We Are Married

“Annabelle, I messed up,” Olivia said, blaming herself. 

She couldn't overcome the feeling of stupidity that overwhelmed her. She forgot the dialogues she had learned from movies and dramas and the ones Annabelle had taught her. She remembered everything the moment she arrived at Annabelle's apartment. 

Annabelle chuckled at Olivia's reaction. Somehow, she felt happy about the fact that Olivia was recovering from the heartbreak. 

“You sounded more like yourself, girl,” Annabelle paused. “There is no need to beat yourself up over it. If it doesn't go well, we can look for another man,” she assured Olivia. 

“No. I prefer Alden. He is a simple guy, unlike other men I have met,” she protested against Annabelle's words. 

“Okay, no problem. You can try—”

Annabelle's statement was cut off by the sudden ringing of Olivia's phone. Olivia hesitated before picking up the call, wondering who the caller might be. 

“I am Mr. Kendrick's secretary. I am calling to inform you that my boss would like to treat you to a meal,” the caller said. 

Olivia turned to look at Annabelle, who nodded slowly, giving her the go-ahead sign. 

She cleared her throat before she spoke up. “Send me the location of the restaurant where we are meeting,” she hung up, not waiting for the caller's response. 

“Annabelle, Alden wants to treat me to a meal. He just asked for a date, right?” Olivia asked with a faint smile on her face. 

“Yeah. You have to do better this time,” Annabelle said. Olivia chuckled before she left the room. 

She headed to the bathroom and took her bath hurriedly. She came out of the bathroom ten minutes later. 

Annabelle, who was already waiting for her in the bedroom with a dress and makeup on the bed, stood up and walked up to her. 

“Olivia, put on this dress. You have to look seductive and beautiful,” Annabelle convinced her. 

She heaved a sigh as she stared at the pink bodycon gown. She sat down, letting Annabelle work her magic on her face. 

After Annabelle was done applying the makeup on her face, she helped her dress up. 

“I am running out of time, Annabelle,” after she was done dressing up, she put on the black stiletto heels before she headed out of the bedroom. 

She checked her phone for the address. It was a restaurant she was familiar with. She boarded a taxi to the restaurant. 

It took her 45 minutes before she arrived at the restaurant. She paid the driver before walking into the restaurant. 

“Good day. I am Olivia, Mr. Kendrick's guest,” before the waitress could talk, she introduced herself. 

“He is in VIP room no. 2,” the waitress informed her. 

Without hesitation, she headed to the room, which was only reserved for VIPs who hated eating in a crowd. She wondered why he was eating in a VIP room when he was fond of eating in a local restaurant. 

“Oh, you are here,” he stood up and drew a chair out for her to sit. 

She smiled cutely before she sat down and crossed her legs, revealing part of her thighs. “Thank you,” she said after she sat down. 

“Have you finally agreed to marry me, Mr. Kendrick?” She asked first before he could say anything. 

Alden hesitated before he replied, “There is no need to marry you. We are already married. We got married three years ago,” he said, sounding serious, but the look on his face stated otherwise. He was smiling as if what he just said was a joke. 

“You are so fond of making jokes, Mr. Kendrick,” she chuckled at his words. 

“I am serious. It will be obvious that our marriage is fake if we get married all of a sudden. Since all of it is fake, let's make everyone believe I am your hidden husband. We got married three years ago in Country D,” he explained, confusing her. 

“What if my ex-husband shows up and proves our marriage is fake? Won't that make me a bitch?” She asked, playing with her pretty hands. 

“Your ex-husband will only show up if he wishes for death. Also, who will believe we have known each other for so long after all this time of being away? And the fact that everyone knew you were married?” He replied to her with questions. 

Olivia bit her lips, unsure of what to do. Alden was right, but what if everything goes wrong and she ends up like last time?

She directed her gaze to meet Alden's beautiful hazel eyes. There was no ounce of worry in Alden's eyes. It was the most beautiful eyes she had ever seen. She could swear about that. 

“Will you stop staring at me and speak?” 

His voice made her snap out of her admiration. “We have been married for the past three years. You are my hidden husband, and I am the woman you didn't want anyone to know about, deal?”

“Deal,” he said, stretching his hand forward for a handshake. “My secretary will send you the contract—”

“Don't worry, I will send you the contract. Review it and send me feedback.” With that, she stood up and left. 

Alden's lips curled into a dark smirk as he watched her leave. He stood up and left too. 

After paying for the bills, he drove out of the restaurant. He drove off to Grandma Katherine's mansion. 

….

Inside the living room, Grandma Katherine was going through her favorite magazine when her only surviving son came to interrupt her. 

She raised her gaze to stare at him, her expression the same as ever. Every time she looked at her son, she wished to strangle him to death. 

“Ryan, what is it?” She asked coldly, irritated by his presence. 

“Mom! I heard you are going to hand over the company to Alden, is that true?” Ryan asked curiously. 

She hesitated before she replied, “Yes, I was going to hand over the Crawford group to him. Is there any problem with that?”

“But mom, why can't it be me or my daughter who has spent ten years assisting you?” He asked sadly. “Are you doing this because of the past? Can't you forget about the past and give me a chance?” 

“A chance? You deserve no chance, you heartless devil! You killed your brother and his wife, yet you have the guts to desire the company that was supposed to be his?” Tears streamed down her face as she was reminded of the past. “None of your generation will get a penny from the Crawford group! Live like a sinner because you don't deserve a normal life, Ryan!”

“Mom, do you think the board members will agree to your decision when everyone knows Alden is gay?” He asked, anger laced in his voice. 

Grandma Katherine burst into laughter at her son's words. “That is supposed to be the least of your worries because I know the true story behind everything, you monster!”

“Mom–”

Ryan's statements were cut off the moment Alden walked in. He stared at his grandma and then his uncle before he asked, “Did I miss anything?”

“No, you didn't,” Grandma Katherine replied, sounding unusual. 

Alden smiled before he sat on the couch, closer to Grandma Katherine. “Grandma,” he called for her attention. “I have a wife,” he informed her. 

Ryan and Grandma Katherine blinked their eyes in amusement. They were caught off guard by Alden's shocking confession. 

“We've been married for three years now. We got married in Country D. She kept my identity hidden, and I pretended we weren't married,” Alden added. 

Grandma Katherine tried her best not to sound awkward before she asked, “Who is that wife of yours, and why didn't you tell me all these years?”

“She is Olivia Jaden. She decided we should keep it hidden except for her father, who knew about us. I am sorry that I am just informing you,” He replied, sounding guilty. 

Ryan burst into laughter at Alden's words. He directed his gaze to meet Alden's eyes before he questioned, “Why are you telling us now? Did you think Grandma Katherine is dumb? Alden, instead of a fake marriage, why not choose an arranged marriage?”