SCARLET
It was my wedding night.
And it was a long night.
Between my own thoughts and Devan’s dreams, I don’t know which one was crazier.
Although, nothing beats marrying a stranger to get back at your deceitful fiance and make sure he doesn’t get a dime from you.
Devan had a rough night.
Nightmares are the worst.
I hate them too.
When he kept tossing and turning, I had to do something.
He was drenched in sweat, and I did the most natural thing, pulling him on my lap.
Petting him.
Our little talk made me realize I will always be a worried wife.
Well, for six months.
And that was our first night together, as husband and wife.
So eventful.
What I didn’t expect, however, was to have a mini wedding in the bedroom.
Never had I thought that till six months do us apart would be part of marriage vows.
But again this is not a normal marriage.
Makes total sense.
After the ring exchange, we head downstairs for breakfast.
Christina is already there.
She sees us and her eyes light up.
“The cutest couple is awake.”
“Good Morning, Mother,” Devan greets her, pulling a chair for me to sit.
Next to his mother.
Christina ignores Devan and puts her hand on mine, a wide smile spreading across her face.
“How was your wedding night?” She asks, making my jaw drop.
She’s not asking that like a normal greeting.
She’s asking because she wants to know if something happened between me and Devan.
A lot of things happened, but not in the way that she thinks.
“Mother, I thought we talked about this,” says Devan.
“Talked about what? You two should be making me a grandson right now.”
She then leans in and whispers.
“You’re supposed to make it look real, remember?”
“Oh,” I nod.
“Though I don’t mind you guys making me a grandson.”
“Stop pestering my wife,” Devan warns.
This is going to be a long awkward breakfast.
Christina’s words remind me of our conversation.
She asked me about Devan’s salvation.
She said Devan shuts people out a lot.
It puts a lot of questions in my head.
And then I remember the Devan I was with last night…
He was so charming and teasy, might I add. Visit g.com for the full chapter.
Or maybe I’m the one overlooking things.
Not to forget what I saw when I eyed his crotch this morning, before he disappeared to the bathroom.
The thought makes my mind go to all sorts of inappropriate places.
I shake my head so that I don’t make a fool out of myself in front of my mother-in-law.
__________
After breakfast we’re headed for a meeting with syndicate members, where Devan has to introduce his wife to the rest.
We sit at the back of a Ferrari.
His chauffeur drives us.
“So where’s this place exactly?” I probe.
“Just some beautiful, quiet place in the surbabs,” Devan replies.
I take in a long breath as I look outside.
Devan places his hand on mine.
“You’re nervous.”
Of course I am.
This is day two of being a mafia king’s wife.
Even though he’s been nice…sweet to me, I don’t know how the rest of his people would feel about me.
We’re supposed to look like we’re in love.
What if I mess things up for him?
Would it cost his position?
What if someone finds out that this marriage is fake?
“What? No. I’m not nervous. I’m a big girl,” I lie.
Devan lifts his brows.
“Okay, I’m a little bit nervous.”
Devan lifts his brows.
“Okay I’m very nervous.”
“You’re beautiful,” Devan says.
That warms my heart and I smile for a few seconds before I frown.
“What has that got to do with anything?”
“Whenever you feel nervous, just remember this exact moment.”
“Okay, that will help.”
“I know this is all new to you. But always remember that I’m here with you. We’re in this together. I will not let anything happen to you,” he assures me, which is surprisingly calming to the heart.
We arrive at a villa in a very quiet neighborhood.
My eyes wander for a while before Devan taps my shoulder.
“Now this is where we hold syndicate meetings,” he says.
“Couldn’t you put it in the city or something. Or maybe something like an office.”
“Well, baby, being predictable is the worst thing you could ever do as a leader.”
My mind sticks to the part where he just called me baby.
He’s just trying to be sweet, Scarlet.
For the show.
Don’t overthink it, you idiot.
But being called baby by a man as hot as Devan…
I’ve been called baby before.
What the hell is wrong with me?
Devan is breathtakingly hot.
That’s what’s wrong.
And it’s time to put on a show. This story is hosted at g.com.
We had discussed a script of how we met, in case someone pried.
The villa looks classy.
Servants welcome us like royals.
A middle aged man leads us to a room that looks like a boardroom.
It has a huge table at the centre, surrounded by several chairs.
Most of the chairs have been occupied by men in suits.
A few of them look old.
As old as seventy.
Others are mostly middle aged men.
There are a total of four women.
Two blondes, a black head and a red head.
If I guessed their ages, middle-aged maybe?
Except one.
The red head.
She looks younger than the rest.
Another reason she stands out is because of the way she’s glaring at me.
It’s like she decided she hated me the moment her eyes landed on me.
She stares at me like we were enemies in our previous lives.
Or does she know me from somewhere?
Her glares almost make me forget other glares at the table.
Oh, my God.
Everyone hates me.
“And there’s my favorite sister-in-law,” a familiar voice speaks up.
It makes me feel at ease.
It’s
Matias.
Good.
At least one person is on my side.
Apart from Devan.
That makes me feel so much better.
I smile at Matias.
I’ve never seen a more weird smile than the one I just gave.
Well, what am I supposed to do now?
I’m in the same room as people who probably kill for a living.
The nervousness from earlier starts coming back in.
You’re beautiful.
I remember the exact moment Devan said that.
My lips curve into a smile.
Devan takes the largest chair at the table.
The head chair.
I’m standing right beside him, not knowing what to do next.
And then he does the most unexpected thing.
He pulls me on his lap.