CHAPTER FIVE: Tricked

KILLIAN'S POV

I'm in the middle of a phone call when I hear commotion outside. Hastily, I head outside to investigate and find a man throwing a fit. He claims to be the bride's boyfriend and insists on delivering a message and an item to her.

“How about I help you give it to the bride instead,” I suggest and he hesitates for a minute before finally agreeing. He gives me a flash drive, and I inform him to wait for me while I deliver his message.

I quickly rush to relay the situation to Alex, and we make our way outside to uncover the contents of the flash drive. The video depicts a woman surreptitiously spiking his drink before luring him to a bedroom, where she then undresses, climbs on top of him, and begins to simulate intimate sounds. Just as the scene unfolds, Ariel enters the room and sees them.

“Destroy it and make sure you clear him away before we reach outside,” Alex orders, and I ask him why he didn't inform his wife before taking such a step.

"Do you think someone who ran away from her wedding once won’t run away again if she sees this video? I’ll not be abandoned by my bride, so just do what I asked you to do," He says, handing me the flash drives, and he returns indoors.

I follow his orders, disposing of the evidence before heading outside to confront the man. The man bombards me with questions, desperate to know if the bride had believed him. Disregarding his inquiries, I direct the security team to detain him promptly and make sure he's not released anytime soon. Without hesitation, they escort him away from the venue.

I head back indoors and stand beside Alex. Then Ariel looks at me with curiosity, as if she wants me to tell her where we’d been. But why would I tell her such a thing? I just force a smile, wanting this drama to end quickly. After what feels like an eternity, we finally finish everything, and I escort them to the car.

"I heard we're having our honeymoon in Hawaii. That's really great," she says, but no one replies to her.

I continue to focus on my phone, sensing her likely frustration. Not long after we arrive home, and I get down from the car.

"We've arrive," I announce as I open the car door for Ariel, only to be stopped by her question.

"Have we reached Hawaii? But by car?" I nod, realizing the predicament I've gotten myself into.

But why isn't she asking Alex these questions? Why me? I smile at her again, carry her luggage, and lead her inside, where she bombards me with more questions. After settling her in her room, I go to Alex's room.

"I think I'm done for today," I say, lying on the bed because I'm truly exhausted.

"But I'd prefer if you stay over and kept an eye on her," Alex suggests.

"You mean me? I'm done with girl problems, so you handle your issues yourself. And I think you're going to have a serious problem with her because she doesn't seem like the easy type and talks a lot," I warn, but he only chuckles, thinking I'm wrong. Yet, I am sure Ariel will make his life a living hell, and it would be amusing to watch.

"So, are you telling her everything now?" I inquire.

"No, I'm not. It's better if she has no idea,"

"But what if she later remembers?"

"There's nothing she can do since we're married now," he asserts. 

Since it's his decision, I decide to go along with it, bid him good night, and then head home.

ARIEL'S POV 

I'm taking my bath when I suddenly hear a fire alarm, and I quickly grab my towel and rush out, with lather still on my body.

"Fire... Fire..." I keep shouting, trying to alert everyone.

"I definitely heard a fire alarm just now, so where's the fire?" I ask Alex, who is just staring at me as if he has lost his mind. 

"Alex," I call his name out loudly, trying to bring him back to reality. 

"I'm the one who pressed it, just trying to get your attention," he responds. 

"But you could have just knocked on the door or called my phone. Oh, I forgot you don't have my number. You didn't have to press a fire alarm. Do you know how scared I was?" I yell at him angrily. Instead of replying, he simply goes to sit down with his legs crossed. 

"I have something to say and it won't take long," he finally says, and I decide to take a seat as well. "Stop!!!" He suddenly screams, causing me to flinch in fear. 

"Is there something wrong with the chair?" I ask, surprised by his outburst.

"Can't you see how you look? Do you want to dirty my chairs? Do you know their worth? I'm darn sure if I sell your entire household organs, it won't be worth half the price of a single piece," he yells in a mean voice, and I wonder if he really shouted like that just because of this, and I'm burning in anger with what he said about my family. "You can just stand like that, I won't take long," he adds. 

Since the house and everything in it belong to him, I decide to follow his instructions and remain standing like a statue while he sits like a king. He points at a brown file on the table, and I pick it up, finding a paper with rules and regulations written boldly on it. 

"What's this?" I question him. 

"Can't you read?" He replies rudely. I try to calm myself down and proceed to read the 26 rules and regulations listed on the paper. 

The first rule states that I must not meddle in his business and he won't meddle in mine either, and that seems quite fair. The second rule states that I have to wake up by 5am every morning.

"Why do I have to wake up at 5am every morning if I'm not taking care of a baby?" I ask angrily.

"This mansion has 15 workers, including maids, but because of you, I sent them away so no one would know about our contract marriage. So, essentially, you’ll now take on each of their roles," he replies with a grin, seeming to enjoy the situation.

I'm stunned as I read through the rest of the rules. I am required to seek permission for every action, including simply stepping out of the house. Daily laundry duties fall on my shoulders, and I have to prepare meals according to his preferences. Additionally, he insists that his Caribbean clothes be hand-washed, refraining from using a washing machine.

"You know what? I quit. I'm not doing this shit anymore, and I'm filing for divorce right away. You should have been honest about expecting me to be your slave, not just a contract wife, you psycho. Now, I'm out of here, so do whatever you want and rot in hell," I say angrily and then retract my step and head towards my room.

"Well, you're free to file for a divorce, but you'll have to pay me 2 million," he states, causing me to halt in my tracks and turn back to him. 

"2 million for what?" I ask incredulously, shocked at the sudden demand for such a large amount.

"Looks like you didn't read the contract thoroughly because it clearly states that if you file for a divorce before the one-year contract ends, you must pay a sum of $2 million," he explains, leaving me in shock.

"Where the heck is that crazy clause? I read it carefully, and I’m darn sure that I didn't see anything like that, so can't you tell me how that clause just popped out of nowhere?" I retort angrily. 

He then retrieves the contract and hands me a small microscope. I take it from him and scrutinize it again, but I see nothing of such, my eyes shift to the tiny words at the end of the document. Using the microscope, I read: "PARTY A, WHICH IS ARIEL ALDRIDGE, WILL PAY THE SUM OF $2 MILLION TO PARTY B, WHICH IS ALEXANDRA MAYFAIR, IF SHE FILES FOR A DIVORCE BEFORE THE END OF THE ONE-YEAR CONTRACT."

"$2 MILLION!" I scream in disbelief, unable to fathom that I had signed such a contract and been tricked.