Marriage With The New CEO

Chapter Five

THREE WEEKS LATER….

Samantha could not believe that this marriage was taking place and her hands were shaking as she fidgeted with the zipper of her white dress. The material was smooth against her body but her anxiety was far from that.

Her aunt Susan looked at her and smiled, placing her hand on her arm gently. “You look beautiful, dear. Andrew has a beautiful wife. ”

Samantha tried to smile, her conscience pricking her for the secret behind her marriage which was unknown to the public. This whole wedding was not about love but just business. The new couple were using each other just for their benefit. Yet here she was, about to walk down the aisle in front of her family and friends.

There was a lot of commotion within that small church. Samantha quickly looked through the thick wooden doors and saw her uncles, aunts, siblings, and other friends sitting in the pews and laughing. She longed for her mom so badly; too bad she wasn’t around. But she was still in the hospital, receiving treatment.

“Ready?” her Uncle Mike asked, holding out his arm for her to take. He had come to take her hand, to lead her to her husband, a role that should have been her father’s. But he was long gone, and they were on their own now, forced to find their way in the world.

Samantha gulped down a deep breath to calm herself. “As I’ll ever be,” she said, trying to smile.

As soon as the music began, a soft tune could be heard. Samantha held her uncle’s arm firmly as they started to make their way to the altar. She was all too aware of the attention being paid to her and for a minute she could hardly catch her breath.

Then she saw Andrew. He was groomed and well-dressed and stood by the altar in his tuxedo. He looked at her with a genuine smile and this made her heart flutter. For a moment she could almost make herself think that the situation was genuine.

“Dearly beloved,” the priest said, and his voice was deep and resonant, “We are here today…”.

Samantha attempted to concentrate on the words being said but she could not help but daydream. This was all pretend, wasn’t it? But that is why it felt so real. What was the reason for the pounding sensation in her chest the moment Andrew took her hand?

“I do,” Andrew replied without any hesitation and gave her hand a soft squeeze. He looked directly into her eyes and for some reason, Samantha felt as though she was drowning in his gaze.

She opened her eyes and realised she was supposed to speak. “I…. I do,” she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.

“You may kiss the bride,” the priest said with a smile on his aged face.

Andrew tilted forward and gently pressed his lips against her, and then pulled away slightly. Samantha got a tingle down her spine. He was just pretending, she told herself, it was just for show. But the racing heart did not agree and continued to beat at a fast pace.

People wished them “Congratulations!” as they returned to their seats, holding hands. Rose petals showered on them and got stuck to Samantha’s hair and the dress she wore.

Outside there were more rose petals throwing and bubble blowing. There were joyous sounds of laughter in the air. Samantha was laughing as well and she felt a little dizzy and high.

“You okay?” Andrew whispered to her, his arm around her waist for a photo session.

“Yeah,” Samantha said smiling, resting her head on his shoulder a little. "Just. . . overwhelmed. "

They took the cake and fed each other pieces and also had their first dance. Samantha could not believe that she was beginning to find some enjoyment in the day. For a few hours, she could forget that this was all based on a contract and not a normal love marriage.

“Where is Mom?” her little sister asked during the reception, with innocent-looking eyes.

Samantha looked at her for a second and her smile was not as bright as before. She bent down to her sister, “She is still improving, hope you know that? Anyway, we will visit her soon, alright?”

When the sun started to set and the orange and pink hues started to fill the sky, it was time for the newlyweds to go. Many people came to the church waiting to bid them farewell.

“Enjoy, lovers!” someone called out as they headed towards the waiting black Range Rover that was in front of them.

Andrew opened the car door for Samantha to enter. She was about to step in, her heart light with the triumph of their farce, when a voice rang out that she recognized only too well.

“Well, well, well. What a lovely ceremony.”

They both looked up to see Angela coming towards them, with a smirk on her face and red lips. She was dressed in a very tight red dress that made her a sore thumb amongst the pastel-clad guests.

“Angela, what are you doing here?” Andrew’s voice was full of anger and he positioned himself in front of her.

Angela laughed, and her laugh was no more than the metallic clank of a knife hitting a plate. “Honestly, did you expect that I would not be present at my dear cousin's wedding? I am hurt, Andrew. ”

Samantha could almost feel the adrenaline pumping around her body and her palms getting wet. This couldn't be happening. No, not now, when they are so close to achieving their marriage success in public.

“Go, Angela. Now,” Andrew said coldly, his tone threatening.

“Oh, I will,” Angela said with a sly grin on her face that only hinted at the evilness that was brewing inside her. But first, let me wish the newlyweds.

She glared at Samantha and said in a sinister tone, “Take your time to enjoy yourself darling. Believe me, it won’t be for long.”

Then she turned to face Andrew, the polite mask she had worn slipping off her face. “You have one week, Andrew '' She threatened, “Divorce her, or else I will make sure you lose everything. You'll be out of the job, your secret will be revealed, and you will no longer be the CEO of the company. ”