One Plus One Equals One

Chapter 26 - Gwen's POV

As Cohen's lips move against mine, I feel drunk with euphoria. Every nerve end is tingling with excitement and pleasure, and I feel as though my brain is on fire. I stifle a surprised gasp as his soft lips move more firmly over mine, causing my body to flush with heat. The heat seems to travel through my veins, warming me in a previously unknown way. Just as I feel a rush of euphoric bliss envelop me, making my heart sing with pure joy, Cohen draws away. I instantly miss the lovely heat curling within me.

"I kind of like you." Cohen murmurs as his forehead comes to meet mine, his breath ghosting over my lips.

"I kind of like you too." I murmur back as a slow smile curls its way onto my cheeks.

"Good." Cohen replies quietly, and I open my eyes to find him staring at me adoringly.

"I need to call my family." I suddenly announce, breaking the romantic atmosphere, as I know that I have to confront them for what they did.

"Ok Gwen, I understand. I'll come back later alright?" He confirms, before leaning into give me another brain-numbing kiss, nearly making me forget my thoughts.

"Please do... and bring me food." I request as I finally crawl off his lap and he stands, ready to leave.

"Of course beautiful." He winks, causing me to blush hotly again.

Once the door is shut, I sigh and open my curtains before making my way to my phone, knowing that I have to do this now or I will lose my nerve. Ignoring all of the messages I have from concerned friends, I go straight to my contacts list and pull up my sister's number, collapsing onto my fluffy desk chair as I press 'ring'. The phone rings for a long time, each tone making me more nervous, making me sure she won't pick up, when suddenly the call connects.

"Hello?" My sister's wary voice rings out in Losingese.

I gulp before replying. "Hello sister. I heard you got engaged." I reply flatly.

"Yes I did... Gwen, I do not know if you know but I am, I am engaged to Tyrian." She announces.

"Oh I know all about your little engagement Anastasia. Some girl told me at school. How long has it been going on with you two, huh? How could you develop a relationship with him when you knew my feelings?" I ask hotly, feeling incredibly hurt.

"Gwen, I assure you we have not been dating! You think I actually want to marry him? Our mother and his father paired us up for an arranged marriage! If I want to be Queen, I have to marry him so that he can be King. I only found out a couple of weeks ago and I fought it, but mother has been planning this marriage for months. Why do you think she instructed for you to go away?" Anastasia explains emotionally.

I fall silent at her declaration. So, it turns out she was not planning to steal my crush away and date him behind my back. She has been forced into this to resume her rightful place as Queen. My mother is the real enemy. How could she do this to me? To Anastasia? For the first time in my life, I feel sorry for Anastasia as she starts to sniffle through the phone. She has been raised to be Queen her whole life, by my mothers constant pushing, but she can only become it if she marries someone our parents approve of.

"Please do not hate me forever Gwen. I tried to stop it but I have no choice if I want to become Queen. Mother is making me do it - I do not love Tyrian! I like him as a friend but I cannot imagine becoming his wife." She cries out.

"It's... its ok Ana. Really. I do not like Tyrian anymore. I have found someone in America." I reveal.

"Really?" She sniffles. "Oh Gwen that is wonderful. What is his name?"

"Well, it's Cohen... Cohen Kefalas." I reveal, deciding to trust her.

"Really? Goodness, I remember him from when we were kids – he had a massive crush on you, you know."

"Seriously?" I ask.

"Yep. I used to catch him staring at you all the time." She giggles half-heartedly.

"Well, it turns out we both like each other now." I sigh blissfully, my cheeks turning red as I remember what happened between us less then half an hour ago.

"I'm happy for you." Anastasia confirms, before we both go quiet making the atmosphere tense.

"You know Gwen, I really am sorry... not just for this, but for everything. I know I have not been the best sister to you, but I want to try to make things right between us. I would not be doing this if there were another way Gwendolyn. The reason I did not inform you was that I was worried that we would truly become strangers to each other. I hope that one day we can be friends, true friends. I guess I have just realised because of all of this that soon I will be a wife to a man I do not love, and Queen, which means I will be alone... I hope that we could develop a proper relationship though Gwendolyn." She explains, sounding nervous.

"I will always be your sister Anastasia, and although I may not always be in Losington, I will be there for you."

"Thank you Gwen." She sighs. "I have to get to sleep now, it is very late, but I hope to speak to you soon."

"Ok Anastasia, I hope everything works out for you."

"You too Gwen." She responds before ending the call.

I simply sit and think for a while, confused that Anastasia and I are actually getting along... I used to think that one of us would have to die to be nice to the other! It actually feels like we have a normal sibling relationship for once, which is strange to say the least. Our relationship is not completely fixed, but this is definitely a good start. Who knows, maybe in the future we will become best friends! Well, I do not want to get too ahead of myself. What will be, will be. Nevertheless, although I am in a forgiving mood with Anastasia, my mother does not get an ounce of love or compassion from me. How could she disregard my feelings so, and show such a lack of love? All my life it has been the same, I think she does something kind but really, it is for a twisted purpose and her own personal gain. I am not sure she even deserves the title of 'mother' anymore.

FYI the next chapter is really cute... please vote!!

Edited