LOVE AND STRATEGY

ChapterFOUR

BEING MRS STONE

Maya's Pov

I walked down to the cathedral, the long dress I was wearing which looked vulgar and expensive. I can't believe a day would come like this, a day that will change my life. I was going to be getting married for a million dollars.

The hall was filled with lots of people that I couldn't even count as they stared in the direction of where I was standing, waiting for my next movement.

Cameras flashed and clicked as they took pictures of me, and I felt so damn uncomfortable and shy with it. I wasn't the photogenic type.

My eyes caught the eyes of the man I was getting married to, he was in a blue tuxedo. Lacquered and enameled by the sun, he radiated energy and brio.

He stretched his hand to me which I linked with his as we turned to face the preacher. I wasn't expecting something like this to happen anytime soon. I mean, I have been with Dickson for months but not once has he ever pictured the future of us together.

I felt double-shamed that I was getting married to Alexander Stone for a million dollars just to save his reputation. He wore an expressionless face yet cold look as he kept glancing at his wristwatch-like an impatient dog.

The preacher rambled on about love, trust, and many other things that I'm sure my contract husband doesn't intend to do. Finally, after his rambling, he turned to gawk at Alexander and I tried my hardest to not scroll.

"Do you, Alexander Stone, take Maya Smith as your lawfully wedded wife, in sickness, and in health, to live together in holy matrimony?" The priest asked.

"I do," He replied with no hesitation, and I gulped down nothing.

The preacher turned to me, "Do you, Maya Smith, take Alexander Stone, to be your lawfully wedded husband, in sickness and in health, to live together in holy matrimony?" He asked me.

For a moment the place became silent, all anticipating my response. My palms became sweaty all of a sudden as my mind drifted to Dickson. He was against this contract, but yet I went against him because of the financial benefits. Was I selfish and cheap?

"Maya Smith?" The priest called again, and I glanced up at him before looking at Alex who had his eyebrow raised at me.

"I do," I replied instantly.

"Without another delay, I hereby pronounce Alexander Stone and Maya Smith, husband and wife! You may now kiss the bride" The priest stated.

“Did he just call me a delay?”

I mentally cringed at the thought of kissing my now dear husband. He grabbed me by the waist, my chest pressed tightly against his. It gave me a warm feeling that I didn't understand so I just shrugged it off. Then he leaned in, crashing his lips unto mine, and I stiffened at the contact. His lips felt so damn soft, they felt like heaven, I felt my knee go weak as my stiff body softened, and I felt my eyes flutter close as I gave my lips in, moving with his against my will.

Everyone applauded tremendously, and it was then I transformed to my right senses, and quickly pulled away from the kiss. My cheeks turned red as heat crawled up my neck.

Everyone began congratulating us and I couldn't help but just roll my eyes and brawl inwardly. I turned to go to the other side when Mrs Sara suddenly approached me with a smile that tells wasn't from her heart.

She pulled me into a suffocating hug and I cringed, trying my best to reciprocate. I wanted to release from her grip but she leaned in more till she finally released me.

"Congrats on becoming a Stone, but you'll never be among the family's name ‘Stone’. Remember your place in this family" She whispered to me, holding my forearm stylishly.

The cameras were clicking at us and she urged me to pull out a smile for the camera which I nervously did. The photographers left us, and I winced out till she released me again.

I knew how much she loathed my presence, I hadn't met her real close but after thinking of the deal Alexander proposed, I had to. Not because I was desperate, but because he was at stake.

Sam came up to me next, giving me a sickly smile which I almost felt the urge to throw up at his disgusting face. He claimed to be Alexander's buddy but he wasn't there when the scandal went viral. Just as much as he loathed my presence, I disliked him too.

Holy hell!

"Mrs Maya Stone" He called soundly, but yet in a mocking tone and I just rolled my eyes at him. He forced a smile at me to the camera which didn't seem genuine at all, and then he whispered, "Stay away from Alexander and just pursue your dream life, he isn't what you assume him to be"

His words sent messages to me and I slowly shunned him with a smile as I stepped a meter away from him. He never wanted us to get married anyway so it wasn't shocking to see him spewing this crap but what does he mean by 'Alexander isn't what I assume him to be?'

I knew he had plans and I had mine too but Sam was trying to make little sense here. I looked over at the other side to see Alexander speaking with three different men who seemed to be the board members of his company.

I walked briskly to them and stylishly linked my hands with Alex's own. "Oh sorry, but I need my husband now" I smiled sickly at them, and Alexander stared at me with a 'why' look on his face.

"Of course, it's your day today so you have all the privacy you need" One of them replied, and I nodded as I walked away with my so-called husband.

I knew many people especially the news don't still believe about this immediate marriage. Even those with jealousness were at the base of saying harsh words to me only if they knew the actual truth.

We went to a corner, and he quickly unlinked his hand from mine. "What's the matter? Don't you know they're the executive members I was speaking to so I could get the media trust again?" He half yelled at me, and I lowered my head.

"We need to leave quickly, let's just go far from here before Dickson comes to get me" I blurted, and it felt like everything stopped moving with time because the glares I was earning from him sent shivers down my spine.

"He is going to come for me... I know it" I muttered again, clutching the hem of my dress fearfully.