Two

Alkira

My head is throbbing from all the crying last night. It’s unreal. Everything about this—my life, this marriage—is unreal. Last night, I prayed it was all just a dream, but I woke up to reality. I feel lost, like I don’t know what to do or where to go. I’m stuck here, drowning in my sorrows. I can’t even breathe.

My dream was always to marry an amazing man, someone who loved me for me. Someone I loved. Someone who would make me happy. But here I am, in the worst situation imaginable, with a man who hates my guts.

I wiped away the tears starting to form in my eyes. Standing up from the floor, I scanned the room. It was a little smaller than Zane’s room. Zane. Just the thought of him made my body shiver. I’ve met awful men before, but none like him. He’s a monster in clean clothes.

I undressed and went to the bathroom. After a quick shower, I made my way downstairs.

Upon reaching the living room, I saw Zane seated at the table, a huge coffee cup in one hand and his phone in the other.

“Good morning,” I said softly.

He looked up at me briefly, then back at his phone.

“Umm… I’m sorry for waking up so late. What would you like for breakfast? ”

He slammed his phone on the table and strode toward me. I could feel the anger in every step. When he stopped in front of me, he pointed his index finger in my face.

“Listen to me, Anna—”

“It’s Alkira,” I corrected him.

That made him even more upset.

“You’ll do as I say, whore. As a matter of fact…” He kicked off his shoes, sat on the sofa, and tilted his head back. “Give me a foot massage.”

I stepped backward reluctantly.

“Shall I go get the contract and reread those terms for you, my beautiful wife? Do you forget signing that you’d show me the utmost respect and do as I say? Shall I contact your mom? ”

I shook my head quickly.

“No, don’t call her. Please.”

I made my way to his side, knelt down, and began massaging his feet. I felt disgusted.

“Rub my toes, servant.”

An evil grin spread across his face as my hands moved to his toes. It’s not like I could do anything about it. He’s my husband after all. It’s not like I could slit his throat and get away with it. I’d be the first suspect. Maybe I should start watching How to Get Away with Murder.

I shook my head at the evil thought. I felt so stupid doing this. I’d read about arranged marriages before, but I never imagined myself in one.

After finishing with his dirty feet, I made my way to the kitchen, where Hannah was.

“Mrs. Johnstone, I’m sorry. I had no idea you were awake. I’ll prepare something for you.”

“No, I’m okay. I’m here to help with the cleaning.”

“No, ma’am. Mr. Johnstone would be mad if he found out you were help—”

“There’s no need to be formal. Just call me Alkira. And don’t pretend you don’t know Zane hates me. It’s okay. I’m here to assist you.”

“Bu—”

“Please.”

After debating with her a little longer, she finally agreed, and I started helping her. Although I tried to get her to share something about Zane, she was as private as a detective. Each time I brought him up, she told me there was nothing she could say without his permission. His entire life is private, and he’s so arrogant he doesn’t even do interviews.

After finishing the chores, I headed back to my room and locked myself in. I dove into bed and picked up my phone for the first time in a week. I had around one hundred missed calls and fifty text messages—from people I hadn’t spoken to since high school and even from people who had never held a conversation with me.

I guess they heard I married a billionaire, so now everyone remembers me. I scoffed. How did they even get my number?

As I lay there, I started thinking. How can I survive here for the rest of my life? It’s not like I can work. I’m practically a stay-at-home wife. I don’t even know anyone in this area. I’m so used to living with my brother that I feel empty without him.

Maybe if I step outside, I’ll be bombarded by paparazzi. And I hate those people. I can’t even punch them out—I wouldn’t want a lawsuit. I’ve never felt more lost in my entire life. I just wish the ground would open up and swallow me whole.

Maybe one day I’ll break free from this marriage. Get this contract terminated. Somehow. I’ve heard of contracts being terminated before. Maybe I’ll be that lucky—after I’ve gotten what I need out of this marriage. I feel pathetic for even thinking like that.

Zane has the nerve to call me a gold digger, as if this marriage isn’t just as beneficial to him as it is to me. He married me for his stupid reputation. At least that’s what his mother says. He’s so two-faced. I don’t know what women see in him other than his panty-dropping face, sexy voice, and money. That’s it. He has the worst personality ever.

Just yesterday we got married, and today I’m already thinking of ways to kill him. But that’s too soon. I should probably wait a month. If I can last that long.

My mother is probably rejoicing right now. I wish I could say she’s an amazing woman, a great mom—but I’d be lying.

And yet, in some way, I have to thank her for making this happen. Because if I hadn’t married Zane…

I took a deep breath as that thought crossed my mind and quickly dismissed it. Sometimes you make choices, and even though they’re fucked up, people will never understand why you made them.

---

Zane

I’ve never been more embarrassed in my life. Now I have to be seen in public with her. Her face alone is a nightmare. Models are my type—not lowlifes, not gold diggers. I’ll have to hire the best makeup artists just to fix her broken, ugly look. The thought of walking with her makes my stomach turn.

And worse, I’ll have to defend her. Pretend I love her.

I switched off my phone to ignore the calls from my friends. I can already imagine the way they’ll taunt me when they see me with her. I’ve never hated anyone as much as I hate this woman. God, the thoughts that run through my head. I feel like kill—

I gripped the sofa and leaned forward.

I signed away my entire life to this woman, all because of one mistake. One mistake my mother used to blackmail me into marrying her.

I despise marriages. I never saw myself committing to one person, yet here I am. Miserable. They just had to find some desperate woman willing to marry me for money.

But she’ll never please me. Her innocent looks and fake sweetness don’t fool me. She’ll have to try harder to trap me.

I laughed to myself. She’s such a whore. I can’t believe she was ready to sleep with me—a stranger—right after we entered this house.

Marriage is for stupid, ignorant people who think it will work. I swore, even bet, that I’d never end up in this situation. Yet here I am. Everyone thinks I’m in love with this mongrel. But little do they know.

Little does she know what I have planned for her. She will regret the day she signed that contract.