The CEO's Silent partner

Chapter2

Amelia’s POV

Taken by surprise, my eyes widen and are glued to the two of them while they kiss. My heart is even racing so hard I can hear it in my ears.

When I can’t take it anymore, I look away, but Vivian keeps moaning against Dave’s lips and it makes my blood boil, not because I wish that could’ve been me—no way in the world I’d want to kiss this asshole—but because this is happening right in front of me.

They’re both so shameless.

When they finally break the kiss, she giggles as she runs her thumb along his lips that have turned red.

“Babe, you ruined my lipstick,” she says flirtatiously.

“You know I always do,” he replies with enthusiasm. “Come here.”

The entire time they approach me, I keep looking down, my forehead dampening from the sweat.

“Babe, meet Armelia, my future wife on paper,” he says to her and I try my best not to show how disgusted I am.

In any other scenario, I should be smiling at her right now as we get to know each other, but how is that even possible in this ridiculous situation?

“I’m assuming you’ve understood everything my boyfriend has told you,” she says with crossed arms and narrowed eyes that seem like they’ll pierce through me.

“Of course.” I don’t even bother to fake a smile this time. My face is blank as I clench my fists under the table.

“Did he tell you about me?” She raises an eyebrow.

“No.”

“He’s mine so stay out of our way.” She purses her lips and pokes out her hip. “I should be the one getting married to my boyfriend, not you.”

“Babe, come on, we talked about this.” He stands behind her and wraps his arms around her gently.

“I just hate that it’s not me,” she pouts.

“That doesn’t change anything and you know it.” He kisses her on the cheek.

“Did you hear that? In private, he’s mine.” She smirks at me.

I can’t help but smile at the situation and it’s not because I’m amused in any way, I just don’t want to stay here any longer. I’ve seen enough of them.

“I’ll be leaving now,” I sigh deeply as I rise to my feet, clutching my purse after picking it up from the table.

"I didn't say you could leave," he says to me harshly and his gaze is threatening.

"But I thought we discussed everything." I shrug, wondering why else he still wants to keep me there. Just so I can watch the two of them? Absolutely not.

"Not quite everything has been discussed," he says. "You and my babe need to discuss your friendship."

"Friendship?" I crease my forehead, lost.

"He forgot to add the word fake—like I'd ever want to be friends with you." Vivian rolls her eyes at me. "My boyfriend takes me around the world whenever I want but with you in the picture, things will have to be a little different. Under the pretext of him going on several vacations with you, I'll be coming along as your friend."

"Is that all?" I ask, wondering what ridiculous thing I'll hear next.

"No, that's not all," she scoffs, flipping her hair with an attitude.

"Ladies, I'll leave you to it. I have a board meeting," he says, turning her around and kissing her on the lips. Once again, I look away but look back at them just because I'm so much in disbelief. While he kisses her, he opens his eyes and looks over at me, then quickly closes his eyes again.

Why the hell did he do that? Just to make sure I was watching? He's unbelievable.

They kiss longer than they should and I lightly shake my head. This is unbearable and I just can't awkwardly keep standing this close to them.

I clutch my purse so hard that I realize I might break something.

Finally, they pull away from each other's lips and she giggles again as she cleans his mouth.

Then, he wraps his arms around her as they head out together.

He's leaving but doesn't even bother to personally bid farewell to me.

As soon as I’m alone, I so badly want to bang my forehead against the table just to block out how much I’ve experienced in less than twenty minutes. This is not fair and I know it. It was already bad enough that this is nothing but a cold contract to him, but having to pretend to be friends with his girlfriend? And why didn't he marry her instead of me?

He already mentioned that I was Mr. Arthur's choice for him, but why not Vivian? She seems pretty wealthy to me.

Even though I'm curious as to why it's me and not her, I know this benefits my father's company. This is the solution to all our problems.

While I'm thinking that way, I feel my phone vibrate inside my purse.

As I take it out while sitting back down in my chair, my hand is a little shaky from my rage, all because of how I’ve been disrespected and disregarded by Dave.

As soon as I look down at the screen, I realize my father sent me a message. When I open it, I read the message while imagining the gentle tone of his voice. He’s a soft spoken man. He’s hoping everything is going well between me and Dave as we get to know each other.

If only I could tell him how awful it’s been, but that doesn’t matter. He’s really holding onto the hope that this is it for us. And I'm making it happen for him.

Just when I think Vivian’s not coming back, I will get up so I can leave and won’t have to deal with her, but the door creaks open and she walks back confidently strutting towards me.

“Sit back down so we can have a little chat,” she says to me.

I scoff quietly, sitting back down. She brings her chair close to mine and crosses her legs, her gaze almost threatening, but I’m not bothered by it.

She looks at me mockingly and says, “There’s a lot of things you’ll need to change and first of all, your wardrobe.”

“I know. I discussed that with Dave.”

“Hmm, I see my boyfriend mentioned it.” How petty of her to rub it in my face. But I’m not bothered by it. If she’s trying to make me jealous, it’s not working. I’ve already accepted the fact that they’re a couple.

“Fine. Did he talk about the events you’ll need to attend?”

“Yes.”

“And how to conduct yourself?”

“Yes.”

“What about those kids at the orphanage and some s**t like that?” She rolls her eyes as if giving no importance to what she’s talking about. That already tells me the type of person she is.

“Look, Dave talked to me about everything. Do you actually have anything to talk to me about? If not, I’d like to leave.”

“So you can go home to give the good news that you’re really getting married? Don’t get too comfortable.”

“I know what’s expected of me, but that doesn’t mean you can tell me what to do.”

“But Dave can.” She smirks.

I lean forward and smirk back at her. “You’re not Dominic. You’re just Carmella.”

“Trying to be smart with me? You better watch the way you conduct yourself around my boyfriend.”

“I definitely will. Anything else?”

“We’ll need to come up with a story of how we know each other.”

“And then I can leave.”

I’m hoping the next few minutes go by quickly because I can’t wait to leave this suite and go and have a lovely meal with Mr. and Mrs. Arthur.

While I’m ready to be the wife I should be in public, I won’t let Vivian step all over me in private.

After coming up with a fake story, which proves to be difficult because our opinions clash, we finally come up with one.

When it all comes to an end, I’m ready to leave so I head for the door but before I can walk out, I stop in my tracks when she speaks bitterly from behind me.

“Just a reminder, you’ll always be Dave’s wife only on paper!”

I look over my shoulder and say, “Of course... and you’ll always be the other woman.”

“How dare you? Don’t forget that you’re nothing!”

“I’m out of here.”

While she keeps yelling, I walk out and shut the door. Even when I move away from that suite, I can hear her still yelling and it makes me smirk.

My phone beeps again and I smile when I check the message; it’s from Mrs. Arthur. She can’t wait to see me so we can also discuss the wedding dress ideas. She’s always so enthusiastic. I love how all of them are on my side.

This is it, I’m finally walking down the aisle and this should be one of the happiest moments of my life, but it’s not.

With a fake smile, which isn’t too obvious because of the veil covering my face, I hold my head high with every step leading me closer to the altar.

My family and friends all look on with admiration as I walk past them and some are in tears. If anything, I’m the one who should be in tears, but I keep telling myself I can do this.

Part of me even wants to turn around right now, take off these diamond heels and run away as far as possible, but I know I can’t, not when so much depends on this marriage.

My father, who’s walking beside me, is the happiest he’s ever been and I know it’s because of me and what’s to become of this union.

The church is grand and so are the decorations, everything radiating wealth and class, something that means nothing to me, not when I know the type of man who’s about to become my husband. I’m now closer than ever to the altar and I finally see him, dressed in an elegant black suit with a touch of white.

His pearly whites are on full display and he seems happy, but I know he’s not. It’s all just for the show. The press can’t stop taking pictures and it’s a little irritating all these flashes going off in my face.

On the left side of the front row seat, I spot Vivian, who covers her mouth in amazement when I’m close enough, as if blown away by my whole look. What a great actress she’s being right now.

I’m only genuinely happy when I spot Mr. and Mrs. Arthur and Dave’s siblings on the right. They’re all so happy to see me finally become part of their family.

Before my father hands me over to Dave, he turns to me and smiles. And despite the life that awaits me, I can’t help but genuinely smile back at him.

I finally stand face to face with Dave and his hands almost envelope mine since they’re way bigger.

We say our vows and put on a show, which seems so believable that everyone is in awe, except Vivian.

When it’s time for the kiss, Dave pulls back the veil and steps forward. This is going to be our firstt kiss. As soon as our lips touch, there’s a round of applause. I feel nothing when kissing him and we don’t even part our lips.

After breaking the kiss, we hold hands and smile for the crowd, the camera flashes going off like crazy.

As I look around, I see my father wiping his tears as he stands with Mr. Richard, my kind and loving father-in-law.

Dave and I then walk out of the church hand in hand, and friends and family come together to take pictures outside.

I can't help but notice that everyone's smiles fade when Vivian joins in on the action.

I still wonder what the story behind it all is. The only reason she's here is because we're friends. They were all actually shocked to learn that.

Once we take several pictures and Dave and I say a few loving words to the press, Vivian hugs me as if to congratulate me but mockingly whispers in my ear.

“The only type of wedding night you’re going to have is a good night’s sleep and nothing else, b***h!”

It takes everything in me not to slap her in the presence of everyone. Now that this wedding ceremony has come to an end, I’m not just anyone but the daughter-in-law of Arthur's family.

“And I’m going to show her.”