manuel" the woman named Constance chuckled.

"That's right, he has grown quite a bit" Madeleine agreed.

"Uncle Manuel, Aunty Constance, it's nice to see you after so long" my boyfriend greeted them relaxing just a bit.

"Oh, you have always been so straight-faced" the gorgeous lady slung her arms around Sebastian's neck and hugged him.

"Ok, mom. That's enough" Neil pulled his mother away who in return scowled at her son.

Those are his parents?

"Oh, Constance" Madeleine excitedly called for her friend. "Let me introduce you to this beauty over here."

She walked over to me and pulled me towards Neil's parents.

"This is Kaitlynn. She is the doctor who saved Ian's life" my boyfriend's mother proudly explained.

Constance's eyes grew wide in delight before she came closer and embraced me tightly.

"Wow, so you are that wonder-doctor Maddy told me about?" she asked in pure delight. "You are so great and beautiful and wow! I'm just so happy to meet you."

Neil looked at his mother, me and then at Sebastian alternately.

"Wait, but isn't she your girlfriend?" he wanted to know dumfounded.

Upon hearing this Constance got even jitterier.

"You're not just an awesome doctor, but little Sebastian's girlfriend, too? If that isn't a catch."

"Why don't we proceed to our seats?" Manuel suggested.

Everyone agreed upon doing so and walked over to their designated places.

Soon after the food was served, the dance floor filled up.

As the evening slowly turned into night, one of the benefactors held a lengthy speech. Glancing around our table I noticed Karin's absence.

"Where is Karin?" I finally asked Ian.

He looked around in search of his wife. Not being able to spot her anywhere he shrugged: "She wanted to get some fresh air, as far as I know."

I nodded in understanding feeling somewhat uneasy. After listening for a few more minutes to the opulent man reciting his harangue, I decided on stepping out. Squeezing Sebastian's arm I got up from my seat and excused myself.

"Are you fine?" he was surely concerned.

I answered his question with a reassuring smile and left through the back entrance. Stepping onto a vast garden aligned by benches every now and then and dimly lit lanterns, I walked down the pebbled road. It had gotten quite chilly by now. I wondered whether I should turn around and make my way back or keep going for a little more. Suddenly I caught sight of bright red hair in the sparse light. Without saying a word I sat at the far end of the same bench and inhaled the fresh and cool air deeply.

"Of all the people who could've come out, it had to be you" Karin sarcastically remarked.

I didn't care to comment.

"I still can't believe why it always has to be you!" she spat out. "Why is it always you? Tell me!"

I looked at her not quite grasping what she meant.

"Everyone has only been going on and on about you! What is so damn great about you?"

She directed every nuance of hatred towards me. I tried keeping my cool and allowed her to express herself without interrupting.

"From the time Ian woke up, he has only been talking about you and nothing else. I don't want to start on Sebastian. Even Madeleine and Frederick! I mean the cold and distant FREDERICK! He has never spoken to me in such an open and caring way. And the worst of all... After Mia returned the other day she told me how great and beautiful you were. She wanted to be just like YOU. A cool doctor is what she wants to become now!" Karin breathed heavily after her outburst.

"So to sum up what you said, you are jealous" I finally spoke.

She diverted her hate-filled eyes towards me: "Well aren't you a smart one? Why wouldn't I or anyone else be jealous of you? You have everything I want and that without even trying. But, that was to be expected, wasn't it? You must be anyways wondering why Ian married me. Hn... you want to know?"

I wasn't given the opportunity to answer her question as she went on right away: "The only reason he married me was to not bring shame to the great Benz name."

I raised a brow in surprise not expecting anything like this.

"We were both drunk and he knocked me up. After finding out I was pregnant, he decided on making me his wife. Pathetic" she scoffed.

Her hatred was slowly subsiding, replaced by sadness and sorrow.

"So now you can go on mocking me" her voice had grown hoarse and I wasn't sure whether tears were forming in her eyes.

"Are you done?" I asked while gazing upon the clear sky filled with little twinkling stars.

There was no response from her, so I went on: "Listen, Karin. I'm only going to say these things once, 'coz I hate repeating myself. I never intended or am intending on taking over your place in the Benz family."

"But-"

"Let me finish" I sharply cut her off. "I am in no position whatsoever to judge the reason you married Ian. Maybe it was based on some shallow ground, but I have spent a lot of time with your husband when he was in hospital. And I would give that man the shirt off my back knowing that he loves you from the depth of his heart. I could never replace you as his wife, Karin, if that's what you're thinking. YOU are the one he chose to marry and love. The