Chapter 22
Chapter 22
ALEXANDER STONE
I hoped that she wouldn't sign the documents. Hoped that she would prove me wrong that she was indeed innocent just as much as she claimed and wanted me to believe- that it wasn't a premeditated plan from the get-go.
But the moment she sat to sign them, my heart sank. She instigated all of this carefully because she wanted the money. The fact that I had doubts in the first place irked me.
She's now the woman carrying my child, nothing more. I am not obligated to her in any way except for matters that affect my child.
I spent the rest of the evening responding to Davis's calls and just when I thought it couldn't get any worse, Pharell hits me with the worst news.
In his words, he has been able to locate the IP address of who leaked both the pictures and the pregnancy news. The location is my building. I give the tech department a text and send the IP address so they search and find who it belongs to.
I had thought that Sophia was behind the propaganda and now it looks like she isn't the one. Someone in the office...could it be Diana?
Why the fuck am I still doubting her?
I fetch my phone the moment it beeps. It's a text from the Tech department and the words further confirmed my fear.
I finally discovered the truth. The IP address traces back to none other than my assistant, Diana. I did see it coming but, I wanted to give her one more room for redemption.
It's like a betrayal of the highest order.
I feel a whirlwind of emotions right now - anger, betrayal, disappointment, and confusion. I need to carefully consider my next steps.
Confronting her might be necessary, but I also want to get what I want before taking any action.
It's definitely a challenging situation to navigate because she's carrying my child.
I can't figure out what to do immediately.
How could she lie to my face over and over again?
"You're late" My voice comes out cold in the darkness of my living room. Only the moonlight penetrated through the thin line between the linen curtains.
"There was a bit of traffic, that's why" She explained.
I want to get angry and yell and make her feel the pain she's making me feel but I think about my child just in the knick of time and calm down.
"The wedding planner is coming tomorrow" I stand from where I'm sitting "Don't worry, she knows it's a facade." I meant that in the most sarcastic way possible.
"I will show you to your room, madam" Megan offered as soon as she stepped in.
************
DIANA THORTON
As I stepped into the room that Megan had assigned to me, a deep sense of sadness settled within me. It felt like a heavy cloud was hanging over my head. The weight of everything that's happening - the unexpected pregnancy, the complicated contract marriage, and the overwhelming loneliness that I've come to realize - it's all becoming too much for me to bear.
The contract states that I can't tell anyone about what's happening and what that means is that I can't tell either Caroline or Celeste what's happening to me.
And even if I long for someone to share my thoughts and emotions with, someone who can provide solace in this trying time, I can only rely on the empty pages of my journal.
I hope and pray that writing my thoughts will at least help in some way.
Caroline and Celeste have been calling me non-stop and it hurts to leave them in the dark but I have no choice. I can't act on my phone because I don't have enough money to protect myself and my baby from the terrifying hands of Alexander.
Gabriel left me tons of messages and for someone who claimed to have moved on, his actions proved otherwise.
I couldn't blame him though. From Alexander's stupid press conference, it would seem like I was cheating on him with Alexander during the period of our relationship.
It's Megan's knock that wakes me up the next morning. My journal is wide open and I am loosely holding on to the pen- I must have slept off during my writing.
I tell Megan to come in and she walks into the room carrying a tray filled with a delicious and nutritious breakfast.
On the tray, there's a bowl of warm oatmeal topped with fresh berries and a sprinkle of nuts, providing a good dose of fiber and antioxidants. There's also a plate with scrambled eggs cooked to perfection, providing essential protein. To accompany the meal, there's a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice, rich in vitamin C.
Megan gently places the tray on the table, with her weird expression of course.
"Your clothes have arrived," She said
"What clothes?" I ask in confusion
"For the photo shoot, Madam"
"What photo shoot?" I ask again and my questions must be quite irritating because she fired me a stern glance.
"I'm aware that the boss told you about the wedding planner visiting today"
Oh, he did mention that but I just didn't know what the activity included.
I finished up my breakfast and had a bath. I remembered that I still have to unpack my things while sorting through the boxes for what to wear. I settled for a slip gown before going downstairs.
On my way down the stairs, it is a female laugh that grabs my attention. You know, the kind that is regarded as flirtatious. When I step into the living room now transformed into a photo shoot-worthy location with a camera, lights, a makeup corner, and the likes- I finally see the face of the lady whose laughter filled the corners of the living room.
She was so close to Alexander and something like jealousy stirred up inside me.
Take a chill, Diana. This is just a contract marriage. He's not really yours so you can not be jealous of what is not yours. I say to myself in consolation.
The wedding planner was saying something to Alexander and he on the other hand must be putting on his nice demeanor facade in front of the photographer, the make-up artist, and assistants.
"You must be Diana" The wedding planner turned to face me and I was immediately gobsmacked by what she was wearing - I couldn't hide the look on my face.
The wedding planner was wearing a dress that exposed her entire chest. The dress the wedding planner was wearing had a plunging neckline, revealing a significant portion of her upper chest. It was a bold and daring choice, worthy of catching any man's attention.
My heart raced as I tried to process what I was witnessing. With a mix of emotions, I mustered up the courage to approach her, and finally talk.
"Yes, I am" I manage to curve a smile
"My name is Vanessa." She turns to look at Alexander to ensure he's not listening or watching "He's told me about everything" She whispered in addition.
Yeah, yeah, he's told you about the facade that is our wedding. I take a look at him and find him busy on his phone...
"We are ready for your makeup"
I mount the makeup chair and let them do their thing. The process took nearly an hour and I was already sore from that long duration of sitting.
When we were done, I tried on a couple of outfits before Vanessa finally settled for her top three- without seeking my approval of course.
Obviously, the photo shoot wasn't portraying a lovey-dovey image because I was rigid. How am I supposed to act as if I were in love with a man who hates me and vice versa? I'm not an actress.
Vanessa was quick to point that out.
She walked up to us and whispered "We need to sell this image in the most believable way"
I turn to look at Alexander, completely unsure of what to do, and before I can process anything else, he shuts my body close to him and kisses me.