William and his father returned as Celia and I finished setting up the table and we sat down to enjoy the meal.“Hello dear, my name is Matthew and I am William's father, I'm sorry we weren't formally introduced earlier. I would like to personally welcome you to our house. We are all so glad that William has finally brought a woman home, it’s way past due.” Mathew says out of the blue as we eat. I stop eating and send him a grateful smile. I guess William managed to convince him we were actually in a relationship.“Thank you, sir, You have a beautiful home, and I am also so glad to be here.”“Call me Mathew.” He says and I nod as we continue eating our meal. Like I have not been calling him that in my head.“So tell me about you, how old are you and how did the both of you meet?” Celia asks as she takes a bite from her meal.Well, your son William sent his friend Luke out into the world to look for the perfect candidate for his contract and I guess I was a good fit cause Luke started

“We need to work with time. William isn’t going to take fashionably late as an excuse today.” Alois says ordering his team.“Bailey, I want you to hop into the bathroom and scrub your skin before we start making you sparkle for your engagement. You are the diamond of the season.”Yeah, you heard right, engagement. I was shocked too. It has been a week since when I went bridal shopping and yesterday night, Luke called me to let me know before the time that today will be my engagement day. Why couldn’t William pass on the message himself why did he always have to send someone in place of him to communicate with me?The next thing I knew, Derrick came to pick me up and he dropped me off at the same hotel we used the last time to get ready for the charity and Alois was already there waiting for me alongside his team.I walked into the bathroom and did as I was told. Once I was done, I applied lotion to my skin and put on the white cotton robe before sitting in the chair I needed to be in

The past seven weeks had been me riding my high. A high filled with excitement and ecstasy or so I assumed drowning myself in a state of cloud nine. I drowned out the voice of reasoning in my head letting myself get carried away by things so fake and Instead succumbed to the state of ignorance.It was so clear that all those planning, meetings, and enjoying the finer things of life were all just an illusion, a sad illusion. I subjected myself to planning a fake wedding, I didn't even know the man I was getting married to except his name and the basic things I had to learn from Luke to keep appearances and avoid any speculations.I poured myself another drink and downed the glass in a go. At this point, I just felt numb and I was in my own world ignorant about the people around me, I couldn’t even taste the bitterness of the drinks anymore. I knew by tomorrow whatever time I woke up, I was going to regret drinking so much today but I didn't care, I was tired of everyone and everything.

Immediately after the ceremony, I was practically dragged into the car by William. He did not even let me say my goodbyes to my friends. To him, they were not necessary as long as I was not dying. He threatened to leave me if I didn’t follow him instantly.He Is so arrogant I tell you. “Cedrick.”“yes sir.”“Take me to my office building and drop Miss Simmons at the house.” I make eye contact with Cedrick immediately. “Okay, sir.”“Why are you going to the office? We just got married that will-”“I don’t remember asking you for your opinion.” He says cutting me off. I roll my lips in my mouth in annoyance and suck them in to keep my anger in check as I glance out the window.“Tomorrow at 11 pm Cedrick will pick you up. You’ll meet me at my office and we’ll go to meet my grandfather’s lawyer. Don’t be late.” He says and I nod glancing back outside the window. Cedrick drops William off first before driving me to William’s home.I thank Cedrick as I alight from the car and walk in. Aga

William tossed the files he was holding rudely on the table in front of Mr. White. Mr. White unfurls the files and brings out our signed marriage certificate. He read through it first, making uncanny hmmn sounds. He locked his gaze with me after reading and I felt as though he was using his eyes to interrogate me, trying to break me into saying this marriage was all a sham from the pressure of the eye contact but I wouldn’t dare do that, I knew better than that, I also knew what was at stake, there was a humongous fine hanging over my head. “You’ve seen the certificate, White, so read the fucking will,” William says breaking Mr. White’s gaze from mine and I held myself from giving out a sigh of relief. Mr White stares at the certificate once more before placing it back into the file he removed it from, handing it back to William.He unlocks one of his drawers and brings out a sealed brown Manila envelope, clearing his throat before reading out loud. “You don’t know how happy I am th