"I don't like when other man touches what is mine." He whispered in deep voice, his blue eyes sparkled with jealousy and possession. "I am not your possession, Ashton. Remember, we're married only on the papers." I somehow said as his intimidating personality loomed over me. I could hear our heartbeats. "I don't give a fuck to those papers, Valeria. You're my wife and the whole world must know this." Saying this, he buried his face in the crook of my neck and kissed there. Butterflies erupted in my stomach. He was off reach and forbidden. He was my ex-fiance's uncle. But he was my husband. Everything changed for Valeria Miller when her boyfriend left her waiting on the aisle and his uncle stepped up to save her from the shame. Their marriage was fixed on the last minute, it shouldn't be permanent. But Ashton had other thoughts in his mind. He wanted Valeria forever.
View More[ Valeria ]
I gave myself a once over in the giant mirror and exhaled deeply. I had to force out all the nervousness which was building in my system. It was messing up with my brain and my emotions.
It didn't help either.
I was getting impatient and terrified as the clock ticked forward.
My wedding supposed to take place at eleven but now it's past twelve.
I stared at my reflection in the mirror. I was a bride, dressed in a beautiful white gown which I and Liam picked together a week ago. Everything seemed like a fairy tale.
Finally, I was getting married to my boyfriend whom I dated for two years. He was everything a girl wishes in her life partner. A charmingly handsome man who swiped me off my feet on our first meeting in a cousin's wedding.
I was only twenty two, my friends advised me to wait for another few years but I just wanted to be with Liam and devote myself to him.
A knock on the door put a break on my turbulent emotions. I craned my neck slightly. My father was standing at the door with a grim expression on his face.
My heart sank but I couldn't give up.
"He hasn't arrived yet, Val. The guests started whispering." He said in a calm yet angered voice.
I slowly walked up to him and held his shoulders. My family was against this marriage since the beginning but I convinced them that Liam is a nice person who loves me.
"Dad, he must be stuck in the traffic. You know our city and it's transport system." I tried to make a suitable reason for my groom, who hadn’t arrived yet.
"His family is here, Val. They are avoiding to answer. Do you still think that he wants to marry you?" My Dad gave me the look I dreaded.
"What are you saying, Dad? He proposed me in front of everyone. You were there. Of course, he wants to marry me." I defended Liam.
"We'll wait for another 30 minutes and then I'll call the wedding off, Val. People are talking about us. I don't want to be a subject of mockery. Your stubbornness already strained our relationship with Rodriguez family. They have been against this relationship that you and their son wants to tie." Dad shook his head.
My heartbeats accelerated.
"You can't do that!" I shouted.
"Your father is right, Valeria. We have to call off this wedding because your groom-" My mother's voice interrupted our conversation.
My gaze shifted on her. Her beautiful eyes were glossy.
"Mom, don't start like Dad. I talked to Liam in the morning. He's as excited as I am for this wedding. We love each other." I ranted. My heart wasn't ready to accept the present scenario.
"He called his parents. They informed us that Liam flew from the country with his secretary whom he got pregnant. I am sorry, my child but you have to accept the truth. That bastard betrayed you in the worst way possible." Mom broke into tears.
I staggered back. Her words resonated in my ears.
"No..no..you must have..misheard them. My Liam can never betray me." I shouted.
All the moments I and Liam spent together begun to play like a film in my mind.
"I warned you since the beginning, Val. He is a womanizer but your silly heart clouded your judgment. He ruined your life, Val. He left a taint on our reputation." Dad said in frustration but I ignored him and dialled Liam's number.
His phone was switched off. I dialled again but same response.
Multiple footsteps approached the room. Mom was sniffing silently whereas I was unable to react.
I was numb. My brain failed to process anything and an agonizing pain surged through my chest.
"James, we need to talk." Mr. Jason Rodriguez, Liam's father said to my Dad.
He sounded pissed off.
"What do you want to talk about now, Jason?" Dad yelled on him.
"Keep your voice down, Mr. Miller, we're not your servants." Vivienne, Liam's mother reprimanded my father.
Unlike everyone, she looked calm and unaffected. She never liked me neither her daughters. They thought my family was a gold digger as my father's business faced a rough time recently and the reason I dated Liam so we could use them as ladder to overcome our financial crisis.
"Liam dumped my daughter on the wedding day and you want us to act loke nothing has happened. Do you even hear yourself?" Dad threw his hands in the air.
"The damage is done, James. We can't do anything. My son must be flying by now. We have to make the announcement before our guests make a scene of our reputation. I am ready take the blame of my son's fault." Jason said, he sounded ashamed.
"Nonsense, we can't do that. It will reflect on our image, Jason and we have more respect in the society than these Millers. This girl has to take all the blame on her." Doris pointed her finger on me.
The woman had gone insane. Her son broke my heart, made a fool of me and she wanted me to apologize to our hypocrite society for Liam's fault.
Couldn't she see my pain?
"My daughter won't do such thing. We'll expose your son in front of everyone." Dad argued.
"No, James, it will destroy us. We can talk and find a middle way." Jason tried to convince my father.
"Is there any middle way, Mr. Rodriguez?" I chuckled humorlessly and wiped my tears despite the excruciating pain in my heart.
"Valeria, I'm really ashamed of my son. You don't deserve any of this." Jason sounded regretting but it didn't lessen my pain.
"I need some time alone. Please don't come after me and do whatever you want to cover up for Liam." I said and stormed out of the room.
The decorations and lighting, everything seemed to mock at me. I ran from there, I felt suffocated. My fate played a cruel joke on me. Tears blurred my vision. I didn't care if I resembled a zombie or the passing by people gave me a weird look.
I ran out in the open cemetery behind the chapel. The quietness in the air gave me the much needed environment to unleash my wounded emotions.
I fell down on the grass and cried.
"Why did you do this to me, Liam? I love you with every fibre in my body. I worshipped you. I was ready to fight the world for you. What am I going to say to everyone who is here to witness our union? You made a fool of me and our families." I shouted because there was no one to hear my agony.
"We can still save our reputation, Valeria."
A deep but smooth manly voice floated in the air. I stopped crying and turned to face the person who just disturbed me.
There he was, the famous businessman man, Ashton Rodriguez standing at a distance with an emotioless face but his beautiful grey eyes were soft.
"Excuse me?" I frowned at him.
He stepped forward with slow steps.
"We can save our families from being ridiculed, Valeria. I may hate my cousin and his useless son but I love our family's reputation. Rodriguez are the ruler of this city. You can't deny the fact." He said with pride dripping from his tone.
He was Liam's uncle, the most desirable bachelor in the country. I met him only once but he couldn't be forgotten easily.
"If you're here to brag about your family's wealth and power then don't be my guest. Liam have already given me enough scars to regret till my last breath." I said coldly and wiped my tears.
"Think about your family, Valeria. Your father's business will suffer more than he has already on his plate. Your impulsive decision already caused him great stress, don't kill the old man." He said as a matter of fact.
I looked down in shame. My whole family was suffering and I was the one to be blamed.
"Marry me, Valeria. We can save the family from the shame and help each other." He said with confidence but I felt like the earth slipped under my feet.
"What?" I exclaimed.
He looked confident.
"Marry me, Valeria and save your father from going bankrupt. I will invest in your father's company and you can help me to escape my family's constant pressure for marriage. You see, I turned thirty four recently. People think I'm impotent and it displeased my family. I want to break the notion." He said each word very calmly.
"This is insane, Ashton. Marriage isn't a joke. I can't accept your proposal. I don't even know you except your name and you're Liam's uncle. I am much younger than you." I voiced out my disagreement.
He winced on my last sentence.
"You're not a child either, Valeria. You were ready to marry a thirty years old guy but you have problem with me. Besides, we don't need to know each other. This is a marriage of convenience. If I don't help your father, you know very well that you all will be on streets sooner. Think wisely, you can still correct your mistakes. If you're ready then meet me in next ten minutes at the back entrance." Saying this, he turned and walked out of the cemetery.
[ Valeria ] “Watch out! You’ll miss the shot, Alex.” I shouted and the boy kicked the ball and hit a goal against his father.I clapped for him and the duo walked back to me, both sweating and huffing under the sun.“I beat him, Val. I am getting better in my soccer game.” Alex exclaimed with pride.“I am sure one day you’ll become a great star in future.” I ruffled his hairs and handed them water as they sat down under the shady tree.“How are you feeling, love?” Ashton, my loving husband asked me with concern.“Boring, I want these exams to be over as soon as possible because I want three of us to go for a trip.” I pouted and closed the book I was reading for my final exams.“You’ll do great, Val. We have full trust in you.” he smiled and pulled me close.“I want to attend your graduation ceremony, Val.” Alex said. The boy looks more like his father as he is growing.“Yes, you are coming there. I want all my loved ones to be a part of my most important day.” I smiled.“I can’t beli
[ Valeria ]“Val, I am again saying this, please, try to understand. It’s not as easy as you think. I will make double enemies that allies I have in present if I quit this mafia life and it will eventually put everyone’s life at risk.” Ashton again started with the same subject and I kissed his lips again to shut him.“You’re Ashton Rodriguez and I know you can do anything if you decide. So, stop thinking too much and make it clear to your father that you are ready to quit your job as his puppet. Jason can have everything he wants and it will also end the feud between you and your stepbrother.” I suggested him.He shook his head, “It’s not easy, Val. My father is the devil’s incarnation in human skin. He doesn’t like disobedience and you have seen his reaction. His fury can burn down everything.” He said and suddenly something strikes my mind.“What if the root of your fears will be removed forever? Who will be there to threat you after his death?” I raised my brow and his pupils dila
[ Valeria ]I was lost in my thoughts that I didn’t realise where I was walking and bumped into someone. Before I could fall and hurt myself on the grassy ground, two strong arms held me protectively.“Are you okay?” His soft voice forced me to look at him, his beautiful eyes showed concern and somewhere emptiness.It has been a week since he revealed his real identity to me and I avoided him as much as I could because I wanted to clear my mind before taking my next decision. I started my college and it gave me an excuse to not stay much at home and the rest of the time I spend with Alexander.“Yeah, I am good.” I slowly stood on my feet and looked away.The awkwardness could be felt between us. None of us dared to say anything. He gave me space for all this time, it was very unusual of him.“Can we walk? The weather is pleasant today.” He said after a moment of silence.“Okay.” I said quietly and in the next moment, he entwined our fingers. I was surprised at first but relaxed since
[ Valeria ]“What?”I blinked my eyes few times to confirm whether I heard him saying that he is into mafia but his grave facial expressions didn’t give any hint of a dream.“Yes, I am a mafia man, in simple words. This is the truth my family had been hiding for years and now you’re the wife of the American mafia.” He said without any filter to make it sound less shocking for me.“Look, Ashton, if you don’t want to tell me the truth, I get it. You don’t need to make a lame excuse.” I rolled my eyes and lashed at him bitterly.“I do not joke around, Valeria. You demanded the truth and I gave it to you. It’s up to you if you want to believe me or not. I run the illegal business under the nose of the government. This is a risky life I have been living since I met my father and he introduced me to his shady world. Perhaps, it was the biggest mistake of my life. You and Alexander are also a part of my life but I want to keep you both away from this shit.” He said and this time I had to bel
[ Valeria ]Many questions were running in my mind and I didn’t know how should I voice them to the man who was linked to my dilemma. After meeting his father, I learnt something which compelled me to judge my previous decisions. What kind of business they do? I know it wasn’t a simple talk. When I asked Ashton, he brushed it off by his silence and during the dinner, we ate without saying a word to each other and this invisible wall was getting into my nerves.My breath got hitched when two familiar hands wrapped around my belly from behind and Ashton’s expensive scent filled my senses. I immediately relaxed under his touch. His hot breath fell on my bare neck as he buried his face in the crook of my neck. His hands slowly made patterns on my tummy which left jitters inside me.“What are you doing here at this hour, Valeria?” He whispered in my ear.“I wasn’t feeling sleepy so I came here to spend some time alone.” I answered honestly.He slowly turned me around and his hazy eyes met
[ Ashton ]“Father, you know this is not possible, keep my son out of this.” I said in a low voice while trying to keep my anger at bay. This old man was testing my patience and sanity but he seemed to enjoy seeing me running out of options.“Why? One day or other, he must bear the name Rodriguez which comes with its responsibilities. You know everything since you agreed to be known by my name than your mother’s.” He reminded me of my ugly reality.I felt others smirking since the old man said something for their satisfaction.“Alright, I have a preposition. There’s always a solution even for the hardest situation.” I sighed and matched my father’s predatory gaze. He disliked being challenged but I also don’t give up since his bloods runs in my veins.“You’re saying you found a middle ground to reach on a compromise, interesante?” He raised his brow.“Jason can control twenty-five percent of the west coast trade. I’d not meddle in his dealings but he must not try to contact my custome
[ Ashton ]“Do not respond to any unnecessary questions if you feel uncomfortable to answer. Do you hear me?” I asked Valeria who was sweating beside me as we walked our way inside my father’s house.She meekly nodded her head, “I won’t but Doris and her daughters dislike me. they never wanted Liam to marry me, yet I am still a part of Rodriguez family and it’s my first meeting with them after the wedding.” She replied.“They won’t dare to raise a question or throw a taunt at you in my presence but you have to protect yourself from such sly people. No one can save you until you give them a leverage over you.” I advised her.Before she could answer, we were escorted to the living room where my father was expecting everyone and I guess we were the last one to arrive, or should I say, I deliberately took time to reach at the lion’s den.Very few people know that he is the one who pushed me into this complex world from where I can never escape but live a dual life.I won’t let Valeria and
[ Valeria ]“Okay, I got it. You won’t tell me anything but can we at least do some preparations before we visit Mr. Rodriguez, your father?” I broke the silence of long hours between us.He threw a side glance in my direction and again focused them on the computer screen. This man works tirelessly. Sometimes, I wonder if he’s a robot like a science fiction movie because he hardly sleeps for five to six hours.“We won’t be staying there for long so don’t over stress yourself and prepare for your interview. You’ll be working in my company as an intern for next six months so the company seniors will evaluate your skills and your growth. You’ll start from Monday.’ He said without looking up and I spit the juice I was slurping.“What?” I blinked my eyes widely at him but he hardly showed any expression.“I don’t think you have some hearing problems, Val. You heard me correctly so you should rather focus on your own life than the unnecessary events. You have nothing to concern about becaus
[ Valeria ]“You didn’t tell me, Val.” Ashton broke the silence with his raised brows and curious eyes darted on me whereas I was eating small portion of my food.What’s with my nickname?“Told you what?” I placed my fork down and gave him a confused look.“Your food preference. You didn’t tell me specifically when I asked you about your likes and dislikes in general.” He said.“I am not a picky eater so you don’t worry about my food preferences.” I told him in the briefest sentence because talking to him felt awkward.“That’s a good answer. Julia doesn’t like whiny eaters. She called me in the evening to know about your food habits so she can schedule our weekly meals.” He said and resumed eating.“Who is Julia?” I frowned.“Head cook in our house, she manages the kitchen.” He answered.I said nothing further because my mind was no less than a ball of yarn, tangled with many layers. This man is a mystery, he gives air to my curiosity but I have signed a legal agreement with him. I ha
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