The Billionaire's Reluctant Bride

On Papers

SERENA

Sitting on the dining table with the Laurent family was always a nerve wrecking experience. Not because I am new to them, but for the silence that followed them. The dining room was silent except for the clinking of the cutlery. Damien's father rarely spoke anything unless it was about business. His mother was polite but she too did not speak much. And I would always catch her looking at me, as if keeping an eye on me.

Ginerva and Vincent rarely spoke at all to anyone. I don't know what is wrong with them. There is some chatter from Daniel, their three year old son.

“Serena,” his mother called my name and everyone on the table stopped eating. I turned to look at her as she was the only one who was casually eating her steak. “When are you moving to Damien's room?”

I must have heard it wrong or did she really ask me that question? Everyone else was just silent as if this was not a new discussion for them except for Damien who narrowed his eyes at his mom who efficiently ignored him.

“Mrs. Laurent…” I started.

“You both are married for days now. How long are you going to sleep in different rooms?” She asked as she took a sip of the wine. Everyone was looking at me now, expecting an answer from me and I don't know what to say. Aren't they expecting way too much from us even though they know the history behind our marriage? Are they really thinking that we can somehow be in a happy little marriage? That's nearly impossible. No. It's impossible.

“Mrs. Laurent,” I began. “You out of all know the real reason why we got married. You can't be asking me to move into his room when I don't even see him as my husband. ” I said because just thinking about sharing one room with this man feels like a complete torture.

“Of course, darling. I know but that doesn't mean that you should not enjoy your life… enjoy this marriage. You both are so young. You can't be mourning all your life. Eleanor is not coming back but you two have life ahead of yourself. Make the most of it.” She said and Mr Laurent coughed. It was clear by everyone's reaction that this conversation has been going on for few times.

“I don't feel that there is a need for us to share the same room. We are not comfortable with eachother.” I tried to explain as if I was talking to a kid. This conversation seemed pointless to me.

“You are young. How are you going to be comfortable with each other if you are not going to spend some time with each other? I was thinking of attending you to Switzerland for your honeymoon.” Mrs Laurent added casually and my jaw almost dropped. Who in their right mind would send me and Damien to a honeymoon?

“If we are so young then you should not have forced us to get married.” It was Damien who said it as he had stopped eating his food and glared at his mother. “We did as we were told. And now you are expecting me to go one a f*cking honeymoon with her? Eleanor died a month ago. How can you expects us to move on so easily?” Damien asked and for the first time in a while I heard pain in his voice.

“We didn't want to force you to get married back then, Damien. You know that damn well but what other options did we have?”

“Maybe just letting things be like they were? But you cared about what people thought. We honoured your wish but that's it. Don't force your beliefs on us. And I hope that this is the last time we are having this conversation. ” Damien said as he pushed his plate away and stood up before walking away. The entire table fell silent. I stood too unable to stay here any longer.

“I am full.” I said as I too walked away. As I made my way towards the nursery room, Damien was already standing over the crib, looking down at his sleeping babies.

“You don't have to listen to whatever they have to say. They can't force us to do anything.” Damien said, his voice distant as always as I walked towards him. I looked at the kids sleeping so peacefully in the crib. “I know you won't feel comfortable sharing a room with someone who you think is behind the death of your sister.” He added and I scoffed.

“I would not have liked it even if I didn't think of you as someone who is behind her death.” I added and watched Lucas smiled in his sleep. I smiled too.

“We are just wife and husband only on paper. I don't think that it is necessary for us to do anything behind closed doors.” He said casually and my head snapped in his direction at what he said. “You know what I mean. I would never touch another woman that's not Eleanor.” A wave of relief came over me at his words.

“Good. Because I won't let you touch me either.”

“Glad to know that we are on the same page.” He said as he leaned down and adjusted the blanket on Lucy's little body. “There is an event. I need you to be there with me.”

“Why?”

“It's an annual event, Serena. People are expected to bring a plus one and even though we are just married on papers, you are still my wife. So I can't go with another woman in my arms. They would think that I am a womanizer and that I am already cheating on my wife in just one month of marriage.” He clarified.

“I hate these kinds of events, Damien.”

“We just need to be there for an hour.”

“What's the dress code?”

“You don't have to worry about that. My team will get everything ready for you.”

I don't know why but I don't have a good feeling about this.