Chapter 3

“Would you Nek Cellos take Taina Seneca as your lawfully wedded wife” the priest says

“I do” Nek smiles, I’ve never seen him smile; he has perfect pearly feet and looks so innocent when he smiles, I wish he’d always smile.

What are you thinking Taina, he’s just your boss and this is just a contract marriage? “Taina... Taina…”, I look up and I notice Nek has been calling me, there’s a bit of worry etched on his face, but I don’t dwell on it.

The priest clears his throat and continues “Taina Seneca, would you take Nek Cellos as your lawfully wedded husband”. I freeze, at this moment everything feels so real, am I making a wrong decision? I think to myself. I feel someone reach for me, it’s Nek

“Mi Amor the priest is asking you a question”, I look at him and smile, it’s too late to back out; at least I got married to the rich and handsome Nek Cellos, that should be some consolation.

“I do”, I say as I force a smile

“You may now kiss the bride”, I totally forgot about that part. I move my head to the side so that Nek could kiss my cheek, but he has other plans in mind.

He slowly holds my chin and slips one around my waist, whilst drawing me closer to him and then he kisses me. He looks up at me, “we are finally married Mrs. Cellos and you’re mine now” he says with a dangerous glint in his eyes, “only mine” he whispers.

I gasp, I’m too shocked by that kiss to even respond; I never thought I’d kiss my boss. With his hands around my waist, he leads me to the documentation booth, where we complete the marriage registration.

I notice he keeps glancing at me; and his hands around my waist, it feels like he’s preventing me from bolting. To be honest I can’t blame him, I’ve been looking at the door; but I’m not dumb, it’s too late to run and I’m his now.

We walk back to the car, holding hands; his doing not mine, but I can’t deny it, I’m enjoying this feeling of closeness.

As we get into the car, Nek signals the driver to move, “Give the driver your house address, you’re moving into my house”, this was not part of the agreement I think to myself.

“That’s not needed, I’m very comfortable in my parents’ house” I coolly say. I’m not moving into this man’s house; I’d have to see him 24/7, and I don’t think I can handle his 24hrs. ego.

Nek smiles “It wouldn’t be a real marriage, if my wife doesn’t stay with me; people wouldn’t believe we’re married, so be a good wife and listen”

“Who are the people, no one knows we’re married, I’m going to stay at my parents’ house and that’s final” I quip

“My family knows we’re married, and they could visit at any time; what would I tell them if they don’t meet you at home? would I tell them that my wife needs her personal space, so we don’t live together” Nek says half irritated

What he’s saying makes sense, and I’m too tired to argue “Alright, but we’ll sleep in separate rooms, that the most I’ll do since you’re literally begging me to stay with you” I half-heartedly smile as I roll my eyes.

“I didn’t think you have a funny bone you; so, you can make jokes” Nek laughs to himself

“I can, and you didn’t know that cause you’re always working me to the bone”, I jokingly say.

Nek laughs sparingly, this is the second time I’ve seen him laugh in my 3 years of working with him; it’s nice, I settle on that.

The first time I saw Nek smile, was my first day of work, I wore a bird costume to work; apparently, it’s a work culture to trick a new employee. I walked into the office feeling confident in my Mr. Tweedy costume, unfortunately for me the first person I say that day was Nek, and he couldn’t help himself but roar into laughter; I was totally humiliated, but I couldn’t shake the fact that I liked seeing Nek smile.

“Taina…Taina…, where’s your mind at”, Nek says as he eyes squint at me; Nek’s eyes are a gorgeous mix of blue and green, sometimes it looks like I’m staring into the sea. Focus Taina, Nek’s just your boss, nothing more, “my minds here, I was just thinking about the stress involved in moving my things” I lie

“Okay….” Nek says, looking like he doesn’t quite believe me, but not wanting to pursue it, “you don’t have to worry about that, we’ll go shopping for new clothes, just bring your personal items”

“But….” I stop mid-sentence, if this man wants to change my wardrobe, why should I fight it; all the times I’ve argued with this man, he’s always won, he can have this one.

“Thank you, that’s kind of you”, I feel very grateful to him, and he’s slowly entering my good list now.

“Hmmn, I couldn’t bear you walking around in rags” Nek says. That’s it, I’ve had enough with this man, just when I think I can deal with him, he becomes more unbearable.

“Stop the car” I calmly say

“Keep driving “Nek says

“Stop the car right now, I’m going to report to the police that you are kidnapping me” I shout

Nek pulls me into his laps, “what would you say Mrs. Cellos, that your husband kidnapped you; come to think of it does your boyfriend work in the police force. You better not have a boyfriend” he says as his lips land on mine.

I’m in utter shock, it takes me some seconds to regain my composure; I remove myself from his laps and I decide to be quiet, I’m slowly learning that this man is capable of anything.

He chuckles to himself “I found the best way to keep Mrs. Cellos quiet’

This man is so infuriating, how will I spend 5 years with him. It hasn’t even passed a day, and I already feel like throttling him…