Married to the CEO for 52 weeks

Chapter Four

Chapter Four.

Alodia.

The beam of sunshine penetrating into the room makes me smile as I awaken. Brushing my hair to the side, I sit up and stare out the window again, reminding myself to savour the beauty each day. Unfortunately, for someone like me, it's a privilege.

Sighing, I turn to pick up my phone from the bedside table when I see Cole on a recliner, his eyes fixated on me through his lashes with his hair fallen over his forehead, slightly covering one of his eyes.

"Jesus. Oh, my God!" I shudder like a victim of hypothermia and freeze on the bed. When I open my eyes again, my brows come together. "What the heck? There is no section in the contract where you have rights to sneak into my room!"

"Coming from someone who's broken a lot of sections in the contract. You know, I'm beginning to think the contract doesn't even matter anymore." He glares at me, and I glance away, pretending to check something on my phone.

"What do you want?" I ask, and he stands up. Surprisingly, he's dressed up in a yellow Polo shirt that hugs his body like a second skin, revealing the hard muscle underneath, and black jeans whose ends are tucked into his boots.

"In the aftermath of my actions yesterday, I am holding a ball party tonight in one of my buildings to fix things with the minor family. It's like a get-together party of some sort." He pauses to see the expression on my face. Honestly, I'm still waiting for him to get to the part that concerns me. "As my wife, you have to be there with me. It's my chance to declare our union to the family, most especially the family lawyer."

Oh, that word. It reminds me of the previous night. I didn't listen much to what news his mom brought him as they went to another room; however, I find Cole's mom welcoming and loving because of the way she acted to me after Cole told her that I'm his wife. While I'm aware it's all fake, I saw pure happiness in that woman's eyes, and for a moment, I wished I was truly married to that cold-hearted man.

I brush my hair to the back of my ears as I complain. "Do I really have to go?"

"Yes, no questions asked." He commands and I huff. Then, he continues. "In the meantime, I've got to work. I'll be busy until night. I'll have Mrs Sarah prepare you a fitting outfit, and I want you ready by eight."

He turns around to leave, and I beat my hands on the bedsheets. "Excuse me, Mr. Remington. What am I to do in the meantime?"

Through his peripheral vision, turning his face to the side, he grins a wicked grin. "I thought you'd never ask." Then, unexpectedly, he hurls a tablet on a side of the bed. I didn't see that before. "You can study about the family. After all, you'd be meeting them tonight, and there is nothing more important than preparing you to meet those monsters." His voice grows dim and dark before he gets out of the room.

I pick up the tablet and groan, then fall into the bed. It'll be like meeting more Cole—an utter pain in the ass. "I'm so f****d up tonight!"

Hours later, the sun is setting. I carry a cup of tea in my hands as I head back to my room. There's a satisfactory smile on my face. By the way, I've learnt quite a few things about the Remington.

Mr. Mario Remington is Cole's father. Apparently, the journal on the tablet starts from him, concentrating only on the present family tree. Mr. Mario is a businessman of many things, from real estate to owning five-star hotels, suites, and clubs, and he's a great investor in the crypto market as well. Following is Mrs. Lina Remington, Cole's mother. She seems to be Mr. Mario's backbone and first wife, elevating the family's fortune by being a bestselling author and building a millionaire pottery store.

Then, there's Cole, who owns a multimillionaire cosmetics and entertainment company and owns a broker for Forex traders. Throughout my reading, I'm left fascinated at how these people are so interested in the stock market. No wonder their money is generational.

And there's Mrs. Elizabeth Remington and her son, Casper Remington. There's no record of precisely what they do. They own many estates in other foreign countries, but it was rather earned from Mr. Mario. Finally, there's Mr. Steel, the family lawyer who's seen as a part of the family.

From my reading, I've been able to put two and two together, assuming a reason why Cole detests the Minor family—as he likes to call them. I think it's because they didn't contribute to the family's wealth, but for a man like himself, who's gained the billionaire title, I wonder why he's disturbed in that. His father is dead, so I'm wondering if the grudge against Cole and Casper goes as far as who's to earn their father's wealth, and again, it leaves a question in mind, which is, why is Cole invested in that when he has his own wealth?

"7:50 PM." I scream at myself and speed to the bathroom to get ready. A few minutes later, I hurry outside to get dressed up. I've received the gown since evening, but now that I'm putting it on, I'm flattered. It's bewitching. It's an evening gown, glistening as it draws down my body. I look like a princess when I check the mirror.

The black material blends attractively with the silver stones designed on the gown. I pack my hair to the back and attach a few pins to make magic, and then I take a seat to do light makeup. By the time I'm done, my blue eyes and pointed nose are highlighted, revealing my beauty. Oh, my...I feel like I'm in one of my dark romance novels. The aesthetic is something I used to imagine.

A knock lands on the door again. "s**t! Mrs. Sarah is going to kill me." I mutter as I grab my bag and phone while I force in the heels. I take a glance at the mirror again and smile at myself. The texture of the heels matches with my earrings, rings, and bracelet, and then I race to the door only to trip the moment I open it, causing me to bump into a hard contour.

The person wraps their arms around me to keep me from meeting the floor. Brushing my face against their strong features, I inhale a potent masculine cologne that sends my nerves into a coma.

"I'm carrying all your weight, Miss Penelope." Says Mr. Remington. When I blink up at him, his brown eyes are squinted at the sides. He looks dangerously smoking hot. His towering figure allows me to watch his face in this close space. God took his time when creating him. His jawline is perfect, his dental is correct, as well as his cheekbones.

I blush as I push myself back, faking a smile to stop the awkwardness. "My apologies. I thought it was Mrs. Sarah."

His ghostly smile is back. "Well, I'm glad I got you a stronger heel this time around. Shall we?"

"Yes." In response, he nods his head in a gesture for me to follow him. He's a few steps ahead of me, and I'm watching his butt. What is this man not blessed with? His rounded butt leaves me breathless in the way that expensive pant of his arranged them.

My mind is pulled back to yesterday when he pinned me against that slab, rubbing his d**k against my skin. From that tightness, I can tell he's got it nice.

"Welcome, sir." A man's voice calls my attention. I hit myself mentally. I need to pull my s**t together.

We enter a new room, and my eyes grow big, leaving my mouth agape. If someone told me my jaw was on the ground, I'd believe it.

"f**k!" I whisper. Cars worth millions fill my sight, packed in this space.

I don't even know their actual models, but I see a Bugatti, Mercedes, Maybach, Ferrari, Rolls-Royce, and freaking Tesla Cybertruck. Cole notices the shock in me and passes me his hand. "We are taking the truck. You coming?"

I swallow a large lump and nod my head. A few minutes later, I'm inside the Cybertruck, and I can't express the butterflies flowing in my stomach.

I didn't want it to end, but eventually, we arrive at the ball. Cole gets down and comes to open my side of the door, helping me hop down. "Thank you."

He smiles and whispers in my ear. "Follow my lead." Then, he takes my hand and leads me into the mansion. We walk past the sparkling fountain and into the magnificent building. Inside, Cole collects a glass of wine, clinking it to call attention upon us.

When all eyes are laid on us, he clears his throat. "Good evening to you, Family. While this gathering is to apologise to Casper for my mistake, I'd like to steal this moment for something more important. Here," Cole's eyes land on me. God, he's going to introduce me. My heart leaps. "Stands my wife, the one who shall be the mother of my babies, Alodia." After saying so, he raises his cup above, and everyone does the same, earning us a round of applause.

He takes a sip, then gestures that I take a sip when he places it close to my lips. I did, and he smiles, leaning close. "You're a natural."

Stepping down the centre of the room, I look around, assessing the humongous space. Aside from the stunning, luxurious designs, I notice there are only a few people around. I don't recognise most of the faces. Perhaps they are external families.

A man approaches us. He has an afro hairstyle that blends with his caramel skin. He has a warm smile on. "Yo, Cole." He greets and Cole hugs the man.

I recognise him from the study I did earlier. His eyes shift to me, and he stretches his hand for me to take. "Nice to meet you, Miss Penelope. I'm..."

"My pleasure, Mr. Steel." I interject without thinking, and the man chuckles.

"You know my name. My, my... I like you already." He's smiling from ear to ear, and I catch a satisfactory smile on Cole's face too.

I thought the lawyer was the only one I needed to get introduced to, but before I knew it, I'd spoken to quite a number of people. The strenuous part of it is their questions. If they aren't asking what university I graduated from, they want to know who my parents are or how many countries I've travelled to this year. I wish I could yell at their faces how poor I am. Being at home, watching movies at the private cinema, or doing some sightseeing or reading at the library seems more fun than this.

Cole's mother appears before us out of the blue. "Mother." He greets, and she smiles at him.

"Uh, if you don't mind, son, I'd like to," she pauses to collect two Champagne glasses from a waiter; as she passes me one, she completes her sentence, "borrow your wife for a moment."

Cole looks down at me and nods. "All right. I believe she can't wait to get the f**k out of here anyway." He chuckles, and I roll my eyes at him. By the way, I'm conscious of shaking my head at him.

Outside, the breeze blows on my face, and I close my eyes, enjoying the chill. Cole's mother starts talking when we find a seat. "When I was first introduced to this family, I knew I was in a competition. A big competition with people who see the rich as humans. Any other thing is simply a being they are to utilise for their wants, nothing but tools to them. Fortunately, I'm glad where I am now."

I frown and press my lips together, not knowing what to say. "Please, be free with me, Alodia."

I scratch my head. "Um, I don't know why you're telling me this."

"I see potentials in you. Unlike the people in that room, I see myself in you. I see the innocence and naivety I once had, and I believe you can help my Cole to heal. He thinks he's fighting a war, and as much as he detests his father, every single day, he's becoming more like Mario. I don't want that for him, and I think you can help him."

"Mrs. Remington." I grab her hand, seeing that she's about to cry.

She inhales sharply, batting her eyes. "We should schedule a time to talk. Perhaps I can tell you more about my once loving Cole. His childhood was the best."

Oh, a chance to see a naked butt of Cole when he was a baby? Yes, count me in. "That'll be lovely."

"I'll head inside now."

I stay to breathe more of the breeze before a rustling sound behind one of the flowerbeds reaches my hearing. I stand up to check what's there when I feel something sting my neck. Instantly, I feel my body lose control and my vision foggy as I fall to the ground, except somebody caught me.

I start to zone out, conscious of my environment one minute and the next, I'm not. My mind is freaking out, realising I've been drugged.

"What's next, boss?" I hear a rugged voice ask, and then someone else chuckle, a masculine type.

"What's next?" Teases the new presence. He pats my cheeks, my entire body worn out, and he whispers into my ears. "Don't worry, you didn't offend me, but your husband did. I'll f**k you so dirty that by the time Cole Remington finds you, he'll never be proud to show you to the public eye."