CHAPTER SIX

Avery’s POV

I'm married again! As Aiden and I walked down the aisle I couldn't help replaying his words “You tasted delicious, Mrs Backwoods.” I blushed. Our first kiss was surprisingly nice. Don't get me wrong I'm not happy with this arrangement, I just have to give him his flowers, he's a good kisser. I kissed Theo for years and the thought of him being a good kisser never crossed my mind. I guess I was just used to it.

“Are you thinking of the kiss Mrs Backwoods?” Aiden’s voice suddenly brought me back to reality and I almost jumped. I looked at him and rolled my eyes.

“You wish.” I replied. It was time for the parting away, the time when the new bride and her groom are driven away. I temporary said bye to dad, and the back door of the car was opened for me by one of Aiden's bodyguard.

Aiden got into the car through the other side. The driver ignited the engine, and before I knew it we were on the road already. I looked back and saw about three cars behind us already, must be his bodyguards. I looked at my new husband, he didn't spare me a glance. He had his eyes fixed on his phone. ‘Come on Avery you're smart,’ don't expect him to have manners. Images of my marriage ceremony with Theo flodded my memory. Theo's not as wealthy as Aiden so we didn't have everywhere guarded. And despite my father being absent I was the happiest bride on earth. Theo's love was overwhelming. I loved being with him.

“We're home already Wifey.” Aiden said, I looked at him, then looked out, I was shocked to be in his house already.

“That was fast.” I said and was about to open the door.

“Let me, I'm a gentleman after all.” He said, got down and opened the door for me. I sighed then made my way to the entrance. Aiden's mansion is way bigger than that of my dad's. “The house is now yours Wifey, you don't have to be surprised.” Aiden said and I wanted to hit him badly. He punched in the code to unlock the mansion which open, giving us entrance. “My housekeeper is not in right now, and the maids I let them off for today, I want privacy with my new bride.” He said and I didn't reply. I took in the nice fresh air of the mansion. I looked around, this could pass for the white house. The sofas, couch, wall, everything exhuded perfection. I could tell this is his taste. He carefully selected everything here.

Aiden assisted by showing me my room. My luggages were brought in and I arranged. I have to order some flowers to be brought in, and also get a florist to take care of my babies at home. After I was done arranging, I took a quick shower and fell asleep.

The Next Day

I woke up due to the ring from my phone, I was too tired yesterday after the ceremony, and after arranging my things, it still felt weird few months after my divorce to the man I was once in love with I married. I checked my social media accounts, I could see people tagging me in hateful speeches ‘How convenient.’ ‘She's rich so what exactly is she getting married for after getting divorced a few months ago.’ ‘I'm sure it was that evil man that forced her into the marriage for money.’ I read different comments and I just hissed. I'm used to this, I was born into fame.

I was about to put my phone down when my phone rang, It was dad. Immediately after picking his call dad just shouted, “What are you doing? Shouldn't you be in the office by now? Come over we have to announce the merge of the two companies.” Dad didn't bother asking about my… Am I thinking what should he ask about.

“I'll be there dad.” I replied, I was about to say something else when he hung up. I got up and went to take my bath, I spent just thirty minutes dressing up and applying lotion on my body.

I didn't say hi to ‘My husband’ I rushed out of the house and one of Aiden's bodyguard approached me. “Good morning ma, congratulations once again, Sir appointed me to you, I'll be driving you from now.” He said and I just noded, I don't want dad to get upset.

“I'm going to my office.” I said, I immediately told him the address and he ignited the engine. Within an hour we were at the company already, I went in and was briefed by the secretary, the meeting was to hold now. I went to the conference room and I saw dad there already. “Good morning dad.” I greeted, but he had this stern look on his face.

“Without further ado, let the meeting commence.” My dad started, the board members were in their numbers. Dad as usual took the head's chair. “We decided to merge the two companies after careful consideration, it is obvious I won't take actions that will cost the company anything.” Dad kept talking about how the merging will influence our company, especially, now that I'm married to their CEO. The board members as usual supported his plan and ideas. I'm a bait to my dad again.

As the meeting progressed, I couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. My dad's words echoed in my mind: "I won't take actions that will cost the company anything." It was clear that our marriage was a strategic business move, and I was the pawn.

After the meeting, my dad summoned me to his office. "Avery, I expect you to play your part in this merger. You're now the link between our companies." His tone was stern, leaving no room for argument.

"I understand, Dad." I replied, trying to hide my frustration.

"Good. I'll send over the documents for you to review. Aiden will expect your full cooperation." He handed me a folder filled with papers.

I took a deep breath, scanning the documents. This was my life now – a business arrangement disguised as a marriage.

As I left my dad's office, I couldn't shake off the feeling of being trapped. My phone buzzed with a text from Aiden:

"Hey Wifey, how was your day?"

I rolled my eyes. Did he really care?

"It was fine. Busy with the merger talks." I replied, keeping my response brief.

"Good. I expect great things from you. See you tonight."

Tonight? What did he mean? Was he expecting me to...?

I pushed the thought aside, focusing on the tasks ahead. The rest of the day passed in a blur of meetings and conference calls.

As the sun began to set, I made my way back to Aiden's mansion, feeling exhausted. The bodyguard, whose name was Marcus, drove me home.

Upon arrival, I found Aiden waiting in the living room, sipping a glass of whiskey.

"Welcome home, Wifey." He said, his eyes locked on mine.

"Hi." I replied, trying to sound casual.

"Dinner will be served soon. Join me?" He asked, patting the couch beside him.

I hesitated, unsure of what to say.

I took a deep breath and walked over to the couch, sitting next to Aiden. His gaze was intense, but I managed to keep my composure, even though it felt a bit strange being this close to him. The man was practically a stranger despite now being my husband, and the small-talk tension in the air was undeniable.

“You look like you had a long day,” he commented, handing me a glass of wine.

“I did,” I replied, sipping slowly. “The merger talk took up most of the day.”

“Good to hear you're making progress. Our fathers have been pushing for this for years. We’re just the...final piece of the puzzle.” He said it so nonchalantly, as if our marriage was nothing more than a signed contract, and maybe that’s exactly what it was to him.

I set my glass down. “I guess it’s convenient for them, then. A corporate merger with a nice, tidy wedding bow on top.”

He chuckled, his smile oddly genuine. “Convenient is one way to look at it, though I’d hardly say it’s tidy.”

I wasn’t sure what he meant by that, and I wasn’t sure I wanted to ask. Before I could think too much about it, the sound of a timer went off from the kitchen. Aiden glanced at his watch.

“That’ll be dinner. I ordered something in for us.”

“Oh, you can cook too?” I teased, trying to ease the tension between us.

“Not quite,” he smirked. “But I know how to pick out a good chef.” He stood up and motioned for me to follow him into the dining room, where plates of fresh pasta, salad, and an assortment of dishes were laid out beautifully.

We sat down, and I was surprised at how well everything was arranged. Aiden had gone through the trouble of having a romantic meal prepared for us, something I honestly hadn’t expected from him. Still, as we ate in silence, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of sadness that the marriage I’d once dreamed of had turned into this — a formal, businesslike partnership with no real affection.

“Avery,” Aiden’s voice broke through my thoughts, “I know you’re not exactly thrilled with this marriage.”

I looked up, surprised by his straightforwardness. “You think?”

He laughed. “I just thought it’d be nice if we could try to be friends, at least.” He paused, watching my reaction. “I know this isn’t ideal for either of us, but maybe we can make the best of it?”

I thought about it for a moment. Friendships weren’t built on a forced marriage, but if he was offering to keep things cordial, maybe that would make things easier. “Sure,” I finally replied. “Friends it is.”

“Good.” He raised his glass in a mock toast, and I clinked mine with his. It was a small moment, but it brought a bit of relief.

After dinner, we went back to the living room, and he surprised me by putting on a movie. We settled in, and as the movie played, I started to feel myself relax around him, just a little. Maybe, just maybe, this arrangement could be bearable. But even as I thought that, Theo crossed my mind. I could see him in my memory, smiling at me, holding me close on our wedding day, with so much love in his eyes. I felt a lump in my throat, and I blinked back the emotion.

“Are you alright?” Aiden asked, noticing my silence.

I shrugged. “Just… adjusting. You know?”

He nodded, his expression softening. “It’ll get easier. Just… give it time.”

***

The next few weeks passed in a blur of meetings, emails, and endless work on the merger. Aiden and I maintained a polite distance, staying out of each other’s way whenever possible, only meeting in the evenings for short conversations or meals. Our ‘friendship’ was polite and functional, exactly what you’d expect from business partners more than a newlywed couple.

Then, one evening, as I was working late in my office at the company, a knock came at my door. I looked up, surprised to see Aiden.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, taken aback.

“Your dad mentioned you’d be working late. I thought I’d check on you,” he said, stepping inside. “It’s important we stay aligned on the merger details, especially as things progress.”

“Of course,” I replied, pulling out the latest draft. “Here’s the document I was working on. It should address the remaining points your team had.”

He took the folder from me, his eyes scanning the papers. As he flipped through the pages, he glanced up, catching my gaze. “I know you didn’t want this, Avery. I know you think you’re just a pawn, but it’s more complicated than that.”

I felt a flicker of irritation. “Enlighten me, then.”

He looked away, his jaw tightening. “There’s more than just business tied to this merger, and maybe… maybe I was trying to protect both of us by going along with it.”

I didn’t understand, but I could tell he was holding something back. “Aiden, if there’s something I need to know, now would be a good time.”

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “There’s a lot riding on this deal, more than you can imagine. Our families… they have a lot at stake, and there’s pressure from every side. I don’t want to see either of us caught in the middle of that.”

“I’m already in the middle, Aiden,” I said, my voice growing tense. “So are you.”

He nodded, a resigned expression on his face. “You’re right. But if there’s a way for us to come out of this with as little damage as possible, I want that for us.”

We stood there in silence, and I felt a strange mixture of understanding and anger. Aiden wasn’t wrong, but it didn’t make the situation any easier. After a few more minutes of strained silence, he handed me back the documents.

“I’ll see you at home,” he said quietly, turning and walking out of my office.

That night, I couldn’t sleep. His words kept replaying in my mind, leaving me more confused than ever. There was clearly more to this marriage than I had realized, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that Aiden knew things he wasn’t sharing.

The following morning, I awoke to find an envelope slipped under my bedroom door. Inside was a handwritten note from Aiden:

*“Avery, if I could tell you everything, I would. I know you feel like a pawn, but please understand that I’m doing everything I can to make this easier for you. For both of us. Just give me a little more time.”*

The note was cryptic and left me with more questions than answers. Still, something about it softened me a little. Maybe Aiden really was caught up in something beyond his control. Maybe he was doing what he thought was best, just as I was.

Days passed, and although Aiden and I kept up our routine, there was a slight shift between us. We’d share quiet conversations over breakfast, and he’d ask about my work or my interests, showing a side of himself that seemed almost genuine. I found myself relaxing around him, the walls I’d put up slowly lowering.

One evening, as we were talking over dinner, he looked at me thoughtfully. “What do you want, Avery? Beyond all this?” he asked, gesturing to the house around us.

I hesitated, unsure how to answer. “I want… freedom, I suppose. A life that’s my own. And…” I paused, feeling vulnerable. “I want to be happy.”

He nodded, his gaze softening. “Then I’ll make you a promise. Whatever happens with this merger, whatever our families try to throw at us, I’ll do everything I can to give you that.”

I looked into his eyes, seeing a flicker of sincerity that I hadn’t noticed before. Maybe, just maybe, there was a chance that beneath all the business and strategy, he did care, even if just a little.

“Thank you,” I said softly, feeling a strange warmth settle in my chest.

And for the first time since we’d said our vows, I felt a small glimmer of hope that maybe our marriage could become something more than just a business arrangement.