Julianna.
I scowl when I think of her.
She was too easy to exploit and control. I have used those photos to my advantage for two entire weeks. She is at my beck and call whenever I want. And I have wanted her plenty. The photos of her drug use and promiscuity, along with my threats to hurt Sarah have proven to be very beneficial to me. I fully intend to keep utilizing that leverage for many years to come.
Her hatred of me is an aphrodisiac.
No one fucks with Daniel Rothschild and gets away with it.
Rothschild.
None of them have ever once questioned that name. If they only knew that I had it legally changed when I turned eighteen. As if I would want the name of Kessler to follow me around. There’s no power and prestige in the name Kessler. But when people hear the name Rothschild, heads turn. The looks on people’s faces and the inevitable, “Are you one of those Rothschilds?”
I haven’t had contact with my parents in years and have no intention of ever changing that. They don’t understand me. They never have. I have nothing in common with them and would like to forget they even exist.
They know too much about me and I cannot have their ignorance interfere in my new life. I refuse. I will make my life everything I want it to be and Sarah is just one piece of that puzzle.
Our rehearsal dinner is set for seven at the same restaurant where I took Sarah for our first date. It is the bed and breakfast where we’ll spend our wedding night and where I will make her mine forever.
I cannot wait to possess her completely.
Sarah is everything I could have ever dreamed of for my future wife. She has the perfect combination of beauty, intelligence and loyalty I need in my spouse. She is absolutely flawless.
Unfortunately, it seems Sarah is too concerned about Julianna this evening. Despite my pressure she’s been less than enthusiastic about our upcoming marriage. I’ve tried telling Sarah that Julianna is jealous because she doesn’t have a wonderful relationship like we do, but I’m not sure I’ve convinced her.
Why Sarah would concern herself over a slut like Julianna is beyond me. Julianna has been with more men than she can count and if Sarah knew how many times she has fucked me over the last two weeks, I don’t think she’d be quite so concerned about her so-called friend.
I usually don’t like resorting to blackmail to get what I want, but with Julianna I made an exception. I’ve even resorted to threatening to hurt both Sarah and Kaitlyn if Julianna tells anyone about our little arrangement.
The last few times we’ve been together have been less than thrilling. It doesn’t matter. I plan on continuing our little arrangement until I graduate, and Sarah and I move to Texas, but I’m getting bored with Julianna’s protestations of not wanting to be with me and her threats of telling Sarah despite my blackmailing.
It’s her own fault. If she hadn’t lived her life in such a reckless and slutty manner, I never would have bothered with her. As it is, she will pay the price for her negativity toward my relationship with Sarah as long as I want her to.
I always ensure she takes a little something before our arranged meetings. It helps to loosen her up, even if I do have to force her to take them. With each passing day, she becomes less and less interesting to me. I don’t even think she’s attending class anymore. I know Kaitlyn tried to get her to attend the biggest Halloween party on campus, but Julianna refused. Mostly because I had fucked her brains out earlier in the day when she was supposed to be in Art History. She was probably coming off of the high from the drugs in her system.
I will take her one last time tonight before the wedding tomorrow just to let her know who’s in charge. Then she can drop off the face of the earth as far as I’m concerned.
“I’m so worried about Julianna,” Sarah tells me as we sit down to eat our seven-course meal that I planned out for our perfect evening. “Something’s not right. Something’s happened to her.”
“What do you mean?” I ask, trying to look concerned. If Julianna fucks this up for me, there will be hell to pay.
“She’s just not the same. She used to be filled with a love of life and now she’s quiet, withdrawn and depressed. I don’t understand. I keep telling her she can talk to me, but she won’t.”
She’d better not.
“I’ve told you before, I think she’s jealous of you.”
“I don’t think that’s it,” she says. “There’s something wrong.”
I pull her close to me and give her a reassuring hug. “I’m sure it’s nothing and she’ll be back to herself soon.”
“I hope you’re right,” Sarah says, picking at her goat cheese and walnut salad.
“Where is Julianna?” I ask.
“She’s in the ladies room. She said she wasn’t feeling well and tried to beg off coming to dinner.”
“Maybe she’s got some sort of bug. Or maybe she met someone and they’re not treating her well. Besides, this time isn’t supposed to be about Julianna and her problems. Tomorrow’s our wedding day. Aren’t you happy?”
“Of course, I’m happy,” she replies, looking startled by the question. “I never thought I could be this happy. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.”
“All I want is for you to be happy, Sarah,” I say. “We’ll figure out what’s wrong with Julianna after the wedding tomorrow. We’ll both be there for her.”
I’m going to be there for her tonight and she’d better be welcoming.
“You’re too good to me,” she tells me. “I’m happier than I’ve ever been in my life. You are perfect, and I love you more than I can put into words.”
“I love you,” I tell her.
Kaitlyn has never shown anything more than excitement over our relationship. Maybe it’s because she has her own boyfriend that she’s not bothered by us and this quick marriage. I count this as a good thing since I don’t think she would be quite so easy to intimidate and deal with.
“I’m sorry your parents couldn’t make it,” Sarah’s mother says to me when we meet. I give her a hug and kiss on the cheek. I knew this was going to be an awkward situation and I’m prepared for it.
“They don’t approve,” I lie. I make sure my expression is pained when I say this. I almost smile at how easily lies drip from my mouth so convincingly.
“I can’t say that I am one hundred percent for this fast turnaround of a wedding, but I would never miss our daughter’s important day. I’m so sorry, Daniel.”
Hook. Line. Sinker. She swallowed it whole.
I nod and try to look away as though I’m swallowing down emotions that might make me cry. Sarah’s mother awkwardly pats my back.
“We’ll be your family,” she assures me. “We’ll be there for you and Sarah.”
“You have no idea what that means to me,” I say and embrace her once more. She has no idea because it has no meaning to me. I don’t want them meddling in my relationship with their daughter, nor do I want them anywhere near us. Once Sarah and I get to Texas, we’ll be far, far away from everyone else and I will be her sole means of support; emotionally, financially, physically and sexually.
I will be her entire world, which is exactly the way I want it.
“I can’t imagine why anyone wouldn’t approve of Sarah, though,” she continues and I look at her, startled. “Oh, Sarah told me they not only didn’t approve of the wedding, but they especially didn’t approve of her.”
I nod. Sarah really does tell her mother everything. That will have to stop.
“I know we don’t have Rothschild money, but we’re certainly not the dregs of society either.”