003

Finn’s POV

Pacing back and forth in my office, I tried to remain calm but my patience was thinning out. It wouldn't be long before I went berserk.

“Dammit!" I groaned, dialing Lex’s phone for the hundredth time in half an hour.

Our marriage was in six hours but I haven't been able to get hold of her since the previous day.

Just then, a knock interrupted and at once, I snapped my head up, watching the door creak open and revealing Garrick, my personal assistant.

“Have you been able to reach her?" I asked, walking round the table to join him.

“Not at all. Her family is having a hard time reaching her too."

"Try her again.” I urged, waiting patiently for the end result but it was still the same.

Lex wouldn't throw away an opportunity like this. Something is definitely off.

Dialing her phone, I watched as it rang endlessly before diverting to voicemail.

Leaning against the table, I drummed my fingers on it for a while before proceeding to plopping on the couch.

The multi million dollar contract I had done everything to secure was gradually slipping away from my fingers.

After speaking to someone on the phone, Garrick left my office hurriedly only to return a few minutes later.

“Her assistant just called the office phone." He took a pause before saying, “She is unavailable at the moment."

Without a word, I sank deeper into the couch, clenching and unclenching my fists in anger.

Lex and I had only dated for a week, just enough time to know each other before I bagged the contract I had surpassed my competitors to acquire.

The only criteria left was to get a wife which was easy peasy for me because of my high ranking status in the city.

The wedding was a high profile one which would give her family the exposure they wanted and their business which was almost failing will be resurrected.

But the plan was no longer valid.

She had backed out at the dying minute.

It was now five hours to our wedding. My jaw clenched as anger mixed with frustration ran through my veins.

Raising my head, I stared hard at the wall for a while only to rise suddenly and armed with my keys, I stormed towards the garage.

A part of me suggested she was playing pranks on me so I decided to check the wedding hall just in case my thoughts were true.

On arrival, the first person my eyes landed on was North Kennedy, my ex girlfriend, looking as beautiful as ever.

Shaking the thoughts off my head, I proceeded to the bride’s dressing room but it was empty, save for the clothes and jewelry I had provided for the wedding.

I was about to put a call through to Lex for the last time when my phone began to buzz and at once I received the call.

“Are you alright?" I asked, leaning against the wall as relief washed through me.

A while ago, I was already losing my head but not anymore. My missing bride is back now and things can go on smoothly like planned.

“I'm sorry Finn, a situation beyond my control…”

"Don't worry, we will fix it at the end of the wedding.” I assured her. "Where are you, I will send Garrick to come pick you up.”

"I got back with my ex, our wedding is in two weeks…” The rest of her words fell to the ground.

What in heaven's name did I just hear?

A bitter chuckle left my lips.

So that was it?

A whole damn week of pretending? She had never planned to go through with this wedding.

Slamming my fist against the table, I inhaled sharply. My contract was dead.

My reputation? Ruined.

With a racing heart, I clenched my fist by my side, my heart and mind racing in sync.

I needed a wife as soon as possible.

My contacts list was filled with women who would jump at the offer, but none had the pedigree or presence I needed. Then, as if fate was taunting me, North Kennedy’s face flashed in my mind.

“North." I mumbled, “She is perfect for this role, I just need to convince her and get this done with."

Moreover, we didn't end our relationship on a bad note. — I shrugged, reviewing the prospects of making her my substitute wife in my mind.

Our breakup three years ago had been inevitable. I had never supported her catering dream.

I had believed it was a waste of time, a career with no security, no real power. I had always wanted a wife who would stand beside me in boardrooms and not someone who spent hours over a cooker.

Yanking the door open, I was about to go seek an audience with her but she happened to stumble into the hallway and with no hesitation, I pulled her in.

As expected, North refused all my advances.

Her pride was swelling, same as her hurt which was glaring.

North was my only shot and so I was unwilling to back down but willing to do everything to make her succumb to my proposal.

"You’re joking, right?" She scoffed, folding her arms. "The man who once called my dream 'a waste of time' now wants me to play his wife?"

Her voice was shaky. I could only imagine the thoughts going through her head now.

"I’m going to make your dream come true.” I whispered, trying to touch her hair but she slapped my hand off.

“I hate you." She said, my lips curling into a smile as my heart bubbled with joy. I had finally won her over.

I could see it in her eyes, her demeanour.

“I knew you weren't going to reject my offer." I laughed, rubbing my hands in glee.

“How long is this going to last? I have a future to build on my own." She dragged the last part on purpose. She wanted to let me know I wasn't a part of her future.

“Six months."

She hesitated, her lips pressing into a thin line. “Six months,” she repeated, as if testing the words.

I nodded. “That’s the deal.”

“That’s fair. Just keep to your end of the bargain.”

With this settled, I stepped out of the bride's dressing room so she could figure things herself while I proceeded to the room on the opposite side.

Staring hard at the picture I had taken with Lex a few days ago, I pressed the delete button, my jaws tightened in anger.

I wasn't going to let this slide.

She was going to pay dearly for humiliating me.

"Thirty minutes left, what are you going to do?” Garrick yelled, bursting into the room only to be greeted with a different scene entirely.

"Is Lex here?” He gulped.

"Nope.” I replied, arranging the cuff of my custom made suit, my heart bubbling with excitement.

Garrick blinked rapidly, “This is insane. What the hell are you doing?”

Adjusting my cuffs, I smirked. “Getting married.”