005

North’s POV

The next morning came too quickly.

Last night, I didn't get to eat dinner and so my stomach was rumbling. My first stop was to the kitchen to get myself a quick breakfast before anything else.

Filling my bowl with cereals, I quickly dug into my meal, relishing the delicious taste against my tongue.

A few minutes later, my phone buzzed. It was a notification about the event I was expected to cover in two hours.

At that instant, my countenance changed.

I was so angry that I couldn't think of any other thing save for my job that was going to be handled by Kora on my behalf.

It wasn't like Kora wouldn't be able to deliver, I just wanted to be there with her. What she lacked in making connections, I got that in a full dose.

Grabbing the edge of the table, I was staring hard at the counter in front of me as my heart slammed against my chest in fury.

Once again, Finn had thwarted my plans of making connections.

“Are you still brooding?" Finn asked as he walked into the kitchen and immediately, I shot my head upwards. “The event is in two hours…”

"If only you told me the flight time was going to be by noon, I wouldn't have accepted.”

"You were going to be drained and…"

“And how is that your business?" I yelled, stamping my feet against the floor as my chest rose and fell in anger.

Wielding my fingers at him, “I wouldn't hesitate to tell the press that our marriage is a sham." I threatened.

“And you think you will survive if you did?" He laughed. With a low but firm tone now, he leaned in, “Your career will be buried forever but mine, the scandal will die off as soon as it spiraled. Now tell me, who is going to face the greater impact?”

Gulping, I bit the corner of my lips, my eyes watering slightly.

"In between, I asked my driver to get your stuff from your apartment.” He mouthed. "Before you start getting ideas, I asked Kora for help.”

Shoving his words behind, I stormed back to my bedroom. I didn't have enough time to empty my tear gland before he came to fetch me.

The flight lasted for only thirty minutes, but by the time his private jet landed on the airstrip, I was drained of all my energy. It was as if I had just completed a marathon barefooted.

My fingers were rigid from gripping my phone firmly as I waited for an update from Kora but I didn't get any.

The event was still ongoing and for someone who was used to controlling every aspect, I was helpless and restless.

The moment we alighted from his jet, we were led to the sleek black car on the runway.

“Have a safe trip." The pilot and his crew said to us as I slipped into the car, exhaustion slamming on me.

Seated next to me was Finn and unlike my uneasy state, he was calm.

He hadn’t said a word since takeoff, I bet he was thinking of how he was going to face his family because to the best of my knowledge, they learnt about his marriage when it was aired on TV.

And just when I thought we were going to stay mute, he turned towards me, his voice low but firm.

"Try to act like you're in love with me when we get there." He said, avoiding my eyes.

Scrunching my brows, I huffed.

"Maybe you should say that to yourself first." I snapped, a mocking smile dancing on my lips.

He didn't respond, instead he chuckled, shifting his gaze out of the window.

As the car pulled up in the path toward his family mansion, my breath hitched. I had seen wealth before, spoken to it and negotiated with it but this?

This was different.

The Timber’s family mansion wasn’t just expensive; it was majestic. It was the kind of place that didn’t just scream money, it whispered legacy and power.

As the car got closer, the massive wrought-iron gates opened with a mechanical hum, revealing cream white walls stretched upwards and adorned with ivy.

“You didn’t admire my mansion but here you are goffing over this."

“Is that jealousy I detect?" I scoffed, rolling my eyes at him with my hands crossed on my chest.

“Of course.”

Pushing the door open, I stepped out and just when I was about to open the door, he yanked it open, extending his hand to me.

Reluctantly, I took it with a frown which I quickly wiped off my face the moment my eyes fell on three people standing at the entrance of the mansion.

I could still recognize his father, Viktor Timber clearly. His face was always splashed on the daily papers and on TV so there was no way I would have missed him.

“Hey Finn," The girl among them who was my age mate chirped, waddling towards him while the man who was a bit older than Finn flashed a smile at me.

“How was your trip?" He asked.

“It was great." I returned his smile, clutching my purse firmly.

The look I was getting from Viktor made me uncomfortable. It was as if he could see right through our deceit.

“Hey, I'm Elijah Timber, what's your name?" Finn's sister asked, grinning from side to side.

“North Kennedy." I replied, matching her energy.

Her eyes grew wide as she hit her palms together, “I remember you now, Finn’s college sweetheart but I thought you guys broke up, how did..."

"That's enough now.” Finn snapped, pulling me behind him slightly.

“But I was just…” She sulked, muttering words to herself.

"I'm Liam, Finn’s older brother.” The man finally introduced himself, his smile still stamped on his face.

"Nice to meet you.” I replied only for Finn to tighten his grip around my wrist.

I was about to gawk at him but I was swift to call myself to order and the atmosphere went silent only to be broken by a little sigh from Viktor,

"So," he said, "Are you two really married?"