?Arranged Marriage?♀️
To
a
?complete ?
? stranger?♀️?
By: worthy stories
Chapter 13
???
“I’m married,” there I said it.
……………………..
Harry immediately jumped up and looked at me in horror.
I couldn’t face him,I just couldn’t. The look in his eyes, the heartbreak, it was just to painful.
I knew what we had wasn’t really love, but it was something. Something beautiful. And I may have just ruined it forever this time.
Harry paced around the room, breathing heavily.
He ran his hands through his perfect hair. I expected him to be mad, to flip out, to yell at me, I was really anxious about his reaction.
But when he spoke again, he was calm. No hint of anger in his voice, even though I knew it was there.
I knew he was upset. And once again, I was responsible.
“Do you love him?” He asked me.
I looked at him, surprised.
“What? No! It was an arranged marriage,” I told him.
Now it was his turn to be shocked.
“You had an arranged marriage? Seriously?”
“Yea,” I said in a small voice. I knew what was coming next.
“Tell me everything,” he ordered in a grave tone. He plopped down in the couch next to me and got ready to listen to my story.
I took a deep breath and began to tell him everything.
I told him about the proposal, my grandparents insistence and me agreeing.
When I reached the part where I hadn’t seen my fiance until our wedding day, he looked at me in utter disbelief.
“You walked down the aisle to marry someone you had never even seen in your life?”
He looked petrified. “What’s wrong with you Hails!
He could’ve been a rapist abuser or something even worse!”
“I actually… didn’t think about that” which was true, I didn’t think.
Now coming to think about it, I was acted really dumb in the whole situation.
I just left everything up to my grandparents. I mean I know they would always make sure before arranging the marriage, but still. One can never be too sure.
Harry face palmed.
“Oh Hails, what did you do.”
I continued my story, told him of our wedding night, my husband’s “rules”, me being a paper wife, his infidelities and my last argument with him.
What I didn’t tell him though, was his name. I don’t even want to anticipate Harry’s reaction to that.
Plus Nathan is an important client to Harry.
Why don’t you just divorce him?” He asked exasperated.
“You know, after a couple of months more, you can tell your grandparents that it just didn’t work out and you’ll decided to get a divorce.”
Ok so this is the part I dreaded to tell him the most as it highlights my stupidity. He would be so disappointed in me.
“Actually…” I just couldn’t find the right words to say it.
“We can’t get a divorce…” My voice came out in a whisper.
“Come again?” Harry asked.
I took a deep breath. Here goes nothing.
“We can’t get a divorce without having a child first.”
One, Two, Three. Here it comes.
“What?” He gasped, looking at me incredulously. “And you signed that contract?”
I smiled sheepishly and he groans, letting his face fall into his hand.
“Two years. I leave you for two years and you manage to royally screw your life over.”
“Hey!” I protested. “It isn’t that bad also ok. I’ll survive.” I really hope I do.
“Yea, being tied to a certified jerk, who is nothing more than a stranger to you and who treats you like crap isn’t that bad,” he mocks.
“Gosh, does that mean you’re going to be celibate for the rest of your life?
What will you do when you get segzually frustrated?”
That’s something I hadn’t thought about. Even though I hadn’t been in a relationship with anyone in years, I had my segzual needs well taken care of. What?
A woman has her needs ok. I wasn’t very segzually active, but I don’t think I could spend the rest of my life without having segz.
“I’ll see about that when the time comes,” I said frowning.
Harry chuckled. “I really want to see how long you can go celibate.”
I just stuck my tongue out at him. He pulled me in his arms and rubbed my back.
“I’m always there for you, ok?” He reminded me. “Never dare forget that. You’re not alone.”
“So we good?” I asked.
“No we’re not,” he replied. “But you have tomorrow to make it up to me.”
I was happy that I finally had my friend back and my revelation didn’t ruin our friendship. We spent the rest of the night and the next day doing what friends do.
—————————-
The week passed in a blur. I was in my office while my secretary, Kate was filling me in on my meetings and giving me updates about my clients and cases.
Joshua, my PA entered the office as I dismissed Kate.
Now I had a very professional relationship with all my secretaries, colleagues and employees.
I didn’t like to involve anyone in my personal life nor involve myself in their personal lives.
However Josh was an exception. He had a fairly good picture of the reality of my life given that he was my Personal assistant and has been there since day one.
He was trained under my grandfather’s watchful eye and it is safe to say he is the best at what he does.
He was my PA from the time I was in college and started my small business.
He has been there on my rollercoaster journey through life and was on my tiny list of trusted people. He knew me and what I wanted.
I looked up at him and raised my eyebrows indicating that he start speaking.
“Last Saturday, Mr Nathan had a dinner meeting with his board members.”
He began.
I was tempted to ask why he was filling me in on my husband’s meetings and stuff but I restrained.
I knew Josh wouldn’t just randomly come here to gossip.
He is efficient and always down to buisness. He had everything I needed, even before I asked for it.
“Ms Williams, accompanied him and he introduced her as his girlfriend to the members.”
Wow. Now not only was he flaunting her infront of me, he was flaunting her in public as well.
Just how low could this guy stoop. Our marriage wasn’t public yet, but when we went public with it, this could cause trouble for us.
“There’s more,” Josh said pursuing his lips.
I groaned. “What else?”
“Your cousin, Mr Ethan Knight, has bought shares in your husband’s company.
However, Nathan isn’t aware that Ethan is your cousin.”
My eyes went wide at that. What’s going on here?
Does Ethan know? Ofcourse he knows. Aaron and Ethan were as thick as thieves.
You couldn’t tell one something without the other one knowing.
There’s definitely something going on here. I should have guessed.
Ace isn’t the one to sit back and let someone mess with his family. I needed to know what they are up too.
“Anything else?” I asked Josh.
“Yes,” he replied. “You’ve got the charity tennis tournament with your father in law tomorrow.”
“Oh $h|t! That’s tomorrow?”
“See, I knew you’d forget, which is why I got your stuff in advance.
I even took the liberty to go shopping and buy you some new tennis outfit.”
“Thanks Josh, you’re the best,” I gave him a grateful smile.
“Yea just don’t mind that the shirt has ‘little princess’ written on the front.”
I glared at him and he raised his hand in mock surrender.
“Just kidding,” he chuckled. “Please don’t ki|| me, your highness.”
I chuckled with him and he left the office. I fell back on my chair thinking about how to deal with Nathan and Ethan.
I had to confront them both. Nathan about what he was doing with Hannah,
I’ll have to make it clear to him that I won’t tolerate this public PDA with his mistress, and Ethan about wh@ťěver he was cooking up with Ace.
I don’t need any more complications in my life.
——
I reached the country club where the charity tournament was to take place.
There were a lot of paparazzi at the venue and many important people from the business world like I suspected.
I spotted Nathan, standing with Hannah who was clutching his arm like her life depended on it.
He was talking with some other businessman.
I gritted my teeth. How could he put on a public display of his infidelity with so many people and media around and still be so calm.
I had to teach him a good lesson that would make him regret this.
The tournament itself was going quite well for Liam and I.
We were unbeaten in the doubles and had qualified for the semis. Liam was ecstatic as he introduced me to his friends and colleagues.
Evelyn kept her distance from me, not that I minded.
I saw her talking to some of the wives, along with Hannah by her side -gossiping and boasting and showing off.
I made small talk with some of the other men and women there.
After we won the semis, there was an interval to prepare for the final game.
Liam and I were up against Hannah’s dad and another man. I was chatting with some of Liam’s friends.
Liam had excused himself to go to the restroom.
Michael Russo, a famed Italian businessman, approached me and struck up a conversation.
He was a humorous fellow but a known womanizer, which was evident from the way he was flirting with me.
Normally I didn’t induce such behaviour from men, mostly because they made me feel uncomfortable, however, Michael didn’t make me uneasy.
Rather I found him quite amusing to be around, with his quick wit and good sense of humour.
Even though he would occasionally hit on me, he was still respectful and not at all crude.
He was handsome and charming. No wonder women kissed the ground he walked on.
I excused myself from him and went to prepare for the final match. I was alone in the changing room, when I heard the door close. I looked up to see Nathan standing there.
“What do you want?” I asked annoyed.
“For you to come back in the mansion.”
So he flaunts his mistress publicly infront of everyone, and then wants me to come live with him.
“I’ll pass.”
“Hailey.” He started. “You’re coming back. Yesterday grandma showed up unannounced.
She was asking for you and I had to make up an excuse. I can’t keep doing that. It’s getting suspicious. You better move back with me before anyone gets an idea of what is going on.”
“So me not living with you will make them suspicious, but publicly flaunting your mistress won’t?” I asked.
“I’m not flaunting her,” he snorted. “Even though I should be. We are posing as friends infront of the media.”
“Oh is it? Because I could have sworn I overheard Hannah announce to the ladies out there about a romantic vacation the two of you have planned.” I shot back.
“Look, what I do with Hannah is none of your business.”
“It is my business because I am your wife for crying out loud,” I was yelling. ”
You flaunting your infidelity in public, is you humiliating me.
You are so concerned about your family finding out about me not living with you, what about when they find out about your affair?
“If any of this reaches the public, it could ruin my image and family’s reputation!
So here is the deal. I will come back to your mansion and you will never be seen with Hannah in public ever again for the remainder of our marriage. Get that?”
I finished my speech and took a deep breath. His jaw clenched.
He was about to say something when there was a knock on the door.
“Game begins in five,” the person said from the other side.
“I’ll be out in a sec,” I responded and giving Nathan one last glare I headed out.
———————–
Liam and I won the tournament. It was a tough match, but in the end victory was ours. Everyone came over to congratulate us on our victory.
We made our way to where Nathan was standing with Evelyn and Hannah.
Liam had his arm around my shoulder and was telling me what a proud father he was. Evelyn came over and threw her arms around Liam.
“Hey honey, Hails and I were thinking about going for dinner with the family to celebrate our victory,” Liam told her.
“Funny, because Hannah and I were thinking the same,” came Evelyn’s response. “Hannah even picked out a restaurant for our perfect family dinner.” She said nudging Hannah.
“Yes Mr Rodriguez,” Hannah agreed. “Please, it would mean a lot to me if you’d join us for a celebratory dinner, we can enjoy as a family.”
Liam’s eyes darkened at the mention of Hannah.
“Honey, Hailey and I already have plans. We were thinking-”
“It’s alright Liam, since Hannah has already planned out, we can cancel ours. I’m sure hers will be much better.”
My reply made Nathan lift his eyebrows at me, but stayed quite.
“Ofcourse Hailey, your free to join us, since you also played and won,” she added with a smug smile.
“Thanks, Mrs Rodriguez,” I replied politely which threw her off.
She seemed surprised that I was being polite. I knew what she was doing here, including Hannah in the family and making me the outsider, but I promise you, when the night is over, I’ll be the winner, again.
…………………..
We headed towards our own cars, Liam and Evelyn together, and Nathan and Hannah together, while I went alone. We had agreed to meet at the restaurant at 7 after getting ready.
When I arrived at the restaurant, Liam and Evelyn were already there.
I took a seat next to Liam and smiled at him, avoiding Evelyn. After a couple of minutes, Hannah and Nathan arrived hand in hand.
They both chose to seat together, opposite me. No sooner than they were seated, the door opened and in came Alexander and Sophia.
The look of horror on Evelyn, Nathan and Hannah’s faces made me want to burst out laughing.
The dinner that Liam and I had planned, included them, something Evelyn and Nathan weren’t aware of. Now the fun begins.
I rose from my chair to greet them, as did Liam.
“Oh, there’s my lil champ,” Alex said as he engulfed me in a hug. “I knew you’d win, my pumpkin.”
I gave him a peck on the cheek, then went to hug Sophia.
“Oh Hailey darling, it’s so good to see you! You look lovely, as always.” She told me. After our greetings were exchanged.
Nathan and Hannah also stood up from their chairs to greet his grandparents only to be bluntly ignored by Alex.
“Nathan,” he said in a cold voice while giving him a hard glare.
His displeasure was evident. He made no move to go near Nathan or exchange pleasantries, while Hannah wasn’t even acknowledged.
Sophia gave Nathan a small hug but she too didn’t seem too happy about Hannah’s presence. Evelyn was nervous. There was a thick tension in the air.
“That’s a beautiful dress, Hailey dear,” Sophia told me after they had taken their seats. “You look really pretty in it.”
“Oh come now dear,” Alex told his wife, “it isn’t Hailey who looks pretty in the dress, the dress looks pretty on her. She can ki|| in anything.
Now I would know about beautiful girls, I seen plenty of pretty ladies in my days and yet chose the most beautiful lady of them all.”
We all laughed at that, while Sophia blushed and I playfully smacked his arm.
While Liam, Alex, Sophia and I enjoyed our dinner together, the same couldn’t be said about Evelyn, Hannah and Nathan.
They sat in an awkward and uncomfortable silence, constantly receiving the stink eye and cold shoulder from Alex and Sophia.
When Nathan would try to start up a conversation, Alex would shut him up with one worded answers.
I felt kinda sorry for him. But no, I didn’t. I warned him earlier and he didn’t listen.
“I think Hailey and Nathan should take the trip,” Liam said suddenly, causing us all to look at him.
“What trip?” I asked.
“The winner of today’s tournament get a fully paid, vacation for two, three day holiday to London.” He told us. “And I think you and Nathan should go.”
“But-” I tried to protest. I really didn’t want to go on a vacation with him.
“No buts pumpkin,” Alex cut me off.
“The trip is scheduled for Monday, that is the day after tomorrow,” Liam added.
“I’m busy in the office, wo-” Nathan tried to speak up, but Alex was having none of it.
“You’re the boss, you can take a leave” he said dismissively. “My pumpkin deserves a vacation with how hard she’s working.”
“But honestly, Papa,” I told Liam, “I think you and Evelyn should go. We both are busy with work.”
“We just returned from a trip to Europe Hails, remember,” he said.
“You can make time. And Nathan will go with you and he will be good to you.”
He was talking to me but it seemed more like he was ordering his son.
“It’s settled then,” Alex said with all finality.
“This reminds me,” Sophia begin, “that you’ll never had a honeymoon!”
It was my turn to become uncomfortable while Nathan choked on the water he was drinking and Hannah, who had been quiet the whole time, visibly paled.
“So tell me, my loves,” she asked me, “is there any place you’d prefer.”
“Turks and Caicos,” came Nathan’s answer.+
“Greece” I answered at the same time.
We glared at each other.
“Splendid,” Sophia squeaked “I’ll make the preparations. Next month perhaps.”
“Something like that,” Nathan told her.
I couldn’t believe it. He was willing to go on a honeymoon with me? I thought he’d somehow talk his way out.
Dinner was done and we said our goodbyes. As I was heading to the exit, Nathan grabbed my hand and pulled me towards his car.
I tried to yank my arm back but his grip was too strong.
“Nathan let go, I have my own car,” I tried to tell him, but he didn’t listen.
“Nathan!”
He opened the passenger side of his car, and said, “Get in.”
Since we were in a public place, I didn’t want to make a scene and got in the car.
He got in the driver’s seat and pulled out of the parking lot of the restaurant.
To be continued……..