“Hey.” He greeted me after coming out of the car with a smile for a while. “Hey.” She greeted back. He went around and opened the car door for her. She did not like bothering others and would have told him not to do that if it was some other time, but he looked and acted kind of strange that day. It was not his outfit or his face…his behavior seemed different. And the smile also felt empty. Perplexed by his expression, she went to take her seat. He started the car and drove quietly. It was a bit awkward. He always talked or had some soft music playing on the radio, but he did not do any of that. As much as he annoyed her sometimes, she wanted him to fill the silence. But they reached the restaurant without a word spoken. He led her to the same table they sat at the other night. She suddenly remembered the kiss. Her cheeks flushed just thinking about how confidently he came forward, grabbed her face, and planted his lips over hers. She had not been kissed a lot. She only had one b
As soon as he entered the condo, he felt a presence. It was weird because he was always the only one in the condo except when his friend, Mike, came over. But he was not even in the city at that moment. He came to the living room and saw who was there. “Grandpa?” He asked with surprise. How did he get there? He did not give him the keys to his condo. He looked as good as ever. Even his grey hair and wrinkles could not hide the fact that he was handsome. He also exercised daily. That was how he managed himself. Otherwise, why a seventy-two years old man would be that good-looking? It was late at night. He went to the club after dropping Olivia off. He wanted to be alone and think about what to do. It was strange how one would find comfort and alone time in a bar or club when the drinking and dancing bodies coupled with loud music would provide the opposite environment. Talk about irony! “Thomas, sit.” He told him briefly having a grim expression on his face. “How did you get here?
“Wow! She could not help but be in awe. She had never been to a house like that before. She had never tried to find out how rich he was because she did not care, but the thing was that his wealth was beginning to make her hesitant. Did she do the right thing by agreeing to the marriage? Sana came to their apartment that morning as she had called her to decide on an outfit for her. She was so shocked to see the number of gifts he had sent her. Her mother and Mary were also surprised. She had to tell them because her tiny room was filled up with boxes still. She did not have a big wardrobe to fit them all in. Sana was insisting to let her know his name. Upon her insistence, she told her his name. She pulled out her phone and typed something on it. She suddenly let out a gasp. “What happened?” She was worried at the sudden gasp. Her face looked like she had seen a ghost. “Olive??? Do you know who he is?” She asked with shock. She seemed surprised. “Yeah, he told me he is a billionai
“You look lovely, Olive.” Sana cooed looking at her best friend in a wedding gown. She had never thought the day would come so soon when she would be getting married. She was just twenty-one, and she hardly showed interest in someone. She even refused the blind dates Sana wanted to set for her. She was always so busy and now, she was getting married. As fake as the marriage was, she could not help but feel emotional seeing her in that dress. Sana knew that only she was aware of the fact that it was a contract marriage and she had not told anyone about the secret. God knew, how much she wished it was a real wedding and real happiness for her lovely and innocent friend, but she could not control her life. It was her life and she had every right to decide for herself. “Thank you, Sana.” Olivia smiled gratefully, “Sana, I am nervous. What if I make a blunder? What if everybody comes to know that this is all fake? My mom would not be able to take the humiliation.” She could feel the corne
Thomas then slid the wedding ring onto her finger and Olivia followed suit. Thank God Sana was beside her. She feared she would have collapsed otherwise. “With the power invested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife.” The priest announced as the crowd cheered, “You may now kiss the bride.” He announced. Thomas’s eyes lit up while Olivia looked at the crowd with a nervous smile. It was hard for her to digest that he was going to kiss her again—that too, in front of all those people. Thomas knew how she disliked his kiss. It was an opportunity for him to do that again. It would serve her right to always pick fights with him. He could say from the helpless expression on her face that she did not like the idea. He pulled her gently towards him with her eyes widening. The attendees were whistling and yelling with excitement. They were all such wealthy and powerful people, so she thought the reaction was a bit strange. But everybody enjoyed a display of affection for a newlywed, di
“Oh wow!” She heard someone say out loud as she tossed her bouquet. She looked at Mike who was looking behind her with an interesting expression on his face. The two men were standing side by side while the girls had lined up to catch her bouquet. She turned around to see in whose hands her bouquet had landed only to find out it was Sana. She smiled from ear to ear looking at her best friend beaming with excitement. She always wanted to get married. She must have been so happy that the bouquet had landed on her lands. She gave a curious look to Mike who was staring at Sana with a smirk. Was he already interested in her? She shook her head at him with a smile. And Thomas had noticed the glance. He did not like it. It was beyond him why he was getting uncomfortable if his supposed wife looked at someone, but the smile she had on her face while looking at Mike was not appreciated especially when she did not caste him a glance when both the men were standing side by side. They had just
Her persistence and self-respect were the two driving forces that made him want to push despite her not giving in to his offer for a long time. He thought that she was not a gold digger like others, so he would be safe. But the same two traits were now getting on his nerves. She ignored him like a plague throughout their wedding ceremony. The photographers had to instruct their time and again to be close, but she was acting as if his touch would burn her. He had never been treated like that before. He even saw women giving them envious glances at the wedding. She did not understand who she had gotten married to—albeit, on the papers. He was the most sought bachelor in LA, but she made him feel like he was someone who should be despised. He could not understand what his fault was. He sighed as he got into the shower and changed into a casual shirt and a sweat pant. It was a long day for him as it was for her. He did not want to get married either. If it was not for his grandfather’s
“Where have you been?” She asked as soon as he was back. She had been so restless inside the new place. He had left her there alone for hours. It was already getting dark outside. She was sitting on the kitchen counter while thinking what to do when he finally returned. She abruptly stepped down from the counter. He placed a bag on the kitchen counter beside her, not even looking at her once. He seemed to be avoiding eye contact with her. But why? Was he still mad at her? It should be her who should be mad, she thought with annoyance. “I brought some Chinese food. You should have your dinner. I already ate.” He said glancing at her and disappearing like a passing wind into his room. She was baffled. What the hell was his problem? He had been the one to say such hurtful things to her and raise his voice at her earlier, but now, he was being an ass. She did not deserve that. She looked at the bag which consisted of her food. Finally, he remembered that she was alone and hungry, and