Forever After All(19)

“We’ll get married tomorrow,” he says, his eyes dark.

“What? Tomorrow? ”

“No point in delaying. Let’s get the paperwork out of the way, so I can formally start providing for both you and your mother. I want you out of that waitressing job you’re doing, and I definitely want you out of the sketchy apartment you live in. If you’re going to be my wife, we need to start fixing your image immediately.”

I look away, resentment and embarrassment melting together, adding to my indignation. It seems like his background check was quite thorough. He even knows I was unable to find a corporate job.

“A guest room has been prepared for you, but I expect you to move your stuff into my bedroom tomorrow.”

He looks at me, his eyes dropping to my lips. “Tonight is all you have to change your mind, Elena. Tomorrow afternoon, I’m making you my wife. Instead of selling your body at Vaughn’s, you’ll be selling it to me. Think it through carefully, because from tomorrow onward, you’ll be mine.”

His gaze lingers on my lips, and for a second I think he’s going to bridge the distance between us to kiss me, but then his expression hardens and he takes a step away.

He walks towards the stairs, pausing midway. “Oh, and Elena?” he says, turning back to look at me. “I’m taking you bare. Get on the pill if you don’t want children yet. The first time I fuck you, I want to feel all of you.”

He smiles and walks away, leaving me standing here in shock.

I can’t believe I’m marrying him… tomorrow .





Chapter 14





E lena



The whole ceremony was a blur. Alexander took me to City Hall, and we walked out a few minutes later with our marriage certificate in hand. He’s nothing if not efficient. The entire process was mechanical and impersonal. I don’t know what I was expecting, but this isn’t really it.

I look down at my outfit. I didn’t have time or money to buy anything special, and I don’t even own a white dress. Instead, I’m wearing black formal pants and a white blouse—my job interview outfit. It’s the nicest thing I own. Besides, I guess it’s only fitting that I wore black to start this soulless marriage with. Alexander doesn’t say a word to me as he walks back to his limousine, he’s lost in thought as much as I am.

“I’m going to be busy for at least the next couple of days. Keep to our agreement: don’t interfere with my private life unnecessarily, and I won’t interfere with yours.”

I nod and swallow down the lump in my throat. This feels so wrong. What have I done? What was I thinking?

I shake away my thoughts as Alexander opens the door for me. I sit down and nod at the driver, surprised to find that there’s a woman I don’t recognize sitting next to him. Alexander joins me, ignoring both of them. He reaches for the bag in the seat opposite me. It wasn’t there when we left the car earlier.

The woman turns to look at us and nods at me. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Kennedy. Congratulations. My name is Alice Porter. I’m Alexander’s secretary.”

I’m startled, and it takes me a good ten seconds to realize that it’s me she’s talking to. I’m Mrs. Kennedy now, and the sound of it sends a thrill down my spine. I nod at her and paste my most polite smile onto my face.

“Nice to meet you, Ms. Porter.”

She shakes her head and smiles at me. “Please, call me Alice.” Alice is a beautiful, sophisticated lady. Short, perfectly straight blonde hair falls just above her shoulder, and her makeup is flawless. I think she’s probably around Alexander’s age, maybe a little older. I listen as she walks Alexander through his schedule for the upcoming week. When he said he’ll be busy, that was clearly an understatement.

He opens the bag in his lap while she talks and takes out a new mobile phone. He unboxes it and starts playing around with it. I watch as he uses the phone to ring himself with, and then hangs up. He hands it to me and grabs his own.

He starts typing on his phone, and a few seconds later the phone in my hand vibrates. I see an incoming message from Husband . Why didn’t he just program himself in as Alexander?

Husband: This is your new phone. It’s fully encrypted using our company’s latest technology. You’ll find a new laptop and tablet in the bag too. They’re similarly encrypted. It’s important that you use only technology provided by me. Corporate espionage is a serious issue that we’ve been battling, and you’ll become a target soon.

I type a reply and hit send.

Elena Kennedy: I got it. Don’t worry.

I blink twice as I notice the name that he’s set up in my message settings. Yep, still there. Not just Elena. Elena Kennedy. I wonder what my name is in his phone for this new number. Probably just Elena. Maybe ‘Old Ball N Chains.’ I scroll through my contacts and find that he’s programmed in everyone I might need to reach, including his security officer, Aiden, and Alice.

Husband: Remember your identity from now on. You’re my wife now. Act appropriately in front of others.

I frown at his text, feeling oddly offended. What does he think I’d do?

Elena Kennedy: I’ll try to refrain from falling to my knees to suck off the highest bidder.

I regret the text the moment I send it and keep staring at my phone instead of looking up to face him. My words were uncalled for, but I still feel bitter about the way he humiliated me when he offered me 20k to suck him off. I’m not sure what bothers me the most. That he offered it at all, or that I would’ve done it if he hadn’t stopped me. I know I should be grateful to him for offering me a solution instead of feeling bitter, but I can’t help myself.