Chapter 5

BRIELLE’S POV

I stood at the bottom of the stairs staring, speechless at Albert while battling a hangover. I haven’t been married for three days and I already regret my decision. I cannot even be upset as much as I wanted to, because the contract stated that we can live our normal lives and see other people and after five years we get a divorce and go our separate ways. 

Quietly I walked down to the dining table and poured myself a steaming cup of coffee. I picked an apple and returned back to my room. 

Just as I was about entering the bathroom to wash off the stench of alcohol that clung to my skin, the door fell open and Albert came in, with a lost look on his face.

“Brie, I want to explain what happened between me and Diana….”

“Is none of my business,” I interrupted. “This whole marriage is a sham, to the outside world you are married but between the both of us, you are as free as a bird. So you can impregnate as many women as you want, and I will not say a word.”

“It is nothing like that, you have to believe me,” he tried desperately to explain. I don’t see why he wants to explain anything to me or even talk to me. Since our wedding he has been giving me cold shoulder, ignoring me and acting like I do not exist, and now all of a sudden he wants to explain why he got another woman pregnant.

Did he think I would expose him?

“If you are worried that I would go on social media and rant or tell people about this, then you have nothing to fear. I will not tell a soul. This is your private business,” I tightened my robe around my body. “I am already late for work,” I said and started walking to the bathroom.

But I was spun around and pressed against the wall before I could get to the bathroom. “What are you doing?” I asked alarmed. 

“Just shut up and listen, would you?” his voice was a low growl, the peppermint of his breath fanned my face. I immediately looked away from his pool of eyes, so I don’t drown in them.

“This marriage might be contractual but it is not a sham and I owe you an explanation. A few days after our engagement, I got drunk and I woke up the next morning in bed with Diana. That whole night has been a complete blur till this very moment. I am surprised as you are about the baby stuff.”

All I really cared about was leaving, being this close to Albert was messing with me. “I need to take a shower,” I peeled out from under his hand and entered the bathroom.

By the time I finished with my bath and stepped out, he was gone. I quickly got dressed, put on a very light make up and left my room.

At the front door, one of the drivers followed me. “Ma’am the boss said I should drive you to wherever you are going to,” he screamed after me.

I wanted to reject the offer but immediately changed my mind, why spend money on a cab when my husband has fleet of cars in his garage?

******* 

“What do you think Brielle?” Rick, the director of the marketing department asked.

I looked up, surprised. In my three years working in the marketing department and attending all their long meetings, no one has ever asked me my opinion, much less Rick. Now that I was the wife of the CEO everyone wants to talk to me now and ask me questions and even invite me to karaoke.

I stood to my feet and cleared my throat. “Well, um, I think for this project we should work very collaborate with advertising department, to present our products to the consumers as not only essential but something they cannot do without……”

After the meeting, I went straight to my office desk, the director had taken me unawares I stuttered at some point, but everyone clapped for me. Which of course they would not have done if I weren’t Mrs. Stone now. I picked up my phone and saw a text from Rachel, my harebrained best friend.

Drinks tonight?

I smiled. Most definitely.

I set my phone down to return to doing my work, now that I have actual work that did not include buying coffee for Rick and picking up his dry cleaning.

The tap on my desk distracted me from my work, I looked up and was surprised to find Emily Stone, Albert’s younger sister glaring at me. As always she was dressed in style, with her beautiful, furry, brown coat and knee length black boots. She looked like a movie star.

Just like Rebecca, Emily also hated me although she has not being as open with her hatred like her mother.

“Meet me in Albert’s office,” she said and walked away almost immediately without waiting for my response. I sighed and followed after her.

Emily was perched on the table with her legs crossed, when I entered into the office. 

“Here,” her perfectly manicured fingers held out a white envelope.

 I narrowed my eyes at her as I took the envelope and ripped it open. My eyes widened in surprise as it landed on a cheque. I have never seen so many zeros on a cheque in my life. 

“What is this for?” I managed to ask, even though I had a good idea of what the cheque is for.

“I know all you want from my brother is money, so there I have given you money, I can give you more if that is not enough, but I need you to leave my brother,” she replied casually.

I scoffed, all the Stones are the same. Proud, arrogant, zero concern for anyone outside of themselves and they think that money can solve all their problems.

“I don’t need your brother’s money that is why I am still working even after getting married to him.”

“Oh cut your bullshit. Save this show for people that buy it. I know women like you, y’all are nothing but gold diggers.”

I don’t need to take this bullshit any more, I realized, I am the wife of a fucking billionaire.

I crossed my hand over my chest. “You know what I think Emily? I think you  should get a life, a job maybe to keep you busy. That way you would stop interfering with other people’s lives,” I started to walk away but paused at the door.

“And least I forget, I am the wife of a fricking billionaire, I don’t need handouts from you or anyone else for that matter.” I walked away, making sure to slam the door.

Unfortunately, Rachel cancelled at the last moment, so I had to drink alone at our favorite bar before heading home. If I was going to face Albert tonight, I need enough alcohol in my system. After I paid the bills for my drink, the driver drove me straight home.

I stood outside for a while staring at the door bell, afraid to go in. I did not want another confrontation, I just wanted to go straight to my room, take a shower and go to bed, without having to stumble upon Albert.

After a while, I rung the door bell, and almost immediately the door flew open, and I found a smiley faced Diana staring back at me.

“What are you doing here?” I snarled. I had the feeling that my night was about to go from bad to worse.

“Well, I live here now!” she squeaked in pure delight. “We were just about to have dinner,” she smiled.

I looked above her shoulder, to find a glum faced Albert.  He could not possibly do this to me.