Hello from the author. I hope you're enjoying the book so far. It can seem boring to some people in the beginning, but give it a try and keep going. Please vote and leave your comments. <3
• Freya • I gave him a look of disbelief. That dumb! I didn't want his money. "Go away." I gritted, "I don't want anything." He was surprised at my reaction, "I'm unable to understand you these days." I ignored him. He left. Then I heard his voice again, "Hey, Fay let's make a deal." The bartender refilled my glass. I rotated my seat in his direction and asked, "What?" "If you'll get married successfully with Ben, you'll take me out to dinner at the city's most expensive and posh restaurant and if I win the CEO position, I'll do the same." What a jerk he is. I didn't answer him, but drank from my glass. "Actually, you know what? I'll take you on vacation to some nice places." I gestured him to leave right away with my hand, "Fuck it off." He laughed and got lost in the crowd again. I could go on vacation on my own. I would have to wait for him forever to take me anywhere. Reluctantly, I rotated my seat towards the crowd and searched for Rafe without any particular thought.
Someone shakes my shoulders so pressingly that I wake up scared. "What?" "You can't sleep here, Freya." Mom beseeches, "God. I don't know what to do with your carelessness." She settles my hair with her fingers. I take my time to recover from the thick haze of sleep. "The decision has been taken and here you're sleeping. You need to learn from your husband how he understands his responsibilities towards his family business.""What's the decision? Did Rafe pass?" I eagerly ask."Yes. It's hard to beat him."I widen my eyes, "Wow." "Now get up." Mom mutters in a warning tone, "Everyone is outside and asking about you." "Okay." I can't believe I actually slept here, in Eastmonds' office. Mom hurriedly goes out of the conference room. I compose myself and wipe out the grogginess from my face. I don't remember when sleep took over me. I was only planning to take some rest. I don't even remember for how long I've been sleeping here. I rise on my feet. My muscles have jammed and the ba
At the night of the party aka my wedding reception, I stay at home, utterly clueless whether I'm attending the reception or not. I haven't seen Rafe after that day in the office so I don't know what he has planned. As per Mom's timings, it's only an hour left since the party will start and I'm still in my Pjs, pacing to and fro in my room. One minute I consider the idea of calling Rafe and ask what to do then the next minute I brush it off because I know he's not going to take my call. I'm out of options about what should I do. We can't skip this event. It is our wedding reception. We're the guests of honour. And Rafe is the new CEO. We have to be there. I can't even go there without Rafe. People will doubt us, about our marriage and I won't bear their bizarre interrogations and stares all by myself. I sit down on the bed when my back pain escalates. I massage and press my shoulders with my hands. The back pain has become persistent.It doesn't disappear even after hours long rest.
• Freya • I met Rafe for the first time in one of these sumptuous gatherings. That day we got to know that our families already knew each other. Due to my disinterest in Dad's company, Rafe and I couldn't meet or else we could have come across maybe ten years ago. Our business relations were that long. After that we started noticing each other in every social event and found out that we almost attend the same parties. Our same opinions and complaints about our strict family cultures brought us closer and our friendship grew with time. In fact, Rafe became my best friend. "Hello, Freya. My God, you look gorgeous." A feminine figure appeared before us. The host of the event; Kaysha, the industrialist herself. "Thank you." I separated my arm from Rafe's as she stepped forward to give me a brief hug. "You are the one who is shining." I complimented her. She released me, "Thank you." and moved to Rafe, "Hello, Rafael Eastmond, always handsome and charming." "Hello, Kaysha. The party
• Freya •Just what had gotten into me that I placed Ben's ring in my purse instead of the drawer? At least my secret was safe there. Now it was dislosed to the world with a misunderstanding. Rafe's father gave a long speech. As it ended, spotlights turned to me and Rafe. My eyes narrowed to slits. I put my hand in front of them to stop flashlights of cameras, directed to me, reporters however continued clicking our pictures.I felt Rafe had been pushed to stand beside me. My knees became weak. I kept clutching the ring inside my fist."Mom, Dad listen to me." I begged them. They were standing at some distance posing in front of cameras. I face palmed myself, "Please. Let's go home."Mom faced me, put her palms on my jaws, pressed them, "Freya. My Freya, you made me proud of you today. Don't worry, the wedding will be soon." I grunted. It was not an appropriate time to think about this, but I was surprised at her adoration for me. It was the first time in ages, she appreciated me for
"Please, walk slowly." Freya's grip on my arm tightens. My preplexity increases when I observe sweat on her forehead and light pink tint on her whole face. She avoids my gaze and turns straight. I do as she says and start moving forward slowly. She keeps herself close to me, holding my arm with her both hands. As much as it angers me, I still let her do it. With her acting, she can easily fool the crowd that we are happy newly-weds. It makes me surprised, her behavior. She's acting as a married woman so sincerely that it is making me confused. I know she's hating this forced, sudden marriage as much as I am, but still she seems willing to accept it. She's not showing rebellion or getting annoyed at our grim situation. I guess it's because it is easy for her to lie. Actually I've learned about her that she is good at lying...she loves lying. We enter the party's venue and join the crowd. The familiar, unfamiliar faces draw a circle around us. I decorate a welcoming smile on my lips
Another man around my age appears in front of us minutes later and we again disguise our unease with fake smiles."Rafael, congratulations. I have heard you're now a CEO of Eastmond Builders. That's outstanding, man.""Mr. Salvatore, thank you." I shake my hand with his, "I didn't know you would be here too." "Please call me Luke and yes. I came for some work and then I heard about this event. You're the one who is taking care of the construction of our commercial building so I wouldn't have missed it." He explains. I muse, "Right. We'll start work some time in March." His eyes shift to Freya, "Is she your wife, Freya Howard?" "Y-yes." I slur, clearing my throat.I turn to Freya. She looks now more worn out and weak. Her posture has dropped down. She struggles to smile and looks at Luke. Luke offers his hand to her, "Howard is partnered with my project and you're the one who is going to represent Howard, right?"She gets confused, but tries her best to conceal that she doesn't kno
It's the shoes fault. It's my heel's fault. It's not my fault nor can I accuse those house-cleaning strenuous tasks. If I hadn't worn cruel heels, my back ache and my legs wouldn't have gone this severe and I wouldn't have embarrassed myself in front of people. I hate taking Rafe's help. I decide to take a break from Mom and Dad's endless guests and give rest to my sore parts. Even my jaws are hurting due to constant stretching of my lips. I've been smiling for hours literally and this party is still nowhere near the end. Sitting at the empty table, I throw my head on it and heave a sigh of relief, relaxing my burning lungs. Apart from pains, something else is troubling me too. I'm missing Benjamin. No matter how much I convince myself to hate him, that he doesn't deserve to be remembered, still I am imagining myself with him here today. What if I had married to him? Then he would be here, standing side by side with me. We would be welcoming guests of our wedding reception. Neit