CHAPTER 1:THE DEVIL HIMSELF.

I'm sure most available woman in the room were looking up at the top table, admiring the handsome Billionaire that was sitting next to me.A glance or two in my direction as I sat in the expensive white wedding gown that he had paid for, even in the dress it was clear we weren't from the same worlds.

Amongst the rich I felt like an Alien, it wasn't a life I was used to.I was used to suffering and pain, working my butt off to make ends meet so my Brother could go to college and be the Doctor he's always wanted to be.Going it alone was a struggle,that's when Tom Austin came along and gave me an out.

Today I married his son,not for Love like I had always planned but for money instead.There isn't a woman on earth who is ashamed of herself more than I am.I've married him now,committed myself to a year long lie of being his Mrs Austin.

"Ness,I should get back.I've got a class early in the morning."

I looked up at my Brother Finley as he stood in front of me at the top table.Even not fully understanding how I ended up with a man like Jeremy Austin, my brother was still happy for me."Okay, I'll walk you out."I stood from my chair and walked around the table.

"It was nice meeting you,Jeremy."Finley said, trying to be polite.Jeremy has been nothing but nice to my brother since he met him after the ceremony. If only he had the same regard towards me.

"Finley."Jeremy stood up and shook my brothers hand.At this point of the night he was drunk on Scotch."The party has just begun,Are you leaving already?"

Finley chuckled."Afraid so, I have an early morning class."

"Well it's a pity,I was hoping to hear some embarrassing stories about this wife of mine."He looked at me, a smirk was playing on his lips."We're still getting to know each other,Aren't we Vanessa?"

My cheeks blushed bright red. I didn't know if Jeremy would out our current situation to my brother.Seeing us today Jeremy would know that we're close knit,I wouldn't be surprised if he tried to ruin that just to spite me for supposably ruining his life.

The corners of Finley's mouth quirked up."I'll save the embarrassing stories for another time."

I chuckled nervously."We should get going, I'll walk you to a taxi."Finley and I walked away and through the crowd of wedding guests.I wanted to get my brother away from Jeremy as quick as I could.

"He's a nice man,Ness. Our parents would have been proud."

I looked at my brother as he walked alongside me."They would have been proud of you, being so responsible and pushing to get your degree. I'm proud of you."

"Well thank god for that Trust Fund Mom and Dad had set aside.It's been such a weird year, the anniversary is coming up next month."

"I haven't forgotten."It's been a hard year, now that it was close to the anniversary it's going to be even harder.

We walked out of the hotel, feeling the warmth on a September's night.The taxis were lined up and waiting outside the hotel to take people places.

"Right,I should get going."

I hugged my brother."I'll see you soon,make sure to call me and keep me updated on school.Us Garcia's have to stick together."

He chuckled,pulling back from the hug."You're an Austin now."

Don't remind me. I can't even bare to think about it. I'm sure I'm going to have nightmare about this for the rest of my life."I'll always be a Garcia."I've just adopted the name Austin for a year,no longer.

Like a protective older sister I watched my Brother slip into a taxi and pull away from the hotel before I walked back inside.The Maybourne in Beverly Hills is definitely not where I imagined I would get married,The Austin's made the arrangements. 

Arrangement..Hate that word!!

"There you are,Darling."Tom walked towards me in his expensive designer suit, beaming with happiness.

His son was married today,which meant his business would be on the up. Jeremy will look like a responsible man to prospective clients, which is clearly not the case.The Austin's have a part to play too.

"Here I am. Is everything okay?"

"Everything is fine. My wife has gone back to the room with a headache, so I must follow her up."He placed his hand on my back and we walked through the hotel.

"Oh,I hope she's okay?"

He smiled."Nothing that a dark room and a few hours of quietness won't fix. I need to find my Son before I retire for the night."

I'm guessing he's not where I left him 10 minutes previous.Tom and I walked the hallway, until he spotted Jeremy in the private lounge with some other man.They were smoking cigars,drinking scotch from expensive glasses and hitting on cute waitresses in short skirts.

A lump formed in my throat just watching his display.The disrespectful ass was my fake husband and he wasn't playing the part.Part of me cared just because of what others were thinking and the other part of me didn't care because I simply didn't like the man.

It was quite clear that Jeremy Austin was never going to be the type of man to settle, not for any woman.He would never be the type of man I would allow myself to fall for..My parents would definitely not approve of him.

"Jeremy.."Tom called,and stood outside the partly opened door waiting for his son.

Jeremy walked out with a cigar in hand, still lighting."What's going on?"

Tom took the cigar from his hand and put it out."This is a fancy establishment,Son. I don't care if they allow you to smoke, you won't make me look a fool."

Jeremy sighed, with attitude and braced his hand against the wall. His shirt pulled, hugging the muscles on his body."We're celebrating,Dad. I'm a married man now."

"Enough of the sarcasm."Tom took a key from the inside pocket of his suit and handed it to Jeremy."A key to your Honeymoon suite?"

Jeremy scoffed."Honeymoon suite,that's not necessary.This is all fake,I'm not sleeping with this woman."

My face reddened again. Yes, I'm being paid to be married to him but all the money in the world wouldn't be enough for me to sleep with him.I was polite on the outside and biting my tongue.

"A moment alone, Now!!"Tom snapped at his son.He smiled at me to reassure me that everything was okay, before walking to a quite corner with his son.

I glanced over seeing the tension between the two of them, neither looked happy.It was only Tom, Jeremy and I that know about this Arrangement and Tom wants to keep it that way.

I stood uncomfortable in my white wedding gown, that was tight and restricting. I had been up the early hours this morning getting ready for this charade, now I was ready for my bed.

ALONE!!

The Austin Men walked towards, One smiling while the other had that pissed off expression he likes to wear.Is this a turn on to women? I don't understand it. I guess some women might justify his personality because he has a pretty face.

"Now,The suite is ready."He looked at me."Your personal belongings are in your room,Darling.Let me know if you need anything."

"Thank You."I smiled,but the situation was a little awkward.

Jeremy had already decided to walk on without me, so I followed behind him. We took the elevator up in silence,not even looking at one another.Did I want conversation..Not really. But he doesn't have to make things as awkward as this.

We walked the hallway towards our honeymoon suite, people smiling and congratulating us along the way.Again it was awkward, because there wasn't anything to congratulate us on.

Jeremy opened the door to our room and we walked inside.Just like you would expect for a Honeymoon suite, there was candles and Rose petals everywhere.As we walked further into the room, I noticed the bedroom was the same.

"Somebody wasted a lot of time and effort."Jeremy had walked past it all and towards a drinks table that was set up in the living room.He poured himself a double scotch.

"Don't you think maybe you've had enough,Jeremy?"

He looked up and glared at me."I haven't had nearly enough, and it's none of your business."He emptied his glass,before removing his suit jacket and throwing it down on the chair. Jeremy walked towards me with his hands in the pockets of his trousers.

"You're my wife,Vanessa..But only for a short time because of this fucked up Arrangement.What kind of woman would agree to marry a man she doesn't even know?"

A desperate one. But Jeremy Austin wouldn't know the meaning of the word desperate.He wouldn't last in my world."Being nasty to me won't work, I've already been through enough in life your judgement won't bother me."

He smirked."Is that right? I'm sure I can brake you,I have a year to do so."He looked me up and down,spending a little longer on my assets that were stuffed into my dress."At least that's something."

I covered my chest feeling a little awkward now that he was paying closer attention to me.His eyes were dark and full of misery. Just from today I could tell that he was an aggressive man, who likes to drink more than he should.

Jeremy walked back to the drinks table and filled another glass."I'm getting drunk and I'd rather do it alone.Take the room on the left, the bed is smaller and you don't need the space."

I crossed the room,the train of my dress trailed along the floor behind me.Before closing the door to the bedroom i looked back at him as he downed another glass.Today I agreed to marry the DEVIL and now I have to live with it.