Married to one,Promised to Another

Chapter3

The birds chirped louder than they ever had on normal days, or maybe it's because that morning was the start of an entirely different life for Natalie.

“so it wasn't a nightmare”,

she sighed as she stood up from the king sized bed, she was shocked that her dress was on the couch, but she clearly doesn't remember taking anything off that,

that's when it started to click in, Natalie stomped to the living room with a lot of anger, and shouted

“r****t!, yes that's what you are!!, How dare you touch me while I was vulnerable?!”.

Adrian who was in a room upstairs came down and wondered what all the shouting was about.

As he was walking down the stairs, Natalie started throwing things at him, and continued screaming.

Adrian became furious and irritated, he rushed and grabbed Natalie's hands, and said

“There's nothing special about your body that'd make me touch it without consent. As for the undressing part—, the whole room reeked of alcohol, I had to get rid of that dress, so stop feeling too important”.

He then walked straight to the kitchen. Natalie felt embarrassed but also relieved, she went back to the bedroom to change. meanwhile

Adrian was boiling some water for his every morning coffee, but he somehow couldn't get the question out of his head,

how did Maria have such a big scar and yet he never noticed. As he went further deeply into his thoughts, the steam from the kettle brought him back to reality.

He did his coffee, and decided to ask Maria for answers to his questions. Coincidentally as he had that thought, Natalie came out of the bedroom, she was dressed as if she was going out, and had a small shoulder bag with her.

“where are you going?”, Adrian asks,

“back home”, she replied,

“no no, looks like you must have forgotten”,

he chuckles as he brings out a file from a desk.

“I'm your home now Maria”,

he says as he shows her the document. It was a contract that Adrian and Maria had signed months ago, for the merging of the two businesses,

Maria's father had entered into huge debt. and owed Adrian a lot of money, in order for him to clear off the debt, Adrian offered to marry Maria, he needed Maria for his reputation.

Maria's father agreed and later told Maria about it, her father emotionally blackmailed Maria into signing the contract, and repaid him for all he has ever done for her even as an unbiological father.

Maria then agreed to sign the contract for the marriage. And that's what Adrian was holding right in the face of Natalie.

Natalie was still confused as to why she should care about all that, because she's not the one that signed.

”This is hilarious, it's not even my signature nor name that is in this so called contract, so why am I being dragged into all this, I want to go home, you're lucky I don't have the finances to get a lawyer, or else all these games you all are playing with me would come to an end”.

Adrian asked angrily “why do you keep saying you are not Maria?”,

“Because I'm not!” she replies,

Adrian then says to her “now I know , you're definitely Messing with me “,

Natalie replied,”I'm not, I'm Natalie that's spelt N-A-T-A-L-I-E, not Maria , I'm an orphan and I've always lived in the orphanage shelter across town, I don't have no family, and I've never in my life seen or stepped into a wealthy place up until yesterday, I promise you have to believe me “.

Adrian replied “ how can I believe you, when you're not even making sense, you signed a contract to save your family, and then tried to disguise and escape on our wedding day, and now you're trying to play as an amnesia patient, I married you because you're the perfect fit for my reputation, and you married me to clear up your family debt, so stop trying to act like you're being forced here”,

Natalie started getting frustrated, “it seems like you're hearing me but for some reason not listening to me, I'm not Maria, I've seen her pictures, she is just my lookalike, we're not the same “.

Adrian replied” let's end the conversation here, it's probably still the alcohol affecting you, I'm going to get dressed for work, once I get back, we're leaving to our house“,

He then leaves the living room. Natalie is then confused as to what to do, and whom she can go to, to help her out. and where he was going to take her to.

later that evening, Adrian came back with his tie loosened and his black hair all messy . he looked at her and remembered. He told her to follow him, then made a phone call

Once they stepped outside the hotel, The chauffeur opened the door of a long black car, its glossy surface reflecting the lights of the wedding venue.

Natalie hesitated for a second before sliding inside. The door shut with a heavy click. The interior was quiet and cold, filled with the faint scent of leather.

Across from her, Adrian sat calmly, his expression unreadable. Neither of them spoke. The car pulled away smoothly.

Outside, the lights of the venue faded as the city rushed past the tinted windows.

She kept her hands clasped tightly in her lap, stealing quick glances at Adrian. . After a while, the car started slowing down.

Large iron gates appeared ahead of them. They opened slowly, revealing a long driveway lined with tall trees and glowing lights.

At the end stood a massive mansion, bright against the dark sky. The car stopped at the entrance. Servants were already waiting. Her stomach twisted.

This place was enormous. And somehow… It was now her home.