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Chapter 28 ~ Pre - Wedding Jitter
Last Updated:
2024-11-16 06:55:16
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Mary 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 : 2024-11-29Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 32 ~ A Trip to Canada
~~~~~That morning, Eric woke up feeling unusually excited. Today was the day he would meet Diana in Canada, and he could hardly contain his anticipation. Fully dressed, he stepped out of his room, hoping to find his so-called wife ready and waiting. Instead, he encountered his butler.“Good morning, sir,” the man said, offering a weary smile despite his age.“Morning,” Eric replied, distractedly adjusting his suit.“Your luggage is already in the car, sir,” the butler informed him.“Ah… I see.”“But I’m afraid the madam has not yet woken up,” he added.Eric raised an eyebrow, momentarily confused. “My mother isn’t coming with us, if that’s what you mean.”“Oh, no, sir. I’m not talking about Mrs. Nora,” the butler clarified.“Then who are you referring to?” Eric asked.“I’m tal
Last Updated : 2024-11-29Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 33 ~ The Quiet Storm
~~~~~Finally, they arrived in Canada, and just as Eric had commanded, the jet touched down on the grounds of the penthouse. Like his other properties, this one was breathtaking, complete with a swimming pool on one side, a bar on the other, and a stunning fountain—it was truly a sight to behold.While the guards and maids busied themselves with our bags, I took my time, soaking in the extravagant view of the penthouse. As I approached the staircase leading inside, Eric suddenly pushed past me, nearly knocking me off my feet without so much as a “sorry.”“Hey, watch it! Are you trying to get me killed, is that why we are here?” I demanded, but instead of an apologetic look, he shot me an indifferent glare.“Asshole,” I murmured, shaking my head as I climbed the stairs again.When I reached the top, the driver was waiting alongside an elderly woman who smiled warmly at me. I returned her smile, feeling a bit
Last Updated : 2024-11-30Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 34 ~ Bound by Deception: The First Break-up
~~~~We arrived at the room Mrs. Lola had recommended, and just as she said, it was better—spacious, airy, and filled with natural light.“It’s good. I like it,” I commented, taking in the room’s elegance.“I’m glad, ma’am,” she smiled warmly. “What would you like me to prepare for dinner?”“Dinner?” I glanced at the wall clock; it was barely past 4. “Nothing, I’m not hungry, maybe later. But right now, all I need is a bath and then straight to bed.”“As you wish, ma’am, but if you change your mind, just let me know.”“Sure. Thank you,” I replied.“You’re welcome, ma’am,” she said before slipping quietly out of the room.After unpacking, I indulged in a hot bath, letting the warmth melt away every bit of tension from the day. Soon after, I slipped into bed, and as my head hit the
Last Updated : 2024-12-01Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 35 ~ Deception: The Double-headed Sword
~~~~I wasn’t thinking of anything as I made my way down the hall. My head was foggy, my mind blank. What was there to think about? Eric and I didn’t like each other; we could barely tolerate one another’s presence. I had been hired to play the part of his wife, and now that he’d told me to quit, I was ready to walk away. Sure, I might not find another gig that paid this well, but the money they owed me would help me get started for a while. Maybe I’d even try my hand at acting for real. It wouldn’t be easy, but it would be a start.Hurrying back to my room, I felt hot tears streaming down my face, and I couldn’t stop them. Why did it hurt so much? His words shouldn’t have affected me; they shouldn’t have meant anything. But they did.I collapsed onto my bed and cried my eyes out. From that moment on, everything changed between us. We barely spoke, didn’t eat together, and avoided looking each other in the eye. I stayed holed up in my room, only venturing out for fresh air. This silen
Last Updated : 2024-12-08Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 36 ~ Calculated Vengeance
~~~~I pulled on black leather pants, a fitted turtleneck, and high-top black sneakers. My hair hung loose down my back as I made my way downstairs, feeling nothing but a cold emptiness. I handed James a slip of paper with my bank details. “Here’s my account number. You said five times the pay, right?”“Right.” He gave me a questioning look. “So, does that mean I was right about everything?”I let out a low laugh. “I don’t know, James… why don’t you find out? But before we go anywhere, I want my account filled. Now.”He smirked, but I could see the flash of annoyance in his eyes. “Fine. I’ll pay you ten billion dollars—half now, half when you’re done.”Ten billion. If he could casually throw out that amount, I knew he had much more stashed away. “Fifteen billion,” I said, meeting his gaze without flinching. “And I want the full amount upfront. I don’t trust you.”He gritted his teeth but nodded. “Fine. But we need to leave now.” He looked around, nervous, as if someone was watching.“
Last Updated : 2024-12-13
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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
