Chapter 4

I felt my throat go dry and I involuntarily swallowed the huge chunk of chicken I had in my mouth. I wasn't expecting such an arrangement, at least not so soon.

I stared at him in shock, trying to process what he had just said.

“What? Did I pay you to come sit in my house and eat all day?” He looked back at me and asked.

“I-I-”

He dropped his cutlery and raised his brow at me, but I was still gathering my thoughts.

I grabbed a cup of water and gulped it down at a go to ease my racing heart while he went back to his food.

“Ahem,” I cleared my throat. “Meeting people at your company tomorrow? We only just got married today, I don't even have the full details of why we are married, I don't know what to say when I meet them, I don't know how to act, and you just want me to meet with them?”

“Yes, we only just got married today and I paid you today. It's only normal for you to start working for what you were paid for. Don't you think?” He smirked

“But I-I don't know what to say. It's too sudden, I'm not prepared.”

“You don't have to say anything, I don't even want you to say anything. The only thing you need to do is get dressed, smile, be polite and stand beside me while I introduce you to the board members. That's all.”

“But I don't have anything to wear”

He eyed me and got up, walking towards the stairs. Then he turned.

“The team that will get you ready for tomorrow will be here by 6 a.m, be prepared because we leave by 8 a.m.”

I sighed and shut my eyes, with my head slumped backwards. I was nervous because I didn't know what to expect. But I knew I must abide by his rules because I have no money to refund.

*******

I watched her do some final touches to my face, and I was eager to check out myself in the mirror. The makeup artist made sure I didn't see my reflection while she worked on my face.

Finally, she was done and the stylist guided me towards the mirror.

I beamed at the image in the mirror and my eyes became misty. I remembered how long it took to get the make-up done, I wouldn't want to ruin it with tears, even though it was happy tears.

“You are so beautiful, Mrs White” The stylist smiled, and the makeup artist nodded in agreement.

“Thank you” I smiled back, not taking my eyes off the mirror.

The long-sleeved red gown accentuated my figure, and the high slit called attention to my long leg. It was a mix of decency and class.

I loved how it made me feel, and I could tell it boosted my confidence to face whatever came.

“Are you done? We need to be on our way in five minutes” Earl announced outside the door.

“We are done sir, she will be out now” the make-up artist responded.

I picked up my purse and took a last glance at myself. I was satisfied.

*******

*Earl POV*

“Wow!”

I heard Ben mutter as he stood by me beside the car.

I glanced at him and followed the direction of his eyes, my lips involuntarily parted in admiration.

I heard the voice of my P.A over the phone asking if I was listening, but my voice was gone.

She looked like a model straight out of the magazine, and her smile got me rooted. How didn't I notice this beauty all along?

“Sir, you are drooling” Ben whispered into my ears and tapped my shoulders.

I blinked and hurriedly wiped the sides of my lips. I cleared my throat as she got closer, a tingling sensation forming in my pants and that was strange because I never get aroused until I'm faced with a beautiful naked lady.

I wouldn't want her to see me as a weakling or a pervert, moreover, I have met more beautiful women.

“I'm ready, we can go now” she smiled calmly, looking straight into my eyes.

“Ah yes-yes, let's go. Go get the door for her Ben”

I watched her walk around the car in calculated steps. There was an aura around her that made her appear daring.

I glanced at my phone and realized that Maria was still on call, was she listening to me stutter before a woman?

I ended the call and entered the car. I had a long day ahead, and I needed to focus.

*******

“Is this how people stare over here?”

“That's what you get when you walk hand in hand with the company's heir” I responded as we walked towards the elevator leading to my office, with Ben walking behind.

“You give yourself so much credit Earl. What makes you think they are not staring because I'm looking like a beauty goddess?” She smiled knowingly and winked at me.

“Oh please, I deserve the credit for that because I got the team who dolled you up. You wouldn't turn heads if you were dressed in your thrift sweatshirts”

“You—”

“Shhhh, no argument here Venus, we are meant to be loving couples, okay?”

She rolled her eyes and pouted, but it made her look prettier and I smiled.

*******

“Good morning Sir, the board members are seated, including your father”

Maria announced as she walked up to us.

“All right Maria, we will just head there then. Get my bag from Ben and take it to the office.

“Sir, would you be needing my help?”

“Oh, not at all Maria, just take the bag. Thank you.”

I turned towards Venus and asked, “Remember all I said to you?”

She nodded and sighed nervously.

“Good. Let's go”

*******

“I'm so sorry for keeping you waiting gentlemen, I just had to wait for my wife to get ready,” I announced with a smile as I walked into the board room.

The look on their faces was hilarious and I had a hard time stopping myself from laughing.

I ignored the silent whispers going on and held out a chair for Venus to sit while I took the seat beside her, directly opposite Mr Williams, my worst nightmare.

“Are we going to spend the day whispering or get straight to the point?” I asked mockingly not taking my eyes off Mr Williams.

“You gave a criteria, and it has been met, do you have anything else against me?”