Chapter 4

Lauren pov

We are at the reception party in one of the Sabastian hotels.

The guests are all eating, drinking, mingling, dancing with their partners and generally having a good time.

I’m seated with Andre at the front of the hall on our designated seat watching the guest having a great time at my own wedding while I sit and sulk.

Before I get to sigh for the 100th time today, the MC announced for us, the couples, to have our first dance.

Andre stands and stretches out his right hand to me with his left hand behind his back, on his waist. He smirks at me and raises his brows.

One would think he’s a perfect gentleman. I roll my eyes at him and plaster a fake smile on my face before taking his hand and standing up.

“What a hypocrite” I murmur.

The guest cheers as Andre leads me to the center of the hall.

When we get to the dance floor, he twirls me around, places his left hand on my waist and holds my right hand in his with a sweet smile on his lips. I’m startled and confused by his behavior.

The live band starts playing the instrumentals of Ed Sheeran’s Perfect.

He pulls me close to him as the song starts, my left hand on this chest and our eyes locked together as we move slowly to the beat.

He has an unreadable look on his face as he stares at me, taking in my features. I find myself admiring him as well and I unconsciously rub his chest, feeling how strong they are.

He leans closer to my face, like he’s about to kiss me. I feel my heart racing and my breathing quicker. We’re so lost in each other that we don’t realize that the song has ended until the crowd begins to clap.

That snaps me out of my daze. I clear my throat and move away from him but he pulls me closer, leans into my ear and whispers “You look ravishing and I can’t wait to fuck you tonight”, before he releasing me and walking away with a smug look, leaving me stunned and red with embarrassment.

My father approaches me immediately after for a dance.

“You looks so beautiful dear and I want you to know that I’m very proud of you. Thank you for doing this for the family and I’m sorry about all of this”.

I give him a small smile and say nothing, my brain too busy decoding what Andre said earlier.

He’s probably kidding, I thought. I never thought we would get intimate and now I’m feeling anxious about tonight.

I keep replaying those words in my head as I dance with my dad and I can’t help but keep glancing over at him, who is now talking to a lady in a very revealing bright red dress. I frown at that.

“Who’s that” I thought.

She’s turned to her back so I can’t see her face and make out who the person is.

Just when she was about to turn around, the music stops and I’m distracted by some family friends who are congratulating me and having small talks.

By the time I look over again, the lady is gone and he’s now talking to some men, probably about business.

I look away wondering who the lady was, when someone stops beside me.

“You seems so in love. You can’t even take your eyes off him for a minute.”

I turn to look at the person talking and it’s the lady that was talking to Andre earlier. My…..cousin?

Julia, I think.

She’s wearing the skimpiest clothes I’ve ever seen, revealing more parts of her body than the covered with a matching red heels and flashy makeup.

“Don’t look so surprised, there’s no way I would have missed your wedding. Even though I got the invite late.” She says with a big smile.

This is weird. She’s being oddly friendly and I don’t remember us been friends or even cordial. We’ve met at a couple family gatherings but we never spoke much and if I remember correctly, I never liked her.

“Congratulations on your wedding “ she says with a weird smile.

I just stare her down, and mutter a quiet thank you.

“I didn’t think you could marry someone like Dre you know. You seem like one of them good girls and Dre likes them bad.” She goes.

I keep staring at her, waiting for her to make her point.

“I mean I was quite surprised when I got the invitation that you were getting married to him because, I mean, we had spent the night the previous night.” She shrugs nonchalantly.

There it is! That’s where this was leading.

“Arghh! Such great sex! One of the best I’ve had. The best actually.” she says with dreamy eyes.

Now I remember why I don’t like her. She has always had a thing for boasting about everything and belittling people, who might I add, are doing much better than her.

“I didn’t know he had a fiancé. So he was cheating on you?” Her eyes twinkling like she just discovered a treasure, smiling mockingly.

I’m getting irritated so I give her a tight smile before saying “thank you for coming. Excuse me” and walk away.

I feel my blood boiling and I’m hot all over.

Why am I feeling this way? It’s not even like we’re in love or this marriage is real and I know he’s a womanizer and sleeps around a lot.

I roll my eyes annoyed at myself for feeling jealous.

I shake my head as if to get the thought out of my head.

I’m not jealous, I’m just disappointed at his taste in women. That’s definitely the reason why I’m feeling this way.

“Tsk. How can one person be arrogant, annoying and still have poor taste in women?” I shake my head. “ He probably just following anything under a skirt”. I say to myself.

I’m going outside the club to get some fresh air when someone grabs my hand to stop me.

I turn around and it’s Andre.

“Time to go” he says and pulls me outside to the car where the chauffeur is already waiting outside for us.

“But I haven’t said goodbye to my parents yet.” I protest.

“I already told them we were leaving” he answers.

“But my things are still at my parents house”. I go again.

“They’ve already been sent to my house.” He rubs his forehead, obviously annoyed.

“But….”

“One more but, and I will kiss you.” He threatens.

That shuts me up.

“Why does he keep saying these things” I glare at him for a second before looking.

I sit quietly, looking out of the window, taking in the environment as we’re on our way to my new home, trying to process everything that happened today.

I feel the car stop and I realize we’re at his house.

I yawn and stretch my neck. I must have fallen asleep.

I come down from the vehicle and take in my surroundings. It’s dark already but I can clearly see the mansion in front of me. I can’t believe that this is where he lives.

I live in a big house as well but this right here, is way bigger. The compound is brightly lit with different kinds of flowers planted around, a big water fountain at the center which also serves as a rouund about. This compound is big enough to fit another mansion.

I’m in awe.

“Are you just going to stand there?” Andre calls out to me. He’s already at the front door waiting for me.

I pull my dress up, walking and still looking around.

He opens the door and moves aside for me to enter first. I walk into the most beautiful house I’m ever stepped foot in. The house is painted all white from up to down with black furnitures and gold accessories. The aesthetics is giving clean and expensive.

I love this house.

“Your house is beautiful.” I tell Andre.

“I know” he replies arrogantly.

I roll my eyes.

“Welcome sir.” An elderly woman in maiden outfit, probably in her 50s, walks out of a room approaching us.

“Good evening Grace. This is my Wife, Lauren. Please show her to her room and get her settled in. I’ll be in the study if you need me.” He says and walks away.

“Oh what a beauty!” She exclaims. “Come dear, let me show you to your room.” She says with a smile.

“Thank you.” I smile back at her, following behind her.

She leads me to the first floor, down a long hallway.

“Your bags came in earlier, I’ve already arranged them in the dressing room for you. I hope you don’t mind me touching your stuff “ she asks.

“It’s fine ma’am. Thank you very much.”

“Alright. This is your room” she stops at one of the many doors and opens it, stepping aside for me to go in first.

I go in slowly, taking in the appearance of the room. It is two times bigger than my room at my parent’s, painted in a soft cream color with all of the furnitures in lavender. A queen sized bed at the center of the room, two side tables with lamps on top and drawers for storage. There’s a vanity at the right side of the room from the door and on the right, is a wide glass door that leads to a balcony and outdoor seating area with a beautiful view of the estate.

There’s also a sitting area in the room by the balcony door with magazines and other decor.

“I hope you like your room. Sir had this room renovated to suit your taste” she says with a knowing smile.

I smile back at her. “It’s so beautiful”. I answer, looking around again.

“Should I run you a bath before setting dinner?”

“I’ll run the bath myself, you can go ahead and carry out your duties.” I say sitting on the bed and taking off my shoes.

“Okay. Call me if you need any help. I’ll be in the kitchen.” She says and leaves, closing the door behind her.

I stand up from the bed and walk towards the other door in the room.

It’s the bathroom and walk-in closet/ dressing room. I find my clothes, bags, shoes and other accessories arranged neatly.

“Wow! This place is beautiful! How much money does he really have to afford such a nice place like this?.” I wonder for a second before taking off my wedding dress and running a bath.

After bathing and dressing in more comfortable clothes, I go downstairs to the dining room to eat. Andre is there, eating already. I sit quietly, dish out my food and eat hurriedly. I did not realize how hungry I was until I saw the food and I was done in minutes.

When I look up, Andre is staring at me. I look away shyly. I must have been eating not so gracefully. I wipe my lips and stand up to head straight to my room.

I was surprised to see Andre when I come out of my dressing room, after brushing and changing to my pajamas, sitting on my bed in a tee shirt and sweatpants seemingly waiting for me.

I clear my throat and ask softly, turning off the bathroom light and closing the door. “ What are you doing here?”

“It’s our wedding night.”

“Okay….. so what?” I ask confused.

“So….” He stands up from the bed and starts walking slowly towards me. “….it’s time to consummate our marriage” he finishes, looking at me from head to toe with lust.

“Wh…what?!” I stutter. He’s in front of me now.

I press my back to the door of the dressing to create sort of space between us.

“We don’t even need to do that. It’s not like we even like each other” I say as a matter of fact.

“That’s for me to decide. I own you, remember?” He snaps back.

“Now strip.”