~ NINE ~

"Here's the list." I dropped his pen on the table then stretched my hands forwards to give the folded paper to Kaiden.

"What list?" He lifted an eyebrow, tugging at his collar.

"The list of the things I'll need you to get for me." I shook the paper, indicating that he was to collect it.

After a suspicious glance, he took the paper from me then unfolded, glancing through it's content. "Fair enough." He slipped it into his suit coat's pocket.

"Yeah." I nodded. "I guess I gotta leave now, right?"

"Of course." He said with a deep voice. "Your presence here already ruined the atmosphere of this room." He scoffed.

"You wish." I frowned. "I have to get ready for your so-called party." I rolled my eyes. "I still love you and you'll realize that soon."

He acted like he didn't hear me when it was crystal clear that he did. He whistled as he walked away, walking to his bed.

I left the room for my room which was formerly known as 'our' room. Sleeping without Kaiden by my side felt so torturous. I know it was only a few days we shared a room, but I loved it. The room felt so empty without him. Nevertheless, I didn't regret my action of sending those women off. He never came home with any woman after that.

I had to use the lift to go to my room. Kaiden's room was on the 3rd floor after the ground floor while mine was on the 1st floor after the ground floor.

After getting out of the elevator, I rushed to my room.

I had a nice bath. Took my time? Yeah. Afterwards, I applied my skin and hair care products, wore a beautiful floor-sweeping red gown that Kaiden had bought for me; I was certain that it cost a billion dollars, with matching silver heels and a silver clutch.

My makeup artist was summoned upstairs to perform his magic on my face and he made me look exceptionally beautiful. I brushed my long black hair backwards then left for the living room.

"Glad you took forever." Kaiden commented sarcastically. He couldn't even say beautiful words to me? How mean of a husband.

"Man, you're so tall. Even after these high heels, you're still taller than me?" I smiled, raising my head to stare into his dumb eyes that I could be lost in forever.

"If you're done staring and saying shit, can we get going? I bet we're late for a party that's hosted for us!" He threw his hands up in the air.

I wasn't ready to get into an argument with him so I remained quiet then we left the house. Our limousine already awaited us. Felt so good to be rich!

***

~ KAIDEN ~

The limousine stopped in front of the building then bouncers were already by the door. The Chauffeur hurried to open the car door for us.

The flashes and sound from different cameras around us already, ready to or already taking pictures of us.

I was the first to step out of the limousine and I wore my fake-outdoor smile. Kealey took a little longer before she got out of the limousine as well, holding her gown in her hand.

I held her hand then planted a kiss on her knuckles. The noises from the people around us increased and more sounds of photos being taken. I helped her stand straight then snaked an arm around her. I also placed a kiss on her cheek and that made her blush. Dumb.

We did a few poses for the people as the bouncers did a great job in keeping them away from touching us or reaching us.

"When did you meet Mrs Coleman?"

—"How did you two keep your relationship a secret from the internet?"

—"How did you stop being a Playboy?"

—"What are your plans for your marriage? Is it true that your wife was your maid's sister?"

Different questions kept popping in from the press as we walked on the red carpet that led into the Hall.

"Was your marriage arranged? Do you love your wife genuinely? Is she after your money? How will—" With a frown, I cut the woman off from being so stupid.

"I love my wife very much, she's not after my money. My wife and I are very happy and we look forward to a better marriage. Thank you!" I said, increasing the flashes from cameras, phones, etc.

Kealey obviously looked nervous at what was going on around her. It was totally expected as this was her first time. I held her hand then squeezed it slightly.

She looked at our hands before raising her head to my face. I nodded then continued to walk in with her.

The people in the hall were much more classy so I didn't expect the people to be so questioning.

I heaved a sigh of relief then scanned the room for Dad. I spotted him with some men of his age group. He was grinning like crazy and shaking hands with them.

"I hope you didn't take any of the words I said out there seriously. If you did, you need to have your brain checked." I whispered to her.

She smirked at me. "What goes in, doesn't come out. It made me blush like crazy and it'll forever remain in my head, heart, soul."

I rolled my eyes at her then we walked to my father.

"Kaiden!" I was right in front of him but he still felt the need to yell. I smiled then hugged him; something I wasn't going to do in Private.

"Hey, dad." I said after we stepped away from the hug. He held Kealey's shoulders then kissed her forehead.

"Dear, how're you?" He smiled at her. I couldn't tell how genuine that smile was because we were partners in wearing fake smiles.

"I'm good, Simon."

"Kealey!" A female voice screamed as two women and a young man approached us.

"Hi." Kealey smiled then pulled the two women into one hug. "Adalyn! George! Beth!" I'm glad y'all could make it here."

"It's Ella, not Adalyn." One of the women clarified.

"Oh, sorry." She apologized sheepishly.

"How're you?" The Man said then hugged Kealey.

The woman I recognized as Ella kept twirling a few strands of her hair around her index finger and staring at me seductively as Kealey exchanged words with the other two. If I guessed right, she was Kealey's friend. Why was she staring at me with those lust-filled eyes?

I couldn't see Layla anywhere here? Was she avoiding me? She quit her job without talking to me directly. Didn't Kealey call her?

"Is Mom here?" I asked my dad, looking around.

"Nope. Your mother is still in Canada. She's extremely mad at you; concerning all this wedding drama and all." He shrugged, immediately turning around to acknowledge the greeting of some familiar people.

***

We were all seated around this large black and circular table by the center, ingesting our meal.

For some reason, Kealey had been very quiet tonight. I had expected her to use this as a means to touch me and pretend like we were the happiest couple but she was instead talking with her friends and going in a trance at different intervals.

Ella didn't stop staring at me and it was seriously starting to irritate me. Viewing it from the positive side, I could hit on her after the party, get a hotel… shit! I needed a break from women.

I cast a glance at Kealey then looked away but my eyes had to return to her because she seemed lost, staring above the head of Beth.

"Kealey?" I called. No response. I tapped her hand. Kealey still didn't respond to me. I followed her gaze. She was staring at a man with high intensity. He looked 'not classy, not hot'. Why was she staring at him so much?

I held her hand and it was very sweaty. She had her eyes in agape like she was in a state of total shock. It was bugging me, to be sincere. "Are you okay?"

"What's wrong, Kealey?" George asked, also noticing her shocked expression. He followed her gaze to the man. "Who's he?"

"Uh— where's the bathroom?" She stared at me. Her shocked expression made me curious, confused and a little worried.

"It's over there?" Beth jerked her thumb towards the direction of the bathroom. Of course, she had used the bathroom a billion times now.

Kealey nodded then got to her feet, pushing the chair backwards as she started to walk really fast to the bathroom.

"What's wrong with her?" George asked me, like I could read minds.

"I clearly don't know." I furrowed my eyebrows.

We continued to eat our food. Dad came back from wherever it was he had gone to then took his seat with an after-smile look on.

"Where's Kealey?" He noticed.

"She went to use the washroom." I said.

"Oh, okay." He continued eating his food as well.

Everyone was having something to talk about in-between the meal. It was great to talk to people I knew nothing about. Beth was very jovial and was making everyone laugh.

Ella looked lost as she stared blankly, blinking. What was wrong with her? After a moment, she blinked twice then stared around. "Oh." She muttered.

I smirked at her then gave her a flirty look. This time, she furrowed her eyebrows. She looked confused and irritated by me at my gesture. What? She started with the lustful signals. What was with the change in attitude.

It was a while already but Kealey hadn't come out of the bathroom. It made me worried, a bit. It was more than a quarter of an hour but she was still in the bathroom.

"What's taking Kealey so long?" Dad asked.

"I'll check up on her." I volunteered then got up, placing my spoon on my plate.

"Ouuu, it seems like the lover boy misses his wife already." Beth teased and I rolled my eyes at her.

I left for the ladies' bathroom. As I was closer to the bathroom, I was hearing screaming noises— wait, Kealey's voice!

Why was Kealey screaming? She sounded like she was in trouble or something. I immediately started running.

A/N: Hello people, sorry for the later updates. I was having a Writer's block but that had to end on seeing your beautiful comments. Ha-ha. I love you guys.

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