Chapter Nine

The rest of the event passed without further incidents.

Chairman Thorne and Madam Diane continued to introduce me to what felt like half the ballroom, and there seemed to be several influential people who suddenly developed an interest in speaking to Alexander Thorne’s wife.

It was all too exhausting. And as well strange and a little ironic.

If they knew I was only a contract wife, most of them would not have even glanced my way.

Thankfully, Mark, Ruby and Vivian never returned to the party, so it was a smooth sailing the rest of the night.

By the time we left the hotel, the city skyline sparkled under the night sky, and all I could think about was taking off my heels and collapsing into bed.

The drive home was quiet.

Alexander sat next to me, reading emails on his tablet as though he hadn’t witnessed anything out of the ordinary tonight. As if the evening chaos had never happened.

I, on the other hand…I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Even though I acted as though none of it bothered me.

Chairman Thorne’s words, Madam Diane’s teasing, the way everyone had easily accepted me as part of the Thorne family. And Alexander…

He had protected me without hesitation, had seen through Vivian’s scheme before anyone else, and had stood in a private suite to help me with a stubborn zipper without making me feel uncomfortable. It didn’t make sense.

He was the type of person that was cold, blunt, unreadable…yet somehow, he always seemed to know exactly what I needed.

I turned my head slightly, stealing a glance at him.

The glow from the tablet reflected across his sharp features, highlighting his stoic expression.

Sensing my gaze, he looked up.

“What is it?”

“…Nothing.”

“Why the stare then?”

“Just grateful to have a protective boss.”

“Hm.”

He went back to his work as though that settled the matter.

I frowned a bit at his immediate turn down, and glared at the window.

Impossible. This man is impossible.

And somehow…that thought no longer annoyed me quite as much as it should have.

-----

The car rolled through the gates of the Thorne estate.

Before I had a chance to unbuckle my seatbelt, Alexander glanced up from his tablet.

“Tomorrow morning,” he stated, “you will accompany me to work.”

I stared at him blankly, the silence settling him like some final say.

“Work? Like your office at BluTech?”

“If you’re going to be Mrs. Thorne, people need to see you at my side, and probably notice the skills you so much wanted to display during your interview.”

“…I thought I’d rather been employed to clean about the estate.”

“Why ever would I have you do that?” He asked as though he didn’t suggest me the most ridiculous job title when he made our contract deal during my interview, rather than simply accepting me as his personal assistant.

I narrowed my eyes at him. Then got down from the car.

Sleep with one eye open, Xander. Sleep with one eye open…

-----

The following morning, I stood in front of the huge walk-in closet filled with clothes that were so not mine.

Designer suits, beautiful dresses, and shoes which probably would cost me a month of rent.

I put my hands to my forehead. Because if anyone told me that I’d be preparing to step right into one of the largest technology companies in the country as Aleander Thorne’s wife…I would have darn right laughed out my lungs.

Yet here I was. “This is ridiculous.”

Knock. Knock. Knock

Before I could respond, the bedroom door opened itself. It wasn’t Alexander.

“Mia?”

She stood in the doorway, frozen with one hand still resting on the doorknob.

For three full seconds, or more, neither of us spoke as her eyes slowly traveled from my face, to the wardrobe…to the wedding ring on my finger. Something Alexander gave me to make our married life look real.

Her mouth fell right open.

“YOU MARRIED MY BROTHER?!”

“Mia, lower your voice! I can explain.”

“I will absolutely not lower voice!” She whispered as though screaming, somehow managing to be both loud and quiet at the same time. “You got married while I was away?!”

“I can explain.”

“When?!”

“I can explain.”

“To Alexander?!”

“I can explain that too.”

She stared at me for a long moment before dramatically placing the back of her hand against her forehead in an exaggerated gesture.

“I leave for three days to visit my uncle, and the world falls apart.”

“Mia, I swear to you, it’s not what you think.”

“Oh?” She put her hands on her hips, but then folded her arms, not knowing where to put her hands. “Well then, tell me.”

I was about to say something, but my I stopped. Because where the heck was I exactly supposed to start?

The accidental night I slept with her brother drunk? The interview, the contract, the family function, or the drama?

“It’s definitely more complicated than I thought, not gonna lie.”

Mia narrowed her eyes.

“Oh, I’ve got to hear this.” She said and went to sit on the bed.

“It’s not that good a story.”

“I’ll be the judge of that.”

“Okay then.”

I went quiet, trying to pick where to start, because she looked really shocked and somewhat betrayed. And the last thing I needed was my best friend pissed at me right now.

She looked at my face for a moment. But then…surprisingly…her expressions softened. A sigh escaped her like she was tired which made my chest ache a bit.

“Mia…”

“Are you okay?”

The question caught me off guard.

“What?”

“I got wind of the gala this morning on my way back,” she said in a quiet voice. “The family group chat has been exploding since last night.”

I blinked.

“There’s…a family group chat?”

“There are three.”

“…”

“Chloe.”

“I finally understand why Alexander leaves his phone to his butler when at home.”

It went quiet for a bit, and then she suddenly burst into laughter.

“I swear Chloe, you’re gonna end me one of these days.”

“Mia. Please don’t scare me like that. I nearly pissed myself.”

“Really?”

“Shove it.”

That made her laugh more. She then got up and hugged me.

“I’m glad you’re okay. Well, somewhat okay.”

I smiled and hugged her back tight. My heartbeat finally calming down.

“Even better now that you’re here. Because I felt like throwing up a minute ago.”

She grinned looking at the outfits arranged messily on the bed.

“…Mrs. Thorne.”

“Don’t start.”

“Oh, I’ve not even started, bea. My best friend, is married to my brother.”

I groaned immediately, holding my ears to block her out.

“It isn’t like that.”

“My best friend is married to my brother,” she repeated a little louder with too much satisfaction. “Do you know how much material you’ve just handed me? You’re never gonna hear the end of it, bea.”

“Mia”

She leaned in closer, with the most mischievous smile I’ve ever seen her pull.

“Soooo…how’s the married life?”

“Mia don’t, please.”

“Already done the boombaya?”

“We’re contract partners.” I said, the heat rushing to my face.

“Contract partners?” Her grin fell into confusion. “How? What?”

“Oh my gosh. Mark got with my stepsister, and drained me of my money. I got drunk, slept with your brother, who I ran away from out of utter shame and shock. I went for my interview I told you about and found your brother there as the freaking CEO, and got hired as a contract wife.” I explain, almost in one breath.

“Okay, on a much more serious note…ARE YOU OKAY?!” She asked with a concerned frown. “Oh my gosh Chloe. Why didn’t you call me?”

“Because everything just turned upside down and I didn’t even know how to explain Alexander.”

“That’s messed up, bea.”

“I know…I know.” I sighed, letting the silence linger.

“So, you two already did the boombaya?”

“…”

“No answer?”

“You heard all I said just now, right?”

“Yeah, but now all that’s in the past and you’re married to a billionaire now.”

“Mia.”

“And I totally accept you as my sister-in-law, for funsies.”

“I think I was happier five minutes ago.” I muttered to myself.

“You’re being dramatic.”

“You’re asking me if I slept with your brother!”

“Yeah. For bragging rights and teasing material against Xander.”

“Oh, you’re just evil.”

She laughed so hard, almost doubling over herself. Then linked her arm through mine.

“I’ve missed you, Chloe.”

“You’ve been gone for three days.”

“And you’re married to my brother, so who beats the cake?”

“…”

“Besides, I’ve never seen my brother bring anyone home before.”

I looked at her, and she definitely wasn’t teasing anymore.

“Not once?”

“Not ever, bea.”

“So I have no idea what’s going between you two, I’m not against it, but I’m invested now.” A tiny smile tugged at the corner of her lips, as she glanced toward the hallway, before turning back to me.

“And whatever this thing you have going on is…” She squeezed my hands gently. “…know I’m on your side.”

“Even if it’s your brother?”

“Especially if it’s my brother.”

I chuckled, and hugged her again. And then she marched toward the wardrobe.

“So, where to?”

“BluTech.”

“Oooooh, Alexander wants to show you off a bit?”

“Not how he put it, but yeah.”

“Then,” She threw open another section of the closet. “we’re making sure everyone remembers who walked in next to the bloody CEO.”