"Tony, the priest is waiting," Isaac tapped him for the umpteenth time before he came out of his trance. He was deflated and lost the courage to do this. One moment, he was going to marry the love of his life and the next moment, he was getting married to a stranger. It wasn't how he imagined his life with his future wife. He tried to put up a good show but the pain was simply hard to miss. He was broken.
The auditorium had blown up in murmurs and not only was Abigail's palms sweaty but her stockings felt wet from the nervous heat christening her. Her body seemed to not feel the low temperature of the air-conditioner anymore. She couldn't meet the mocking eyes around her, bowing her head slightly in embarrassment. She never wanted this but she couldn't watch her father die. A burst of mocking chuckle closed up on her, sucking the only strength she had left. Not having enough energy after being malnourished for a long time, she felt weak.
How could she not have known that her stepmother and sisters would be there? Her stepsisters didn't stop giggling, attracting the attention of an elegant woman, appearing before them. Her lips were stretched in a thin smile but her eyes carried disgust.
"The invite was for your mother. Your names weren't included." Instantly, tall scary bodyguards appeared, hauling them out of the top of the art decorated hall. Their mother could do nothing. Ivy, the current President of the Wrights empire was well known as the no-nonsense woman. She wasn't overly soft on her son either.
The sweet angel turned into a confident, daring and sophisticated woman when she lost her husband after only five years of marriage, taking up the company on her shoulders. If she remarried, the company would have transferred to the Woods family, making her live without accepting the prominent men asking her hand in marriage. It was all a sacrifice she made for her son.
For this reason, she exercised great authority. She walked to her son and whispered firmly, "I have done what any mother would and kept the family fortune for you. You can hand it over to the Woods family if you abhor her that much." She was indifferent, her tone biting. After that, she said no more, holding Abigail by the wrist and about to help her out of the hall.
"Wait!" Alas, Tony spoke and the hall went dead silent. He walked up to Abigail, taking her hand from his mother and facing the priest, making him repeat the vow and this time, the response was instantaneous, "I do." It attracted both cheers and hateful murmurs. The Woods family were so confident that they were going to take over the Wrights empire this time but their expectations were wiping from their faces.
The ball was now in Abigail's court. A while ago, she was concerned about the shame of being rejected at the altar. Now, she was nervous when their eyes met, her heart stood still. His lips held a small smile but his gaze was a hollow phase. The darkness, loathe and pain, was something only she saw but standing for so long had already drained her, making her uneasy and slightly dizzy. "I....I....I," Her voice shook before finally settling, "I do."
A blanket of shame covered the haters, especially the Woods family members. The media began taking pictures instantly and when it was time to kiss the bride, Tony only leaned close but his lips never touched hers.
Abigail was grateful. She didn't hate Tony but she felt lost in everything. He was different from the man she once saw on TV. Then, he had a beautiful smile that made girls drool. She wasn't opportune to even watch tv and had seen him in passing when serving her stepmother her supper.
She can't think of spending the rest of her life with him but how possibly could she change him? Well, thinking about it now, she never even had the image of an ideal man in mind. It wasn't in her plans, fearing she might die at childbirth like her mother and leave her child to suffer. At least, that's what her father told her. That her mother died during childbirth.
With this notion in mind, she never dreamt of spending her life with any man. Her only passion was to see her father well, be a top-notch florist, then she could begin her revenge.
Ivy had never had a female child, taking a keen interest in Abigail from the first time she saw her. That day at the office when Abigail picked the cheque, Tony was there but she didn't see him. She wasn't even interested in the first place like other girls. Since then, Ivy never got her out of her mind. She knew that Tony wouldn't like her but she also thought she would be the best woman for him.
It was expected that someone who had a high taste in women would be more concerned with appearance but Abigail was just suffering from malnutrition. Luckily, he couldn't even see it due to the makeup and long lace sleeves. She never saw her biological mother, suffering in the hands of her stepmother for eight years when her father felt that she needed a mother. Who knew that he was digging his grave when he remarried. Ivy was determined to ensure she was well taken care of, seeing how weak, fatigued, irritable and dizzy she was, she hastened the reception, making Abigail sit through it most times. It was easy because Abigail never had any friends, to begin with. Her best friend had left abroad two years ago to studymedicine.
It was an open secret that Tony had just been heartbroken and wasn't in love with his bride. Therefore people wished for it to end. Their expectations had been soiled after hearing the rumour which was proven to be true. The name on the invitation wasn't the name mentioned at the point of exchanging vows. When it was time for the bride and groom's exit, no one raised the question about their honeymoon. Tomorrow was going to be Tony's inauguration day and they were planning towards it.
As soon as they entered the limousine, Tony widened the gap between them. Abigail was just grateful that it was over and she didn't have to face that crowd but couldn't tell if her discomfort was a result of her shyness or dizziness. Also, Ivy's car was behind them, which gave her some form of aspiration.
Enduring it and trying to be strong, she didn't expect her newly wedded husband to vent his displeasure instantly. "I won't mince words. I don't like you and I hope you stay out of my way," Tony spat out, disdain lacing his tone.
Abigail quivered slightly. She opened her mouth and instantly shut it. The gap between them was too wide but right now, her stomach was churning and she couldn't tell if it was as a result of the champagne she tasted, the cake or the food. The lavish interior of the limousine couldn't appeal to her due to the discomfort she felt and she couldn't seem to give thought to Tony's mindless words.
Tony felt somewhat irritable when he got no response. Before he could speak again, the limo had pulled over and so had Ivy's Bentley.
They arrived in an exquisite villa and Abigail was relinquished. Tony got down and didn't wait for the driver to open the door for them. Before he moved further away, his eyes caught Ivy's ferocious glare. Naturally, the driver was going to open the door for the madam when he walked in long strides, reaching there timely. "Off you go, I'll take care of it." The driver nodded and stood aside while Tony opened the door.
Abigail stepped out of the car but this time, she wasn't able to put it together as usual. Her feet wobbled, her eyes blackened, she felt light and passed out but before losing her balance, she was caught in a strong arm. Ivy was there in a blink.
"Get her to the room and turn on the heater. The cold isn't good for her." She was exasperated, running after Tony while dialling the doctor's number. She intended to keep Abigails' condition secret and didn't want to take her to the hospital. Some media reps were still lurking around.
Due to his mother's presence, Tony was reluctantly taking Abigail to his room when Ivy objected. "I've already prepared the room next to yours. It won't be good if she is disturbed."
Tony was elated. He didn't want Abigail in his room but he couldn't help feeling a tinge that his mother was hiding something. He had never seen his mother so nervous to the point where she shook. Ivy always had control, no matter the situation yet, she was so nervous even after calling the doctor.
The maids must have misread the situation, breaking into hideous chuckles at the sight of Abigail in Tonys' arms. It looked romantic but was far from that. As soon as Tony laid Abigail gently on the Queen size bed in the room next to his, Ivy shoved him out, "It's alright, I'll take care of her."
Tony couldn't help being more suspicious. "Mum, tell me the truth, what is wrong with her?" He asked directly, his gaze questioning and leaving no room for lies.
Ivy spurt into a peal of nervous laughter. "What do you think is wrong with her? She's just twenty, never been under so much pressure. She's overwhelmed with everything. It's nothing serious," she assured him.Tony frowned. "Twenty? She looks like she's twelve. Too thin."Ivy was taken off guard, not expecting Tony to make those observations in a woman he didn't like but the fact was staring her in the face. Tony had had too much experience with women and didn't need a doctor to know that something was wrong with the woman his mother brought for him. Ivy couldn't tell Tony the truth. He would despise Abigail. "She is petite. Nothing serious. Everything happened so...ehm…I mean so fast, she's being nostalgic," she tactfully said but her actions spoke otherwise and Tony was too smart to not notice."Then why are you nervous and stuttering? I never heard you stammer before. Besides, she is the lightest woman I have ever carried. Doesn't she eat? She seems to
The driver didn't opt to open the door when they arrived. They were in the public eye. Abigail nervously draped on her fur coat, which had been given her by Ivy to fight off the chilly autumn wind. Tony alighted and walked over to Abigails' side. A small smile lined his lips when he opened the door but his eyes were distant when he extended his hand towards her. Ivy's car had pulled over behind them but she couldn't offer any form of help at the moment. The couple had to solve their own problems.The camera flashes, brighter than the sparkling lights illuminating the luxurious hotel, blinded Abigail when her side of the door opened. She could feel a thousand gazes on her, making her stiff and cramp. As if given permission, the microphones and cameras were all around her, she felt hot from their closeness and the blinding camera flashes as soon as the sole of her stilettos touched the red carp
Back in the conference room where the documents were being signed and the transition ongoing, the event was interrupted by a live video on the screen. Richard wanted to prove to his father that he could separate Tony from his newly wedded wife in just a few minutes therefore, everything happening in the garden was being played. He had forgotten to turn off the secret camera when things began moving antithetically.Now, everything had turned in Abigail's favour. His shame was displayed in the open. As the saying goes, when you throw a ball against the wall, it will bounce back to you. Tony had left to the garden at a stroke, while Ivy took over the remaining details. Isaac tried to keep the media in check but he seemed to be failing terribly since they kept following Tony secretly till he stopped a little away from the pair.His fiery
"You chose this dog over me?" Tony asked Ashley in a cold - bitter tone. Everyone in the dining room hushed. They were eager to hear Tony's response to Richard and Ivy almost intervened to prevent her son from taking a bizarre decision.Yet, it would be a humiliation to Tony if she did. He would be seen as being babied by mama at age thirty. Whereas after swearing-in Tony as the president, she debunked involving herself. This was between two elites proven responsible enough to take tough decisions.The Woods family were always known to be the butchers, cutting without minding where it hurt. All that mattered was for power to be transferred to them.The corner of Tony's lip curled into a mischievous grin and he stared at Richard like a clown. All his opponent's plans sa
"Otherwise? That you feel something for me? No. I won't even dream of it," Abigail expressed with certainty. It wasn't the first time Tony spoke irrationally to her. She ignored him yesterday but was prepared for a throwback this time. She was on a mission that could only be accomplished if she earned his respect. She wasn't going to be his doormat. She did him a favour and his mother paid her father's medical bills. Now she was stuck until he let go of those chippies. If that doesn't happen, then she had to say bye-bye to freedom. Her cheeks turned blood red in embarrassment and she didn't swallow it at this moment. "In order not to have any ideas, I will prefer to have dinner at home," she said gently but her demeanour carried determination.Her gentle voice did great in hiding the anger boiling inside her as she ordered the driver, "please take me to the villa." Tony saw her attitude to be bossy. Two captains cannot Mann the same ship. His teeth were
Tony felt an unavoidable headache, being caught on the spot. If it were an emergency, he wouldn't mind carrying her because she was as light as a feather but the girl was fit with two legs. His resistance was duly based on the suspicion that Abigail was trying to seduce him, recalling what she said to Richard that an acquaintance if nurtured could grow into love. He wasn't buying that. If he didn't like her at first sight, then it wasn't going to change but the girl was outsmarting him and her wit was becoming more and more extreme. Nevertheless, if she was planning to make him fall in love with her, then she could continue dreaming because that wasn't going to happen. With a clenched jaw, he stepped forward and attempted to lift her into his arms but Abigail took a step back, soaking him in a slush of confusion. "Your face looks scary. Can you smile a little?" Her voice was soft and pure,
What Tony didn't know was, Abigail had no intention of forgiving him easily but when she stormed out of the car and began walking away, she caught sight of a man in black with a camera. He was covered with the darkness but Abigail quickly made him out, which was the reason she kept putting Tony in the spot. Her only intention was to protect Tony's image, especially after everything that happened earlier. If the media portrayed them as the perfect couple, it would shine Tonys' integrity. Whereas her behaviour tonight from Tony's perspective was flirtatious, therefore, he didn't believe her. Yanking her by the waist just before she took another step, he snarled, "don't try to cover up the fact that you are into me. It's nothing to be ashamed of," he smirked. For as long as he knew, he was good looking and wealthy. Everywoman loved him and Abigail wasn't an exception. Abigail sighed, gently pushing him away and said, "don't believe me, why not check the newspapers on Mo
'President Tonys' little wife flaunts her wits at the inauguration ceremony' - A picture of Tony smiling with Abigail beside him, facing the media was added to the caption. 'President Tony chooses his ex over his wife'- A picture of Abigail, Tony, Richard and Ashley in the garden were added. 'President Tony shows his true colours' - A picture of the misunderstanding during dining was added. The last caption was what shook him to the core. 'Is President Tony in love with his little wife?' - A picture of him carrying Abigail in his arms was attached. From the smile on their faces, no one could tell it was forced. The details went on to question whether President Tony got over his ex so soon. It seemed a bit too early for him to move on but from the picture, they could tell that was the case. Checking the comment section, most people didn't believe it, relating it to a ploy to cover up the embarrassment he caused his wife. Haters will always be haters an