CHAPTER 2:SECRETS AND LIES

I'm an Austin now which means I could no longer work at Trix Bar,the bar that I've been working at for years.My hope was to continue working there so I wouldn't have to take much from the Austin's,but I understand that it isn't really proper.Wife of a Billionaire,pouring pints and wiping down tables it's not a believable story.

I still had my job at the Gym at least.

I teach Ballet on Mondays and Thursdays to cute little kids that want to learn how to dance.Fridays I teach Couples Ballroom classes,that's where I met Tom actually but that's a story for another day.Ballet is my life,it's something that's been a part of me ever since my Mother gave me a pair of Ballet slippers when I was five years old.As a young girl I dreamed of making it big,teaching young girls my skills in my own ballet studio.

At the age of 22 I was pushing myself hard in Dance school,to be the best that I could be but when my parents were in a head on collision a year ago I found it hard to keep going.I was at a loss for months and unable to focus, then the bills came and I had no choice but to drop out.My Brother and his career came first and I don't regret a thing.He's more important.

So here at the Gym,it isn't just a place of exercise and weight lifting.There's a lot going on between Gymnastics, Swimming Classes, Fitness training and the dance Classes that are held in the studio.

"Arabesque."I said,and the young girls and boys supported themselves on one leg,while the other leg was directly behind the body with a straight knee.

I was also doing it as an example but there was quite a few giggles because not many could keep on their feet."And down."All kids rested back on two legs."Good Job,Guys.That was fantastic."

I looked down at my watch and noticed our time was up for today."Okay,That's times up for today I'm afraid. But I'll see you same time again on Thursday."

I always hate when classes are over, I would do this all day if I could.Having my own Ballet Studio is a dream that is safe to say will never come true.

"My Mommy said you Married a Handsome rich man last week,Miss Vanessa."Addie asked, in her group of five girls.

I suppose it was expected that everyone would find out and gossip about it.Now I have Kids asking me questions about my marriage to my fake husband."Yes,I got married over the weekend."

"What's his name?"Henry shouted.

I chuckled,at how excited they all were.They're so young,they don't even know how Fucked up life can be just yet."His name is Jeremy Austin."

"Now we can call her Mrs Austin because she's his wife."Stacey slung her bag on her shoulder and walked closer to me."Is he cute?"

"Um,Sure.He's cute."Cute definitely wasn't a word I would use to describe Jeremy, but there's little ears around so I played along.

"My Mommy said he's a Hunk."Addie said,bracing her hands on her hips like a little miss.

I think her Mommy needs to watch what she's says around her Daughter.The door to the studio opened saving me from anymore questions about my new husband."There's your parents to collect you."

"Bye Mrs Austin."

I waved the kids off as their parents collected them by the door."See you on Thursday."

All kids had left,usually after class I would stay and get a couple of hours in myself. But today is different,today I move into Jeremy's home.Tom and Ava are collecting me at my apartment to take me there and get settled in.

"That's a new Tutu!!"

I turned around and Alex was crossing the studio towards me. As a personal trainer he was a usual sweaty mess."Hi You."

He wrapped his arms around me in a hug."Congratulations on the Wedding,Petal. I'm sorry I couldn't make it,my Dad was having his surgery and my Mom was a total mess."

"Thank You,You didn't miss much."I pulled back from the hug."How is your Dad?"

He shrugged."It was knee surgery,so it's not a big deal. Of course he's playing it up big time and my Mom being the adoring wife is fussing over him."

I chuckled."That's true love."

"Speaking of true Love tell me about Mr Austin,you've been rather vague on the details.I know he doesn't look like Shrek,I've seen the pictures online."

That brought a smile to my face,Alex always does this to me. Here comes the lies."You know when you just meet someone and you just instantly connect, that's what it's like with Jeremy.It feels like he's brought my world back together which is exactly what I needed."

"It's unlike you to be so spontaneous,Ness. You haven't dated since you know who..But it sounds like you and Jeremy are a match made in heaven."

Match made in Hell more like. I wish I could tell Alex what's going on but I can't, My best friend Natasha neither.The next year is going to be a very lonely one."Jeremy didn't want to waste anymore time. When you know you know."I packed my things into my bag and got ready to leave.

"You're leaving already?I was hoping we could catch up over dinner at the pier."

"I'm sorry. Jeremy's parents are collecting me at my apartment to help me move in."I pressed a kiss to Alex's sweaty cheek."Another time, I promise."

I walked through Jeremy's modern style mansion,that was decorated in dark colours of blacks and Greys.I couldn't see a touch of colour anywhere,which I suppose was to be expected from a man like him.

Ava was trying to be a helpful Mother in Law by unpacking my things in Jeremy's bedroom. Of course that wasn't what I wanted,I tried to stop her but she was having none of it.Jeremy is not going to be happy about me Invading his space and I was worried about facing his wrath.

"Things between you and Jeremy are new and exciting, you should enjoy this time together."Ava placed my poetry books down on Jeremy's nightstand.

"We will..When he gets home."

She sighed."He should be here,instead of spending all his time at that office.Tom was like that too at a young age, but when Jeremy came along things changed."

"It's okay,Mrs Austin. I understand that work is important to him.Jeremy is a busy man and I'm okay with that."

If he's working that means he'll be here at the mansion less, but this place is so big I'd probably never see him anyway.I'm hoping that'll be the case.

"Mother.."Jeremy's voice called, as his feet pounded the stairs.

Oh No!! Of course the worst possible thing happened and he came home while I'm in his room making it mine. He's not going to be happy.

"In your room,Darling."Ava shouted, casually. She didn't have a clue what she was causing.She had no clue that her son and I didn't have one ounce of love for each other.

Jeremy walked into the room huffy with a scowl on his face.He looked between the two of us."What are you doing in here?"

Ava folded a piece of my clothing and placed it on his bed of expensive sheets."I was just helping Vanessa get settled into your room.We didn't think you would make it home to help out."

Jeremy rubbed his forehead in frustration."I was in a meeting."He looked at me and then back to his Mom."Can you give me a few minutes alone with my wife,Please?"

It sounded weird,him calling me his wife when we didn't even know each other. Again it was just another thing I will have to get used to,because I'm sure I'm going to be hearing it alot in front of company.

"Of course,Darling."As Ava placed an item of my clothing down on the bed, the pile tipped onto the floor."I just hate when that happens."She bent down picked them all up to placed them on the bed. When she bent down again she came back up holding a used condom wrapper in her hand."Oh,Jeremy you need to learn how to pick up after yourself."

"Jesus Christ."He sighed.

I stood red faced knowing now that he had most likely gotten laid recently, even within the marriage was a possibility.I've already been introduced to his maid Alma, who i assume cleans his room on a daily basis.I doubt the used condom wrapper would have gone unseen for very long.

"I take it I won't be becoming a Grandmother anytime soon, that's okay you two have lots of time."Ava chuckled,walking past her son and out of the room.

Just when she had left,Jeremy closed the door to his bedroom and we were alone.Just me and him alone, this was the first I've seen of him since our wedding night. When I woke up the next morning he was gone and I was left to make excuses for him.

Jeremy glared at me."You can't be in here.Just because you're my wife now it doesn't give you the right."The way he looked at me showed me exactly how much he despised me.

"Your Mom was persistent and I didn't know what else to do,i was planning on taking my things back out before you got home."

"Sure you were. I'm not going to sleep with you,Vanessa. Keep dreaming."He placed his hands in the pockets of his expensive suit trousers.

"Not every woman on earth wants to sleep with you,Jeremy.Stop with the ego, you're not even my type."Jesus I had grown some balls and decided to talk back, I guess I need to do that sooner rather than later.

He chuckled."Fuck,You're something aren't you.For some unknown reason my Father took pity on you and offered you this fucked up Arrangement, I have no choice to go along with this until the year is up."He stepped closer to me,acting like he was all that."Let me make this clear now,You stay the Fuck out of my room and stay the Fuck out of my way.If you don't I'll make you pay, you wouldn't want that now would you."

I wondered what way he planned on making me pay. Would he physically hurt me?I don't know..He seemed angry and agitated enough that I was even here.

I looked up at him, barely able to get my words out without a panic in my voice"Okay,Jeremy."