Chapter 29

Chapter 29

DIANA THORTON

The last couple of days have been shuffled between work and home. Plus, with just a few days to my wedding, I really don't know what to expect.

Vanessa has been thorough so far and even kept me up to date with the most trivial things. My wedding dress is custom made by Philip Hartwick and Diamonds from His and Hers. This is truly every girl's dream but, why does it feel so obscene?

Maybe it's because this is a contract marriage and I am not even doing all that a bride needs to do before such a big day. I don't even get to do a bridal shower. Alexander was strictly against that. I've managed to get a few yes from him and I won't want to jinx that luck.

I know that nothing is going to be different in this marriage; he is going to be just as cold, and self-centered. On the bright side, I get paid for the chore of being his wife.

We've also been able to get a clear signal to start producing Forever Kit. The preorder number has been through the roof and at this point we might get sold out before the release date.

It is obvious that I'm excited to be back in the office and doing what I love while at it. It's also weird that deep down, I miss my old position that is now occupied by someone else, and from the looks of it, she's tough. I hope she makes it through.

Alexander's routine on the other hand has pretty much been regular. At the close of work, there was a designated driver downstairs waiting to drive me home while he stayed back and only came home after midnight. We've still not been able to talk about what happened that night.

I have not also called Maverick to apologize because technically I started this.

I lean on the balcony railing, my forehands braced on top, my hands hanging loosely. A mind breeze blows my hair in the opposite direction, sending chills on my skin.

Am I having the kind of marriage that allows my husband to do whatever he wants, sexually?

It's a contracted marriage so I can't help but think about this horrible reality. We are not a regular couple so obviously, we won't be getting intimate which means that if he's not getting it at home, he will be getting it with someone else outside.

I look down from the balcony to see Alexander head toward his car. He's going out...again. He's hardly at home and I've accepted the reality of not having a proper husband but, a girl can dream right?

My phone rings, and I head inside to check who is calling.

It's Caroline...again.

I can't run from this forever. My finger hovers on the phone before eventually answering the call.

"Hi Caroline"

"Hi Diana," Her low feminine voice purrs through the speakers of my phone.

I don't say anything.

"How are you?" She asks

"I'm fine"

"I'm not going to chastise you, my love. But, know that if you ever need someone to talk to about the reality of things, I am here. No matter what happens, I will advise you when needed and still support your decision even if you don't listen to them."

A frown mars my face when I remember how I've treated Caroline over the past couple of weeks. She's been nothing but supportive since the day I started at La'Belle and does not deserve this treatment.

"Thank you," I say, almost in a whisper.

The rest of the phone call was brief as I was careful not to say too much and continuously make her worry over nothing.

I'm still contemplating whether I should send Celeste an invite or not because technically speaking, I am not so sure if she means well. Or maybe it's just Celeste being Celeste with her uncomfortable choice of words. I did inform Caroline that I would be sending her an invite.

I know Alexander will disapprove but, I deserve to have at least one of my people present at my wedding-my fake wedding.

The life of me to think that Alex would ask for my parents' blessings. Yes, they're dead, but he should have the decency to visit their headstone.

I laugh out loud at my delusion. I always seem to quickly forget that this isn't a regular marriage.

Take a hint, girl!

By evening, I had grown enough courage to reach for Maverick's contact and finally give him a dial.

I have a feeling that he will be present at the wedding, wouldn't want to have an awkward moment plus, he really does deserve an apology.

"Is that you, Diana?" His voice had a hoarse quality, like the sound of sandpaper against wood. Rough and gravelly like he had been shouting all day.

"This is her" I respond, not sure of what to say or how to even start.

"You have no idea how long I have been waiting to hear from you"

I take a deep breath before starting.

"I am so sorry about what happened. I shouldn't have kissed you like that. I was angry and let how I was feeling overwhelm me" I bite my lower tongue

"It's okay. I remember telling you I can be your safe place."

" I have not called because I didn't want to make you uncomfortable or anything," I say, pacing the length of my room

"I appreciate that. It's just that the kiss took me by surprise, and now I think you've cast a spell on me" He joked, at least to the best of my knowledge and the weird part is that it made me blush and giggle.

"It's so nice to finally clear the air, Maverick. See you at the wedding"

I hung up and inhaled sharply. It felt like a huge burden had been lifted off my chest.

"Diana!"

That voice...Alexander's voice. My eyes jolt open as I turn around to see Alexander in front of me with eyes that could kill.

"Did you just talk to that son of a cunt?" He started to take precise strides towards me.

"Was the kiss really that good uhn?" His tone was getting higher.

"Tell me!" He yelled and it made me jump.

He's furious...highly furious and I am stuttering, unsure of what to say.

Before I can register or even process what to say, our lips collided with an intense force, a clash of desire and passion. It was a raw and tumultuous kiss, filled with urgency and pent-up emotions. Our mouths moved hungrily against each other, teeth occasionally grazing as if they couldn't get close enough. There was a hint of desperation in the way he held onto me, fingers tangled in my hair and gripping onto my clothing.

It was a moment of raw intensity, where boundaries blurred and inhibitions faded away. The roughness of the kiss left me both breathless and craving for more, a powerful connection forged in that fleeting moment.

This man... What is he doing to me?