The front car door creaked as Ronny unlatched it, allowing Alice to slip into the passenger seat. As she settled, she noticed Andrew in the driver's seat, his demeanor cool and unyielding, focused on the road ahead.
A moment of shock washed over her. Andrew, sensing her reaction, tilted his head to catch a fleeting glimpse of her face before resuming his forward gaze.
"Hi there..." She offered a slight bow and mumbled her greeting. His response was a mere nod of the head as he drove away.
A palpable awkwardness lingered in the air between the newlyweds. Alice, being uneasy, cast glances around, and Andrew broke the quietude with a subtle throat clearing.
"The windows of my car have privacy tint; no one can see through," Andrew mentioned, his tone characteristically cold and matter-of-fact.
In surprise, Alice turned her eyes toward him. Despite his stoic appearance, there was a gentle and caring side that lurked beneath his cold exterior.
"With a serene demeanor, Alice questioned, "How did you discover I was here, caught in this chaos?"
"Why wouldn't I? As Andrew Kingston, if I'm oblivious to my wife's location or fail to shield her, then nothing is more wasteful than me."
Now, bitterness tinged Andrew's tone uncontrollably. Observing his side profile, Alice sighed. His demeanor left her uncertain - was it protectiveness or possessiveness? His words hinted at a touch of self-obsession as well.
However, Andrew seethed with frustration that Alice seemed to disregard her own dignity, taking on a menial task for reasons unknown, leading her into jeopardy. His anger simmered, ready to erupt. Bringing the car to a halt on a quiet roadside, he sighed heavily.
Without casting a glance at Alice, he questioned, "What was that just now?"
Alice lifted her head from editing a message to Skylar, bewildered, as she listened to his question. Biting her lower lip in confusion, she struggled to grasp the meaning behind his words.
"Are you inquiring about the contest itself or the pandemonium within the contest?"
"Doesn't it seem beneath your standards to be a model in a designer contest?" Andrew posed the question, not bothering to respond to Alice's inquiries.
"I agree, but..." Alice began to explain her reasons, only to be abruptly cut off by Andrew.
"Why'd you pull that stunt, especially for the woman you're supposed to have a beef with?"
Andrew's tone revealed his innate rudeness as he demanded to know the reason behind Alice taking on such an ignoble job.
"What?" Alice furrowed her brow.
Andrew pivoted, locking eyes with Alice. "Monica snatched your boyfriend, right? And you're toiling for someone who treats you with malice?"
Alice was caught off guard for a moment. 'How in the world did he discover the affair between Mason and Monica?'
'Naturally, the business devil Andrew Kingston must have his ways. He delved into so much about me; how could he overlook the crucial reason for my marriage to him? I'm curious about how much he's unearthed on this matter.'
"I have my reasons, but why the interrogation?" Alice wasn't fond of his relentless questioning. Despite his rescue, she felt no obligation to justify her choices in work to anyone.
Andrew swiveled his waist, retrieved a file from the rear seat, and handed it over to Alice.
"You left your copy of the contract behind this morning. Take a good look at it; it might jog your memory." Andrew's tone grew colder as he restarted the car.
He's unaccustomed to putting up with disobedience, but his newlywed wife is annoying him. Managing her requires a different approach; he can't handle her the way he does with his employees.
Alice flipped through the pages to find and read the clause he was talking about.
"Clause 3: We can lead separate lives but must not keep anything hidden from each other," Andrew stated the clause before she had a chance to read it.
Alice mentally chastised herself. Lost in her own turmoil, she forgot about this contract marriage, let alone its terms, "My apologies," she uttered in a low tone, bowing her head.
"That's all?" Andrew questioned, wearing a frown.
Alice bobbed her head affirmatively and lowered it again. Andrew glanced at her yielding posture from the corner of his eyes and sighed.
"Okay, keep your mysterious reasons to yourself, but you should have informed me about this assignment. Didn't you realize the competition was sponsored by my company?"
"I was aware, but I'm not accustomed to seeking permission or divulging my work details to anyone except my manager," Alice retorted.
An independent and self-made woman, she's a decisive force in both her personal and professional spheres. While her personal life may be in disarray, her professional accomplishments remain stellar, and regret is not in her repertoire.
"Better get used to it; I won't let you end up in danger again." Andrew delivered another authoritative command, pushing the gas pedal to accelerate the car.
Alice's heart stirred once more. Despite Andrew's domineering demeanor and assertion of his rights, she sensed a genuine warmth and concern-a sentiment she had never experienced with Mason in the past.
"I can take care of myself." Alice said. She wanted to reassure him and dispel any notion of her being unable to handle her own issues.
"I'm sure you are, just like you demonstrated today," Andrew responded, displeased with her dismissive attitude, his tone turning salty once again.
Alice wrinkled her nose and shook her head, observing her perpetually stern husband who hadn't cracked a smile since their encounter. 'Does he really have to confront me as if I've committed a crime?' Alice pondered irritably.
Both of them are actually strong-headed, self-made people who are not used to being interfered with by anyone.
"Yes, I had to, as your husband, I don't want you to fall prey to anyone. It's not a crime, anyway," Andrew stated as he perused her explanation.
Alice was surprised. "Do you possess superpowers? How did you hear my thoughts?"
"I can read your expressions. Whatever, don't withhold things from me moving forward; clear?"
Another directive came from Andrew, and Alice found it challenging to cope. She hadn't obeyed anyone's commands in ages.
'Fine, for my cynical agenda, I'll endure him for the time being. Still, he's leaps and bounds better than Mason. Ugh, why am I even comparing them?' Alice mentally slapped herself for drawing parallels between the two.
''Mason, my ex-boyfriend, and Andrew, my contractual husband; how could I possibly compare them? They serve different purposes in my life. With Mason, emotions were involved, while my marriage to Andrew is driven by a selfish motive.'
Alice emerged from her thoughts as Andrew brought the car to a stop. She gazed at his profile-his refined lines and cohesive features-and let out a sigh. 'Even with his stunning looks that could captivate any girl in the city, I set aside my emotions when proposing marriage. I must draw a clear boundary.'
"Mr. Kingston......."
Andrew cracked the door open, poised to exit, but paused, attentive to her words. "What's up?"
"It's not that I'm intentionally keeping things from you, but the circumstances of our marriage make me uneasy. I suppose both of us need time to familiarize ourselves and bridge the gap to share personal details," Alice expressed her thoughts with a hint of hesitation.
Alice has a plethora of things to conceal from Andrew in the upcoming days as part of her revenge, so it's preferable to make it clear now that she can't divulge everything as he desires.
Andrew took a moment to contemplate and then nodded. "Okay, I'll give you as much time as you need, but I expect honesty if I ever ask you something."
He consented, assured in his capacity to unearth every detail about her through his sources and skillful in managing her accordingly.
"I won't..." Alice assured promptly..
"Great, let's step out."
"I do have one more request," Alice interjected, prompting Andrew to pause once more and arch an eyebrow.
"Please refrain from involving yourself in my issues; I'll handle them in my own way."
For the first time, Alice's tone was firm and resolute with Andrew. Although he was tempted to object, he acquiesced, curious to witness how she would handle the situation.
"Alright, but I've already sorted out today's commotion. Except for live broadcasts, there won't be any news circulating about you."
"I appreciate that," Alice nodded, bowing her head.
Andrew exited the car and held the door open for her. "Shall we proceed then?"
"Where to..." Alice was momentarily speechless as they found themselves standing on the airport runway, facing an elegant black private jet adorned with the RG logo.
"Where's this bird taking us?"
"You'll find out," Andrew replied in his customary cold tone, taking her hand as he walked between his guards, creating a path reminiscent of Moses parting the Red Sea.
Alice was struck with awe as she beheld the luxurious and splendid interior of the plane. While she had experienced chartered flights many times before and even owned one, this was magnificently in a league of its own.
The pilot's announcement revealed their destination to be London; the details remained shrouded in mystery. Alice refrained from asking, and Andrew provided no information.
While the plane soared through the sky, an air hostess approached, bowed to Andrew, and respectfully said, "Sir, the cabin is prepared as per your instructions; would you mind taking a look with ma'am?"
'Cabin prepared for what?' Alice tried to fathom but found no answer.
"Hmm, you can go..." Andrew stated, rising from his seat.
"What's this for?" Alice questioned, looking at him in confusion.
"For our honeymoon...."
"What? A honeymoon?" Alice stammered, taken aback.
'You might be a bit on edge, I'm perfectly fine. I'd like some solitude for a while, but I'll be back before you know it.' 'Finish the given task, and we'll discuss the next steps during our call.' 'Prepare yourself for the challenge ahead; it won't be a smooth ride for now.' High above, Alice edited texts for Skylar, despite the impossibility of delivery. Aware it was futile, she engaged in redundant tasks to kill the time and, crucially, evade Andrew, who sat across with a sour expression, leaning on a pile of files. Refusing to make eye contact, Alice confronted the consequences of her actions. She had unwittingly stirred a formidable storm, vividly remembering the moment she succumbed to irrational impulses triggered by the mere mention of the word 'honeymoon.' "What, honeymoon?" she whispered. "Yes..." Andrew extended his hand in front of her. Andrew's face and open palm captivated Alice, setting her heart racing. Without hesitation, she quickly placed both hands beneath he
"No, no, this isn't possible!" Monica flipped through multiple tabloids, shouting in disbelief. She switched news channels sequentially, growing increasingly furious. "How could this be?" Her scream echoed as she violently hurled the remote control, shattering it into fragments. She unleashed her frustration on inanimate objects, tossing and scattering them. Afterward, she grabbed her phone and dialed Mason. "Mason, you've got 15 minutes. Get here." Dismissing an order with arrogance, she contemplated tossing her mobile phone, but she restrained herself, mindful of the expensive model gifted by Mason that she couldn't afford to damage. In the luxurious penthouse of Royman Hotel, London, Andrew surfed through news channels, seeking the same news broadcasted everywhere. "The rekindled embers of quenched flames. A day earlier, the celebrated actress Alice Cooper came under scrutiny, accused of deceiving her designer during her tenure as a model in a designer contest." "This fresh t
'What a cousin or sister? How is that even possible?' Andrew was bewildered as he thought about it.For the first time since Vicky began working for him, he failed to unearth such crucial information which astonished Andrew."Is Monica your sister?""No, no, no, no..." Alice gestured with a dismissive sway of her hand."No, she's not my sister; don't you grasp it? We bear distinct titles. She's my cousin, the daughter of my aunt, but adored by everyone in the family."Sadness crept into Alice's voice; tears gathered in her eyes. She sniffed, took the final sip from her glass, and emphatically placed it on the table. Andrew perceived her pain in her words, yet the undisclosed truth remained a mystery that Vicky couldn't unveil."Do you feel jealous of her?""Hmmm, no..." Alice shook her head emphatically."In fact, it's the opposite. She's been envious of me all her life. She covets everything I possess." Alice wiped away tears, gently rubbing her rosy cheeks.Andrew empathized with her
Despite a rough start, Alice delved into her work, determined to stage a comeback with a blockbuster. She spent the entire day in constant communication with her manager, Skylar, refining plans through calls and messages.After dedicating hours to decisions and script review, Alice, weary from the effort, decided to take a brief rest. Her relaxation was short-lived as her phone rang, revealing "Mr. Money calling" on the screen, prompting her to spring back into action."Ahh, why is he calling me now?" Andrew's call stirred memories of last night's embarrassment for Alice.She was hesitant for a long time before receiving the call, but ended up sliding the green button before it slipped away."What took you so long?" Andrew's usual stern tone carried an added edge, leaving Alice sensing his irritation.Alice couldn't help but think, 'Did I annoy him last night when I was tipsy?' as she nervously bit her lower lip."Why did you call all of a sudden?""Get ready in an hour," Andrew's auth
"Mason, for heaven's sake, spare me from repeating myself. I've already told you, and I'll say it once more – I don't know where Alice is. Stop calling me for the same answer!" Skylar's frustration echoed through the call.Mason persistently dialed her number countless times in the last two days, skeptical of Skylar's ignorance regarding Alice's whereabouts. However, even when contacted through a private number, Skylar remains clueless about Alice's location."Skylar, mind your language. Disrespect is not acceptable, regardless of the situation. Failure to adhere to this will result in consequences, and I'll ensure you face termination."Mason's vexation heightened due to his inability to reach Alice, and Skylar's temper served as the final straw. His discontentment grew more palpable."Do as you please, but please refrain from calling me again." Skylar ended the call and rested her head in her hands."How could she have the nerve to hang up on me?" Mason seethed, infuriated by Skylar'
After enduring a lengthy 7-hour flight, Alice was chauffeured home by Andrew himself. Relieved to escape his scrutinizing gaze, she eagerly anticipated the comfort of her own space after a challenging 3-day journey.She was in her la la land and a bit late to realize that the turn to her neighborhood had long gone. They are on some other route."Excuse me, Mr. Kingston, you missed the turn to my place; please take a U-turn."Alice thought he made a mistake, but that wasn't the case."We're heading in the right direction," Andrew remarked nonchalantly, then abruptly made a sharp turn and slammed on the brakes."But this is..."Alice's sentence trailed off as Andrew, with a click of a remote control in his car, opened the imposing iron gate of a mansion and smoothly drove inside."This is my private mansion and our bridal house."'What?' It was as if a bomb had dropped on Alice's head; the idea of living with him felt overwhelming, and she still needed her space."I'm only at home in my
"Alice, have you lost it? Why do you want to do this just before your audition?"Alice appeared at Skylar's office, disclosing Mason's desperate attempt to seek her assistant for Monica. This revelation left Skylar deeply frustrated, leading her to express her anger with a vehement outburst."To bagged this role." Alice replied with a mischievous grin."Now, what's that supposed to mean?" Skylar scratched her head."You'll find out soon enough." Alice said with a wink, leaving Skylar convinced she had a plan."You've become quite mysterious lately. First, you postponed our meeting last evening, and now you've barged into my office early today with fresh news.""What's going on? Is there anything wrong with you, and I am oblivious?" Skylar asked and raised her eyebrows.'That's true, but I can't disclose it to you. I got married behind your back, and this new relationship brought many changes in my life.' Alice thought with dismay."Come on, spill the beans. What's going on in that head
"Sir, given your reputation as a resilient director, what led to the decision of allowing a producer to interfere with your audition and undermine your creative direction?""Crossing paths with Mr. Kingston? That's playing with fire. He's the big cheese at Royman Productions, the heavyweight of high-budget films. Just a mention of his name is a reality check for the haughty and overly particular actors."Alice entered the audition room, catching snippets of Director Smith's conversation with his assistant. Andrew's industry charisma intrigued her, but his imposing presence stirred a sense of apprehension.A few moments earlier, after leaving the press conference, she got a call from Andrew."Head home immediately. We need to talk," Andrew said with authority.Alice anticipated this fallout, having witnessed her shoulder the blame for Monica. He must be furious, and she can't face him right now."I am afraid I can't make it. I have something important on schedule." Alice denied it polit