The CEO's Designated Bride

Vivian gulps down another glass of wine and hands the empty glass to the attendant for a refill. There's no way she would be going through this ‘arrangement’ with a smile on her face unless she was three shots of vodka drunk. She took a look around to see her relatives, as well as her husband's relatives, mingling and enjoying the extravagant party. The irony of that! They all seem happier than the bride and the groom. Speaking of which, where is her husband? The least he could do was be present and pretend to care! “Darling!” Vivian turned at the sound of a familiar voice, clenching her glass of liquor firmly. It was her grandfather, Louis, and he seemed very eager to introduce Vivian to a business partner of his. “Meet my friend, Charles. He's the owner of J Tech corporations.” Vivian straightens up and manages to smile at the elderly man. “It's a pleasure to meet you, sir..” “Same. I am delighted that we finally met. You look beautiful, my dear.” Charles compliments with a smile. “Thank you, sir. I hope you are enjoying the party.” Vivian asked. She couldn't care less if he did but she had to ask no matter how irritated she was about her wedding. It was just a courtesy. “Yes. It's quite splendid. I hope your union lasts a lifetime.” Charles respiles. Vivan tried hard not to scoff. A lifetime? With a man who clearly hates the sight of her and didn't hesitate to show his displeasure months leading to their wedding? That sounds kike a nightmare! She smiles, keeping her emotions in check as Charles turns to Louis. “I look forward to our partnership soon, Louis. We should conclude this as soon as possible.” Her grandfather laughs. “Of course. Thanks for honoring our invitation.” Charles walks away, and Vivian gulps down another glass in frustration. “You don't look too happy for someone who just tied the knot.” Louis pointed out. “Maybe I would be if you didn't promise your granddaughter to your friend's grandson at birth!” Vivian gave a tight smile. “We've been through this Vivian. We are doing this to strengthen our companies! And I am not getting any younger, am I? I do deserve to see my grandchildren.” Vivian was barely paying attention. It was the same thing with Louis. He had made her agree to the union with the heartless grandson of the Onyx family on his deathbed. Only for him to be ‘miraculously’ healed right after she signed the marriage certificate! That cunning old geezer! She couldn't believe she fell for it! “Well, you got what you wanted, old man. I hope it gladdens your heart cause it makes me sick to my stomach!” Vivian grabs another glass and turns to leave. Louis stops her midway with an innocent look on his wrinkled face. “Darling, I never wanted to do this, but as you may know, this will help our company! You've experienced it first hand, and you know what is at stake.” “No, I don't. We can survive on our own, and you know it. It's not about the company. This is about the promise you made to your friend years ago.” Vivian said, gritting her teeth. Louis exhaled. Vivan was getting him all wrong. “You are partly right, but I made sure you were aware of this when you were about to go to college.” Vivian twirls the wine in her glass. What's the point of dragging this any further? She's married to that man now, there's no going back. All she can hope for is that he agrees to annul the union between them after two years. “Yes Louis, and here I am. I really need to check on my friends and see if they are doing alright.” Vivian walks away before Louis can say anything else. Talking about this made her upset and she's had enough. Vivian knew she made heads turn. She was wearing a white fitted dress that hugged her tiny waist and curvy body well. She was the most sought-after, and she knew it. Hell, she walked across the room like she owned the place because she did. If only her so-called husband wasn't a cold-hearted bastard! “Drew!” Vivian called the moment she got to her friend's table. Her best friend turned to her, and the look of amusement on his face was priceless! “Girl, you look like you own all the wallets here! Like damn! Those women better keep their men in check 'cause my friend looks gorg!” Vivian couldn't help but laugh at this. Drew was just the vibe she needed for this funeral for a wedding! “Thank you! I'm so glad you were able to make it! I know it's really impromptu…” “No, I will always be there for you, baby girl. You, of all people, should know that.” Drew assured. Vivian smiles. “So…Where's the groom?” He asked, scanning the crowd. “I have no clue. He must be as irritated as I am.” Drew tilts his head, seeing the look of disappointment on her face. “You still like him?” “What? No!” Drew gasps. He was right! “You still like him. My goodness, this is a mess! Does he know this? Did you tell him? I thought you were over him!” Drew asked. "I don't like him. He's my husband, I have every right to be disappointed by his absence.” She pointed out. Drew pulls her in a hug. “I'm really sorry, Vi. You deserve so much better than that narcissist. But I know with an ass that fat and a body built like that, he'll be all over this.” Vivian smiled, even though she knew that would never happen. “Hell no. Who is that b***h?” Vivian follows Drew’s gaze to see Athena dressed in a white wedding dress! She had a veil attached to her hair and everyone was staring at her! Vivian clenched her fist. She couldn't believe that that woman was invited to her wedding! “Do you know her?” Drew asked in irritation. “She's his ex. Athena.” “What? Are you sure?” She was more than sure. She had seen Oscar and Athena making out the night before their wedding. Vivian knew about Athena way before then too. It's a long story. “Who invited her here? What the hell?” Drew was irritated. Vivian made eye contact with Athena, who flashed her a sinister smile; she knew exactly what she was doing! “I need to go to the restroom.” Vivian hurried away, heading for the restroom. She slams the door behind her, filled with rage. Why was she even bothered by this? Vivian leaned on the basin, staring at her reflection in the mirror. She wasn't in love with that man anymore! Why did Athena’s presence drive her to the edge of jealousy? “I would like to set some things straight.” Vivian followed the voice and found her husband, Oscar, standing by the entrance. Brown hair with green eyes that glowed whenever he was irritated. Behind the expensive tuxedo, he was of a huge frame and muscular build. She knew because she had, in fact, seen him shirtless. The type of build that makes you stare unconsciously. His lips…so damned warm and sexy. Vivian swallowed as she recalled how he had kissed her back then. It woke something in her, something she had never felt before, and it felt so damn good! She sighed, turned the tap on, and she washed her hands. “I was wondering where you were at the beginning of the party. Glad to see you didn't leave.” She said, The look in his eyes was like he wasn't expecting her to be so casual, judging by their past history. He was expecting a confrontation, but he got nothing. “You wanted to tell me something.” She said once more. “We might be married, but don't expect marital duties from me. The only reason why we are married is because of our grandparents. You're not the woman I want, and you will never be.” It felt like a kick to her heart, and it ached badly. "And I'm guessing this is about Athena?" She asked, glancing at her own reflection in the mirror. “My relationship with Athena is none of your business.” The harshness and lack of warmth in his voice. “Why didn't you marry her then? Why did you agree to marry me if you love her so much?” Vivian asked, staring at his reflection in the mirror. “I don't owe you an explanation.” Oscar snapped. Vivian chuckled. He was simply unbelievable, and there's no point going back and forth with him. “Let's make this work for a year. Keep up a good appearance for our families, and that's it. Nothing more.” He said, hands in his pocket. “I was thinking the same thing. We don't have to live under the same roof, either. That would make me feel uncomfortable.” Oscar chuckled in disbelief. “What?” “It wouldn't be right to bring my male friends into our matrimonial home, don't you agree?” Vivian said as she headed for the door. Oscar grabs her hand and pins her body against the wall, her hands above her head. He was furious, she could tell from the way he stared down at her. Goodness, the number of memories this brought back to her. “Let go of me,” Vivian warned, glaring at him. “What did you say?” “You hear me right, Mr Oscar.” “You're my wife, and I will not have you embarrass me by sleeping around like some w***e!” He snapped. Vivian smirked. “But you're not exactly leading by example are you? Burying your face in another woman's ass a night to your wedding isn't very reputable now, is it?” She pulls away from his grip, standing eye to eye with the most feared businessman in Kentwood like her heart isn't about to pop out of her chest. “I would tell my plaything to leave this wedding if I were you. She might end up regretting it..” Vivian walks out triumphantly. She won't let him walk all over her! She wouldn't give him the pleasure of hurting her twice!