Chapter 10 (Worst Wedding In History)

Chapter 10 (Worst Wedding In History)
"Are you sure Mr. Wolfe asked you to marry him?" Melinda questioned, her voice low, as they stood in a corner watching newlyweds pose for photos.

Callie shifted her weight from one foot to the other. Her heels were digging into her ankles, and the white gown Melinda had borrowed for her was starting to itch. It had been an hour past the time Grayson gave her. 

She was almost starting to believe she had imagined meeting him yesterday. Perhaps it was all a dream? Maybe, she was so in need of help that she imagined getting such a golden offer from a billionaire.

"Callie? Are you listening?" Melinda gently placed her hand on Callie's arm.

Callie blinked, turning to Melinda. "Huh? I'm sorry, my mind's just messed up... you're right, I think I must have imagined it. Let's go home," she said, disheartened. 

This was her third disappointment in a row, all stemming from one source: Grayson.

What even made her believe that a billionaire would want to marry and help her? Those egotistical humans helped no one else but themselves.

Melinda sighed. "I'm sorry, Callie. I know you had your hopes up about paying off all your debts, but it's okay. We can find something else, no matter how long it takes. I'll be right beside you," she assured.

Callie chuckled. "It's alright. It's not like it was a real wedding; it was just a contract marriage. I just have to move on with my life. He owes me nothing." She smiled, but inside, she was a storm of disappointment and anger.

Melinda held her hand and led her out of the registry.

The morning sun felt like a liberation from the storm that had raged all night. Callie absorbed hope and courage from its warmth, hoping her future would shine as brightly.

"I've ordered a ride; it will be here in a few minutes. Want to sit over there?" Melinda pointed to the brown bench under a tree by the registry.

Callie shook her head. "It's okay, I'll stand," she replied. 

She didn't feel like sitting anywhere, she just wanted to go home, pull the itching gown off, and start a job hunt. There was no way Grayson could succeed in depressing her.

'Was this his way of getting revenge for what I did at the game show?' She thought, frowning.

"Ms. Callie," a young man's voice called from behind them.

Callie paused her thoughts. She recognized the voice.

"Who are you? Are you the husband? Why the hell did you stand her up? No, wait, you're not Mr. Wolfe. Callie, who's this?" Melinda was already facing the young man, a frown etched on her face.

Callie was surprised to see who it was. Somewhere in her heart, her hope soared again.

"Hi..." Callie greeted awkwardly.

"Who is he, Callie? You said Mr. Wolfe, not a tall, dark, handsome—"

"Be quiet, Melinda. He can hear you," Callie whispered.

"It's alright, ladies. My name is Okani, I'm Grayson's personal manager and best friend. I've been sent to bring you home, Ms. Callie. Your friend can come with you, too," he informed politely.

"Ahh, I see," Melinda slowly nodded.

Callie frowned. "Home? What about the marriage registration? If he's not interested, I'd rather not go to his house; I was just about to go back to mine," she replied defiantly.

Okani cleared his throat. "You misunderstand Grayson, Ms. Callie. He's very much still interested in the marriage. Please, just follow me to the house, and you will understand," he explained.

"Fine, let's go. This wedding is taking forever," Melinda spoke up before Callie could. She grabbed Callie's hand. "Lead the way, Mr. O," Melinda smiled.

Okani smiled and nodded.

Callie wore a frown as she walked behind Okani. As she entered the car—the same one Grayson had used to drop her off from her workplace last night—memories of those mysterious blue eyes gazing at her soul flashed across her mind. 

She was going to meet him again, and she prayed for strength to withstand his unbearable character.

"This car looks fancy," Melinda whispered to Callie from the back seat.

Callie rolled her eyes. "Of course... it's his," she muttered.

After a few minutes of riding, they slowly drove into an estate residential area.

"Okay, son, I'm beginning to get impressed," Melinda said, widening her eyes as she saw the expensive buildings lining the street.

"We're here, ladies," Okani announced as he drove through a transparent gate and toward an expensive, luxurious white house.

"Okay, Callie, you're about to be wedded," Melinda smiled widely.

Callie sat quietly, waiting for the car to stop. Nothing was exciting for her; this was all business. 

The moment the car stopped moving, she opened the door and got out of the car.

Okani was about to open the door but saw she was already out, her best friend walking over to her.

"Well then, ladies, please follow me inside," Okani said, gesturing toward the building and taking the first step.

Callie glanced at Melinda. "Let's do this," she said, looking determined.

"I'm right beside you," Melinda said, holding Callie's hand as they walked inside the house.

"Woah, I can almost see myself on the walls and floor," Melinda whispered as they walked into a sprawling living room. Most of the walls were made of glass, and behind the house stretched what appeared to be a private golf course. Plush sofas were arranged in the center of the living room, and decorative flowers adorned large, fragile vases throughout the space. 

The place seemed so dreamy and perfect, a stark contrast to how she'd imagined Grayson's house would look. She'd expected it to be dark and brooding, not airy and calming.

"He sure is rich..." Callie murmured, looking around and wondering how the rest of the house would look.

"Excuse me, Ms. Callie. The boss wants you in his office," a man in a neat butler uniform said, approaching her with a polite smile.

"Hi, okay," Callie nodded, turning to Melinda. "Let's go—"

"I'm sorry, Ma'am. Just you," the butler said.

"It's alright, Callie, I'll just wait out here. After all, the view is awesome," Melinda said, holding Callie's shoulder and gently turning her toward the butler.

"Take her, please," Melinda said, smiling at the butler.

"Follow me, Ma'am," said the butler.

Callie bit her lip and followed him. 'What a wedding day; an unforgettable one,' she thought as she trailed the young butler toward the right side of the living room, where an opaque glass door slowly slid open.

"Please go right in, Ma'am." He bowed his head slightly, surprising her.

"Um, thank you," Callie murmured, stepping through the door.

A soft gasp escaped her lips when the door slid shut behind her. In front of her were three doors, each with 'Office' written above it.

'Straight,' she silently decided, twisting the knob of the center door.

She got it right.

Finally, she met her groom-to-be.

Grayson sat behind a massive screen, his brows furrowed in concentration as he worked, his handsome face as cold as ever. 

Callie couldn't believe her eyes. Grayson was working on the day he was supposed to marry her. Even with her arrival, he still couldn't look away from his screen. 

Yes, he was drop-dead handsome, but he was also so mannerless and infuriating.

"Ahem, Boss..." Callie was startled by a voice from the corner of the office.

She glanced to the side and saw a young, blonde guy in a white suit and a red file in his hand. He looked like a lawyer.

"Ah, hello, wife. Let's get this over with," Grayson said, finally looking up from his screen to stare at Callie.

He was struck. 

Her duality always baffled him. She looked so innocent and heavenly in that immaculate white dress, her red hair pulled back in a neat, tight bun. She didn't look like the fierce bartender who had defended herself against an old man the previous night. 

His eyes traveled from her face to her legs, impressed by how good she looked. He felt reassured that he had made the right choice for his mission.

He rose from his chair and walked toward her in confident strides.

"You almost look like a real bride," he said, taking his place by her side.

Callie wasn't even smiling. Grayson's words only proved how insufferable he was. "Let's get this over with, Mr. Husband," she gritted out.

She was angry and felt wronged. She'd thought he'd apologize for the change of plans, but he hadn't. He was acting as if everything was perfect.

"Please, come over to the table and sign the documents," the lawyer invited.

"Go," Grayson said, pointing to his desk.

Callie clenched her jaw and slowly walked to the table.

"Please," the lawyer said, holding out a chair for her as she approached.

"Thank you," she nodded politely.

"Please, sign right here," the lawyer said, pointing to a space in the document.

Callie slowly picked up the pen, her eyes turning blurry for a second as she stared at the line. With a deep breath, she lowered her hand and signed herself into becoming Grayson's legally wedded wife for a year. 

She dropped the pen and placed her hands on her lap, thinking deeply about what she had done.

Grayson didn't bother sitting beside her; he simply picked up the pen and signed the marriage document.

"Alright, congratulations to you both, Mr. and Mrs. Wolfe," the lawyer said, taking the file from the table.

"That's not necessary, Darryl," Grayson said dismissively.

"Just leave us a copy for proof. You can leave, Darryl." Grayson was about to leave, but Darryl called him back.

"Um, Mr. Grayson, we need to take some pictures," Darryl reminded.

"It's not necessary; we already have the certificate," Callie said, rising from the chair and facing Grayson.

"We'll take a few pictures, Darryl," Grayson nodded.

"Alright, please, just stand by the wall," Darryl said, gently guiding Callie toward the white wall.

Grayson strode toward her, standing robotically by her side.

"Um, Mr. Grayson, if you can just put your hands around her waist," Darryl instructed.

"Of course," Grayson said, moving closer and wrapping his arm around Callie's waist, drawing her to his side.

Callie stiffened. She wasn't ready for the dominance. She gulped, forcing a smile for the camera.

"Relax, Callie; it's just a picture... not sex," he whispered into her ear.

Callie's cheeks instantly flushed as she snapped her head to him with widened eyes.

"Perfect, Mr. Grayson, I think we've got the best of them all," Darryl announced.

Callie immediately stepped out of Grayson's grasp, keeping her distance, her heart pounding with embarrassment.

"Good. You can leave my office, Callie. Joe the butler will show you to your room. Please, dress in something presentable; we're going to see my mom," Grayson ordered, turning back to his desk without sparing her a glance.