CHAPTER THIRTEEN

“ Will you Luca Pavilochenki take Sharon Gray to be your lawfully wedded wife, to love and cherish her, in sickness and in health till the last of your days?”

“Yes” Luca's deep voice resonated through the hall

No bandages, no bruises, just cold eyes staring into space.

The makeup artist did a great job covering them all up.

The Pavilochenki dynasty and the Gray family were placed on opposite sides of the church. Their business partners, share holders, associates, colleagues and some esteemed employees were with them.

It was an alliance, a business contract, and the two families witnessed it.

Claire was Sharon's maid of honour, and Donald was Luca's best man.

They both were happier than the bride and groom, the irony!

“Will you Sharon Gray take Luca Pavilochenki to be your lawfully wedded husband, to love and cherish him, in sickness and in health till the last of your days?”

Sharon's heart beat faster than it ever had before. She had practiced it, over and over again.

How she would say “yes” to the bastard, with a smile on her face.

But all she could think of at that moment was the phonecall—

Sharon said. Her appearance was angelic. Her wedding dress was laced with diamonds from hem to tail.

She wore a diamond clad veil with a silver and diamond necklace.

White rose petals were all about her, the tail of her gown extended to the entrance of the church, and the diamonds and accessories glittered.

Her shoes were clear as crystal, but they were barely even visible.

“Yes I will”

It was said in a hurry, because she knew she would stammer if she wasted time, she knew her emotions would give away subtle hints of what was really going on.

“With that said, if there is anyone among you who wishes to object this union—

You may speak now”

The hall was silent. Somehow, Sharon wished there was someone bold enough to object, someone bold enough to save her from the hell she was entering into. But alas there was none

“I now pronounce you man and wife

You may now kiss the bride—”

Luca's hands gently pulled away the diamond laced veil that covered her beautiful face.

In the split second that their eyes met before his lips crashed into hers

He could read every emotion they carried. Of course she was smiling, blushing even.

But her eyes—

She didn't want him to touch her, and he knew it

For ten seconds, she endured the most loveless kiss of her entire life.

It looked romantic, almost erotic, but she knew, and he knew

Just how much they loathed each other.

His tongue swirled inside her mouth, but her teeth threatened his lips.

Just before she could bring herself to inflict real pain on him by biting, he broke the kiss.

The press had captured every moment. Sharon's gown was going to be the internet's buzz for a long time.

Customised confetti exploded as Luca and Sharon made their way towards their limo.

Arman was the driver. For some reason Luca never let another person witness the true version of their relationship

A convoy of branded cars followed . The Pavilochenki's and the Grays were in a sort of “which family looks better” competition.

The Grays won with Sharon at the church, but in mobility, the Pavilochenki's had to have their stars.

The Pavilochenki convoy was unending.

Hillary Gray balled his fists as he made eye contact with in-law, Rufus Pavilochenki, just before his own convoy started moving.

“Just you wait Rufus, this union is going to benefit me more than you ever imagined”

*****************

Before Sharon entered the limo, her eccentric tail was detached from her wedding dress, leaving a modest but beautiful one to be displayed

At the reception, Sharon tried to wrap her head around everything.

It was just like her engagement party.

Smile, pretend, smile again, laugh.

And she was doing excellently well.

Some news reporters were stationed outside

“Sharon Gray, what does this union mean for the Gray corporation?”

“ Luca Pavilochenki, how do you feel right now?”

Several bodyguards prevented the news reporters from coming too close, but they had to answer some questions nonetheless.

Sharon spotted someone in the crowd, a beautiful blonde woman, tall, elegant. She looked more like a runway model than a news reporter and somehow, she slipped past the others.

It seemed like she wanted to walk past her, but the woman paused when her mouth was as Sharon's ear.

“Sharon Gray, how do you feel about your husband fucking the life out of someone he's actually interested two days to your wedding?”

It was almost a whisper, but Sharon heard every word.

The woman winked and continued walking.

Nobody would suspect her because she was well, a news reporter. She blended into the crowd and walked away.

Sharon signalled one of the men that she was done with questions, and her and Luca made their way to the reception.

Smile, laugh, smile, act romantic—

“Sharon Gray”

Smile, hold Luca's hand, kiss the glass of champagne before bringing it to his mouth—

“How do you feel ”

Hold his neck as he takes to the dancefloor with you, let his hand slip comfortably to your waist, look at him seductively so the media would even have to cut out some parts—

“About your husband”

Dance like a pro, but don't outshine him. Smuggle kisses after he spins you around and catches you—

“Fucking the life out”

Tell him he's doing a great job, make sure you say so a drunk person could read your lips—

“Of someone he's actually interested in”

Stand to your back at your single “friends”, throw your expensive rose bouquet with a smile on your face—

“Two days to your wedding”

Claire caught the rose in mid air, well she pushed the girl that was supposed to catch it. Donald smiled from the corner he was standing at.

And Luca carried Sharon in his arms, to her new life in spousal hell—