Chapter 6

Royalty was a fancy restaurant for the crème de la crème, from what I heard it took a whole 6 months to get a reservation at the back tables of the restaurant, but here I was sitting with this cheating bastard bragging about how he got window seat reservations in under 2 days, money was truly a luxury.

Honestly if he didn’t irritate me so much I’d actually be impressed. 

The way Ryan was grinning at me while he told the waiter our order made me feel sick to my stomach.

Frankly, I didn’t believe it was possible for someone to irritate me so, maybe it’s because I was pregnant.

But truly I was still hurt by what I saw, I felt like stabbing him with the beautiful cutlery of the Royalty restaurant, but I didn’t think the head Chef would be pleased to hear about it.

“Anastasia, you look exceptionally beautiful today, I can’t believe we’re few weeks away from getting married” Ryan said with a smile as he reached across the table to hold my hand.

If I didn’t see him making out with another woman I would actually believe that he was madly in love with me.

“So your mother told me that you wanted to get better acquainted with me?”

“Well since we are getting married in less than 3 weeks, I’d love to know the type of man I’m getting married to, aren’t you even a tad bit curious about me as well?”

“Why would I be, when I already know everything about you.”

“How so?” I asked curiously as the waiter brought appetizers

“Well your mum told me everything I needed to know about you”

“Of course she did” I muttered to myself as took a sip from the wine glass.

“But that’s not fair don’t you think, you know everything knowable about me but I don’t know much about you” I added as I took my first bite, the food was absolutely amazing.

“Well what do you want to know dear, I’m practically an open book” he said joking while spreading his hands in the air.

“Alright, I’ll start with your preferences if that’s ok with you”

“Yh sure, go ahead”

“Ok which do you prefer wine or champagne?” I asked playing with the rim of my wine glass.

“Champagne” he answered almost excitedly.

“Beaches or boat cruises?”

“The beach always”

“Corporate suits or lounge wear?”

“Lounge wear”

“Bedrooms or by restrooms?”

“What?” he asked perplexed.

After a brief pause, I took a sit of my delicious wine, I was enjoying this.

“Since you won’t answer my last question, I’ll ask you another. Me or that bitch I saw you kissing after you proposed to me?” I asked again with a smile.

It took him a few minutes to process the situation he was in, he burst out laughing.

“You didn’t strike me as the jealous type”

“Jealous???” I was completely caught off guard by his statement, the nerve on this guy

“I don’t even know you Ryan, besides what type of guy just proposes to a girl he didn’t even have a relationship with “ I added laughing.

“That was your mum’s idea”

“Still you could have just proposed to the girl you were kissing, I’m sure you wanted to”

“Look Anastasia, let not act as if we are kids, I proposed and you said yes so let’s just get married “ he wasn’t even denying or apologizing, he was just smiling as if he was enjoying the whole thing.

“Cut the crap Ryan, to be very honest with you I don’t want to get married to you, I’m practically being forced to do this. Moreover I don’t love you, I want to marry someone who I love and someone who loves me too so we’ll both be happy, and I already have someone.” 

On hearing this his demeanor changed, almost as if he was beginning to get annoyed.

“The feeling is mutual Anastasia but lets try to see the marriage between us as a marriage of convenience….”

“Marriage of convinced how?” I asked cutting him short.

“My father want’s this to happen and so does your mum, honestly I don’t care what you do after the wedding as long as it holds, and I advice you not to care what I do either. Think of it as a business deal” he said smiling ear to ear 

What I would give to wipe that grin off his face, I can’t believe him

“Business deals don’t last forever “ 

“Neither do marriages nowadays, just let this happen then we can happily get divorce after maybe 6 months, tell people we were too different “ 

I was completely dumbfounded, this is the best thing I’ve heard all week, an easy escape without getting anyone hurt.

“How can I be sure I can trust you?” I asked almost entertaining his marriage business proposal.

“Easy we’ll sign a contract here and now” he said motioning for a waiter to come, immediately the waiter did he asked for something he could write on, after five minutes the waiter return with a paper tower and a pen which he handed to Ryan.

He took his time to write down a very thorough contract and passed it to me to read through, the contract stated that we would get married and appear as a happily married couple to our family and the general public but we were free to do whatever we wanted without meddling in each others lives. After a span of 6 months we’d have a clean divorce and go our separate ways.

I scanned the makeshift contract and thought for a while before he disrupted my thoughts 

“Any observations?”

I thought for a bit before I answered him.

“I think the time we are supposed to stay married is too short, people would talk. How about a year?”.

“Alright” he muttered as he cancelled 6 months and added a year to the contract.

After I read through it again, I felt completely satisfied by the terms and signed the contract, he also did the same.

He then extended his hand for a handshake, signifying a done deal which I took happily.

“Wife” he added with a smile

“Husband” I answered as we both shook hands.

I decided to hold onto the contract for safe keeping.

After that day me and Ryan had dates, made a lot of interesting poses for the paparazzi and our parents “the soon to be wed engaged couple “ was what we were tagged on blogs.

The whole show we put up was quite fun, for a second I literally forgot my worried while we were taking a walk through the park, the scenery was so beautiful and peaceful.

Ryan even went with me to my dress fitting putting up quite the act of a madly in love soon to be happily wedded groom.

****

“We really pulled it off, wasn’t so hard. 3weeks down, a year to go” I thought to myself as I stared at my reflection in a full body mirror.

I did look elegantly beautiful in my regal wedding gown with my hair tied in a loose bun with an extremely long veil pinned into it.

My make up was subtle but still beautiful, I’d always thought that I’d be at least happy on my wedding day but that wasn’t the case.

My hands unconsciously cupped my tummy as I thought of Maxwell, tears started rolling down your cheeks

“I know you are extremely happy, but at least don’t ruin your make up with these tears of joy of yours” Bianca said rushing my cheeks with a napkin trying to save my make up.

“You look exceptionally beautiful my dear Anastasia, I wish your father was alive to see this day” 

“of course you do” I thought to myself as I smiled at her.

Mr Jaxon came in looking impeccable in his navy blue tuxedo 

“Are you sure you are not the one I’m getting married to Dad?” I asked jokingly as I gave him a hug.

He embraced me for a couple minutes before he answered “I wish” under his breath.

****

“Mum sure went all out for the wedding “ I whispered to Mr Jaxon as he walked me down the aisle

It was an outdoor garden of Eden themed wedding with colorful flowers everywhere, the space was packed with a lot of people, most if not all of which I didn’t know.

I spotted Ryan standing next the priest officiating, he looked really handsome in his pearl white suit matching my gown.

Mr Jaxon handed me over to him and joined the rest of the family.

“Wife” he whispered to me playfully as we walked to the priest 

“Husband” I answered with the brightest smile I could muster.

We said our vows, exchanged rings then kissed and like signatures bind us together so did the kiss bind us in holy matrimony.

We walked hand in hand as we were sprayed with flower petals, it was truly magical, if only it were my step brother Maxwell and I.

Ryan carried me across the threshold and then we both entered into the limousine and then we zoomed off as newly weds.

We drove for a while before I spoke to Ryan “No wedding reception?”

“ I didn’t think you would like one since…..”

“Yeah that’s great, you saved the horror of changing from this dress into another uncomfortable one”

He laughed.

 We reached our new home after about an hour and a half of driving, it was a very secluded area up a hill away from the hustle and bustle of human day to day activities.

The villa was vast and contemporary which I really liked. Immediately we pulled up Ryan and I got out of the limo and he led me to the living room where he sat me down then he left.

The house was so big but also so empty, I stood up to get a better look of the artwork and sculpture filled living room when I heard foot steps behind me.

When I turned I saw a matured woman in uniform standing at the door way

“Good day Mrs Morgan, my name is Beatrice and I am the head maid of the house. Would you like me to show you to your room?” she asked politely .

Then I nodded in agreement.

“Please call me Anastasia” I added

“Alright this way”.

She let me through a few corridors then finally up a staircase that led to a huge bedroom.

“Here we are” she said with a smile

“Would you like me to help you out of your dress?” Beatrice asked

“Yes please”

It took the two of us a good 20 minutes before we were able to remove the dress, I was already exhausted after struggling to get out of my ruffled cage.

“Would you like to have a bath before dinner is served?”

“Yes, Beatrice I think we’ll get along very well” I said to her with a smile.

“ Here’s a button by your bed you can push whenever you need me”.

I took a long and hot bath, I didn’t know getting married would be so stressful and draining. 

After my bath I met a pair of comfortable royal blue silk pajamas lying on the queen sized bed, they were so soft and delicate on my skin as I put them on.

After I had gotten ready, I sat on the bed hoping that Beatrice would come and lead me to the dinning room because if not Ryan would have to have dinner without me.

I heard the door open and Beatrice came in  “Are you ready miss Anastasia?”

“Yeah I am”

“If you would be  so kind as  to follow me so I can lead you to the dining area”

“Of course” I answered with a smile.

I followed Beatrice out of my room across the house to a regal dining room with what I could only describe as Victorian era styled furniture.

I presumed that the dining area had a particular theme it stuck to as well as only the white and gold, everything looked like it was meant to be at the palace or Versailles.

I was surprised to find the table empty with only one plate set at the table which Beatrice motioned for me to sit at.

“Where’s  Ryan?” I asked curiously 

“Mr Morgan is having his dinner in his study” she answered with a smile.

“I guess I’ll be eating alone then” I said to myself as I picked up my fork and  she played the food for me to eat.

The food was amazing, I ate every last crumb of every last course with a smile. I didn’t even know where my appetite was coming from, maybe it was because I was pregnant.

I was really enjoying the serenity of the rest of my wedding day, thanks to my missing groom.

After dinner, I went back to my room and while I was sitting alone in that huge space, in deep silence all I could think of was Maxwell.

I picked up my phone and tried his number, I did that for a while but non of my calls went through to him, I decided to text his number but non of my messages were going through.

I then remembered that I had a number of a friend of his, Jack. Jack’s number went through but he said he didn’t know where Maxwell was and he hadn’t been able to reach him either.

After the call with Jack hot tears rolled down my face non stop and before I knew it I was crying hysterically on my bed.

I cried for hours on end till I didn’t even know when I fell asleep.

The next morning bright sunlight woke me up, apparently I had a huge window with the view of the sun rise and I hadn’t closed the drapes.

“If only it was all a dream, the pregnancy, the proposal and the wedding “ I thought to myself as I struggled to wake up.

I turned on my phone hoping to have gotten a response but my messages were still unread.

I stretched my hands and rolled to the edge of the bed to press the button so Beatrice could come to my room and help me get ready for the day.

She came almost immediately, she started a bath for me and picked out what I was to wear, my things were already shipped here a day before.

I took my bath, got ready then headed to the dining area to have breakfast.

To my surprise it was still empty this morning 

“Beatrice, is Ryan having breakfast in his study this morning as well?”

“ No he already had his breakfast and left for work” I looked at the time on my phone and it was about 7:35 am, oh well I thought to myself.

I really need something to occupy my mind at the moment before I get to reach Maxwell.

“Could you give me a tour of the house after breakfast”

“Yes Mrs Anastasia”.

As I finish my breakfast I checked my phone’s to see if I had any replies from Maxwell but there were non, I just sighed as I swallowed my last my last mouth full of food.

After I was done Beatrice took my about the house for my tour, the house was truly grand and beautiful.

Every of the 15 rooms and 5 areas of the room had it’s own unique breath taking design and décoré based on distinctly different concepts that would have you thinking you were in a different universe all together.

Going through the house I could almost understand my mother’s obsession and craze for money and abundant wealth.

It was indeed a worldly luxury.

After my tour I decided to the living room to at least watch some TV and keep myself occupied.

I watched TV shows all day crying at emotional scenes and munching on all the snacks and refreshments Beatrice provided me with, I was beginning to believe that I was a glutton or something because I wasn’t one who naturally ate as much and as frequently.

When evening came Beatrice asked if I was going to freshen up before dinner but I had no desire to because I was just lazy.

I was such a mess!!!!!