Bought Wife

The wedding

I hadn’t heard from my so-called boyfriend and future husband until today—our wedding day. Still, I was happy because I was going to pick up my best friend from the airport. She was coming to live with my mother and brother, and of course, to be there for what was supposed to be the most important day in any woman’s life.

After a few hours, I picked up my friend. Her name is Donna Le.

“My dear friend, I’ve missed you so much,” I said as I reunited with Donna.

“Not more than I’ve missed you!” she replied excitedly.

We got home, and the day already felt overwhelming. My wedding was at 7 p.m., and I still didn’t have a dress to wear.

I walked into my bedroom and realized I was in trouble—my wedding day had arrived, and I had no dress.

“Friend, I have a gift for you. I hope it’s useful,” Donna said.

“What is it? I just realized the dress I planned to wear doesn’t fit me. Ugh, I don’t have time to fix it!”

“I brought you a dress. I bought it for you. You’re going to love it!” she said, thrilled.

“A wedding dress?”

“Well, it doesn’t have a long train… it’s just long. But it’s white.”

My friend had saved me from disaster. My nerves were all over the place, I was forgetting things, but I knew I had to stay as focused as possible. I was about to marry the most sought-after man of all time—one of the top 50 most handsome men.

When the time came, Nick’s driver came to pick up my family and me. Before I could step out, a tear rolled down my mother’s cheek.

“Mommy, don’t cry. Be happy that I’ll be with someone I care about!” I said, trying to comfort her.

“I know you’ll be happy. I’m proud of you, my girl,” my mom replied.

“We’re all proud of her!” Donna added.

“Don’t make me cry or I’ll lose the little makeup I have on!” I warned everyone.

“You look beautiful, sis. Really!” said Rafael.

“Thanks. Now let’s go—they’re waiting for us!” I told them.

I was a bundle of nerves. When we arrived at the mansion, there were quite a few people. It was strange to find myself in that world… but there I was.

Nick approached me with a big smile. He extended his hand so we could walk together to the signing, marking the beginning of our fake marriage.

The great Nick Harrison was buying a wife—and yes, there I was, accepting money in exchange for signing as his bride.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife. Mr. Harrison, you may kiss the bride!” the judge finally declared.

“Did he just say kiss the bride?” I thought silently. I hadn’t considered that part—the big kiss. In milliseconds, my mind raced.

Nick stood in front of me, gently placed his hands on my face, and gave me a tender, sweet kiss.

My heart felt like it would leap out of my chest. The nerves were almost visible—I didn’t know how to react.

The strangest part of all this was that there was only a brief gathering for the ceremony but no wedding banquet.

My family left the mansion, and I was left alone—very alone. It was a huge house… I’d be sleeping in a room by myself.

Nick and I hadn’t exchanged a single word. The ceremony ended, and he locked himself in his study. Before going to bed, I went down to the kitchen, where the housekeeper was.

“Hi!” I greeted her.

“Miss, what are you doing in the kitchen? Please, you just need to dial 1 from any phone in the house, and service will come to wherever you are,” said the housekeeper, Mrs. Lety.

“Oh no, how horrible! I can’t let people do everything for me. By the way, my name is Alice. And you? What’s your name?”

“Nice to meet you, Miss. I’m Lety, the housekeeper and Nick’s nanny.”

“Seems like you’re the only one allowed to call him that—except maybe Jorge. And please don’t call me Miss. Call me Alice and use tu with me.”

“Oh no, Miss, I couldn’t possibly. You’re Mr. Nick’s wife now, and that must be respected,” Lety corrected me.

“It would be disrespectful not to listen to me. Besides, I’ll be in charge of my husband’s breakfast and dinner from time to time. I assume he doesn’t eat lunch here.”

“Sometimes he does, but not always. Also, Alice, you’re not supposed to be in the kitchen with the staff.”

“I’m sorry, but if I have to sit at your table, I will. I don’t care for protocol!”

“Well, then I have a feeling we’re going to get along just fine,” she said with a cheerful look.

“Of course! Now I’ll go see Nick.”

After that conversation with Lety, I went straight to the study and walked in without knocking.

“Excuse me, may I come in?” I said, peeking my head through the door.

“You’re already inside. What do you want?” Nick responded angrily.

“It’s just that you didn’t speak to me before or after the ceremony.”

“I have nothing to say to you,” he said.

“Sir, you’re drinking. What’s wrong with you?”

“Nothing that concerns you.”

“Maybe you’re right, but I see you’re hurt—and that’s obvious.”

“That’s nobody’s business. I live only for myself.”

“Sometimes we think no one cares about what we’re going through, but there’s always someone who suffers with us. If you want, I can be that person for you.”

“Please leave. I don’t want to keep talking to you,” Nick said rudely.

“Fine. But don’t forget that if you ever need someone to talk to, I’ll be there.”

“Just go, Miss. And don’t use tu with me again—call me sir in private,” he snapped.

“Good night, sir.”

I went to my enormous bedroom—so big I didn’t even know where to be in it. After tossing and turning, I finally lay down and fell asleep… until a few hours later, I felt someone fall on top of me.