Chapter Seventeen

Since Ariel’s opinion don’t matter anymore, Alaska approves of the press conference. Ariel was only informed about the press conference an hour to the press conference. 

 She couldn’t be bothered; she will just go with whatever happened and just play safe on both sides. 

The press conference will be held at one of Alaska’s hotels in the biggest hall there. Alaska decides to hold the press conference in his hotel because it will be safe there. He knew he could not avoid to be violence now that he was running for the position of the governor and to disqualify him, Mr. White or other election board might try to instigate people against him, like the other time, he instigated the people against Ariel. 

Holding the press conference in his hotel will not allow such thing because they will not dare to do anything funny. Alaska already had his men surround the hotel and even the hall where the press conference will be held. 

Alaska and Ariel arrived at the hotel in the black SUV, Ariel step down from the car looking elegant, she wore a silk blouse, a soft ivory that flatter her warm complexion which glows brightly. The blouse was tailored to perfection, the neckline looks modest, yet hinting her delicate collarbones, the long sleeves ending in pearl-button cuffs that kiss her wrist. 

Her high-waisted pencil skirt, in a deep sapphire blue color, hugs her curve bringing out her shape, stopped just below the knee, allowing her steps to convey elegance. The fabric is fine wool with faint gloss, the kind that whispers ‘custom-made’ to anyone who care to look. 

She wore nude Louboutin shoe, with the signature red soles adding enough height to make look composed. A slender platinum watch with diamond markers sits prettily on her left hand and a delicate drop earring that caught the light when she turns her head. 

Her hair was styled into loose, glossy waves that fell over one shoulder, looking effortless but perfect, her makeup is a warm nude and a simple light rose lipstick. She carries a Hermes Kelly bag in black crocodile leather. 

While Alaska wore not is usual black leather jacket but in a bespoke three-piece suit of midnight blue, dark in enough to command respect. Under his white dress shirt is the collar framing a silk tie in muted burgundy, his shoes were polished oxford leather, the kind that caught the light with each step. 

On his wrist, a classic Patek Philippe watch, his hair was combed back neatly.

He holds Ariel’s hand, looking protective rather than possessive, as they walk towards the conference hall, the flashes from the cameras went wild. At the moment it was impossible to tell if the reporters were there for political gossip, scandal or simply to capture the image of beautiful billionaire couple. 

Alaska leads Ariel to the seat which was provided for the two, he makes sure she sits comfortably before he sits. The hall buzzed with flashes of cameras. 

Jefrey who followed the two closely stood by Alaska’s side with some of his men also stationed in the hall. 

“Hello friends from the media” the campaign manager who had arrange the press conference picks up the microphone.

“Mr. Alaska and his new wife are here today to answer the numerous questions by the people, let’s have our seat and put up our hands if we have any question, when it is time” 

The reporters sit down and quietly wait for ask questions. The campaign manager went to ask for Alaska’s permission to start the conference, Alaska looks at Ariel beside him who looks nervous. The conference is a live conference and the questions were not a prepared ones so Alaska worries that the questions may be directed to attack Ariel. 

He nods his head to give him go ahead. 

“Now if you have any question, put your hands up” the campaign manager said. Many of the reporters put up their hands. Alaska could see how nervous Ariel looks facing the cameras, he slowly places his hand on her hand to calm her down which was caught by the camera.

Ariel looks to his face; she is surprise to see that he looks worried for her. 

She sighs trying to hide her nervousness.  

“Mr. Alaska, with your reputation why will you want to run for the position of the governor?’

Alaska kept quiet for sometimes before he answers the question. 

“Becoming a helpful person is one of my dreams. I know my reputation before the people are bad but I want to become a better person who helps people. I want to use the position of becoming the governor to amend my bad reputation. A bad person can become good when given a chance” he looks really sincere that the people was stunned.   

“So, what are your chances for the election? The people fear you are going to force your way and use illicit means to get the position” 

“I have never use illicit means, even though I am a mafia” he said coldly but full of sincerity.

“My judgement has always been fair. Though I don’t know my chances in the election, I only know I have to try and see what happens” he adds. 

“Some say your marriage to miss Ariel is just for the election. What will you say about this?” 

Alaska forces a smile; he looks to Ariel who bow her head to hide her fear. 

“Our marriage is built on more things than politics. Ariel and I are couple just like all other couples, we share things, we have our flaws, fights” Alaska’s lips instantly curl up into a soft smile because he thinks of times Ariel had questioned and challenge him. 

That smile was caught by the camera which amaze the people to see a genuine smile from the cold Alaska.

“And love too” he adds. Ariel looks up to him wondering the love he is talking about. 

The reporters and those watching the conference were surprise at Alaska’s answer. The hall went silent for a moment, only the sound of camera flashing non-stop was heard. 

“How did you meet miss Ariel?” the next reporter asks.

“I met Ariel first at the orphanage where she grew up, she was such a bright lady. At that time, I could not take my eyes off her, then I know I must marry this beautiful lady” Alaska replies, Ariel look shock to hear. 

“Could that be true?” she thinks Alaska must have definitely saw her in the orphanage and decided to target her. 

Now it makes sense to her, she thought Alaska was saying the truth but Alaska just put things up that will suit the answer which he was asked. He knew Ariel grew up in the orphanage so he uses that to answer the question. 

Everyone was surprise that Ariel is an orphan, some start to comment about her being an orphan. 

“It must be the reason why she married him” 

“No one to guard her properly” 

“I pity the girl”

“She must have result into marrying him because she wants a good life”

The campaign manager quickly whispers to Alaska telling him about the comment from the people watching and that it might affect the result of the press conference. Alaska looks surprise he had thought that mentioning that Ariel is an orphan will make the people feel for her but instead they were mocking her. 

He is not worried about himself but for Ariel, he looks at her and sigh.

“This is to Mrs. Alaska, were you aware of your husband bad reputation before you agree to marry him?” 

Ariel looks dumbstruck with the question, she was aware and know exactly who Alaska is, she had heard a lot of bad things about him. 

She looks to Alaska who stare at her face too. She knew the question was definitely a trap for her. 

“My husband…” she hesitates, trying to look for the right answer. 

“My husband might seem like a bad person to all of you, but I am the one closest to him. He is not a bad person like you all think he is” Ariel don’t know what she was actually saying, but she just knows she is opening her mouth to say something. 

Alaska is stunned with what Ariel said about him, he could not believe Ariel will say something like that about him. 

“Did she actually think about me like that?” he stares at her.

“Mrs. Alaska, are you saying all those bad things about your husband were all lies?” the reporters don’t want to believe Ariel is trying to support Alaska’s evil deed. 

Ariel looks confused, she doesn’t know what else to say to justify her answer, Alaska realized the reporters are just trying to find fault with her. He decides to answer the question on her behalf but before he could talk Ariel answer. 

“My husband, like he said the other time has never given unfair judgement” she pauses and continue.

“As you all know, he has respect towards females and it’s only those who trespass him he deals with” Ariel tries to make things up. She knew she was actually talking against herself because Alaska forced the marriage on her and she don’t even trespass against him. 

But in actual fact, Ariel is speaking about who Alaska really is. 

With what Ariel said, the people seem to agree with her, because Alaska actually respect females and only deals with those who go against him in a ruthless and brutal way. 

Alaska is more surprise with Ariel’s answer than everyone else, he thinks she might know him who he really is more than anyone else. Everyone believes he is wicked but the people he deals with in his own way are more wicked than people think. 

Since Ariel has answer that way, no reporter asks her any more questions. 

“Mr. Alaska, you said you are just like other normal couples, but people said you badge into miss Ariel’s wedding with her fiancé and forcefully make her your wife?” 

Ariel was surprise to hear the question; she looks anxious hoping Alaska will be exposed and she will get justice for herself and Jack. 

Alaska forces a smile. 

“Who will not do that?” Ariel looks shock to hear him admitting to it. And everyone too. 

“Ariel and I were already together, but she was afraid that people will despise her because of me and wanted to marry someone else” Alaska said and pause. 

Ariel could not believe Alaska will be so cunning to turn it against her.

“I could not let that happen” he looks at Ariel who frowns. 

Everyone looks surprise to hear Alaska’s answer, they seem to believe him. 

“We are good now because I have begged her to be with me. And also, she is carrying our baby” he said and pause, which amaze everyone including Ariel herself. 

“Please treat her with love when you see or meet with her. Thank you” he adds and bows to the camera. 

Ariel looks dumbstruck, she could not believe how crafty he could be. She wasn’t even pregnant!

“He should be an actor not a mafia” Ariel thinks angrily.