Chapter 4: the dinner party.

'No, I can't. I can't marry someone I just met today.'

I wanted to say those words out loud, but it changed the moment they came out.

"I agree, but on one condition," I said. His eyes twitched with interest immediately.

"What condition?"

"No touches. We won't..." I cleared my throat, unable to say the next word. He chuckled dryly and, without saying a word, walked to his desk, brought out a file, and gave it to me. It was a marriage contract.

"If I had needed someone I could touch, I would've gone for a more..." he paused, his eyes roving over my body. "Busty type," he finished. My eyes twitched red immediately.

"Meaning?" I asked. He leaned in.

"I don't do bones," he whispered.

My face flushed with embarrassment immediately.

"Read the rules and sign below," he explained. I didn't even bother to read further after the first line, which said, "no love and touches attached," before signing my signature.

The words he said pondered greatly in my head. My eyes stylishly moved down to my hips and, shamefully, he was damn right. I slowly handed the file back to him.

Then, silence descended like a dove. He handed me a small box. I opened it and found a diamond ring inside.

I wanted to ask if it was real, but I restrained myself.

"Wear it. From today, you will be addressed as my wife..." He paused, and I needed no one to tell me he was asking for my name.

"Marie," I muttered. I fixed the ring onto my finger, and it fit perfectly.

"Marie, you can address me as Marcus," he said. A whole new feeling washed over me.

I quickly lowered my eyes to hide the heat on my cheeks.

"You will be shown to your room. Do well to rest; we have a dinner to attend tomorrow," he said. He walked to his desk, made a call, and that instant, a lady rushed in with a bow.

"Take her to her room," he instructed like a king, and the lady ushered me to follow her.

"What dinner? You can't just tell them to take me... we still have a lot of things to talk about," I quirked.

He walked some steps closer to me and leaned in.

"It's just some hours, baby. I know you miss me already," he said, his voice sounding somewhat romantic. My forehead folded into a frown, and the ladies giggled behind me.

"But.." He shushed me with his finger on my lips.

"Follow them," he whispered, signaling the ladies, and they ushered me out.

°°°°°°°°°°°

*The Dinner party*

The ambiance of the night was perfect, blending into my skin as I stepped down from the car that Marcus sent.

I screamed expensive, the red slip gown blended into my tiny curve, the shoes, jewelry—they all spoke of being expensive.

"This way, ma'am," I was ushered into the hall.

All eyes turned to me the moment I entered... some whispered under their breath, all to my admiration.

I walked gently into the crowd with my eyes searching for Marcus. Instead of him, my eyes caught someone else: Adrian, and he was not alone—he's with Annie.

My legs froze on the spot, and memories flashed in.

"What are they doing here?" Panic flared up. Annie turned, and our eyes met.

Something flickered in her eyes.

She scanned from my head down to my toes, with a tight face... shock written all over her eyes, she instinctively tapped Adrian, whispered something to him while pointing at me.

Adrian turned to me, his eyes twitched with shock as he scanned me from my hair down to my toes.

He took a drink from a waiter and walked toward me with Annie behind him.

"What are you doing here?" he asked. I sighed softly.

"What do you expect? Isn't this a party?"

"How did you get in?" he questioned. I scoffed with a roll of my eyes.

"I bet you wouldn't want to know, because it's actually none of your business," I whispered.

I turned to leave, but he grabbed my arm.

"I think she's here to ruin your deal with Mr. Marcus," Annie finally spoke. My lips curved into a smile.

"Deal with Mr. Marcus, huh?" I chuckled darkly.

"Look here, I would advise you to get out of this place now, while I'm being nice.

"Don't ruin things for me." His grip tightened on my arm. I flinched but quickly replaced it with a smile.

"You're the one who is going to ruin things for yourself," I spat. Before I could blink, he splashed the drink into my face. My breath froze, my eyes shut as it coldness washed down my make-up.

The crowd gasped.

"You want to ruin things for me, huh?" Adrian shouted.

I swallowed hard, my hand clenching my dress. "Answer me!" He shook me terribly.

I stood frozen, not knowing what to do, and the crowd that once whispered about my look was now whispering something else.

"Please stop, brother," Annie whimpered and disengaged Adrian from me.

"This isn't right. Let me talk to her." She took some steps toward me with a smile that didn't reach her eyes. My heart pounded, praying inwardly for Marcus to come to my aid.

"Hello, sister." She leaned in, and the next thing I knew, she flew to the ground with a loud scream, as expected. I let out a dry chuckle.

"Annie!" Adrian ran to her. She sobbed and wrapped her hands around him.

"Marie, why did you push me? I just wanted to say hi..." she whimpered, and the crowd started whispering negative things.

"She's a devil in disguise."

"Beautiful outside but dark inside."

"She doesn't deserve to be called human."

At this very moment, I wished the ground would open and swallow me up.

"Marie, we gave you all you ever wanted but still you remained bitter. I guess it was because you are from the street. Now I know why they say you can take a pig from the dirt, but you can't take the dirt away from the pig," Adrian said, crushing the little peace in me. Tears blurred my vision instantly.

"The street? Disgusting. No wonder I smelled dog poo when she walked in."

"How did she enter here?"

"I'm sure she borrowed those clothes and shoes."

"Who knows if she slept with a guard just so he'd grant her entry."

I stood frozen, heart aching.

"Even the crowd can't stand your evil self... get lost!" Adrian grabbed hold of my arm and pushed me.

I slipped and staggered.

my eyes shut, bracing for the impact of the floor, but it never came. Instead, I felt strong arms wrapping around my body, lifting me into the air. The crowd let out a sharp gasp.

I opened my eyes and peeked up at the person who caught me.

My breath hitched as his blue eyes pierced mine.

"Are you alright?" he asked. His voice was calm and smooth. I sniffed and wiped my face. My makeup was already ruined, but I managed to nod.

"Why is she in Mr. Marcus's arms?"

"She's a slut."

"Look at how she ran into his arms, like a whore."

The crowd cursed, and I clenched tightly to his arm like he was my only support.

"Stay away from him, witch!" Adrian shouted, wanting to touch me, but one punch from Marcus sent him flying to the ground.

A sharp gasp followed, then silence.

Adrian clutched his cheek, eyes wide, mouth open with no words coming out.

"Adrian!" Annie rushed to him, clinging tightly.

Marcus walked past me, yanked Annie away from Adrian, then raised Adrian off the floor.

"What's going on?"

"Mr. Marcus beating up his business partner because of a street girl?"

"Sir, what have I done?" Adrian asked, trembling under Marcus's hands.

"How dare you touch her?" Marcus shouted, and the hall shook. All eyes turned to me like I've the alone have the answer to their questions.

"Sir, she's not who you—" Adrian could barely finish his word before Marcus's voice cut through the hall.

"SHE'S MY WIFE!!"