Hell on earth
1473 Words
Everything went too fast.
Right after the wedding, they were taken to the reception teeming with so many invited, influential people.
The room was almost packed and soft classical music rented the air, the chatter, the laughter and the tinkling of glasses flowed along the length of the room.
The press would be sure to infiltrate a gathering, more so of the sort with their camera clicking, snapping pictures and videos to post in their blogs and tabloids.
Samuel’s wedding to Amanda had surprised everyone, their engagement news had left the press breathless out of publications, they had been wrong about the young billionaire it seems.
The video that popped up on everyone’s screens weeks ago was that of the eternally single Samuel Forte getting down on one knee to propose to the stunning Amanda Forte at a popular shopping center under the watchful eyes of a thousand and one onlookers.
“Mr Forte” A Chinese investor hurried towards the latest couple, holding a riddled flute of champagne,“Congratulations once again on your wedding”
Samuel made his way towards her, looking dashing as ever in his tuxedo with a forced smile upon his face. He gripped Amanda’s waist and held her tightly against him possessively.
“Thanks, Mr Xein” He said as they shook hands.
“What beautiful wife you have there, I always knew you had good eyes,” he said, praising.
Amanda smiled and flushed, her loose tendrils cascaded down her face.
Oh, how the depths of her waist ached from his tight iron grasp. Breathless in the clingy, glittery dress she had been ordered to wear – especially by his Royal Majesty, Samuel Forte.
She had never been anywhere near him and he looked as if he couldn’t wait to get the wedding over with.
“I think we still have your partnership, Mr. Xein.” Samuel moved on to a different topic, clearly annoyed by the praise but not showing it.
The little man bared his teeth in a smile, his very thin lips spreading.
“You and business, Mr Forte. I love it but for now concentrate on your big day — we’ll talk business after your honeymoon.”
Honeymoon. even the sound of that looked like a scary movie. Amanda took a slow inhale and smiled as sweetly as she could even though the side of her lips pained.
Samuel gave a smile, then the man excused himself, lighting off nonchalantly. He waited until he was away to gently nudge her slightly away from his chest.
“Too comfortable, now?” He said, ”You know, just keep pretending, the game is soon going to be over.”
Amanda raised her eyes to his, tightening her heart, seeing the irritation in his expression. She told herself to bring to mind why she was doing this, why she had agreed to go through the torment of the handmaiden of the assistant devil himself.
"Sure” She forced herself to smile at him and he looked away.
Amanda felt his hands back to her waist in that tight grip as he pulled her close. Amanda felt his grip tighten again, and she knew that was his sign to make one or two comments. His grasp made her smile look like she had stood on hot coals.
A sharp clicking sound drew the attention of all eyes to that side.The music stopped, and everyone fell silent as the MC tapped his fork on his champagne flute.
“May I have your attention please” he said into the microphone.”What do you say we raise a glass or two to our newlyweds, Samuel Forte and his bride, Amanda Forte?”
Amanda felt colour rising in her cheeks as every eye was upon them. As she tried to slow her breathing, she smiled as a loud toast was raised to them.
Mrs Forte. Even to her own ears, that new title sounded utterly unbelievable. A waiter waltzed by, carrying a tray with two flutes on his palm.They both grabbed a flute and toasted.
Every eye was on them: watching, believing, and drowning in the lies. She hoped Samuel was pleased with the success he was having at the wedding.
She wanted all that pretence to be over soon. Amanda took a sweeping glance at the mob of filthy rich ladies and gentlemen, and the press that could never be bothered to leave any part of the event.
The music swelled as an older couple meandered over hand in hand to them in the middle of all the “congratulations” and “Happy married life”.
“Congratulations, Mr and Mrs Forte ” Everyone was saying.
Amanda breathed in and tried to release. What on earth was life going to be like as a temporary Mrs Forte?
This was only the dawn of whatever would be.
----------------------
In nearly two weeks, Amanda thought she was going to go mad. Samuel was cold-hearted, arrogance and definitely the most infuriating person she had ever met.
He let her work for him in his company pretending she was his wife but inside she was going through hell.
Amanda snapped to her feet and bent down to grab the files that were scattered in all directions as he turned on his laptop.
“Mr Henry called,” she said as she rose, swiftly but orderly stacking the files.
That favourite frown of his was back on his face and slowly Samuel looked up. Amanda knew that look too, When he looked at someone squarely in the face, she knew he was about to get rude again.
“How does that information solve my problems?”He asked.
Amanda bit her lip so hard she tasted a little blood.She was positive her blood pressure was going to go up again or worse, she might have a heart attack from all the things he said.
“He called to report on the meeting he attended in your stead on…” Her voice faltered “...on our honeymoon”
“I don’t recall having a honeymoon with you.” He came back, “I see you’re very excited about all of this”
"I —" she was going to say.
“You what?” He interrupted her.
“It’s all just an act and I’m not happy about it all” She tried to explain herself.
“ I see,” He drawled,”So I guess I'm the happy one?”
She whispered, “That's not what I meant,” she was just exhausted.
“That’s my problem with you poor people, you try to defend yourselves when all you can offer is a mouthful of crap,” he said hotly.
Amanda remained silent once more, now silence was golden. She looked down and hugged the stack of files to her chest.
She sensed that he wanted to vent his anger on her, and what I know best is that he was never interested in marriage and only had the idea of marrying me because of his scandal.
At least , the scandal had been cleared by then he still had to pretend to the two or three more years of marriage.
She thought of her mother and brother, at least they were living fine with their mind at peace.
If it was her price then so it is, she won't mind his taunts and heart breaking comments.
"You're still my worker, you better remember that. Don't let all this marriage stuff get you too caught up in your sense of duty” He said,exhortingly.
“I should go fix the files,” She said.
“I want them back here in fifteen minutes, or you're going to regret it," Samuel told her as he turned back to his laptop.
"Excuse me."Amanda quietly said
She came out of his office like a wet rag She closed the door behind her and leaned against the door.
She was struggling not to cry, her whole body ached and her head was heavy. Amanda clutched the files to her as she pushed against the door as if she could press her heavy heart into it.
She thought how anyone could be so brutal, and as cantankerous as an old man. She had basically worked endlessly and received an endless stream of complaints and insults.
How would she get through the next few years she had to live with him? A tear rolled down her cheek as she wondered what else she might receive from that savage creature.
Heaven only knows what he has in store for her next.
Just as she slid away from the door and dabbed at her face, bracing herself for another fifteen minutes of hell, a voice pierced the quiet hallway.
“Who are you?”
Shocked, Amanda spun around...
- Writer
