3. BETTY

BETTY POV

Why did Kelvin Kosh just kiss me? In front of hundreds of guests and the thousands of streamers online.

Not only did he taste like sweet chocolate, his cologne was incredibly sweet.

I couldn't agree any less Diane may be right about my brain being slim.

Maybe it was one of the reasons my brain was taking time to process what just happened.

Kelvin Kosh's face held a mask of happy smile, did I look anything like Vanessa Coleman, his real bride?

Everyone looked thrown off but unwilling to stop a live broadcast mid-ceremony.

“Oh, no I am not.” I laughed nervously to the guests and cameras “This must be a mistake, this is the back up dress. I don’t even know—”

I didn’t even finish my sentence, when Kelvin pulled me by hand.

“Everyone out!” his icy voice thundered when we got to the dressing room

He let go off my hand, raking his hand through his black hair.

“Why did you kiss me?” I asked immediately

“I need you to act in place of my bride, what’s your price?”

I scoffed “Where is Bride Vanessa? I have to find her,”

He turned to me, with gritted teeth “Don’t you dare mention that name.”

I swallowed a lump, “Okay, why did you kiss me? what is this about?”

“Let’s make this snappy, I have millions of people waiting to see this wedding happen. Last time you told me you were engaged.”

“That?” I let out a humorless laughter before Mr Kosh will even get the chance to mock me for being so sure about my fiancé months ago “Not anymore”

I raised my fingers like I did the last time, no ring on it.

He breathed out in relive “Great news, that means—”

“Great news?” I interrupted

“Never,” he started “Never, interrupt me when I am talking.”

For a groom who should be excited about his big day, his expression was a far cry from it.

“I am a man of few words,” Kelvin Kosh fixed his hands in his tuxedo pocket “What’s your price, mention it, so we can finish what we already started,”

“Yes, I know your Texudo fits you so well, I took my time in making it,” I ran my eyes on the tuxedo I had spent the last month making, “I told you I could figure your size,”

“Gosh,” he breathed out like he was tired of the conversation, could he not take a compliment?

“Can you focus on what I am trying to say?”

“Ah, sorry about that.” I smiled “So you were talking about price. Every payment goes to the boss, I don’t accept tips.”

He arched an eyebrow at me “I am not talking about the texudo, you cra-“

He held his breath.

“Go ahead and say it, crazy bitch?” I smiled, insults didn't get to me. I have been so accustomed to them I couldn’t care less.

Mr Kosh, tightened his hands, his jaw ticking.

He looked at me like I was getting on his last nerve when all I did was speak kindly.

“I have an offer for you, you act like my bride today and we get married but it remains a contract, we will—”

“What?” Oh shit I just interpreted him but, “Is this a joke?”

“Are you deaf, you heard me,” he replied, too sure of himself.

“Are you dumb not to repeat yourself?”

He drew in a sharp breath “I am proposing a contract marriage for one year, no strings attached. I need to get married today or else I will lose my company…”

Contract marriage only happened in movies and books, why me? This man must be the crazy person here.

“…You walk away with money and I keep my company,”

Of course the sound of money pulled me out of my thoughts, I needed money but I was not so desperate to be married to a stranger for it.

“My lawyer will prepare the marriage clause, for now you have to walk down the aisle, I will pay you two million upfront,”

My jaw dropped, that was enough for Ruthie’s medical care

In fact I lied, I was desperate. My little sister had a broken bone after the accident that took my father and almost claimed my life months ago.

“This is business, are you in or not? Everyone is waiting out there for us,” he

Even if two million was enough for Ruthie’s care but at what cost?

A marriage with a man who genuinely doesn’t want someone like me, I would just be a joke to him, his chubby wife.

“I am not interested Mr Kosh, we will find Vanessa,” I replied turning to leave

“Betty…”

I froze on my track, the way he called my name… softer, like as if we have known each other for years

I turned to face him, his icy expression was now replaced by something else, something calmer.

“I don’t have the time to waste.” He blurted out calmly “Four million?”

My brows knitted in confusion “You’re insane.”

“Ten million?"

I could swear I was an auction piece at the moment. I stared at him, he didn’t blink, wait he was serious?

“Twenty?”

My heart slammed against my ribs, “Why are you so desperate for me?”

Mr Kosh’s expression hardened. “Desperate for you? I don’t have time to find another bride. I am trying to save my life.”

I had no idea what he meant but since a marriage will help him in his company like he said then fine, besides marrying wasn’t on my list.

This time, I was marrying for money. Huge difference. “Okay, I will walk down the aisle.”

***

Everyone was staring at me, as I walked the aisle, I could swear Avery was shocked to see me but she kept her cool, saving it for later.

I was terrified but Kelvin was composed, the vows, the bands exchange everything felt like a proper wedding.

Life has a cruel way of making people eat their words, Diane wouldn’t believe it when she finds out I am married, I thought to myself.

Kelvin’s fingers brushed mine and I noticed his hand was unusually cold for a normal person’s temperature.

“With the power vested in me I now pronounce you, husband and wife,” the officiants declared and a loud cheer sounded

Someone shouted “Where is Vanessa?”

Kelvin simply took my hand “You’re looking at my wife.”

Camera lights were flashing in front of us, I steadied my leg but accidentally stepped on Kelvin’s shoe.

I nearly tripped, but he held me firmly, “Pose like you are happy,” he whispered smoothly, smiling at the camera,”

Dear lord, I didn’t even know how to pose for a picture.

Mr Kosh whispered again “Smile.”

I whispered back “I’m smiling.”

“You look terrified.”

“Because I’m standing beside a man who kidnapped me into marriage.”

The photographer gestured to us “Closer.”

I moved closer to Kelvin Kosh.

“Closer.” The photographer said again

I looked at Mr Kosh, “Does he want us inside each other’s skin?”

“He wants you to smell like my expensive cologne,”

“Ewww it smells disgusting,?” I whispered, puffing his ego was the last thing I was willing to do.

“I’m your husband now, mind how you talk to me.” He responded in a low growl, still keeping a face for the photographs.

“On paper,” I shot back

I saw his mouth twitched, He actually looked different when he smiled

He noticed that I was staring. “What?”

“Nothing.”

“You are staring.”

“I’m trying to figure out if you look better when you smile, but you don’t,” I rasped in disappointment

“That’s enough pictures,” Mr Kosh gestured to the photographers “Thanks everyone for coming, everyone, me and my…wife will be going home now…”

Home? Oh oh, that’s what usually happens after weddings. Shit.