“What I meant was that I would have felt better if I was getting married for real. To a man who loves me.” She said, as she dusted invisible specks of dust off her dress.Relieved, Steven let out a sigh. The last thing he needed was Marie getting attached to him. The only Marie he wanted in his life was the one who wore awful cardigans, and did her job well. “I asked because that's what you can expect the press to ask. You do know there will be interviews once we go public?”“Hold on Steven, you never said anything about going public. You said it was fake!” Marie spat.“ Fake, Marie. Not hidden. And the fakeness of it stays between us.”Her recurring terror was beginning to get on his nerves. If she had agreed to do this, why did she keep acting up?“I would feel better if we had this conversation with you sitting across from me like you always do.”“Nothing doing, Marie. I'm your husband now, you have to get used to being with me in close proximity.”“I thought that was in public wh
Reclining in his seat, Steven closed his eyes and massaged his temple with both hands. It was ironic that the woman who had started this whole act was beginning to act like a woman scorned. Was he the one who had walked up to her in a room full of people they worked with and entangled him in a passionate kiss? It was becoming annoying that he had to seduce her to get her into character, and that he had to deal with her tears and tantrums.He picked up his phone to text her when he saw Ellen, Head of Events at Alden Kings Inc. walk into his office with a worried expression on her face. “Sorry to bother you, Steven, I don’t have an appointment but I swear I heard muffled sobs as I walked past the bathroom just now and I think Marie is hurt.”“She is?” Steven said, injecting the right note of alarm into his voice as he stood and followed Ellen to the bathroom where Marie was crying.“Marie, honey. Are you hurt?” Steven asked as he knocked on the bathroom door. “No, thank you, Steven.
Marie saw the way Ellen had turned on Steven and bit back a laugh. Served him right for the way he had treated her earlier today. But if she was being honest, he had more than made up for it with the public announcement. Feeling sorry for him, she moved closer to him, poked his hair playfully and said,“Men. This one right here is in a class all by himself. Can’t even remember his social security number. But I don't mind. He pays me back in other ways.” Ellen’s look softened as she smiled at Marie.“I know what you mean. Been married for thirty years and he still can’t tell the birthday and anniversary apart.”“Just doesn’t come as easily for us.” Steven replied as he chuckled.“You know what Ellen, let’s do it.” Steven said, ignoring Marie who was shaking her head in disapproval.“Wow, that leaves me about three days. There’s so much to do but I’ll pull it off. Don’t worry, Marie…”“You really don’t have to…”, Marie began“Shhhhhhh baby, let her do this for us. You deserve it.” Stev
“So I haven’t been straight with you,” Steven said as Marie spooned a mouthful of risotto into her mouth. Marie closed her eyes as she savored the explosion of flavors in her mouth. Never in her life had she had risotto that had tasted this good. She opened her eyes to see Steven King staring at her with an amused expression on his face. Had she made an ugly sound? Did she have rice on her chin?“What?” She asked, rubbing her chin.“Nothing. I was saying that I haven’t been straight with you.”“Okay, how so?” Marie asked, her eyes boring holes into his.“After you kissed me at the party, I was ready to fire you because you know my rules but I got an email that made me rethink.”An email? Had he finally discovered her link to Alden King? Was this dinner some kind of malicious plot to deal with her? Oh God,what if he had poisoned her food? Marie felt her stomach flutter as the disturbing thoughts barraged her mind.“So, I know you’re going to be upset but..”Wait a minute. She was going
Marie winced as she recalled Sandra’s words from last night.“What do you mean you’re married to Steven King? He was my husband!” She had screamed as Marie had stood across from her pacing.The discussion had gone even worse than Marie had expected it to go, and she had prepared for the wrath that was sure to follow when she told Sandra about her and Steven King. Several times during their agreement last night, it had been on the tip of her tongue to tell her bestfriend that the marriage was fake, like hers had been but she had felt a kind of restraint not to. Besides, Steven had never touched Sandra after their kiss at the Notary's office but was going to be making public appearances with her.Marie had apologized a million times yesterday for loving Steven, and for marrying Steven. If she was being honest, Marie felt conflicted about Sandra's reaction. Sandra knew that about her giant crush on Steven King, and she didn't understand why her friend couldn't be happy for her.Last nig
There was no bloody way Steven King was serious about the box in her hand.“I told you that you would love it. Would you like to see it?” Steven asked, beckoning on her to follow him. Shaking her head, Marie tried to string a coherent sentence together.“Steven, you can't give me this. I can't accept it.” Acting like he hadn't heard a word she said, Steven King continued walking to where a shiny Navy blue BMW was parked.“I know you did not buy me a new car, Steven. Especially not an i8. Is this a joke?” Marie asked, standing hands akimbo.“I did, Mrs King. Want to take it for a spin?”“No! Here, take it back. I can't accept this, Steven.”“Why not? It's your birthday gift, Marie. I’ve never given you one. Consider it a culmination of the past years.” Steven said as Marie shook her head harder.Steven was rolling his eyes but she didn't care. He wasn't going to thrust this expensive car on her as a gift. It wasn't something she could return if he changed his mind. And besides, she did
“I don't want it, Steven. Honest.” Marie said, leaving forward and holding her hands together in a plea.“Why?” Steven asked in his usual dominating tone now that they were alone and there was no need to pretend.“I just don't. It's too expensive, Steven… I can't…”“Expensive? Marie, I know you were going to make a fuss about money and got an i8.”Was he serious? Had he been considering a more expensive car? She shuddered as the thought of owing him that much crossed her mind.“I just…can’t.” She said, dropping her eyes to her dress and wrapping her arms around herself. How could she make him understand? If he loved her, then maybe she would have been able to accept his gift but everything between them was fake. How could she accept gifts that were born out of a fake, and contractual marriage? What she wanted was for Steven to love her, not buy her expensive cars. Maybe she wanted both but she wanted his love more than any car. “What are you thinking about?” Steven said, a slight f
Steven kept his eyes closed for the rest of the journey even though he wasn't sleeping or able to rest. When he had thought about this plan and proposed it to Marie, it had seemed like a walk in the park. Just pretend to be married for a couple of months till the account acquisition was established and then end things. But he was growing wary at the way things were progressing with them. Reminding himself why he had the rules that he was never going to get involved with anyone he worked with wasn't helping as much as it used to and Steven was worried about that.There were unguarded moments where Steven caught himself feeling like he could get used to the idea of being with Marie and it rankled him. Marie was off-limits. He wasn't losing the best work asset in hopes of what would end as a stupid fling. Knowing Marie, if she found out what he was thinking now, she would fling the car door open and hightail it out of here.Taking in a labored breath, Steven recalled the real reason wh
Eight months later Marie smiled as she felt Steven’s warm breath dance on her face. Moments later, her eyes flickered open and locked with her husband's handsome eyes.“What's this?” She asked, as she sat up and made space for the tray he was holding.“A celebratory breakfast.” He said as Marie answered with a short laugh.“We can't keep celebrating a sentencing that happened four months ago, Steven.” She said as he ignored her and filled her glass with orange juice.“Who says?” Steven asked, as he planted a kiss on her forehead.“Me. I’m saying.”“Noted. Now eat.” He responded as he plunked on the bed beside her and watched her.“What?” She asked as his eyes roved over her.“I can't believe I almost lost you, Marie.”“You mean the way you were going on and refusing to listen to me?” She teased as she tossed a pillow at his head.“I told you I didn't like that woman.”“I know you told me. You’ve told me so almost a thousand times, Steven. But it was Zed that was the real shock to you
Steven’s mind whirled with thoughts as they headed to the hotel where he was staying. The silence in the air was rife with the weight of unspoken words. He glanced at her again and she looked so ashen. Was she okay? Why had she felt the need to come to Japan? How had she survived the flight? Was that why she looked so white? And why was she trembling so badly?He placed his hands upon hers and it was so sweaty.“Stop trembling. You're making me nervous.” He said in a more gruffer tone than he had planned.Her eyes widened for a second before she mouthed a solemn“Sorry.”She retracted her hand from under his and stuffed it in her laps.Huh. So much for wanting to comfort her. They said nothing to each other after that until the car stopped in front of the hotel.Steven rolled his eyes as Marie argued with the front desk attendant who had patiently explained that the hotel was fully booked and there was nothing she could do about it. To listen to Marie, it was like he was going to har
Steven frowned at the clock ticked noon. All his life, he had never had to wait to see anyone, but here he was, waiting on Mr. Kaito, whom he has been unable to see in the last two days.“Mr. King?” A feminine voice called out.“That's me.” He said in a chirpy voice, smiling even though his insides felt queasy. He knew convincing Mr. Kaito of the fact that Alden King Inc. still deserved his business was going to be tough and he wasn't so sure he was prepared for it. Although, in a way, he felt relieved the truth was out. The pretty brunette led him through a series of doors before stopping before a plush office. She tossed him a tight smile then knocked before leaving Steven on his own.Mr. Kaito took his sweet time before answering the door.“Mr. King, what a pleasant surprise.” Mr. Kaito said as he ushered him to a seat. While his face was smiling, Steven could sense the displeasure in his tone.“Thank you for seeing me.”Mr. Kaito took a long look at him, and Steven could feel the
Marie's hand clenched the steering wheel till her knuckles turned white. Sandra had a lot of nerve, seducing Steven and then trying to pin someone else's pregnancy on him. She jumped out of the car, and headed to the front door. She was about to knock when she noticed the door was open. Zed's loud voice filtered to where she stood.“You had just one job, Sandra! Seduce him! Get him to marry you! Don't think I care about that scum in your belly!”“I tried okay! He loves her! And I’m tired of being your little pawn! You always said you could have taken down Steven King without me so why haven't you?”“I've done everything on my part! You haven't done crap except complicate things for me. You couldn't even convince him to have sex with you. And he was drunk!”“And the only thing you’ve succeeded in doing is killing an innocent woman!” Sandra flung back.“Oh? Breathe a word of that to anyone and see what happens!”“Oh, please. What are you gonna do? Kill me too?” Sandra screamed.Marie to
Marie shoved the rest of her mementos and snapped her box shut. If she wanted to get to Lake George by nightfall, she had to hurry.She chuckled ruefully under her breath as she wondered about the rush. It's not like she had a job anymore or anything she needed to get to. Ten years with Steven, ten years of bending backwards, and all it took was one misunderstanding for him to fire her. She had even gone back and tried to explain but his granite heart hadn't moved. This from the man who though married to her, had decided to knock up her best friend.She frowned as her cell phone rang. She fished it out of her pocket, and held it to her ear with her shoulder as she rolled her luggage out.“James, there's nothing more we can do. I tried, James,”She waited as James tried to convince her not to leave town until he had spoken with Steven but to be honest, she was done begging him. For the most part of her adult life, she had fixated her emotions on him. Letting him treat her like his feel
Steven was slightly out of breath when he arrived at the orchard and ran into Rick.“Uncle Stevie! Wow. Aunty Marie was super fast. I only just spoke to her. Are you here to take me to the Planetarium? You’ve promised many times.” He asked expectantly.“You’re right, buddy. I do owe you a trip to the Planetarium. But that's not going to happen today, buddy. I've been…”“Busy. I know. You’ve had important things to do.” Rick said as a forlorn expression rested on his face. Steven sighed as he lowered himself to the boy’s gaze.“Now, Rick. You know how important you are to me, don't you?” Steven asked.Rick shrugged but Steven refused to let him out of his grasp till Rick said“Yeah.”“Well, Uncle Stevie has just had a lot of things happening to him at the same time. I'm almost done wrapping those things up and then we can go to the Planetarium as many times as you want, okay?”“Really truly?” Rick asked, a huge smile forming on his face.“Really, truly.” He confirmed.“Okay.”“That's m
“So you're headed to the house at Lake George?” Alden asked as Marie watched him peel an orange and toss a piece into his mouth. Ahead of them, Rick was glad that he had a no-school day and was allowed to run amok.“Quite a sugar rush, he’s got.” She remarked as Alden sighed.“Tell me about it. Amelia's going to have my head when she returns. One minute I look away and he downs all that stuff.”“So, what did Steven say when you told him the truth?”She sighed and tossed a piece of the tangerine she had just peeled into her mouth.“What I expected. That it didn't change anything. And that he wished me the best in life.”“He’s so obstinate sometimes.”“I told you to trust him more, Alden. If it were me, I would have been upset too. I know you love him, but you’ve got to stop coddling him!”“You don't understand, Marie. The boy is the light of my whole life. He’s everything William is not. And he was so young when he took over. And it infuriated many people.”“But that was over ten years
“Nice of you to stop for a chat and all but I'm very busy.” Steven said as Marie took her seat and folded her legs. It was like seeing a woman he hadn't met before.“I told him this was a waste of time. You don't work for someone for ten years without knowing how conceited and set in their ways they are.” Marie begun“Look, Marie. I don't know why Alden keeps trying. Isn't the work you've done for him in the past ten years impressive enough?” Steven asked.“Sneer at me, all you want. I'm not here because of Alden, I'm here because James asked me to come to talk to you.” She retorted, leaning forward to place her hand on his desk.While he didn't care about what she had to say, he figured the faster he allowed her to talk, the quicker she’d be out of his hair.“I'm listening.” He said, as leaned back in his seat.“First. I'm sorry I didn't disclose that Alden and I have a relationship.”“He was your boss, and…”“He was my guardian.” Marie cut in.Steven let out a sardonic laughter.“Gu
“What do you mean they're citing reputation issues as their reason for pulling out? We've committed to vendors, paid for the spaces for this exhibition and they're just canceling it?”Zed shrugged as Steven paced furiously. He sighed and leaned over his desk as Zed replied.“They also cited budget constraints and explained that it wasn't top priority for the foreseeable future.”“That's a load of bollocks and we both know it, Zed. Find out the real reason they're pulling the plug.”“I thought so too as well and tried to do some findings. My source alleged that top stakeholders were having cold feet due to our recent…err…”“Recent what?” Steven half yelled as he glared at Zed.“Due to your recent PR fiasco.”“What? They're canceling their activation because some reporter did a story on me?”“Well, Sir. You have to respond. You haven't addressed the rumors yet.”Steven thought about his phone call with Smith three days ago. He vehemently refused to believe what Smith was alleging until