Behind the scenes

Mike

I watched Jenny stare at the ring in my hand, waiting for her answer.

She looked surprised, but that wasn't the reaction I expected. She wasn't smiling or looking at the ring with excitement. Instead, she seemed to be studying me, trying to figure out what I was really up to.

"You're serious?" she finally asked.

"I’ve never been more serious, Jenny.” I replied.

"Mike, you're asking me to marry you so we can get revenge on our exes. Do you honestly expect me to accept that just like that?" She quizzed and I chuckled before closing the ring box.

"You're right. I probably should have explained myself better."

"Please do."

I got back on my feet and placed the box on the table.

"Do you remember the man who was supposed to help you expose Nate and Hannah on your wedding day?" I asked and her expression changed immediately.

"What about him?" She asked desperately.

"Do you remember what he told you after the video failed to play? That someone had called him and threatened him not to go ahead with the plan?"

"Yes. He said someone powerful was behind it." She nodded slowly.

"That someone was me." I revealed and she stared at me.

"What?"

"I made that call." I retorted and for a moment, she said nothing. She just looked at me as though she was waiting for me to laugh and tell her it was a joke but I didn't.

"You stopped me from exposing them?" she finally asked.

"Yes."

"Why would you do that?"

"Because I wasn't ready for them to know what was coming. I wanted them to believe they had won. I wanted them to get comfortable, make plans and continue living their lives without suspecting anything." I explained while she shook her head and took a few steps away from me.

"So you were watching everything happen?"

"Not everything, but I knew enough."

"Mike, I had spent my entire savings trying to make that plan work. I stood in front of everyone at that cathedral and humiliated myself because I wanted them exposed. Do you have any idea how I felt when the screens didn't work?" She questioned me.

"I do."

"No, you don't!" she snapped, turning to face me.

"You have no idea what it felt like to walk away from that church with nothing. I thought I had finally gotten my revenge, only to discover that someone had ruined my plans again." She slammed hard at me and I didn’t try to stop her. She had every right to be angry.

"I wasn't trying to hurt you, Jenny. I was trying to protect the bigger plan."

"By keeping me in the dark and ruining my own plan?"

"Yes." I replied while she laughed bitterly and shook her head.

"You really think you can just come here, tell me you've been controlling things behind the scenes and expect me to trust you?"

"No. I expect you to judge me by what I've done."

I walked toward the window and looked down at the busy city.

"I have connections in places you probably haven't even imagined. I have influence over people who can make things happen without leaving their names anywhere. That call was just one example." I never meant to brag but I had no other choice. I needed her to know that I am useful to her.

"Do you know how quickly I found out about your wedding plans? How I knew where you were going after leaving the city? How I found you at the diner?" I said while she smirked.

"I had people keeping an eye on things because I needed to know you were safe. My intentions are clear, all I want from you is an alliance.” I picked up the ring box again.

"Jenny, you have built a company that can make or destroy reputations. You know how to control a story, how to influence public opinion and how to turn a scandal into an opportunity. I have the resources and connections to take things much further. Together, we can do what neither of us could do alone." I persuaded her while she simply looked down at the ring.

"Why marriage though? We can still do everything you said without getting married." She quizzed and I sighed.

"Because that’s the only way my plans can fully work. You will understand more as time goes on. You just have to trust me.” I said and she smirked.

"Marcus and I were together for years and I trusted him with my life. I got betrayed in the end. I’m not making that mistake again.” She argued.

“I’m not Marcus.” I said firmly while she walked toward the table and picked up the ring box, examining the diamond.

"Are you sure this is what you want?"

"Absolutely."

"Then I’ve got conditions." She said and I couldn't help laughing.

"Of course you do."

"First, I want complete honesty between us. No more secret calls, hidden plans or decisions made behind my back. If we're doing this together, I need to know what's happening." She said and I nodded.

"Agreed." I said without hesitation while she nodded and opened the box again.

"Then I guess we have a deal." She retorted and I took the ring from her and slipped it onto her finger.

"Welcome to the family, Mrs.?" I teased while she looked at me and smiled for the first time since our conversation started.

"Don't get ahead of yourself, Mike. We still have a lot of work to do." She said and I laughed…

We got married three days later in a quiet ceremony arranged by my legal team at a private estate. Only our lawyers and two witnesses were present.

Jenny wore a simple but beautiful white dress. Her hair was neatly styled, and she looked stunning without making too much effort.

I stood beside her as the officiant went through the necessary words. When it was time for our vows, I looked into her eyes.

"I, Marcus, take you, Jenny, to be my wife. I promise to respect you, stand by you and love you forever." I let out.

"I, Jenny, take you, Marcus, to be my husband. I promise to stand by our agreement and give this love everything it deserves." She simply said and I almost smiled at her choice of words. Even on her wedding day, she wasn't going to pretend this was a fairy tale.

When the officiant finally pronounced us husband and wife, I slipped the ring onto her finger and kissed her cheek.

Everyone applauded quietly and just like that, we were married. After the ceremony, we signed the documents and had a small dinner prepared for the few people present.

I noticed she was unusually quiet throughout the meal and I went over to her.

"Regretting your decision already?" I asked and she looked up from her glass.

"No. I'm just thinking."

"About what?"

"About Hannah and Nate." She replied and I nodded.

"They have no idea what’s coming for them. I wonder what their faces will look like when they find out." She took another sip of her drink and I smiled.

"They'll find out very soon.” I chimed in and she looked at me with a satisfied smile.

"Mike, I want them to lose every damn thing. I want them to understand what it feels like to have the people they trusted turn against them. I want their fall to be brutal.” She said with a dangerous grin.

“You have no idea what I have planned for them, wife. It’s worse than brutal.” I replied while she nodded and looked down at the wedding ring on her finger.