Ch. 8 - ON A WEDDING DAY

LINDEN

The glow of my phone lit up in the elevator and my thumb hovered for a moment before I unlocked it.

Notifications swarmed the screen in a way that irked me. I tapped into one of the social media posts, just one—and I regretted it instantly.

> No wonder she looked so slow. She had always been a gold digger.

> What is happening, is she a prostitute? Why do billionaires have a thing for women like this? So pitiful.

> Slut got lucky (accompanied by a laughing emoji).

Attached on a post was ‘that’ horrible picture of Jensyn. The one that her hair was tangled over a pillow and her lips parted. That same one that she was half-naked beside a man.

I clicked the screen off and kept the phone in my pocket. Once I was out of the elevator, I made my way to the hotel room I had arranged for this special occasion and immediately I entered, I regretted it again.

Lev stood by the window where I could see him clearly, his back was turned to me but I knew he was holding a glass of wine. He would always drink wine when he was tense or worried. And hell, I knew what made him worried now.

He turned back, surprised to see me dressed in my tailored tuxedo. “You can't seriously do this, Linden.”

I didn't answer him. I walked to the desk beside the table and picked my Rolex watch. Lev saw that I wouldn't answer him and he continued. “Where did you get her? A motel? You paid her to act as your wife?”

“So what?” I demanded angrily. I was pissed. Word must not get out that I hired my bride. It would not only tarnish my image but it would ruin me. I couldn't afford to let that happen.

So what would I do?

I would marry Jensyn and find a way to clear this shit.

Lev came to stand behind me. He exhaled slowly. His brows were drawn together, eyes watching me like I might crack. “You saw the picture. It’s everywhere. She’s trending, Linden. Not for anything good.”

I finally looked up at him. “Good. Let them talk.”

Lev blinked. “Arthur is not coming. He said it’s a disgrace. That you’re humiliating the family. Can't you just marry Susanne? I bet if you call her now, she'd be more than willing to marry you.”

I smiled, but there was no joy in it. “It’s going to be a beautiful day without my father, you know.”

Lev’s jaw clenched. He looked like he wanted to argue more, but instead he just said, “was she an escort?”

I didn't answer him immediately. Lev would know no matter what. There was no point lying to him. “Yes.”

“Do you want me to find out who the man is?”

“Do more than that,” I said. “Find out who leaked it, where it came from, and why now. Timing like that isn't a coincidence.”

He nodded and left the room, his steps fading into silence.

I was getting married today and nothing would stop that.

***

My bride was sitting on a white stool when I stepped into the bridal suite. Two women hovered over her, dabbing powder onto her cheekbones, brushing her lips with some colour of lipstick I don't know, and wearing her necklace.

She looked up when I entered.

Her lips parted, as if she wanted to say something, big no words came. I watched the way her hands fidgeted in her lap. The ring I had given her yesterday glinted in her finger.

The women whispered some words that they would be back and they left. Once we were alone, my bride got her confidence back and spoke.

“I didn’t think you’d come,” she said finally, voice so soft I almost missed it.

I leaned against the wall, arms crossed. “Why wouldn’t I?”

She gestured vaguely toward the mirror. “You’ve seen it. Everyone has.”

“I have,” I said. “And yet here we are.”

Her throat bobbed as she swallowed. “I didn't sleep with the man, Linden.”

“I don’t care, Jensyn. We are not even going to get married for love. This is business.”

A flash of pain crossed her face, but she nodded like she accepted that. I wasn’t sure if she did. I wasn’t sure if I did, so I said something that would assure her.

“It wouldn't change the deal, I can assure you. I will make sure I find that man and why he would go to that extent to leak that picture. You don't have to worry. Right now, we are married, so smile when you see the camera.”

She nodded and I smiled before leaving the room.

The church was located off a winding road in the hills, surrounded by ancient trees. No reporters. No guests. Just me, Lev, and Derek.

Jensyn wore a simple dress too. No lace, no beading, no elaborate decorations, just a normal white dress. It could even pass for a gala dress. I made sure my eyes were locked on hers, just to calm her down. In my smile, I told her everything. The smile told her that I was grateful she accepted to do this with me. That I was happy with this and would do everything in my power to make this work.

“Shall we begin?” The judge asked. I trusted the judge a lot. He was Arthur's old friend and I know he was here just for my sake, not Arthur's sake.

“Yes, please.”

The vows started and I said after the judge, “I, Linden Michael Rawlings, take you, Jensyn Rachael Sawyer, to be my lawfully wedded wife through darkness and light for as long as we live.”

The vows were not what I heard at normal weddings. There was no talk of love or cherishing or obeying for as long as we shall live. It was the best that I've heard though. There was no need to lie about the loving part.

In a haze, she said the words back to me and I immediately felt a strange feeling of calm, of happiness, and excitement about what it would all mean.

“Exchange the rings.” We did and the judge continued. “By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”

Honestly, I didn't think about the kiss, but here we were. I had to kiss my bride.

I pulled her closer and brushed my lips against her upper lip. My arms wrapped around her and I felt the softness of her breasts. It was so soft I could almost rip the dress apart and fold my hands around her. Her lips parted farther and I flicked my tongue inside her mouth. She let out a soft moan as I deepened the kiss. My tongue pushed its way farther inside her mouth and it moved forward to dance with hers.

The kiss claimed all my thoughts. All I could think about was that she was in my arms, that I was kissing her, and it was wonderful.

My arms ran up and down her back as I pushed her closer. She tasted so good, so raw. The sound of snickering behind me broke me from the moment and I stepped away.

Neither one of us looked at the other as the judge said, “It is with great pleasure that I introduce to you, Mr. and Mrs. Rawlings.”

I took my wife's hand and led her towards my family. Lev hugged her and Derek just stood there. I leaned in and whispered into her ears.

“Welcome to the family.”

***

The next day was cold and empty. It was even uneventful. Since no reporter got hold of the wedding pictures, there seemed to be a sort of calmness. But everyone knew I married Jensyn yesterday.

I was halfway through my black coffee when Lev entered the kitchen. “I found him,” he said without greeting.

I looked up, gesturing for him to sit. “Who is the bastard?”

He brought out his phone and showed me the picture of the man that was beside Jensyn. “His name is Ethan Vale. He used to be a gambler and he hired Jensyn last month. According to him, they got too drunk and ended up in that way, but they did nothing together.”

I was somehow relieved that they didn't do anything together. It wasn't as if I didn't believe Jensyn when she told me, but I wanted a side of the man's story too. I would tear him apart if he had touched Jensyn.

In my mind, I didn't know why I would do that.

“What does he want?”

Lev hesitated. “That’s where it gets interesting, my friend. He’s not the one who leaked the picture.”

My brow lifted. “Then who did?”

“I traced the original upload. It came from an IP address registered to someone inside the family office, Linden.”

I stared at him. “Be more specific, Lev. You know these things better than I do.”

Lev scrolled back to another picture. It was a picture I had seen only once in my life. The face was unmistakable.

It was Arthur, my father.