“Anderson!” I hurried to his side, not caring if I soiled the pristine wedding dress as I kneeled before him, my hands reaching out to his face to calm him down.
“Anderson!” my voice trembles with worry as my vision blurs with unshed tears as his face twists in pure agony. In a frenzy, I moved to get my phone as it was the only logical thing my mind could think of was to call for help, but before I shot up, I felt a pair of study hands wrap around me.My body moves in accordance with gravity as I stumble into his lap, my back pressing against his chest. I could feel the subtle beat of his stable heartbeat, and a lone tear slipped from my eyes as his grip on me grew comfortingly tighter“I’m fine,” he whispers sensually in my ear, resting his head on my shoulder as he peppers my skin with light kisses. “Don’t cry.” he cooed, his voice heavy with remorse and I did the exact opposite, biting down on my lower lip as I sobbed in pure relief. My shoulders quake as I burst into tears, dropping my head in my hands as my suppressed emotions slip out of their restraints and wet my skin. Anderson is taken aback by my reaction, so he tries to lighten up the mood by saying, “Did you think I was going to die so easily? I was merely pulling your legs Verona.” he muses, dismissing the fact that he just gave me the fright of my life. And to him, it was just a joke, a cheesy trick to get my attention.This man was unbelievable.Swallowing my sobs, I straighten up and wriggle out of his hold, turning around briskly to give him a harsh slap. Anderson’s head whipped to the side, his eyes wide and his mouth ajar in shock. I was also surprised at my impulsive behavior, but I couldn’t find any better way to channel my frustrations. My relief soon transitioned into boiling anger, and it was visible in the storm of my blue eyes. He may be oblivious, but my brother’s life was practically tied to his, and if anything bad happened to him, I would share the same fate because my brother was my lifeline.Laura’s threat loomed heavy on my mind, and it was already bad enough to have my fate in the hands of a stranger, but I also had to deal with the consequences of taking up the role of a woman I barely knew.Anderson stumbled back, his hand flying to his cheek where my slap had landed. He stared at me, his expression a mix of hurt and confusion. "Verona…." he trailed off, his voice tinged with disbelief.“Don’t” I start, raising a warning finger at him, my gaze darkening maliciously despite the unshed tears that gathered at the corners of my eyes. “Don’t you ever toy with my emotions like that!” I snapped my tone firm despite the obvious tremor in my voice. I might just be breaking character, but I feared more for the turmoil that threatened to consume me whole if not released. Suppressing these emotions any further could shatter the fragile balance I've maintained, leaving me exposed and defenseless.Every moment spent concealing this inner chaos adds weight to the burden I carry, threatening to crush me beneath its relentless pressure. If I don't confront it now, I risk losing myself entirely in the darkness that lurks within.I didn't wait for his response as I violently wiped my tears with the back of my hands before standing to my feet. I scurry over to the master bedroom with sharp steps, not daring to look back as I shut the door behind me in a rather dramatic manner.In the confines of the luxurious room, I feel like I can finally breathe but I’m quickly reminded that I had to face him tomorrow and my shoulders sag in disappointment. I lean against the door as fatigue racks through every fiber of my body, trying to catch my breath and calm my racing heart. The anger still simmers beneath the surface, but now it's mingled with a pang of deep sadness, and I slide down to the floor, letting my gaze wander around the bedroom.The glass screen windows offer a stunning view of the outside world, a peaceful landscape that seems to stretch on forever, giving way for me to see the sunset in a trail of pink and orange. The black frames of the windows create a striking contrast against the soft, neutral tones of the walls.My eyes travel to the plush, king-sized bed, a luxurious oasis in the center of the room. It's a tempting invitation, but I resist its call for now. Instead, I let my gaze drift to the sleek desk, imagining the creative possibilities that await me there. The modern design of the furniture adds a touch of elegance to the space, enhancing its tranquil ambiance.As I take in the room's decor, from the rich hardwood flooring to the contemporary light fixtures above, I feel a sense of calm wash over me. Almost like it was a retreat, a sanctuary where I could escape from the chaos of the world outside and find peace within myself.My eyes water with more tears, my throat clogging up as my heart throbbed with the piercing feeling of loneliness. The realization that I had just married a man I didn't love struck me hard, along with the expectations that hovered over my head like a dreary rain cloud. At that moment, I felt suffocated by the weight of societal norms and the burden of pretending to be someone I was not, trapped in a life that felt like a prison of my own making.I let myself salvage this moment because it would probably be the last chance I had to be myself. Starting tomorrow, I would officially be Verona Shield, and I couldn’t afford to break character. From then on, every action, and every word would be meticulously crafted to fit the role I had been thrust into.I take a deep breath, steeling myself for the challenges ahead. No more slip-ups, no more letting my emotions get the best of me.The next morning, I was woken up by a sharp pain in my neck, and I let out a low groan as my eyes fluttered open. It was then I realized that I had slept in the same position as last night, crouched and folded, and now I was paying dearly for it. I was still in my wedding gown, and it was clear evidence that everything that had happened wasn’t just a dream, even after I had profusely wished it was. I let out a small yawn as I dragged myself to my feet, wincing slightly as another wave of pain twists the muscles in my lower back.I walk towards the mirror in the dresser, stopping midway to take a moment to admire the serene view of the breathtaking landscape behind the glass screen windows. It was the only feature of the room that I appreciated. The sun had yet to rise but the bright blue sky did well to take its place.I reach the mirror and gaze at my reflection, taking in the image of the face that had landed me in his position. I internally cringed at the sight of myself, my eyes
THIRD PERSON POV “Come on pick up, pick up.” Briana frantically paced about her room, her brows furrowed in anxiousness as she continuously dialed Laura Shield's number. She looked over her shoulder with uneasiness, watching Celine silently arrange her luggage for the impromptu trip. Anderson had stepped out to finalize the arrangements, and he'd said they were scheduled to leave by noon. Leaving Briana little to no time to come up with a valid excuse to refuse. She was sure Anderson would get suspicious, because what newly wedded wife wouldn't jump at the thought of a lavish honeymoon. It was every woman's dream, but to Briana, it was nothing more than a nightmare. And finally, after a dozen solid attempts, she gets through to the enigmatic businesswoman. “What do you want? I'm sure I instructed you to call only during emergencies.”Came Laura's cold welcome, but Briana brushed it off and stopped pacing.She moves into the bathroom to avoid Celine from overhearing their conversa
*Third person POV*A shocked gasp escaped Briana's lips as Anderson sprung up to his feet and swept her off hers in one swift motion. She found herself effortlessly lifted and placed on the table, her breath catching in her throat as she stared up at him with wide eyes, her heart racing with exhilaration.With a boldness that left her breathless, Anderson gently but firmly parted her legs with his sturdy hands, stepping in between them with a confident stride. As he closed the distance between them, the skirt of her dress rode high, exposing the smooth curve of her thighs, and a rush of heat flooded Briana's cheeks as she felt his touch against her skin.His hand slid against her thighs with a tantalizing caress, sending electric currents dancing along her nerves and igniting a fire within her that she could barely contain. With each passing moment, the tension between them grew, thickening the air with anticipation as they teetered on the edge of something unknown.“Anderson, wait–”
BRIANA I felt hot, hotter than I'd ever felt in all my life. Anderson's lustful gaze washed over me, pinning me in place as his eyes silently studied my expression. He increased his pace as he ground against me, and I let out a shaky moan, my eyes rolling to the back of my head as the rush of sweet ecstasy clouded my mind, making me breathless as I trembled against him. “You weren't always this sensitive,” he observed in a soft whisper, his hand reaching out to gently caress my cheeks. “Seeing you like this is driving me crazy.” Oh, if only he knew how close I was to the brink of insanity. “Ahh…” a gasp escaped my lips as a tantalizing shiver ran up my spine. Anderson's free hand had slid against my open thighs, venturing into my most sensitive part. I pulled my bottom lip between my teeth as I suppressed a moan, feeling his fingers press against my core with only my lace underwear acting as a barrier. “Fuck, I can't wait any longer,” Anderson growled, his patience slipping as he
“You look stunning, my lady,” Celine beams from beside me, seemingly more excited about my outfit than I am. The young girl has a peculiar way of speaking, like she has spent most of her time among royalty, but I could tell from her calloused hands as she applies the finishing touches on my makeup that she was raised in a harsh world.I look down at my own hands, hands that had once slaved in hard labor. Now, they look smooth and spotless, but I know very well what these hands have gone through.“Thank you, Celine,” I smile at her, meeting her bright eyes through the dressing mirror.“You're welcome, my lady. I'll go inform the chauffeur that you're ready to leave,” the young girl says, offering a small curtsey bow before heading for the exit.Once she's gone, I let my gaze sweep my reflection. I am dressed in a tailored, navy blue pantsuit that speaks volumes of understated elegance and professionalism.The blazer is cut to perfection, fitting snugly around my shoulders and cinched sl
After Anderson's declaration, he wordlessly turned to me, ignoring the pointed stares everyone threw our way as he grabs my wrist and ushers me away from the set.“Anderson,” I called after him, almost tripping on my own feet as I struggled to keep up with his pace. But still, he doesn't stop, not even bothering to look my way.I looked around us, the whispers getting louder as we passed a few employees on our way out.This was bad; the news of our marriage was supposed to remain private. It would have served me better if everyone in the office didn't know I was the boss's wife, especially when I wasn't really his wife.Now I'm sure the news will soon spread like wildfire. I had caught sight of a few employees taking pictures and videos of the dramatic scene on sight. I predicted it would surface on the internet, gaining thousands of views and putting me in the hot spotlight.I internally cringed at the thought of my face appearing on blog posts. It was already hard coming to terms wit
“So you're the wife huh?” my brows furrowed in confusion as our impromptu guest casually approached me, eyeing me from head to toe with childlike curiosity shining in his eyes. But then, Anderson steps forward, protectively standing in front of me. Both males faced off, silently staring at each other as if to pass a secret message. “Hmm?” The stranger named Daniel arched a brow as he observed Anderson's reaction, rocking back and forth on the heels of his shoes as his lips split into a mischievous grin. “Ah, forgive my manners.” He shakes his head, his expression shifting to one of remorse as he glances between me and Anderson. “My name is Daniel Ross.” He starts, looking over Anderson's shoulder to meet my wary gaze. “I'm Anderson's beloved Best Frie–” “Business associate.” Anderson cuts in, giving Daniel a stern glare which he returns with a nonchalant eye roll. “You really gonna do me like that?” Daniel says to Anderson, taking a step back as his hands clawed at his chest. His
“Never thought I would see the day this damn rascal would settle down.” The old man I now know as Mr. Dardan says as he looks between me and Anderson. He'd taken the pleasure of giving me a detailed narration of how Anderson always dropped by at his shop during his teenage years, emphasizing the part where he always came with a new girl at his side. Now we sat in a secluded section of the shop, although it was small, the ambiance of the building was homey and lively. The walls were adorned with colorful murals of ice cream cones, whimsical unicorns, and playful fairies, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a wonderland. The shop was perfectly suited for children, so why would a man like Anderson come here of all places? Mr Dardan was a short man with a hunchback. His gray hair was cut short, and neatly combed, and his squinted eyes made it hard for me to see the color of his eyes. When he smiled, the corners of his eyes would crinkle like folded paper, but that was by far the only