Chapter 5

CENRIC

“Congratulations, bro. You’re officially a married man.” My brother slapped my back just right after we signed the legalities for the registrar.

“Thanks.” I looked over my shoulder. “Then you’ll have to find a woman to marry. Not just for— ” I whispered the last word.

My beautiful wife might have just heard what I said as she shot me a look.

Cas was grinning, genuinely pleased of this ceremony that I and my wife did not get cold feet for the sake of this business deal, even if he was not aware of my entire motive.

“Mom and Pap would be so thrilled, bro. I wish they were here.”

I felt the same. I hoped they were proud. “Enough of this drama. We have guests to meet.” I grabbed my wife’s hand and intertwined my fingers with hers.

I still find it difficult to believe that I was married. On the other hand, I did my promise. That was what mattered most. I was going to make sure she got the best deal she deserved.

At the reception, I was pleased with the organizers. They did it with class. Considering Sadie’s father would not waste money for his own daughter, I wrote a fat cheque for this occasion. Sadie didn’t have to know that her father did not even spend a penny on her wedding day.

Heavy chandeliers with dripping crystals that refracted light made the place sophisticated. The floor had round tables, and each was decorated with overflowing fresh flowers at the center, trailing with ivy, making it look more exquisite. I wanted to make this wedding real for her.

Soft and classic music played overhead. To be honest, I only knew a few people, and I carefully selected them. The rest of the guests were boards of my company my brother invited, and half of these were from my bride’s side that I had never seen before.

Sadie was quiet and barely touched her meal. I knew how she felt and her mind was running a mile. She was probably thinking right now what would happen to her after this celebration.

When the dancing started, I felt the uneasiness run through her. I placed my hand on her lower back. And I just couldn’t help but stare at her. She was more beautiful in person than I ever imagined—beyond in her photo. Her voice over the phone didn’t go with the woman in my arms right now.

Her features were stunning, with bold and high cheekbones, and it wasn’t the makeup that made them prominent. Her blue eyes were bright and a shade of cyan. I liked her bushy eyebrows—they reminded me of one of Victoria’s Secret models. Her nose was pixie and slim. She could be one of those faces of luxury cosmetic brands if her father was not an asshole, keeping her on his leash.

And damn those lips. I already kissed them, but I wanted more. I wanted to taste them again, her mouth, her tongue, and every inch of this woman. I was beyond pleased at my precious prize. Now that she was mine, I didn’t know where to start from here.

Here in my arms, she looked fragile against my tall frame. I wondered if she could take me. Of course, she could. We were like a puzzle— we fit perfectly right.

“You’re staring.” Fuck.

For how long?

“You’re a sight to behold.”

“Glad you like your property.” A small smile appeared on her lips.

“Damn right, I owned you.”

I wasn’t ready to let her go, but her father came to dance with her, and this would be the last time he had his hand on my wife.

***

After we bid goodbye to her family, we were headed straight to the private airport where my private jet was waiting for us.

I quickly noticed the space between us in the bridal car. She instantly built her walls between us, or I already made her uncomfortable.

“Do you really have to do this quickly?” I looked at her. Her hands folded on her lap, so demurely.

“What do you mean?” she asked innocently.

“I’m a good observant. You are distancing yourself from me. You have every reason not to trust me, but I just want to clear things between us before we travel on our honeymoon. This marriage is real. Whether you like it or not, business deal or arranged, we are married. You are my wife, and I am your husband.”

“I don’t see it that this is fair for me.”

“Just watch and see.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

I sighed deeply. “We’re still in the car, aren’t we?”

She jerked in her seat. Her eyes widened. “Are you gonna force yourself on me?”

I met her gaze, filled with terror. Damn right, she had the right to be scared. “What do you think?”

“I’ll do anything you want me to do. Just no dungeon or underground.”

I chuckled. “Never say you’d do anything, Sadie. People always find a way to take advantage of your own words. And I would take it as my bargaining chip.”

“Very well then. I take it back. Let’s act like we’re newlywed.” She closed the gap between us, leaning against me. She also placed her hand on my thigh, and I felt the tensing of my muscles right away.

“Good idea.”

We arrived at the tarmac and were greeted by our pilot and attendant.

We settled in. Sadie remained with her character as an in-love newlywed bride.

“We’re taking off in twenty-five minutes,” my pilot, Capt. Rhys informed us. “Welcome aboard, Mrs. Wollf.”

“Thank you,” she said bashfully.

Once Capt. Rhys was in the cockpit, I looked at Sadie. “Drop the act. I want to know the real you. I want to get to know you. You can be talkative and bitchy, as long as I’m in front of the real person I married.”

“Great.” I admired how she quickly split into the woman I just said my vows to earlier. “I’m used to acting a goody-two-shoe in front of my father’s asshole business partners. Honestly, just over dinners. When he didn’t need me, I’m literally locked up in my room. Since I was engaged to you, they became tight. I couldn’t even have male friends. After I finished college, I was not allowed to go out alone.”

“I agree with not having male friends. Male is still male, but not allowing you to go out, that’s a little bit harsh.” I stood up and grabbed the bag from the overhead cabin. “This is for you.”

“You don’t need to shower me with gifts. Twenty-five million is beyond my reach. I don’t know how to pay that amount in my lifetime. So, no thank you.”

I rolled my eyes. “Do you have a phone?”

Her reaction was funny. She shrugged, turning her head to me slowly.

“I get that as a no. What kind of people are your father and your stupid of a brother?”

“They’re afraid they’ll lose their payment. I thought it’s obvious?”

“You don’t actually worth 25m, wife,” I scoffed.

“You don’t know how to be subtle, do you? But I try hard not to be offended, husband.”

“You’re not royalty. Even if you are, your dowry won’t be worth 25m.”

She glared at me. “Now, I’m wounded.”

“Just stating the fact. But money isn’t important to me. It’s life.”

“Then why did you give them that kind of amount?”

“Let’s not talk about money right now, Sadie.” I pushed back the bag. “Take it. It’s yours.”

Without a shame, she quickly unboxed her new phone and grinned. “This is the best wedding gift ever.” She even kissed that thing. Poor thing. She had suffered too much because of our arrangement.

“No kiss for me or even a hug?”

“You don’t need it.”

“Save my number. I should be in your speed dial #1.”

“Controlling much?”

“Do you think your family will not pay a visit to you after our honeymoon?”

She stared at me, confused. “They threw me to you. What else do they want?”

“I can’t exactly be a controlling, possessive husband to you all the time. If you want to see them, I won’t say no, but you won’t be going alone. If they ever lay a hand on you again, trust me, I’ve kept locked the beast inside me, and they wouldn’t be thrilled to let it out.”

She looked surprised, at the same time, terrified. “H-how did you know?”

“When I looked into your eyes, I didn’t have to know what that called was all about.” I caressed the bruise she hid with makeup under her eye.

“Why do you have to protect me from them?”

“Because you are my wife now. Nobody mistreats or touch my wife, and what’s mine. Ever.”