Roses And Thorns

JustMarried

WENDY 'S POV

My hands are glued to the certificate, holding it with both hands like it was a fragile and sacred ancient painting worth three kings' ransom. I'm still struggling to come to grips with the reality before me—I'm now wedded to the man whom, minutes earlier, I had thought I had no fate with.

He is Kyle Larson, CEO of 'Crown Tech', one of the top leading companies with its headquarters in QirkVille, the country's capital. "You'll be moving into my residence tomorrow, Wendy. "You have just today to get ready, I'll be picking you up at your place at 8 am sharp," he apprises me.

I nodded in agreement, handing the certificate to him with both hands.

Weeks ago, I had thought I would one day have the perfect, enviable marriage, walking down the aisle in an ivory white wedding gown to become William's spouse.

Now, I am married— to someone else. There was no grand wedding, nothing fancy, just my husband's secretary, Paulus Sebastian, who witnessed everything.

According to my husband's words many minutes ago, I was to be his wife for just twelve months.

For one year, the two of us would diligently put up a facade in public and pretend to be a couple deeply in love. I would accompany him to elite functions, press conferences, and even family gatherings.

He also needed to secure a huge deal that would allow his company to reach even greater heights in the business field on an international level. The investor had conveyed that he would reflect on the possibility of collaboration only if Kyle could demonstrate his maturity and commitment as a family man.

It was a win-win situation. I would be given an alimony of fifteen million after the divorce and I could do whatever I wanted in another country. Everything was well-thought-out, all that was left was the perfect execution.

Deep inside, my heart pounded furiously against my rib cage. If it had the key, it would have leaped out of my chest.

As we walked towards the registry's exit, my mind started running different trails. I wonder if I'll be able to perform my end of the deal flawlessly.

But what if I fail in the end? He didn't state the ramifications of failing though. He had only told me: "Failure isn't an option, Wendy,"

"Were you headed for your home earlier?" Kyle's question draws me out of my musings.

"Yes, I was," I replied in a low tone to him.

"My assistant will drop you off; I have urgent business to address," he stated before padding towards the elegant black jeep that had just pulled up.

The driver steps out to open the back door for him and he steps in. "Stay safe, wifey," are his last words to me before his driver gently shuts the door.

I watch as the jeep zooms off.

I'm now left with my husband's secretary— a green-eyed and clean-shaven man presumably in his early 30s. He's almost a head shorter than Kyle, fancy prescription glasses resting on the bridge of his nose. His brown hair is slicked back, and he's donning a 2-piece black suit and matching shoes.

However, his stern gaze makes me feel awkward. Just when I was about to tell him, I'd take the bus home, he beat me to speak.

"Where is your home, ma'am ?" he inquires, adjusting his glasses as he leads the way to the black car parked not far off.

My lips are clamped together as I trail after him, clutching my bag with both hands in front of me.

"Where would you like me to drop you at, ma'am ?" he asked me again and this time I quickly gave him an answer.

"24, Saffron Street. Thank you,"

With that, we both entered the car. I sat in the front passenger seat, clutching my bag to myself. All my life, I'd only seen this kind of car on TV and on the net, I'd never dreamed of getting in one.

Just Mr Kyle's mode of transport already bested my ex's.

I sighed resignedly in my mind. The world I'm stepping foot in was indeed different— the world of the insanely rich.

During the ride to my home, there was a hovering silence between us, save for the classical music playing from the stereo. Since I couldn't think of anything to talk about, I opted to keep to myself, eventually losing myself to my spiraling thoughts.

I recall that Kyle hadn't told me about his family. Back at the registry, I'd secretly done a search on the internet, but there was nothing useful to find about the Larson family on it.

I wonder how his family would treat me once they become aware that he has tied the knot with me. Would they call me a gold digger and hurl other unthinkable insults into my face? I shiver at the thought of a wicked mother-in-law as well.

"We've arrived, ma'am ,"

Mr Paulus' words yank me from my musings. I looked up at him, giving him sincere thanks before exiting the car. After he's driven off, I turn on my heel to face what would soon become my former residence.

Reaching my apartment, my phone began to ring. I fished it out of my bag to see that the caller was a number I didn't recognize. Still, I answer it out of sheer curiosity, turning on the loudspeaker function.

"Wendy dear, it's me. Why did you block me?"

"How is that your concern, William? We're done, please stick to that shrew you so adore," I say, my tone dripping with venom.

"Don't insult her, she's a heaven-sent in my life. You should see our honeymoon pictures. We are still in the Maldives, can you believe that?" I can hear the excitement and condescension in his tone and I find it quite nauseating.

How did I fall for such a dipstick in the first place? I refuse to be blinded by love any longer." You called to tell me that? "William, get this clear, never try to call my line again," I say in a warning tone.

I hear him scoff, "Even if you change your number a dozen times, I'll still be able to contact you, Wendy. By the way, when Cassandra and I return to QirkVille, let's meet up and have a one-night stand, alright? Consider it a proper goodbye to our relationship of two years. Don't worry, I will compensate you monetarily for it. I have good news as well. You can go back to work now. I've managed to convince my wife..."

I put an end to the call and wasted no time in blocking the number, a frown materializing on my face as I hurled the phone into bed.

For the first time, I wish for him to become an invalid.

To cool down the steadily climbing rage in my system, I plod towards the bathroom.

Good thing I am now married to someone better