Chapter 4

Geraldine’s Point of View

It felt like heaven right before my eyes. All the effort of my three-month mission was worth it. Tonight, I had to taste everything this new life offered me. God, call me an addict if you must, but I wanted more.

“I miss you, babies,” I whispered, my voice almost drowned out by the music.

“Pfft.”

I turned my head and realized Mike was still beside me. I gave him my most innocent smile, pretending I hadn’t just confessed to missing someone else.

“Can I have a word, Mr. Muller?” one of his men asked. It was his right-hand, John. Mike looked at me before answering.

“I’m fine here,” I told him quickly, raising my hand in a playful promise. “I won’t cause trouble. I have a high alcohol tolerance.”

He studied me for a second, then nodded. John wheeled him out of the room, leaving me free at last.

A grin spread across my lips as I poured myself a glass of wine. The sweet aroma teased my senses, but before I could take a sip, voices behind me caught my attention.

“Who is she really? We’ve never seen her until now.”

“And just like that, she’s suddenly married to Mr. Muller? Look at him. He seems fine with it, like he actually knows her.”

I almost laughed. Mike was a better actor than I thought. He was playing along with my plan perfectly.

“She acts like she’s from the streets. Clearly, she doesn’t belong in our world.”

My brow furrowed as I stared into my drink. The sting of their words should have cut me, but instead, I smirked. If they believed I didn’t belong, then my act was working.

“I think she’s just a gold digger,” one of them added.

That was the last straw. I turned around, leaning casually against the table, a bright smile painted on my face. Their eyes widened as I raised my glass in their direction, as if toasting them.

They panicked, stammered, and quickly scurried away. A soft chuckle escaped me as I finally tasted the wine. My eyes widened.

“Wow, this is amazing.”

I downed the entire glass and poured another, the music pulling me toward the dance floor. Soon, I was swaying, letting the rhythm guide me.

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Third Person’s Point of View

Meanwhile, Mike was in another room with John.

“What is it?” he asked.

“The woman who acted as your bride earlier has been paid, sir,” John reported.

Everything that happened tonight had been planned. She was hired to play the role of a gold digger in exchange for a large sum of money. The goal was simple: prevent the marriage from happening.

To Mike, marriage had never mattered. He saw women as weak, unnecessary complications. His plan had always been clear—find someone to bear him a child, nothing more. But all of that shifted the moment this substitute bride entered his life.

There was something in her eyes, something different from the others. Yes, she wanted money, but he had seen hesitation earlier, a flicker of doubt when she returned the check to the bed. She didn’t want it.

“I saw the check in her hand,” John said. “I thought she left it by accident.”

Mike shook his head slowly. “She didn’t forget it. She put it back because she didn’t want payment. All she wanted was the wine outside.”

John blinked in surprise. “But I thought she needed money?”

“I overheard her earlier. All she asked for was a tip. That’s all.” Mike leaned back, thoughtful. “She’s fascinating. Find out who exactly I married tonight. She might be the one to change how I see women.”

John’s eyes grew misty. “They’re right. Marriage really does make a man mature.”

Mike raised a brow, half amused, half exasperated. “Go.”

“Yes, Boss.”

When John left, Mike returned to the party. His eyes immediately found Geraldine, still drinking and now dancing in the center. Her pale skin glowed beneath the lights, and her cheeks flushed crimson.

He sighed. She had no idea the wine she adored so much was imported from Italy. Stronger, richer, and much easier to get drunk on than anything back in the Philippines.

As she stumbled, Mike wheeled closer, catching her before she could fall. She landed right in his lap.

“Oh, there’s a chair here,” she giggled.

Her wide eyes met his, and she gasped. “Oh, it’s you, Mike.”

“You said you don’t get drunk.”

“Who’s drunk? Not me. I’m just enjoying myself. Come on, hubby, let’s drink!”

The word “hubby” slipped from her lips so naturally it sent a strange warmth through his chest. He inhaled her sweet perfume, intoxicating in its own right. She poured another glass and handed it to him with a grin.

“Let’s drink more, hubby!”

“Wife…” His voice trailed, but she was already calling out to the guests.

“He doesn’t want to drink! He has to drink, right?!”

“Yes!” the crowd cheered in unison.

Mike scowled at their encouragement. “Fine.”

He drank until the glass was empty. Geraldine clapped and bounced like a child who had just won a prize.

“Yes! That’s how you do it! Let’s continue the party!”

It was as if she had become the host. The atmosphere shifted, filled with laughter and celebration. Some guests left, especially the older ones, but many stayed, caught up in her infectious energy.

Hours later, her head rested heavily on Mike’s shoulder. She was fast asleep, while the party still raged around them.

John returned, this time with the lawyer. “Boss, it’s time to sign the marriage contract.”

Mike looked down at Geraldine’s sleeping face. She needed to sign too. But was she truly serious about this marriage?

To his surprise, she stirred awake when the lawyer addressed her. “Milady, could you sign the marriage contract?”

Her eyes blinked open. “Of course.”

She took the pen, wrote her real name, and signed. Mike’s jaw tightened in shock.

“Wife, you’re drunk. You haven’t even read—”

Before he could finish, she collapsed against him once more, deeply asleep.

“She signed, Boss,” John reminded him softly.

Mike exhaled heavily and signed his own name. He handed the papers back to the lawyer. “My wife needs rest. Is our room ready?”

“Yes, Boss.”

“Good. You can all leave now.”

He carefully lifted Geraldine into his arms. She stirred only to wrap her arms around his neck, clinging to him even in sleep. He wheeled himself quickly to his room, then stood to lay her gently on the bed.

But as he leaned down, he lost balance. Their lips met. For a moment, he froze, but then he felt her kiss him back.

Her lips moved softly against his, deepening the kiss. His heart raced, torn between pulling away and surrendering.

He broke away briefly, only to see her eyes flutter open. She shifted, pushing him down and climbing on top of him, kissing him again.

“Wife, please, you’re drunk,” he whispered, his breath uneven.

She only smiled, pressing her lips back to his. And this time, Mike kissed her back.

*****

LMCD22