5— Introduced as his wife

Calvin's POV

Another day to stand in front of the media. I smacked my lips at the thought. Just like the usuals when I have an interview to attend. The only difference was, I'd be shocking them today.

And putting an end to the goddamn rumours. I was one to uphold all my values. How could anyone try to bring me down by spreading false rumors?

And I'd do anything to show them the rumours were fake— and which was showing my wife to the media. At that, a chuckle spread over my lips but at the clicking of shoes, my face went back to normal.

A floral scented perfume filled my nostrils and raising my head, I stopped at the captivation. Gorgeous red hair curled down and reached her shoulders. What? How could a hair shine so bright?

Did I… how'd I miss the colour of her hair yesterday.

There Cora was. And slowly my eyes moved down her body. She wasn't putting on the red dress I got but I think I like it. Because in a small top and high waist trousers and a black jacket, she looked exactly like she was made to stand by my side.

“Good morning even though you don't deserve it,” she said and settled opposite me and I was suddenly aware of who she was.

She was the insane woman that wanted to force me into apologizing when I stated only the fact for her yesterday.

“That's not a nice way to greet your husband,” I stated and watched as she dug into her food.

“What is the purpose of going out with you, today?”

“You don't get to ignore my words,” something close to anger coated my voice. I was the one who gave money out to get married to her. I should have control over her, not the other way round.

She stopped eating for a second and raised her head to me, “I did some research on you and I was told you have values. I bet respect isn't one of them.”

I shut my eyes, irritation stirring through me. I told Aurelia to give me the softest girl. I didn't know I'd get a woman who would be exchanging words with me. “Are you sure you were supposed to be my bride?”

At my question, I saw her pause before she rolled her eyes, “why? You expected someone with no voice of her own?”

She had the greatest comebacks. “If you want this to last, you should watch how you talk to me.” I stated and stood. She opened her mouth to speak but I was already heading out.

She was a pain in my head and a part of me knew I should have apologised for being late but that should have been on my own accord. Not her telling me to.

Goddamn it. My spirit wasn't ready for all of this.

In no time, I reached my car and waited minutes before she joined me. “I said where are we going?”

“For a party. I'll be introducing you to the media.”

“Okay,” she shrugged and relaxed into the car seat and I forced myself not to stare at her because all of her actions were like trained. She was always standing tall and even sitting down and holding her handbag, her composure was standard.

My driver ignited the engine and in no time, we were on our way. Minutes later, the car was stopping in one of the famous lounges, and as expected, the paparazzi came rushing towards us.

“Now, it starts from here,” I turned to Cora, “You act like my bride from now on.”

“Alright,” she gave a forced smile and I watched as the driver came to open the door and I got down. Cameras flashed as I got down with my face straight.

Walking to the other side, I scoffed at the idea of being the person to open the door but I did anyway and there, Cora gave me her hand and she got out, a radiant smile on her face.

“What? Who's that?”

“A female with Mr Calvin?”

“Mr Calvin, who's that?”

“You look very pretty,” I muttered and took Cora's hand and slowly took my lips to her hand and just like the texture of her lips yesterday, her hand was also soft.

She flashed me another smile and I took her hand, heading inside the lounge.

Cameras clicked behind and beside us and different questions filled my ears but I wasn't even interested in answering. Me holding this female in my arms will be the answer.

“You know you look quite hostile. Are you sure they'll believe?”

“They'll know it's fake if I do too much,” I answered Cora. I've not had a female close to me that much in about 5 years. Doing too much will make them question it.

“Mr Calvin!” A voice called as we reached the insides of the lounge, drawing attention to us and Cora didn't even seem bothered.

“Who —” the old woman turned to her colleagues, “who's this?”

“Cora,” I pulled her closer to me, “Meet Cora, my newly wedded bride.”

“What?” I watched as the woman's eyes rushed down Cora's fingers and she was more surprised seeing the ring. “You got married?”

“Yes,” I turned to Cora and she wore a perfect, genuine and quite shy smile that I'd have believed was real.

“She wanted something small. Now that's enough introduction.”

“Yes,” Cora chipped, “Nice to meet you Mrs—”

“Rodriguez,” the woman seemed surprised but she took Cora's firm handshake and Cora waved at the rest of the women who stared at her like she wasn't real.

Those were the ones that believed the false rumours. Now, I have to meet the mastermind.

“Is there something I'm missing here?” Cora whispered to me and I paused.

“Like what?”

“They're all in shock. Do they think you're a player and can never marry or what?”

“Something close to that.” It wasn't time for her to know the reason for the marriage.

“Oh,” she drawled, “I'd think the same too. You don't know how to treat women after all.”

“You—” I wanted to say before my eyes rested on the goddamn idiot. The one who saw me as a challenge right from childhood.

“Calvin?”

“Oh Jayden,” I turned to him, my arms tight around Cora, “how has the party been going?”

“Got a girl for hook-up?” He knowingly asked and before I could say a word, Cora beat me to it.

“No of course not, my husband is better than that. He got married to me,” she flashed her ring exactly like I wanted and Jayden's jaw dropped before he burst out laughing.

“Is this a joke?”

The idiot. Thinks everything is funny?

“Maybe since you don't take things seriously,” I shrugged, “at least now, there'll be no rumour anyone can use against me.”

“Really?” Jayden took a step towards me, “nice try. At least it's good for the paparazzi. You really use your brain,” he smiled and reached us, “but I hope you don't lose more with your tactics.”

“Tactics? What tactic?” Cora asked and he rolled his eyes.

“We all know this ain't real.”

“What do you mean?” Cora asked and turned to me and before I could grab it, she grabbed my collar and pulled me to herself and at once her lips went on mine.

And fuck it. I hate to agree I liked that.