The Carter's mansion

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 offer the Thompsons a partnership without anything in return. He accepted Mr Thompson's offer to marry one of his daughters in exchange for an investment by the Carters group. Business was business after all. 

Apparently, he was getting married to her so that he could fully take over his family business. 

As the heir to the Carter Corporations, Adams was the next in line as soon as his father retired. But this could only be so if he got married. 

He refrained himself from scowling as he remembered his father's demand for him to get a wife. As efficient and effective as Adams was in handling the family business, his father still held the opinion that he needed a woman by his side before he could fully take over the empire. 

His father deemed him unfit seeing as Adams was still single and uninterested in any form of relationship with a woman. Adams had gone on a few dates to please his father but just like the first, second and third, they all turned out unproductive. With the offer of a wife in exchange for a business deal, Adams was quick to accept it. 

He would invest in the Thompson enterprise and they in turn, would give him their daughter for a wife. A marriage of convenience was best for him, he reasoned.

Only thing was that he never met this daughter of theirs at all. As he looked at the indifferent expression on the face of the woman before him, he was sure he would be having an easier journey in this marriage of theirs as the woman seemed unenthusiastic about the whole process. This was exactly what he wanted. 

“Congratulations, Mr and Mrs Carter.” The city clerk said as she handed the marriage certificate to Gina and Adams with a smile. 

***

Gina closed her eyes, drawing a deep breath as she settled into the sleek black Maserati Ghibli, she sat right beside her husband who was seated on the driver's seat.

A hollow feeling settled in her chest as she came to terms with the fact that she was now married, married to a man she was just seeing for the first time. She decided that she would work hard to salvage her marriage no matter what happens. She was starting a new life, on a fresh page after all and she was going to give it her all. 

The journey back home as they left the marriage bureau was silent. Adams’ hands gripped the wheels firmly as he navigated each turn on the tarred road effortlessly. 

Gina faced her husband, observing him as he fixed his unwavering gaze on the road ahead. She couldn't help but notice his sharp jawline as her eyes studied his expression. She wondered if she should start a conversation with him, but thought against it. The man before her did not look like he was in a mood for a chit chat. A feeling of uncertainty enveloped her and she suddenly feared what this marriage held in store for her. 

Adams did not seem to notice her shifting uncomfortably, maybe he did but ignored her in his usual stoic manner. He did not utter a word, as he drove his wife to the Carter's mansion. 

As the car made its way into the grand entrance, Gina felt the temperature in the car go a few degrees lower. It glided smoothly along the driveway casting a hue across the well manicured lawn. Her eyes scanned her surroundings, with the manor coming into sight. In the heart of the compound is a big garden filled with vibrant green and colorful blooms. A unique water fountain stood in the center of the garden. This was way more magnificent than the Thompson's family home, she admitted. Gina took in the breathtaking view of the mansion, amazed at its great opulence.

As Adams’ tall and imposing figure emerged from the driver's side, Gina didn't stop the small smile that formed on her lip, she was impressed that her husband was really hot. At least, she wasn't stuck with an ugly monster that no one would want to set eyes on, her face flushed at that thought. 

The soft click of the door on her own side of the car brought her out of her reverie. A faint smile played on her lips as she realized that Adams might have ignored her all the way down here but he still accorded her the respect she deserved as his woman. This marriage of convenience might not be too bad after all, she thought. 

The staff stood motionlessly, with their hands clasped back together awaiting the Lady of the house as she approached. Gina could make out the chef, the butler, the housekeepers and several other workers. 

A warm smile spread across her face as they welcomed her with utmost courtesy. 

“Congratulations, Mrs. Carter. It's our pleasure to have you with us.”

Just then, a man walked out of the mansion gingerly, the corners of his mouth twitching slightly upwards with a hint of warmth in his eyes. But it disappeared just as quickly as it appeared.

“Welcome home, son.” He said aloud.

Only then did Gina take notice of the man standing in front of the house casually dressed in plain white T-shirt and denim shorts.

Her breath hitched in shocking fear with time seeming to slow down as their eyes locked on each other.