Chapter four

Logan's POV

I knew I was a finished man when I caught myself smelling her hair while she slept. The resemblance was the first thing that drew my attention. She looked just like Anne.

A virtual stranger, all I knew was that her name was Jessica -from the way her friends kept shouting her name over the speaker and our marriage license- and that she stole my drink and that's why I convinced myself it was okay to steal something of hers. Her panties.

The drink seemed to have gotten us into this. Unlike her, I didn't mind it, which was ironic because my family is convinced I have been initiated into a bachelor cult, 38 and unmarried. 

The idea of marriage never appealed to me, it just felt like a prison sentence. But those few moments knowing I was married to her, were the most free and alive I have felt in a long time. She was like a fresh breath of air and I enjoyed spending those moments with her knowing she was mine even though she felt otherwise.

I didn't know who that bastard who convinced her to marry him was but I was going to find out, there had to be a reason why she was going ahead to marry him despite her body's response to mine. 

And even her mind's, because I have a feeling she enjoyed our bickering as much as I did. Not many have the balls to argue with a business tycoon turned billionaire CEO. 

I put on my clothes, left the hotel room, and headed downstairs to the bar where I first saw her.

"Who's in charge here?" I asked a waitress with bleached hair who tried to show me to a table. It was afternoon and the place wasn't filled yet.

"You could be in charge of me tonight, baby." She made what I assumed was a seductive look and tried to touch me but I grabbed her hand midway and stopped her. 

"Don't be shy handsome."

I was aware of my good looks and I took advantage of it frequently but it becomes irritating when some women make it their mission to cling to me.

"I am married, " I said in an attempt to deter her but I wasn't prepared for the warmth that spread over me upon hearing those words.

"Never stopped nobody.  Manager's at the back." She finally walked away.

The manager was a lot younger than I expected him to be, probably younger than me if I had to guess.

"Can I help you?" He asked after sizing me up and I could tell we wouldn't get along.

"I was here last night, I placed an order for a martini, and I was given two spiked drinks instead."

"Hmph. So it's you, heard about it. Some girl that fancied you came asking to slip something in your drink and paid for it, she was supposed to come over to you and drink the second."

"What did you just say?" I was shocked at the way he confessed to drugging a customer so calmly.

"I guess some people like the feel of it when they're having sex, anyway she came back shouting the place down saying some other chick took the drink and you left together."

"You had me drugged."

"She just wanted to sleep with you, what's the big deal?"

I was fuming but I didn't have time for this nonsense. I straightened up and I knew he instantly felt intimidated by the look on his face.

"Look man, I thought I was doing you a favor." He swallowed.

"I will crush you, and your shitty bar."

I ignored his pleas and left the bar to find my driver waiting outside with one of my Benz. I had my nephew's wedding to attend but I also desperately wanted to find her. Although she hadn't called yet, I knew she eventually would, hopefully before her wedding so I had to be patient.

At the sound of the notification, I took my phone out of my pocket. I  saw that it was a message from my brother, which was odd because we barely even spoke anymore.

I opened it and was glad I wasn't the one driving because I would have hit the brakes right in the middle of the road.

My brother sent me a picture of my nephew together with the woman he was marrying. 

The woman was Jessica.

I told my driver to take me to the airport.  Time to kill two birds with one stone. I couldn’t get HER, but I wasn’t going to lose Jessica too.

JESSICA POV

Today was my wedding day and amidst the wedding festivities, everyone quickly forgot about the Vegas incident. 

Apart from the hateful message I received from Max about what a whore I was, things were going well enough. And the constant fear that I’ll see I had even seen Ethan briefly the previous day when his father wanted to take a picture of us together. 

He seemed like a nice guy but I already knew he would be unfaithful when I caught him unapologetically staring at the wedding planner's ass. 

Perhaps we'll eventually be friends, but nothing more than that.

 As I prepared for my loveless marriage my heart still raced every time I thought about the napkin with the number written on it stuffed at the bottom of my purse. Would my marriage to Ethan even be legal? 

But I haven't been left alone long enough to even make the call to him. Not to mention I feel ashamed every time I think about our time together and how I reacted to him.

"It's time." I heard my father's voice from outside my dressing room where I was still staring at my reflection, I looked beautiful but empty. Ashley had just finished my makeup and Jennifer did my hair.

"Here you go." Jennifer handed me my flowers.

I thanked them both and went to meet my father. I took his arm and as he led me down the aisle, my heart raced and beads of sweat gathered around my hairline.

I barely heard the priest give the sermon but when he asked if there were any objections, everyone was tense and I realized they were worried I would bolt at the last minute and disrupt everything. But I wasn't the one who disrupted it.

"This wedding cannot hold." He didn't yell it but his voice was strong and clear. My head whipped to see the man I may or may not have had sex walking down the aisle.

What is he doing? How is he here?

"What is the meaning of this nonsense Logan?" I heard Dan's father say outraged. 

Wait, Logan? As in the brother who swore of marriage? Did I sleep with Ethan's uncle?

"Jessica and I . . ." He trailed off and looked at me as I silently pleaded with him not to ruin me and my family. "We are in love."

I ignored the gasp of the guests and my mother's cry for me to come back as I walked down from the altar to where he was standing. 

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" I said angrily to him.

Before he replied. The wedding planner was already next to us. Ushering us into my dressing room away from the crowd while my parents and Ethan’s followed us.

“What the hell is going on. You all but disappear for years and you show up here ruining my son’s wedding?” Dan was beyond outraged as he spoke to his brother.

“Like I said, we’re in love.” He repeated but nobody was convinced. My Mom sat in front of the vanity sobbing while Dan’s wife comforted her.

“Did you plan this?” My father looked like he might rip off my head if I blinked wrongly.

“No I didn’t. I know what is at stake.”

“Then what the hell is this?” He aimed the question at Logan this time.

“How about I tell you what’s going to happen instead. I did my research, and you’re in debt it’ll take a single word from me to destroy you beyond repair. Or she marry me right now and I'll take care of your debt it’s still a marriage of alliance, just with a different Geller. And I’ll throw in a bonus. After a year, she is free to get a divorce if she wants." 

“I am not your pawn. How dare you!” I raised my hand to hit him but he caught it easily and smirked. “It’s business baby. Don’t worry, I’ll take care of you. My brother can vouch for me.”

“David?” Dan turned to my father who had gone quiet. “I am sorry, he has always been like this. Does what he wants. But he’s not lying, he will take care of her, perhaps even better than Ethan would have.” He sounded resigned.

“No! I will not stand for-“

“Jessica, you’re going to marry him.”

“What?” I shouted and I heard my mother gasp.

“I’d like a moment alone with my daughter.” He said and then looked to Logan. “Carry on, your bride will be out shortly.”

 Logan nodded curtly and cleared the room.

“Our deal stands. You will marry him for a year, end of story.”

“So that’s it then, I’m a cow to be sold to be sold to him? And if a higher bidder appears before I make it to the altar?”

“Then you’ll have a new groom, but don’t think that I will hesitate to ruin your friend if you fail me.” 

"I can't believe you're doing this." Tears trailed down my face, staining my makeup.

"The choice is yours." He extended his crooked elbow for me to hold.

For the second time that day I walked down the aisle and when I came face to face with my current groom, I made him a vow of my own. “I will marry you, but I’ll never be a wife to you, I’ll never love you.”

 When he didn’t reply I thought he didn’t hear me. But after we were pronounced husband and wife he bent and whispered in my ear. “I look forward to changing your mind.” 

I wanted to scream but I kept my smile and took a deep breath determined to win in this battle that was my marriage.