Jessica blinked multiple times. She could not believe she just got married. Under normal circumstances, she was supposed to give her husband a big kiss on his lips.
Looking beside her at the stranger who she just found was Xavier Delgado, she still couldn't believe she was married."Would you like to take pictures?" one of the witnesses asked them."Yes," Xavier answered collecting the marriage certificate from the judge. "Thank you for today," he said addressing the judge."Let's go take our picture," he said standing up and leaving.Jessica could barely comprehend what was going on but it seemed as if Xavier had come to terms with the fact that he had married a stranger. He seemed comfortable with it.Jessica goes outside and sees him standing in front of the courthouse holding the certificate. She approached him and stood close to him."If we are taking a picture, we better make it believable that we just got married," Xavier said"You didn't ask me if I am okay with taking a picture" she murmured.She knew they needed the picture but her broken heart and rash decision stared at her in the face. Did she always need to jump the gun when facedwith things, she can barely handle on her own."I need the picture," he said. His voice made sure to pass the aura that the picture-taking was not up for negotiation.She agreed with him and took the picture after all she approached him to get married. She would as well go ahead with every other thing.They both barely managed to force a smile in the picture. Jessica could barely smile properly as her broken heart was getting in the way but Xavier was not used to smiling so it was difficult for him as well. The photographer had to take a couple of shots more than usual to be able to capture one where the smiles looked genuine.A few copies of the other pictures were taken and Xavier gives the email address to collect the soft copies of the picture. He was told that the hard copies would be framed and ready the next week so they could pick it up then."Hold on to this" Xavier said giving the certificate to Jessica collected and read it over and over again it did carry her name in full Jessica Penelope Joshua and she was married to Xavier John Delgado."Let's go," Xavier said walking toward the parking lot."Go where?" Jessica asked catching up to his steps."To see my grandfather" Xavier answered. He hated talking a little too much. But since he just got married he knew that she would have a bucket load of questions so he do his best to answer only when she asked."Why?" she asked."We just got married and I want to introduce you to my grandfather," Xavier said gently. He was already getting too many words out and he was not liking it."Ohh" Jessica replied.Xavier stopped in front of a Mercedes one of the newer models. She did not know much about cars but she could tell that this car was a very expensive one. It looked exotic and expensive."Get in," Xavier said.She then confirmed her suspicions that her new husband was influential and rich. She should be happy that she landed a fine rich young man, but her broken heart could not allow for her jubilation.Xavier was used to driving in silence but he needed to let her in on some secrets. "As you heard before my name is Xavier Delgado" Xavier started. Jessica was retained back to reality by his voice from her chain of thoughts. She turned to face him to take in all that he had to say. Since he needed a wife there must be a backstory. "My grandfather is sick and in the hospital and he had been hugging me to get married. I was to going to get married to a girl from a wedding agency but she didn't show up so I got married to you.""I had told my grandfather that we have been dating for a year now and that's why we got married""Okay," Jessica responded. "What do you do?" Xavier asked her when he saw that she responded. "I'm an assistant chef at L'Verine restaurant" Jessica answered. Xavier knew the place he had dined there quite several times. He wondered if she had seen him. The thought of her approaching him purposely since she knew that he was rich crossed his mind but he did not b
"Any other thing I need to know before meeting your grandfather?" Jessica said as they pulled into the parking lot of the hospital. "He is always tired because of the liver cancer so he can barely talk. Let's just greet him for today and that would be all" He replied. He hoped that getting to the hospital room would at least get him to stop talking at last. "Okay then," Jessica said pulling out a small mirror in her bag. She checked her image and practiced smiling. If they were dating she had to make it believable that she was happy being married to a stranger. Xavier stared at her as she did so. There was something very different about her. She has this aura surrounding her that he could not explain. "Shall we?" Xavier asked unclasping his seat belt and opening the door. Jessica did the same and they both came down. "Here is the ring. I hope it fits" Xavier said pulling out two rings from his picket. One has a diamond head crested inside a gold band the other had little diamond
"And who is this" Dawson said pointing to Jessica. "This is Jessica and she is my wife," Xavier said taking Jessica's hand and putting her forward.Jessica came forward and looked at the grandfather. He looked healthier than she thought. Was Xavier sure that his grandfather had last-stage liver cancer? "Good afternoon Mr. Delgado," Jessica said giving him a slight bow. How could she ever think she would stand before a self made billionaire not less than talking to him? She felt her feet sweating in her shoes. "Good afternoon Jessica" Dawson said smiling. For some reason best unknown to him, he liked Jessica. "Please call me Dawson" He added. "Oh, can I?" Jessica asked somewhat afraid. Dawson could tell that Jessica was not quite comfortable. "Did Xavier just tell you this morning that he was a Delgado?" Dawson asked to Jessica's surprise. "....hmm..." she stuttered not knowing what to say. "Papa," Xavier said. "I'm just asking your lovely wife here why she feels so uncomfort
The couple left the hospital room after much pleasantries and goodbyes. Jessica decided that she liked Dawson. He was a likable old man. She began to see where Xavier got his looks from. His aloofness and coldness she guessed came from his parents. The ride was to the house where she would be staying. She knew that she couldn't return to her house so she followed him home. He entered the gate of a huge mansion and parked his car at the entrance of the house. A man came to collect the key to re-park the car. He coiled in shock at seeing a strange woman there. She came down and followed after his boss. Since he had been working here he had never seen Xavier interested in women. Some of the household staff even thought he was gay. "Gather the staff," Xavier said to the women they met at the door. She looked like she was in her mid-forties. "Yes young master" she replied and turned to enter the house. Jessica pinched herself and was shocked she felt the pain. She was convinced thi
The introduction to the staff was short as Xavier decide to only introduce Roselle. He believed that she would learn their names with time. "Come with me," he said standing up. The whole staff bowed as he left the room. Sure they were itching to gossip but they wanted to wait till he left the house. Silently with looks that said talk to you later they all fled the scene. Xavier pushes his room door open and entered. Jessica followed, she noticed that the room was occupied but very neat. Looking at the picture frame on the table she could tell it was his room. "We will use this room together," Xavier said to which Jessica gasped in shock. "What, why how?" Jessica asked putting her hands up to her breast."I thought you would give me my room?" she asked him. "My grandfather has eyes watching us and in no time he would know that we are not together," he said, and although Jessica knew that he saying the truth she couldn't help but feel uncomfortable. "Don't worry, I would not do any
The driver drove her to her house. She picked up her already packed suitcase. She has suggested that she and Burke move there after marriage since her place was bigger but Burke had suggested they put up the place for rent for extra cash. The extra cash was going to her alone now. She went to her real estate agent to list her house for rent. Her agent had celebrated with her for moving out. Jessica had skipped over the details but told her that she had gotten married and decided to leave the place. Her phone vibrated in her bag again and she picked it up and put it to her ears. "Hello, Jessica" Burke's voice rang through the phone. His voice still sent shivers down her spine. "Hello Burke" she replied feeling the tears coming back again. The driver was going back to the house. She had decided to go rest and then get whatever she needed the following day. She was exhausted. "Why does it say you got married to Xavier Delgado?" Burke asked. Jessica was disappointed by his question.
By the time Xavier got into the room, he was startled by a strange figure laying on his bed and that was when it dawned on him that he got married to a stranger today. He felt exhausted from the day's activities and decided to go to bed and have a talk over concerning the contract tomorrow. He took a quick shower and jumped into bed. He used some pillows as a wall between them to keep her out. There was no way he was going to be allowing this woman to touch him. He barely knew her. He would ask his assistant to do a background check on her. Jessica's body clock never failed and by five am on the dot, her eyes were wide open and ready for the day's activity. She had taken her annual leave from work when she was to get married so she didn't have to go to work. Although they had no honeymoon planned Jessica still took the leave to spend time with her husband when she got married. She stood up and decided to arrange her things. Yesterday after dinner she wanted to arrange them but she
Startled by a strange voice Jessica turns around to find Xavier in a house coat, his hair all messy and him looking sexy. She decides that lying was a bad thing since her young days at the orphanage home. Her husband was looking breathtaking. "Good morning," he said looking at her. His voice was husky and a bit rough probably because he just woke up. "Good morning," she said pulling herself together. His voice was drawing her attention greatly. "Can we talk now?" he asked. Roselle bows and leaves them to be. Anyone could tell that the two of them were not together so they might have a lot to talk about. So Roselle left, she had a great urge to protect Xavier so she was wary of anyone who came close to him. She knew how his parents died and the public suspected that there was a killer but the police investigation ended as an accident. With the culprit caught everything was closed quietly but it put a big hole in the spirits of those left behind. "Yes sure" Jessica responded.She
Hello Guys this is the final chapter. I want to first appreciate everyone who has read this book, who had supported, commented, voted and called me order when I did not update for such a long time. Thank you so much for being such a support in these times. As this work comes to an end I hope you support me in upcoming works. This free Chapter is for you."Joshua we would be late" Aletta screamed from the bottom of the stairs. "Honey are we using our government names now?" Joshua screamed back at her. "Joshua you know I do not like being late for any of these events" Aletta screamed back at him. Altetta paced back and forth at the bottom of the stairs. "You know you should not be screaming while you are this pregnant"Joshua said as he came down the stairs with his daughter in his hands. "If you had come down earlier then I would have had no reason to scream that much" she retorted and he smiled. "It was my little pumpkin here who kept me waiting" Joshua replied as he got to stand b
"I am so happy for you, this is finally happening," Aletta said holding the arms of Jeanne excited."I am excited but also nervous very nervous does anyone have calming pills?" Jeanne said slipping her hands off Aletta's hand and feeling the sweat on her palm."Calm down, it's just you and Thiago, everyone else is just like a rock. I promise you once you get on that altar every of that nervousness would be gone" Aletta continued. "Thank you," Jeanne said sarcastically."Are you nervous because its mu brother? I can help you run away from this right now" Nichole suggested and Alethea rolled her eyes. "Are all sisters this way? This was the same advice you gave Aletta the other day" Alethea said and Jeanne shook her head. "How can I leave, I have been dreaming of this day" Jeanne replied. "Then calm down even though I don't know why you would dream of marrying my brother but we all choose our battles I guess" Nichole shrugged as she sat down."Nichole" Aletta chastised because she k
"You have to get to work" Aletta said rubbing the hand of Joshua gently. They had arrived back from their honeymoon over the weekend and this Monday morning was the first time Joshua was going back to work after the wedding."Can't I just lay down here with you all day?" he said taking out her hand and pulling her down to his level."You kept saying that and prolonged the honeymoon by two weeks,""Call me a criminal for wanting to spend time with my wife, I am getting the feeling that you do not want to spend any time with me" Joshua said opening one eye and giving her a judging look. "Joshua, you know that is not true, so get up now""You are no longer my assistant, you are supposed to be begging me to stay a bit more with you""What makes you think I don't want to do that?" Aletta asked taking his dishevelled morning hair back from his face."Because you keep urging me to get back to work so quickly, it's like you can't wait to get rid of me" Joshua took his head back to the pillow
"Mom don't cry again, you might get a serious headache at this rate," Aletta said rubbing the back of her mother while in a hug. The entire wedding was over already and the whole family was seeing the couple off as they were going directly to the airport for their honeymoon. "Come on, at this rate they might miss their flight" Leon said trying to pull Eunice off her daughter. She had been bawling the entire ceremony, if someone saw her they would think it was a sad occasion. "My daughter," Eunice said as she finally pulled away and took a step back. "I am so happy and so proud of you because you managed or find love for yourself even after everything" Eunice sniffled and smiled. "Thank you, Mom," Aletta said with a smile. "You better get going now" Jessica said stepping forward."We are on our way now" Joshua said pulling open the door and gesturing for Aletta to get in."Call us when you get there" Jessica called after the shut door."Do not call us" Xavier said as if he was giv
"I was always unsure about how I felt about you, You were always around me, taking care of me and I felt anxious whenever you were out of sight. A little secret that was the reason I always made you work overtime even when it was not necessary" Joshua said and there was a burst of small laughter across the room.They were both standing in from of the priest and altar but they had decided to take their custom written vows there. Joshua cleared his throat and looked up from his paper to stare at Aletta whose eyes never left his face. He flashed a small warm mile to her and she returned it."I never realized my feelings for you until you made that drunken confession that night that caused us to go into a relationship. I had always thought about marriage but for me, it was the only way for me to make children that would take over the company one day, being with you makes me so excited to think of waking up every morning with you by my side, I think of planting kisses on your lips and spend
"Are you feeling nervous?" Alethea asked Aletta who was sitting in the waiting room with her shaky hands. "Yes I am, who wouldn't be?" Aletta asked as she closed her eyes to steady her breath. "I mean you are very right, who would like to marry my annoying brother, as much as I would like to call you my sister in law I can help you escape if you wish to" Jeanne chimed in. "Thank you so much for the suggestion, I am nervous about this and not rethinking my decision. I can't wait to be married to him" Aletta said as her eyes shot open. "Ew" Jeanne said as she gaged. " What do you see in him?" she added as she picked at her nails. "Everything I want to see" Aletta added. "Jeanne stop trying to put ideas in her head" Jessica cautioned coming towards them. "What did I do?" Jeanne whined."I heard what you said" Jessica replied giving Jeanne a warning look. Jesica knew that her daughter was playing around but she did not want Aletta taking any of the words to heart. "I know I have s
"Mom's boyfriend would be here soon," Alethea said as she dropped the dish in her hand to the table. "I can not believe that I am being made to meet my mom's boyfriend at her age" "What I can not believe is that she can't order out but is making us to make food for him"Alethea whined as she moved back to the kitchen."What is even more crazy is that she is in a relationship again" Aletta exclaimed as she moved behind Alethea. "Don't get me wrong I guess I am glad she is finding love again" "Same here, if she is happy then there is no issue. Love is in the air" Aleteha added coming back to the table "So why don't you have anyone to share the love with?" Aletta asked. They were making the last trip from the kitchen to the table. "Says you? Who told you that I do not have someone to share this love with?" Alethea said dragging out her sentence and a weird smile climbing her face."Alethea you are hiding something from me" Aletta said going to clutch her sister's hand. "Spill now" sh
Aletta and Joshua tried to reach Anette and Richard but it was as if they had fallen off the radar. "At least we tried" Aletta said as she set down the phone to the table. "Happy now?" Joshua asked and she nodded. "I guess I have to get going now" she said taking up her phone from the table."Where to? You just got here" Joshua was sad because they had finalized her resignation and she had not been around him like he wanted her to be. He was happy regardless that she was doing what she loved. "I have to go finalize things with HR on hiring your new assistant and then I have to go shopping with your mom and sister" Aletta explained. "Can we at least have dinner together?" Joshua asked and started expressing shock when he saw the expression on her face. "We can not? I barely see you anymore these days" he whined like a child who was cheated of having any ice cream. "I am having dinner with my family, mom is introducing her boyfriend to us today and honestly, I love spending time wi
"Did you hear about Anette?" Aletta asked as she pushed the jar of pickles into the hands of Joshua. They had picked a date for the wedding and it was in three weeks. They were having one of the date nights where they stayed back home and cooked for each other. "What happened to her?" Joshua asked. Anette shook her head in bewilderment, how could this man be so oblivious to everything happening around him?"Have you seen her in a while?" Aletta asked. She wanted to know how much he did not know. "Well, since that day she came to our house, I did not think much of it when I did not see her again," Joshua said truthfully before taking off the lid of the jar. "But you know she called off her wedding and left the country so abruptly with Richard?" Aletta asked hoping that he at least knew about that fact. Yes, Anette did hurt them all but it would be too mean to not care about her when she had sincerely apologized."Maybe they did not want the wedding again?" Joshua asked shrugging. Al