جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 5

I woke up from sleep with a jolt, my heart hammering in my chest. I was in an unfamiliar room on an unfamiliar bed. As my eyes adjusted to the dark, I could make out the form of another human being lying down beside me, their chest rising and falling with every breath. Panic flooded my system as I tried to take a closer look at my companion. As I inched closer to them, I could see that it was a man. Terror gripped me as I began to scream at the top of my lungs. Why was there a strange man in bed beside me? What was I doing here? Was I dreaming?“Help me! Help me!” I shouted into the night, hoping there would be neighbours close by who could hear my wails.“Hel -” The words were barely out before I felt a hand close over my mouth, trapping my pleas for help. I then felt another hand clasp my wrist in a pincer-like grip.“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” my male companion snarled, his face contorted in a mix of rage and confusion. “Have you forgotten that we’re married now?”As

I pulled at my skirt and took a second glance at my watch in 10 minutes. Levi Strauss-Jackson was late. Very late. We were scheduled to meet at the rooftop bar of the Continent Grand Hotel - the alleged venue of our wedding ceremony. The meeting was set for 2pm, and I had arrived at exactly 1:55pm, not wanting to give him the benefit of courtesy. Well, it seemed he had the same idea as me.Just as I was contemplating leaving, I heard the familiar ding of the elevator and looked up to see Levi stepping out of it. Despite the sticky California heat, I felt a chill run through me at the sight of him. Levi was certainly more impressive in real life than on my phone screen. I had spent the past few days furiously researching him, familiarising myself with the man that was to become my husband. He was the oldest son and the primed successor of the Strauss-Jackson empire, a conglomerate that spanned several industries. It was easier to keep track of what sector of business they weren’t invo

Levi’s POV I turned sharply to the back of the hall, trying to put a face to the voice that had just objected to my wedding ceremony. Scanning the room, my eyes locked on a particular target. Monica. Of course. I had a feeling she would make an appearance. Dramatic as always, she was dressed in a skin-tight black floor length number, with an accompanying black shawl draped over her head. “I object!” she screamed again, rushing to the front of the hall and drawing astonished glances from the attendees. I was surprised that she could even move that fast in her absurd outfit. She was dressed as if in attendance for a funeral, symbolism that wasn’t lost on me. I wasn’t sure how she had gotten past the security specifically hired to keep her out of the venue, but I knew that somebody was definitely going to get fired for this. Or several people. “Levi!” she called, finally and holding on to my arm. “I can’t let you do this. I can’t let you marry her,” she cast a hateful glare at Athen