Gina slowly laid back on the bed, her mind mulling over the overwhelming events that had happened in just one day. This was just the first day of her marriage and she already had major problems, each one fighting for her attention, not allowing her a breath of relief. Which issue was she to resolve first?
Was it the random stranger at the club who coincidentally is now her father in law?
Gina felt she had seen a momentary sparkle in those blue eyes on seeing her and for some reason, it still lingered in her head.
Or was it the outrageous rules the man she had just gotten married to had outlined for them to live by? Speaking of rules, Gina extended her left arm to grab the papers again. This time she read out the rules loudly.
“Rule one; My freedom is paramount therefore, you are to stay completely clear off my business.
Rule two; In the eyes of the public you're my wife, otherwise, you should maintain a distance.
Rule three: You are to dress accordingly as your high profile as my wife demands for every event we attend. Your schedule will be managed by an assistant who'll be assigned to you to ensure you're well prepared for all events.
Rule four: I, Adams Carter, will not control or interfere in your life, do not try to interfere in mine either.” As she read out the fourth rule, Gina couldn't help but pause to roll her eyes.
“These rules are already so demanding and controlling, yet he says he won't control me.” She was starting to get upset.
“Rule five: As Mrs Carter, you are entitled to $1,000,000 on a monthly basis, that'll take care of your personal needs and expenses excluding your dress, hairdo, and accessories for every event.
Feel free to let me know if you need…”
“Bullshit!” She swore loudly, rage coursing through her blood.
“Like I'm interested in his goddamn money. Who does he even think he is?” Gina’s voice trembled as she spoke, her face was twisted in fury with anger lacing every word she let out. She was going to burst into tears in a few minutes.
“What have I actually gotten myself into?” She lifted her hand to wipe the hot tears that had begun to roll down her cheeks.
The rapping sound of several knocks on her door alerted her of someone behind her door.
She quickly folded the paper and hid it in a small space in her box.
“Who's there?” She asked as she headed for the door.
As soon as she opened her bedroom door, she took several steps backwards. The last person she was prepared to see at the moment was the very same person standing before her. It took a moment for her to finally comport herself. She straightened herself up and lifted her chin in defiance as her eyes met the concerned gaze of her unwelcome intruder.
“What do you want?” Gina snapped at Chris who ignored her question, his eyes scanned her face curiously.
He had heard her swear out loudly as he walked by his son's room to head for his. He recalled seeing Adams leave the mansion, which was quite suspicious as a newly married groom. Unable to shake off his feelings of concern for Gina, he walked over to her room to check on her.
Looking at her right now, he could tell that she was sobbing. He could perceive that Adams considered his marriage to the poor girl a business deal. Even at that, was it enough to make his bride cry on the first night of their marriage? He couldn't help but ask.
With his mind in a fuss, his head adamant on not letting the memories of their intimate night at the club fade away, Chris released a deep sigh.
Not only did he feel sorry for the pretty girl who was now stuck with his aloof son. He also felt sorry for himself for worrying so much about her.
Gina's eyes raked down her father in-law’s form, his sharp jawline and perfectly studded beards. And despite her struggle to not let her eyes drift to his nether region, the rebellious pair seemed to wander to that part on their own accord.
Gina crossed her arms over each other to hide her hardened nipples. “What exactly is wrong with me?” She scolded herself.
Chris on his part fought the urge to reach out to his dear daughter in-law. He desperately wanted to comfort her or so he thought as his eyes had already strayed to her breasts. “I just feel like making her feel better.” He cautioned his wandering mind.
“Mr Carter, about the…” Her words were cut short by Chris.
“It's Chris to you.” He corrected.
“Uhm… About the other day at the club.” She hesitated, fiddling with her hands nervously.
“I was drunk. Please erase every memory of that night. Let's forget that it did happen, please...” Gina begged, her voice breaking at the last word as she fixed him a pleading stare.
“I take all the blame Gina. I should have held back. And as for that night, it didn't happen.” Chris asserted firmly.
“Don’t you dare worry your pretty head.” He stroked her hair to reassure her. “Alright?” He flashed her a smile.
“Thanks a million, Mr Cart..sorry Chris.” She appreciated, a gleam of hope in her eyes.
“Freshen up and come downstairs for dinner. Make sure to dress well, we have a few important guests around.” He said to his dear daughter in-law.
Chris bit his lip as he walked away from the room. He had managed to put up his calm, understanding act long enough to fool the young lady but there was no way he could hide the truth from himself. He wanted nothing but to pull her off the ground and press her body against his. Maybe. Just maybe. He could steal a piece of the chunk of pleasure he had experienced the other night. “Are you alright, sir?” One of the maids asked, knocking him right out of his thoughts. His hands immediately went to his chin to make sure that he wasn't drooling. It wasn't until then he noticed that he was leaning on the door frame. “Yeah, I am. Just lost my balance,” he said, pushing his body upward to regain his composure. Only that, there was no way in hell would he be okay the way he was at the moment. A man who was okay would not be leaning on the door frame of his son's room fantasizing about his daughter-in-law. He straightened himself and cleared his throat before turning to the maid in hope
It was hard for Chris to pull his eyes away from his daughter in-law. He had never seen anyone look this gorgeous in such a simple dinner dress and stiletto. The champagne gold dress clung to her body like a second skin with the high slit running from her mid thigh down, accentuating her long flawless straight legs. And those heels? They were made for her. As though Gina felt Chris' intense gaze on her, she looked up to meet those deep blue eyes that fascinated her. Chris quickly recollected himself, tearing his eyes away from her and cleared his throat as his daughter in-law took a seat beside his son who merely threw her a glance as he drew out a seat for her. “Mia.” Gina steadied herself from falling. She did not expect that the sister she had been on the phone with about half an hour ago was already in her home all the while they spoke. She almost rolled her eyes as she saw how calmly seated her father was as though he did not just sell his daughter off for a business deal. C
Gina got bored as the days went by. With no place to go and no one to talk to, she saw herself becoming often pissed and irritated. Her new status as a billionaire wife did not help her predicament at all as her husband wasn't in the least involved with her. It was true that she had no friends but this time, it was very different as she had the maid back home who talked to her nicely and respectfully and Mia who she shared almost everything with. She had tried to warm up to a few of the staff but they were still skeptical about her. With Adams and Chris always out for most of the day, she only ever got good company during dinner when they were both back from work. She resorted to cherishing every dinner as she always had real conversations with Chris. On very good days, Adams would chip in a sentence or two. Right now, she was preparing to go downstairs for dinner but this time she was going to ask for the very thing that had been on her mind for a few days now. Been indoors for alm
That was a lie and the two men at the table had actually cared enough to look at her to know that it wasn't true.“I have told you already. You are a part of the family. Call me Chris.” “I'm sorry, sir…sorry..uhm.. Chris. It's just that I've been thinking...” Gina “Don't you worry your pretty head over anything, Gina. I'm sure you'll soon get used to everything here.” He quickly cut her short, thinking she was still bothered about their escapade. Adams couldn't help but chip in. “Sure. Don’t worry about whatever. There's a way of doing things here and you’ll get to learn them soon enough, that's if you want to survive here.” Survive here? She didn't know that she was being brought here to survive. She had thought she was getting married, no one had told her she was signing up to be thrown into prison. Had she known, she wouldn't have signed on the dotted lines then. “Don't scare her, Adams.” Chris scolded Adams before turning to Gina. “What do you plan to do now that you're here?
Gina stood before her father as she looked at him with disbelief. Many thoughts whirled in her head and she wondered if she heard him wrongly, but then, she knew what she heard. She drew in deep breath in a bid to control the rage building up inside of her.“I won't be a part of any arranged marriage plans or whatsoever. I am a human with full rights and I have the rights to freedom of choice.” Gina stated calmly.Her father, Mr Anthony Thompson sighed heavily. “Don't be selfish, Gina. Stop thinking about yourself alone. Think about our family too. You have to do this to save our family business.” Anthony said with his features tightened in a frown.Gina was pained. Hearing those words come from her father pierced her heart. She had always been a filial daughter, strictly adhering to the family rules and doing whatever was asked of her. It only took just one refusal, and she was being termed selfish. It was no news that the Thompson enterprise had been suffering great setbacks for so
“Hey, Ethan.” Nina called sweetly as she rushed to meet him at the door. Her eyes darted to Gina whose gaze was fixed on Ethan. A wide smile appeared on her face as Ethan's hand slipped to the back of her waist. After he bowed to both parents, he took a seat next to Nina. Gina observed Ethan who fixed her a blank gaze. His face showed no emotion at all. He quickly averted his eyes back to Nina. “How have you been?” His palm brushed her chin. Nina gloated as Ethan showered her with his attention.“You two are so cute together.” Nicole cried a little too sweetly. Anthony watched with indifference at his older daughter’s show off at her immediate younger sister. A small crease formed on his forehead in concern for her but he shook it off in a split second. Anthony felt he could not afford to let emotions come to play at this critical moment. Gina watched with a heavy heart at how Ethan's eyes softened whenever they fell on Nina. Did Ethan actually cheat on her with Nina? She wanted to
230 Fifth, a renowned rooftop bar and nightclub located on top of the Flatiron Hotel, New York. In the VIP section of the club, a dark haired middle aged man with chiseled features and piercing blue eyes, sat with his legs outstretched in front of him. One could tell from his demeanor that he was no ordinary man. He exuded confidence and authority.Chris, a successful, highly influential and well connected billionaire was no stranger to the city's elite social scene, but tonight, he was only here for his friend. He ignored the seductive stares and looks thrown at him by a large percentage of the ladies around. His eyes swept the dance floor, in search of his friend who was having a dance with his female companion. He scowled and shifted his gaze from his friend who was still dancing with his lady friend. His eyes rummaged through the crowd, settling on the beautiful lady seated all by herself emptying glasses of tequila shots at the bar in the main hall. Chris watched as the woman
Rrringgg! Gina was rudely awakened from sleep by the abrupt sound of her phone as it rang. She looked at the phone and swiped her thumb across the screen, permitting the high-pitched voice that screeched in her ears; “GINA, WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU…” She hung up in irritation, cutting short her step-mother’s annoying screech and threw the phone on the bed. She looked up to see Chris already dressed. He looked ready for work. “I have a business meeting to attend to. There's a car waiting downstairs to take you home whenever you're ready.” He offered. “Thank you, Mr?” Gina raised an eyebrow as she looked at him in hopes that she could know his name at least.He patted her hair, and lowered himself to give her a peck on the forehead. “Don’t bother your pretty head over unnecessary things.” He hinted. She knew what he meant, this man was making it clear to her that this was nothing but a one night stand. Not that she expected more anyway, she would soon be married off to a strange bil
That was a lie and the two men at the table had actually cared enough to look at her to know that it wasn't true.“I have told you already. You are a part of the family. Call me Chris.” “I'm sorry, sir…sorry..uhm.. Chris. It's just that I've been thinking...” Gina “Don't you worry your pretty head over anything, Gina. I'm sure you'll soon get used to everything here.” He quickly cut her short, thinking she was still bothered about their escapade. Adams couldn't help but chip in. “Sure. Don’t worry about whatever. There's a way of doing things here and you’ll get to learn them soon enough, that's if you want to survive here.” Survive here? She didn't know that she was being brought here to survive. She had thought she was getting married, no one had told her she was signing up to be thrown into prison. Had she known, she wouldn't have signed on the dotted lines then. “Don't scare her, Adams.” Chris scolded Adams before turning to Gina. “What do you plan to do now that you're here?
Gina got bored as the days went by. With no place to go and no one to talk to, she saw herself becoming often pissed and irritated. Her new status as a billionaire wife did not help her predicament at all as her husband wasn't in the least involved with her. It was true that she had no friends but this time, it was very different as she had the maid back home who talked to her nicely and respectfully and Mia who she shared almost everything with. She had tried to warm up to a few of the staff but they were still skeptical about her. With Adams and Chris always out for most of the day, she only ever got good company during dinner when they were both back from work. She resorted to cherishing every dinner as she always had real conversations with Chris. On very good days, Adams would chip in a sentence or two. Right now, she was preparing to go downstairs for dinner but this time she was going to ask for the very thing that had been on her mind for a few days now. Been indoors for alm
It was hard for Chris to pull his eyes away from his daughter in-law. He had never seen anyone look this gorgeous in such a simple dinner dress and stiletto. The champagne gold dress clung to her body like a second skin with the high slit running from her mid thigh down, accentuating her long flawless straight legs. And those heels? They were made for her. As though Gina felt Chris' intense gaze on her, she looked up to meet those deep blue eyes that fascinated her. Chris quickly recollected himself, tearing his eyes away from her and cleared his throat as his daughter in-law took a seat beside his son who merely threw her a glance as he drew out a seat for her. “Mia.” Gina steadied herself from falling. She did not expect that the sister she had been on the phone with about half an hour ago was already in her home all the while they spoke. She almost rolled her eyes as she saw how calmly seated her father was as though he did not just sell his daughter off for a business deal. C
Chris bit his lip as he walked away from the room. He had managed to put up his calm, understanding act long enough to fool the young lady but there was no way he could hide the truth from himself. He wanted nothing but to pull her off the ground and press her body against his. Maybe. Just maybe. He could steal a piece of the chunk of pleasure he had experienced the other night. “Are you alright, sir?” One of the maids asked, knocking him right out of his thoughts. His hands immediately went to his chin to make sure that he wasn't drooling. It wasn't until then he noticed that he was leaning on the door frame. “Yeah, I am. Just lost my balance,” he said, pushing his body upward to regain his composure. Only that, there was no way in hell would he be okay the way he was at the moment. A man who was okay would not be leaning on the door frame of his son's room fantasizing about his daughter-in-law. He straightened himself and cleared his throat before turning to the maid in hope
Gina slowly laid back on the bed, her mind mulling over the overwhelming events that had happened in just one day. This was just the first day of her marriage and she already had major problems, each one fighting for her attention, not allowing her a breath of relief. Which issue was she to resolve first? Was it the random stranger at the club who coincidentally is now her father in law?Gina felt she had seen a momentary sparkle in those blue eyes on seeing her and for some reason, it still lingered in her head. Or was it the outrageous rules the man she had just gotten married to had outlined for them to live by? Speaking of rules, Gina extended her left arm to grab the papers again. This time she read out the rules loudly. “Rule one; My freedom is paramount therefore, you are to stay completely clear off my business.Rule two; In the eyes of the public you're my wife, otherwise, you should maintain a distance. Rule three: You are to dress accordingly as your high profile as my w
CHAPTER SIX Time seemed to slow down as Gina's hazel eyes locked on Chris's swirling honey brown orbs. Then, all of a sudden, the time began to move very fast, too fast actually for Gina to process her present situation. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that her heart was pounding in quick successions, accompanied by a loud voice in her head screaming for her to wake up from the unpleasant nightmare. She felt a piercing pain from how hard she bit her lower lip in an attempt to rouse herself from the arms of slumber.“I am indeed alive and awake”, she mumbled.“You’re welcome, my dear.” Chris greeted her warmly, his right hand patting Gina's shoulder lightly. “Thank you Mr…Carter.” Gina replied, with a smile that did not reach her eyes. She quickly remembered that Adams' surname on the marriage certificate was Carter and so she figured that the man who seemed to be Adams’ father would also be a Carter. “Looks like you’ve both met before now..” Adams' shot Gina a curious l
The city clerk cleared her throat drawing Gina back to the present. Her brows shot up with concern as she observed Gina for a brief moment before speaking again. “Please, sign here.” She gestured to the paper in her hand, pointing at the designated spot where Gina was to sign. After a brief moment of hesitation, Gina picked up the pen. Her soft lips pursed as she looked at the paper warily. The city clerk was skeptical about her hesitation to sign her marriage license. What woman won't be excited about such a day? The woman wondered. Adams' cold eyes did not leave Gina's. He looked at her expectantly, his eyes trailing her delicate frame. He stepped forward and stroked her hair, flashing her a smile. Gina stiffened under his touch. Although she did not expect him to do that, it quickly set the tone for her next line of action. She gave him a small smile and hurriedly put down her signature, she did not want to attract more attention than she already did. Adams was reluctant to of
Rrringgg! Gina was rudely awakened from sleep by the abrupt sound of her phone as it rang. She looked at the phone and swiped her thumb across the screen, permitting the high-pitched voice that screeched in her ears; “GINA, WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU…” She hung up in irritation, cutting short her step-mother’s annoying screech and threw the phone on the bed. She looked up to see Chris already dressed. He looked ready for work. “I have a business meeting to attend to. There's a car waiting downstairs to take you home whenever you're ready.” He offered. “Thank you, Mr?” Gina raised an eyebrow as she looked at him in hopes that she could know his name at least.He patted her hair, and lowered himself to give her a peck on the forehead. “Don’t bother your pretty head over unnecessary things.” He hinted. She knew what he meant, this man was making it clear to her that this was nothing but a one night stand. Not that she expected more anyway, she would soon be married off to a strange bil
230 Fifth, a renowned rooftop bar and nightclub located on top of the Flatiron Hotel, New York. In the VIP section of the club, a dark haired middle aged man with chiseled features and piercing blue eyes, sat with his legs outstretched in front of him. One could tell from his demeanor that he was no ordinary man. He exuded confidence and authority.Chris, a successful, highly influential and well connected billionaire was no stranger to the city's elite social scene, but tonight, he was only here for his friend. He ignored the seductive stares and looks thrown at him by a large percentage of the ladies around. His eyes swept the dance floor, in search of his friend who was having a dance with his female companion. He scowled and shifted his gaze from his friend who was still dancing with his lady friend. His eyes rummaged through the crowd, settling on the beautiful lady seated all by herself emptying glasses of tequila shots at the bar in the main hall. Chris watched as the woman