Chapter 5

"Darling, are you alright do you feel ill?" Rella snapped out of her thoughts at the feel of Stefan's warm calloused hand on hers, she furrowed her brows in confusion as to why he would use such an endearment for her but one look around told her why; Mr. And Mrs Stephenson were staring at her with concern waiting for her response.

      Her palm was sweaty where he held her hand and Rella had no choice but to continue this charade. Stefan had a sacharin sweet smile on his face, almost like he was enjoying her mistery and Rella wanted to punch him so bad. She took in a deep breath and regretted because she almost felt sick to her stomach.  Oh God he was now her husband, and now what?

       "I'm fine." She said finally mustering her own sweet smile. Mrs. Stephenson looked relieved. 

       "It's not me is it? I didn't do anything to upset you did I?" Stefan asked and Rella wished he'd stop talking.

She laughed uneasily. 

        "No I'm just so overwhelmed with all of these." She replied honestly.

        " Happens to us all the time! " Mrs Stephenson said with a kind smile. " It'll be over before you know it so savour it as much as you can."

There was nothing to savour Rella just wanted the night to be over already. 

        "Don't worry, you'll feel much better after the first night." Stefan took their joined hands and pressed his lips at the back of it.

        "F-first night?" Rella blinked, almost choking. 

        "First night. You scared?" Stellan said huskily as he trailed moist kisses up her arm and she shivered in reaction.

    Rella swallowed nervously, and wordlessly shook her head. She could see cameras flashing all around her and understood that he was putting on a show for the tabloids to see how utterly in love they were.

       "Ah young love," Mrs Stephenson purred dreamily holding on to her husband's arm who barely said two words. "Remember our wedding my love, we couldn't keep our hands off of each other so we snuck into the storage room of the restaurant where the reception was held. 

       "uh honey I don't think…" her husband began to say in discomfort. Rella coughed while Stefan simply smiled in amusement. "There's nothing to be ashamed of and I can see that you two can barely keep your hands off each other. It wouldn't hurt to give you a few tips."

      "We would love that Mrs Stephenson but we've got to greet our remaining guests."

       "Oh sure, don't let me keep you." She gave a discreet wink to Rella.

       For the first time that night Rella was actually grateful to Stefan for saving her from that uncomfortable conversation. 

       "You are a very good actress I would give you that." Stefan commented as soon as they were out of the old couple's earshot. Rella could tell that was meant as an insult.

      "You could win an Oscar no kidding." She retorted.

       Glad to see that they were both on the same page so they could get the pretense out of the way, Stefan thought. He was glad to know that the masks were off and she didn't have that puppy love look in her eyes. There was no use pretending when she would still get his money either way. They made rounds to greet the guests and at last Stefan was able to get away from her to chat with his friends.

        "You were quite touchy feely with your bride back there," Dave Sullivan said.

       "Don't tell me you're suddenly on boared with this marriage?" Jake Sullivan quipped.

       Stefan scoffed. "Hell will surely freeze over first."

       "Never say never. Besides, she's not that bad." Christian chimed in.

      "If you don't count how many times she's appeared on the tabloids for her escapades."

      "Like you haven't been on that rag a million times already." Christian countered. Stefan rolled his eyes at his friend.  "I hate to admit it but the old man was right,"

       "About what?" Dave asked.

       "Did you notice Salvatore smiling at me throughout the night?"

       " And that's shocking because..."

       "The son of a bitch always looked at me with such disdain like I stole from him but now he's all smily like everything's peachy. If I'm gonna be stuck in this marriage thing for life then I better get something out of it. I have a feeling the investment is a done deal."

 

      Rella looked around at the vast space alive with lush array of vegetation. The mansion stood two storeys tall and immaculately white at the middle, too huge for one. 

       "You live here all by yourself?" She asked bemused.

       "I got it recently." 

Stefan began to walk towards the mansion not caring whether she was behind him or not. Making a mental note to tour the grounds some other time, Rella quickly caught up to him as they both walked towards the huge double doors.

       "Welcome Mr Diamond." A middle aged man greeted as soon as the doors opened.

      "Thank you Henry." Stefan said with a smile then he turned to her and said, "do whatever you want but stay out of my way. I'll be in my study for the rest of the evening so do not bother me unless someone's dying." And then he walked away leaving her utterly speechless.