Certificate of Marriage

Chapter 5-Certificate of Marriage

Despite knowing that I could unlock the door beside me, I am not crazy enough to jump out of the fast moving vehicle and meet my death on a highway. 

“Where are you taking me?” I asked Tanner and he glanced at me by the mirror.

“You will wait for him in his condominium unit,” he answered, not giving any more detail as to why in there, in his private residence.

But still, I asked, hoping he would talk more, “Why?” 

“I do not know. Perhaps he needs you to clean the unit? And your things were already sent there. By the way –” he opened the glove box and reached something out.

“Here is a spare key card to his condo unit. You are to use this once, only for today, then wait for him to arrive to give you the passcode.” he handed me a small black envelope and I fished out the key card from it, seeing a “Vco Condominiums” label, intricately engraved at the card along with the very well known logo of the Vermont Corporations.

“They also own a condominium building?” I wondered loudly.

“Yes. You seem to be not so well versed about the Vermonts?” Tanner guessed it right. Well, obviously.

“I know that the Vermonts are filthy rich, but I only knew about their hotels. However, I am aware that that is not their only business. I just do not bother knowing about those people who are obviously untouchable. I like to focus on my own life.”

We passed by streets, buildings, and people, and I wondered what life do they have. Some wore corporate attires, others were casuals, and some wore safety vests and doing labor works, sweeping the streets, carrying a ladder and buckets, and some were having fun under the heat of the afternoon sun.

My stomach grumbled reminding me that I had yet to have my breakfast and lunch, and here I am, being taken to a house and ordered to remain there until he arrived. And who knows when he will come?

“Alexander Vermont. He IS the successor of the Vermont Corporations. He is not just a general manager who works as a Vermont relative. Like he is literally the successor of the corporations under the Vermonts. Being the general manager was just one of his training grounds. And sooner or later, his father will turn over all the authority and rights to him. Only a few know about this since he lived a very private life. Most of the employees only think that he is a relative in the Vermont clan, not a direct descendant of the current CEO.” He is the successor? The next CEO? It does not impress me a bit.

“How long have you been working for him?” I asked Tanner.

“Three years? Or four. I do not remember it exactly anymore. And the pay is good, so despite the orders… being sometimes out of my job description, I still carry them out. So, no offense Miss Hugh, but I just had to follow orders.” he replied.

“Why not quit? And find another job?” I wondered.

“To work for the Vermonts is a different kind of honor.”

“So should I be grateful that, that man just bought me?” 

“Well it depends on how you will view it, and what he will make use of your existence.” he shrugged.

“I have plans for my own life, for my future, I do not want to be stuck following someone's orders. I had been living like that since I was three and it sucks.”

The car came to a halt in front of the tall condominium building and spoke, “Well, you had no chance to speak when your father was there, maybe you could try to negotiate with Mr. Vermont.” My hopes went up, but only for a brief while, thinking that Tanner here probably knows that Alexander Vermont has a soft side to show me some mercy.

But that hope instantly vanished when he added, “though I am not sure if he is nice enough to consider.” I sighed.

I heard his car door unlocked and I immediately grabbed the handle on mine but it was still locked. “Do not even think about it, Miss Hugh. This is a big city, and you do not want to find out how powerful the Vermonts are. They will track you down in every street, trail your every step, and search every corner until they catch you. The streets are filled with cameras, just in case you forgot. You do not want to make this difficult for yourself.” Tanner stated before stepping out of the car and walking to my side to open the door. He then waited for me to step out before he handed the key to the valet.

“I will be quick. I am just dropping an order by Mr. Alexander Vermont.” he said and the man nodded, understanding what to do with the car while Tanner was in the building.

We entered the elevator, taking us up to whichever floor it was that I did not care to find out. I was too focused on my grumbling stomach which I hoped no one could hear. It was not just us in the lift.

“The key card?” he said when we left the elevator and I showed him.

“This floor is exclusive to Mr. Vermont. Anyone coming up here is recorded and he is being notified.” He pointed at the CCTV cameras at the corners of the ceiling. We walked till we reached the door and I tapped the key card on the sensor, then we heard the door unlocked. I stepped in and he held the door as he spoke, not taking a foot inside the luxurious condo unit.

“Once I close this door, it will automatically lock, it is a special system designed for this unit since it is only Mr. Vermont comes in here, no one else, just the scheduled housekeeping services, and permissions must be requested. I requested for your lunch to be brought here when – oh, right it is here,” he said and a man in a white kitchen uniform handed me a paper bag. 

“Uh… thanks?” I uttered. I do not know if he noticed that I had not had lunch yet since I spent the time in Alexander Vermont’s office or if he heard my stomach while we were on our way here.

“And I just forwarded Mr. Vermont’s contact number to you.” and I checked my phone and there was indeed a message.

“How did you get my number?” 

“Your personal details were sent to us beforehand, Mr. Vermont also has it. I forwarded his number to you just in case you have an emergency while he is not yet here and you cannot come out. He can access the system of this unit anywhere.”

“Oh, okay. So I will just have to wait here, correct?”

“Yes.” 

The door closed and I was left locked up in this luxurious condominium unit that screams a symphony of sophistication and modernity. The expansive living room sprawled out with a meticulous blend of warm hues and plush textures, creating an ambiance that whispered of affluence.

The floor beneath my feet was a canvas of polished marble, each step resonating with a subtle echo of prestige. A modern chandelier of crystals dangled from the ceiling, cast an ethereal glow across the room.

The panoramic view framed by floor-to-ceiling windows revealing the city's skyline caught my attention. It would be a breathtaking view during the night. During the day, the uncovered glass walls allowed daylight to stream in, bathing the space in a gentle radiance. Over in one corner, there was a grand piano, just sitting there looking all fancy. The walls were decked out with these artsy pieces that probably cost hundreds of millions to billions, each one telling its own story. Things I could never afford to have in life.

But I do not crave them. 

I would prefer a simple, uncomplicated, and peaceful life, instead.

I found myself in the dining area and immediately unwrapped the food from the paper bag, I had been smelling a barbecue aroma from it since it was handed to me. It was still hot and it must be from the in-house restaurant on the ground floor.

When the evening came and the sky went dark, I stood at the glass wall and watched the city turn its bright lights, like stars twinkling below. I had taken a nap after my lunch and it was already past six. 

But my waiting seemed to have called the devil when I heard the door unlocked. I turned around and saw him, Alexander Vermont enter, then followed by two housekeepers, bringing luggage and bags inside, which I may guess, were my belongings.

Frowning, I asked when the housekeepers left, “Why did you bring my luggage here?”

“You will be staying with me,” he answered briefly and placed his coat on the chair. I walked towards him in confusion, “where?”

“Here.” he met my eyes with his stern cold ones.

“But why?”

And the only answer I received was a brown envelope. I swear, papers in envelopes and folders are starting to traumatize me.

I fished out the papers inside and the whole thing fell on the marble floor once I saw the first words, in large bold letters, that caught my eye.

“Certificate of Marriage”