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Chapter 23 ~ The Deal
Last Updated:
2024-11-02 16:18:30
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Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 24 ~ Eric Black
~~~~The Black Multiple Enterprise, New York“THEY’RE CALLING YOU a wealthy, ruthless bastard, sir.” Carol said as she scanned the article in the business magazine. “You must be happy.”Eric Black looked at his secretary but didn’t speak. Eventually she glanced up and smiled. “You like being called a ruthless bastard, one that is wealthy too.” She reminded him.“I like respect.” He corrected.“Or fear.”He nodded. “Fear works.”Carol dropped the open magazine on his desk. “Don’t you ever want someone to think you’re nice?” she asked.“No.”Being the nice guy meant nothing in his world. He didn’t see the need for it. As the firstborn of the third-generation conglomerate family of the Harry Blacks, no matter what path he took, people would still stick to him, whether out of fear or ambition. Connections and power were handed to him like an inheritance, and in his mind, niceties were just another form of manipu
Last Updated : 2024-11-03Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 25 ~ Cloaked Path
~~~~~While Ms. Nora Black spoke sharply into the phone, documents clutched in one hand, I found myself silently admiring the clean streets outside. For some reason, we had switched cars, and now she was sitting next to me in the backseat while a different driver took the wheel.As we moved from the quiet lane onto the bustling highway, Ms. Black finally looked up, a practiced smile slipping into place. "Oh! Sorry about that, just had to make a few calls," she said smoothly."It’s fine," I replied."We have a lot of ground to cover—starting with the hair salon, then makeup, and shopping. We’ve got our work cut out for us."I blinked, glancing at her styled hair. It looked perfectly fine to me. "Your hair seems fine, ma’am. Why do you need to go to the salon?"She gave me a stunned look, as if I had spoken an alien language. "I was talking about you, dumb girl," she said, her tone slicing through the air."Oh." I forced a smile, ignoring the insult. "But my hair looks fine.""To whom?"
Last Updated : 2024-11-04Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 26 ~ Dance of Lies: Faithless Encounter
~~~~~As the plane touched down in Austria, I could barely keep my legs steady from the nerves. Mrs. Black glanced over and sighed, "No need to look like someone about to face the firing squad, Mary. The marriage won’t happen right away. You still need to meet my son and discuss a few things. So, try to look a bit more alive."Easy for you to say, I thought, but managed a strained smile. "O...kay," I replied. "So, where are we heading now?""To the Black Estate. My son is expecting us there," she said, signaling to someone nearby. Almost instantly, a pristine white SUV pulled up in front of us.I mumbled to myself, “Wow, it must be nice to have this kind of money.”Mrs. Black turned with a curious look. “What was that?”"Nothing," I quickly replied, smiling.“Good. Now, get in the car.” She climbed inside, and I followed, bracing myself as we drove off.To be honest, from the airport to the Black Estate, I kept asking myself why on earth I agreed to this kind of arrangement. For the f
Last Updated : 2024-11-07Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 27 ~ The Wedding Arrangement
~~~~Eric sighed in frustration as he glanced at his reflection, the veins in his neck visibly pulsing.He felt an overwhelming urge to strangle the person responsible for his current predicament. "What on earth is 'virginal hair'? This is absurd." Despite his intense anger, he had no choice but to endure the situation; everything had already been set in motion, and canceling now would be a tremendous hassle.***Alone in the spacious sitting room, I couldn't contain my laughter. It was an uncontrollable fit, one I hadn’t experienced before. The expression on Eric Black's face was absolutely priceless.I continued laughing until Mrs. Nora entered, holding a steaming cup of coffee in one hand. I quickly stifled my laughter, not wanting her to suspect anything. She settled down beside me, and I smiled, extending my hand to receive the coffee. However, the look she gave me made me retract my hand.After a moment, she sipped her coffee and asked, “What did my son say?”“Oh, nothing much.
Last Updated : 2024-11-10Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 28 ~ Pre - Wedding Jitter
~~~~~It was finally the long-awaited wedding day, and I couldn’t shake the nerves gripping my stomach. It had been two weeks since I last contacted my family, and that weighed heavily on my heart.As I stared at my reflection in the mirror, I thought, “This is supposed to be the happiest moment of a woman’s life, but because of this situation, it’s the worst for me.” Who would have imagined that my first wedding would turn out to be a sham? If my parents found out about the path I had chosen, they would be furious and might even disown me.No matter the circumstances, I couldn’t bring myself to explain my choices to them. It would devastate them. My family was devoutly religious, adhering to a strict moral code. They would never compromise their principles, even if it meant their own destruction.So, to preserve my family’s happiness and unity, I had to keep this part of my life a secret. Once the six months were over, I planned to leave it all behind.Yet, despite my resolve to keep
Last Updated : 2024-11-16Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 29 ~ The Breaking Point
~~~~~Eric Black woke that morning seething with frustration, his irritation only fueled by his mother’s constant involvement. Though his family had arranged this marriage, he was far from thrilled.The woman he truly wanted to share his vows with had turned him down, not for his affections but because of underlying reasons he couldn’t change. How could he have known that, had he made his intentions clear earlier, she might have accepted him? But he’d waited too long, leaving her to wrestle with her commitment issues on her own.Everyone in his family knew about his love for Diana, and he was determined to make her his—truly his, in front of the world, not just in whispered words or stolen moments. But to get there, he’d have to endure this ordeal.Fully dressed, Eric paused outside the room where his so-called “bride” waited. The anger bubbled within him, just thinking about marrying someone who wasn’t the
Last Updated : 2024-11-17Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 30 ~ The Faux Wedding
~~~~~~~Inhaling deeply, I scanned the altar and the despicable man standing there, waiting my arrival with a deceitful, radiant smile plastered on his face.As the chief bridesmaid gracefully scattered white flower petals on the ground, I couldn't help but notice the unfamiliar faces in the crowd, all wearing forced smiles.The orchestrator of this charade, was gazing at me with approval, and the relentless media capturing every moment with their cameras, The entire affair was frustrating beyond measure.I felt an overwhelming urge to slap those counterfeit smiles off their faces with the bouquet of red roses I held tightly.Gripping the flowers tightly, I reluctantly made my way closer to the altar, each step seeming more grueling than the last.***Under the scorching sun, Eric, too, stood waiting for his supposed wife, pretending to be happy. His jaw began to ache, and the marriage hadn't even commenced yet.However, he couldn't deny that the woman who was to be his wife looked st
Last Updated : 2024-11-29Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 31 ~ The Newly Wed
~~~~~Eric turned and tossed in his bed, unable to sleep. Frustrated, he stood up, made himself a cup of hot coffee, and moved to admire the night sky over New York.He sighed tiredly. It had only been two weeks since his arranged marriage, and already he was inundated with calls from various magazines and entertainment outlets, clamoring for interviews. On top of that, long-lost friends and distant relatives were breathing down his neck, demanding he reach out.His half-brother was no different, always looking for a chance to con Mary—either threatening her or offering her a hefty sum of money to reveal the truth about their marriage. The first time he caught James in the act, he saw him scribbling on a piece of paper and handing it to Mary. She just stared at the paper, then at him, unmovable. When it looked like James was about to force her hand, Eric confronted him.It was surprising that she didn’t take the offer; I mean, you give a sum of 2.5 million to a street girl, and you th
Last Updated : 2024-11-29
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Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 65 ~ Continuation
~~Continuation~~Shit. Now what? I didn't even know that was how I sounded. I scrambled to correct myself. "No, of course not," I said quickly. And that was the truth.I exhaled, choosing my words carefully. "I’ve seen Diana. I’ve seen the way he behaves with her. And despite me not trying to win him over or fight for something that never belonged to me, he still looked in my direction. He chose me. Isn't that a sign that, despite his feelings, Diana was never truly what he wanted?"Big Joe exhaled sharply, then leaned back in his chair."Huh," he muttered. "What a strong faith you have in your beliefs."I forced a small smile. "All thanks to my parents," I replied, though my palms were already sweaty.Shit. Is it over now? I wondered, my heart hammering in my chest.He didn’t move or speak at first—just stared at
Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 65 ~ I know him
~~~~~I took a deep breath as I stepped into Big Joe’s so-called "chamber of interrogations." The name alone sent a chill down my spine, but I forced a bright, fake smile onto my face."Good morning to you, sir," I greeted politely.Big Joe barely glanced up from the large newspaper in his hands. "Ah, good morning to you too. I see you finally stopped running," he said, his voice deep with amusement.I let out a nervous chuckle. "Ha-ha, running? No such thing. I was just… taking my time. You know, I really love spending time with you," I added with an exaggerated smile, lying through my teeth."Ah, that’s good to know," he said, finally lowering the newspaper and eyeing me with a smirk."So, can we start now?" I asked, eager to get this over with.Big Joe let out a hearty laugh. "Hahaha, relax, dear. I’m not about to put a knife to your throat."Easy for you to say."Of course," I said, forcing myself to stay composed."Well then, let’s get on with it," he said, finally setting the ne
Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 64 ~ Deceptions
~~~~Eric rubbed his temples as he sat up in confusion. The room reeked of alcohol and regret, and the scattered clothes on the floor told a story he couldn’t piece together. Letting out a sharp breath, he dragged himself out of the bed, his body aching as if it carried the sins of the night before.He stepped into the cold shower, hoping the icy water would snap him out of this daze. As the water hit his skin, he clenched his fists, letting the chill wash away the haze of frustration. "What the hell happened last night? And why can’t I remember a thing?" he muttered angrily.After drying off, he picked up his crumpled clothes from the floor, pulling them on piece by piece. His movements were deliberate, almost mechanical, as if grounding himself in the routine could help him regain control. Once dressed, he ran his hand through his damp hair, trying to shake off the haunting confusion.His gaze shifted to the bed. Diana lay there, her face peaceful, her hair sprawled across the pillo
Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 63 ~ Continuation
~~~~"Hello? Eric, is that you?" Nora asked as she recognized the slightly out-of-breath man on the other end of the line."Yes, who is this?" Eric replied, his voice a little sluggish."Hmmm, it's your mother, Eric. Don't you have my number?" She asked, raising an eyebrow in surprise. "Are you okay?""Oh, yes! Mother, sorry about that... I feel a little tipsy," he responded. "And I just woke up from a rather long sleep," he added, sounding like he was trying to gather his bearings."Oh, that's funny. You're not one to drink yourself into a stupor. What happened?" she asked, in curiosity."I wish I had the answer to that," Eric sighed, his tone heavy. "Anyway... you were supposed to call me the moment your plans landed in New York. It's been three weeks, almost a month. Why haven't I heard from you guys?" He questioned; the frustration in his voice was unmistakable."I don't think I'm in the best position to answer that," Nora replied
Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 63 ~ How we meant?
~~~~Back in New York"Shit! What should we do now?" I burst out in frustration as I sat across from Mrs. Nora, her white hair gleaming under the sunlight streaming in through the window. She looked maddeningly calm, as if this whole ordeal was a minor inconvenience."I don’t know, Mary, but whatever you're thinking, don’t do it," she said, her tone measured but firm. "You need to think this through. I know Joe; he can spot deception from a mile away.""No kidding," I muttered, running a hand through my hair. My nerves were shot. It had been three long weeks, and I still hadn’t figured out how to handle Mr. Joe's relentless curiosity. Every day felt like a countdown to some interrogation scene I wasn’t prepared for.I wanted to leave—desperately. But one wrong move could unravel everything. The problem was, I didn’t even have the answers he was demanding. How did Eric and I meet? Why did we decide to get married?
Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 62 ~ Empty Space
~~~~~---- But seriously, am I expected to just dive into this right now? I mean, I just got here. Shouldn’t I at least be allowed to take a breather? A rest, maybe? The thought circled in my mind as I turned to Mrs. Nora, my eyes silently screaming for help.She caught on instantly. “Hmmm, Joe...” she began, her tone light but pointed. “She just spent an exhausting amount of time on the flight. Don’t you think it would’ve been better to let her freshen up first before diving into the interrogations? You’re not in the force anymore, you know.”“What? I beg your pardon,” he shot back, his tone defensive. Then he turned to me with a smile that didn’t quite mask his annoyance. “Ignore her. I’m just excited to see that beyond the Lockwood name, there’s someone else.”He paused, forcing a chuckle. “Okay, maybe that was a little too much.”Y
Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 61 ~ Meeting Big Joe
~~~~ Mrs. Nora continues staring at me. “Why are you surprised? Even though Eric failed to tell you, this is the most important aspect of your job, and one you can’t afford to fail,” She explained, with a calm and calculating tone. “You see, the man we’re going to meet is the one in charge of my late husband’s will, and you must do everything in your power to convince him that you and my son are truly married. I believe the two weeks we’re spending there will be enough to get the job done.” She finished her little speech and got into the car, leaving me frozen on the spot. My legs refused to move as her words settled in. The stakes had just gotten higher, and my carefully laid plans for my parents were now on hold, yet again. Mrs. Nora rolled down the window, her expression now filled with impatience. “Well, hurry up and get in. We don’t have all day,” she snapped, punctuating her command as she opened and close the car door with a loud slam. “This cannot be happening,” I muttere
Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 60 ~ Continuation
~~~~~Earlier?What is she talking about? I paused for a moment, unsure of what she was referring to. Then it clicked—"It’s alright, Mrs. Lola," I said with a reassuring smile. "I know there wasn’t much you could do. So, it’s fine."I glanced over and noticed Eric talking with his mother. Turning back to Mrs. Lola, I added, "Just help me look out for him, okay? If you notice anything wrong, call Mrs. Nora or me. Alright?""Okay, Madam. You can count on me," she said firmly, with a determined expression, one that made me wonder if I made the right decision.But then again. "Thank you," I replied with a nod.I walked towards the car. As soon as Eric spotted me, his face lit up with a smile, and he reached out for me."I’m going to miss you," he whispered. Before I could respond, his lips captured mine in a kiss—bold and unapologetic, right in front of everyone, including his mother.
Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 60 ~ Loving you
~~~~His lips trailed over my exposed breast, taking it into his mouth, sending a jolt through my body. I gasped again, my breath hitching as his hands explored me in places no one had ever had before. His lips worked magic, igniting sensations I’d never experienced."Eric," I managed a whisper between gasps and moans. "Stop... we can't." My voice cracked, trembling with both fear and desire.He sighed deeply, his warm breath brushing against my skin. “I see you’ve come back to your senses,” he murmured, pulling his mouth away from my breast and lifting his hand from my core. But even then, his body remained pressed firmly against mine, his groin still holding me in place.My entire body trembled, the aftershocks of pleasure leaving me shaken and disoriented. I stared at him, wide-eyed and breathless. Confusion swirled in my head, the unfamiliar sensations overwhelming me. I didn’t understand what was happening to my body, nor could I process the strange pleasure it had just felt."Eri
