CONTRACT MARRIAGE: his business wife

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER FIVE.

WEDDING BELLS.

BLAKE’s POV.

I stood before the floor length in my room, my few friends, and my step-sister, Bianca, standing in front of me, she leaned in and her voice was low.

I signaled at Aria and she led the other ladies out of the room.

“What’s up, Bianca?” I asked.

“Are you sure about this, Blake? Marrying that Griffin boy for business? It seems rather....cold ...don’t you think?”

I looked at Bianca, I could see she was worried but I could not back out, not now, not ever. “Bianca, you should know by now that I do make decisions based on emotions or sentiment. This marriage will only ensure the survival of my family’s name and legacy, and solidify our position and foothold in the market, that is all that matters to me.”

Bianca raised a brow. “And what about love, Blake? Do you even like this Griffin man?”

“Love...love is a luxury word, and that is the one luxury I can not afford. I have worked hard to get everything today, right from day one I have always been treated based on what I had to offer, I was only treated with respect when I brought something to the table. Do you remember? Father wanted to abort me when I was a little, but mother pleaded with him, to keep me. Because of that, I have been saddled with a lot of responsibilities, and the pressure of Dad’s expectations is crushing my young shoulders. I have to do this, a lot is on the line.”

Bianca let out a small sigh, her expression changing to that of worry. “Blake, I can understand that is this business, but I just want you to be happy, you deserve all the happiness in the world big sis.”

I looked at my step-sister, my heart fluttering at her kind words. “I appreciate your concern, little sister. But happiness, for me has always been attached to my success, my happiness has always been about success, about proving that the Carter name is not one to be trifled with, and this marriage will help me achieve what I want, that I am worthy of the Carter name.”

Bianca nodded slowly, her expression thoughtful. She reached out and placed a hand gently on my arm, her voice soft. “Blake, I just...I worry that you might be sacrificing too much. What if, in this little game of yours, you lose a vital part of yourself? A vital part like your heart, the heart is a dangerous thing to play with, and the perfect field for such a game is marriage.”

I stared at Bianca for some time, her words striking the right places. “I know you mean well, Bianca. But I can not afford to let my emotions get in my way or could my judgment.”

Bianca’s eyes searched mine, “But, what if just for a moment, you skipped and let yourself feel, to consider what it feels like to have someone in your life, not just some business partner? But someone who truly loves you for who you are and is willing to stick to you through the darkest nights? Is that not worth considering?”

My expression hardened. “Bianca, I do not have time for such fairy tales or delusions. I have worked way too hard and sacrificed a lot, and I have come too far to allow some dumb emotions or sentiments to cloud my judgment. Now if you will excuse me, I have a wedding to attend, after all, I am the bride.”

With that, I turned from the mirror, my expression once again determined. As I left the dressing room, I heard Bianca mumble, “Be careful, Blake, the heart is a dangerous thing.”

Seconds ticked into minutes and soon, I was in front of the church. Bianca’s words echoed in my head, and I could not help but wonder if there was any truth in them.

Would my emotions cloud my judgment and I end up losing track of what I wanted?

As the doors to the church opened, I took a deep breath and pushed the doubts in my mind aside, I knew I had a job to do and the last thing I wanted right now, was doubt.

I walked down the aisle, with my father holding my left arm. My gaze fell on Jace, who looked gorgeous in his tuxedo.

I unconsciously licked my lips, and my face flushed with embarrassment.

“Looks like Bianca won’t have to wait for long, your heart is already doing its thing.” The voice in my head sneered at me.

The priest commenced the wedding ceremony, his voice ringing in the quiet church.

“Who is giving the bride out for marriage?” The priest asked.

My father stepped forward. “I am.”

The priest gave a small smile and turned to face me and Jace.

“Jace Griffin, do you take Blake Carter, to be your lawfully wedded spouse, do you promise to love, to cherish, to honor, in sickness and good health, in riches and poverty, till death do you part?”

Jace looked at me, a knowing look in his eye. “Yes, yes I do.”

I heaved a sigh of relief and the priest turned to face me.

“Do you, Blake Carter, take Jace Griffin, to be your lawfully wedded spouse, do you promise to love, to cherish, to honor, in sickness and good health, in riches and poverty, till death do you part?”

I looked at Jace, my heart pounding in my chest “I do.”

The audience let out a relaxed sigh and a soft clapping was heard.

The priest’s voice rose higher and louder. “If anyone present knows of any reason why these two should not be joined in the sacrament of the holy matrimony, then that person speak now or remain silent forever.”

The church fell silent, and it felt as if the air was being sucked out of my lungs, my eyes darted around the church searching for any signs of that journalist.