Chapter 7: The Public Wife
612 Words
The next morning came too fast.
Maya barely had time to process anything before a maid informed her that Nathaniel was waiting downstairs.
“Waiting for what?” Maya asked, still half-awake.
“For you, Mrs. Cole.”
That title again.
Maya sighed and quickly changed into something simple before heading downstairs.
Nathaniel was already there, standing near the entrance with his phone in hand. Dressed in a dark suit as always, he looked like he belonged in a different world entirely.
“You’re late,” he said without looking up.
“It’s morning,” she replied flatly. “I’m allowed to be alive slowly.”
That made him glance at her briefly.
“Get used to earlier mornings.”
Maya frowned. “Why?”
Instead of answering, he finally put his phone away.
“We have an event.”
Her eyes narrowed. “What kind of event?”
“A business gathering.”
“That has nothing to do with me.”
Nathaniel’s gaze shifted to her, steady and unreadable.
“Actually, it does.”
A pause.
Then realization hit her.
“No.”
“Yes.”
She took a step back. “I’m not going.”
“You are.”
“I said no.”
Nathaniel moved closer, calm but firm.
“This is the first public appearance of us as a married couple,” he said. “If you don’t show up, people will start asking questions.”
Maya crossed her arms tightly. “Let them ask.”
His eyes sharpened slightly.
“That would create problems for your family.”
That line always worked.
She hated it.
Maya exhaled sharply. “You’re impossible.”
“And you’re necessary,” he replied simply.
That made her pause.
“…Necessary?”
He didn’t explain.
Of course he didn’t.
Instead, he gestured toward the door.
“Car is waiting.”
—
The venue was nothing like Maya had ever seen before.
Huge chandeliers. Expensive suits. Elegant dresses. Cameras flashing everywhere.
As soon as she stepped out of the car, she immediately felt overwhelmed.
Nathaniel, however, remained completely calm.
He reached out his arm slightly.
“Take it.”
Maya stared at it. “Why?”
“Because we’re married.”
“Fake married.”
He looked at her. “Not to them.”
That silence hit differently.
Reluctantly, she placed her hand on his arm.
Instantly, camera flashes exploded.
Maya flinched. “Why are there so many cameras?”
“Because people are curious.”
“About us?”
“About me.”
That made her look at him.
“You’re that important?”
Nathaniel didn’t answer.
Instead, he guided her forward through the crowd.
Whispers started almost immediately.
“Is that Nathaniel Cole’s wife?”
“She looks so young…”
“I heard this marriage was sudden.”
“Who is she?”
Maya kept her face straight, but inside she felt uncomfortable.
This wasn’t her world.
Nathaniel leaned slightly closer, his voice low.
“Stay close.”
“I am close.”
“Closer.”
She frowned. “Why?”
Before he could answer—
A woman stepped into their path.
Vanessa.
Perfect smile. Perfect dress. Perfect timing.
But her eyes immediately landed on Maya’s hand still linked with Nathaniel’s arm.
And something in her expression cracked.
“So,” Vanessa said sweetly, “this is your wife.”
Maya immediately felt the tension spike.
Nathaniel didn’t let go of her hand.
Didn’t move.
Didn’t explain.
Just stood there.
And in that moment…
Maya realized something very clearly.
This wasn’t just a contract marriage anymore.
Not in the eyes of the world.
And maybe… not in Nathaniel’s either.
- Writer
