Chapter 15

She wiped her eyes after several seconds. She didn’t want Luke to see that she had been crying. She went back to the bathroom to wash her face.
"I shouldn’t cry,” she murmured to herself.
It wouldn’t change and solve anything. It wouldn’t bring back her innocence. She had to remind herself that even from the start, she knew that he was willing to get what he wanted. She wasn’t even supposed to be surprised that he faked their wedding. The advantage was they could easily part ways, no legal ties. After her discovery, she should be stronger. There was no room for naivety and stupidity. She mustn’t forget that she was alone now and as her grandmother used to say, she mustn’t depend on any man especially Luke. She had to be thankful that for sure, he would get tired of her soon and she had to be ready by that time. Since he was using her for sex, she might as well use him too. She had to finish college. At the moment, she needed him financially. But sadly, she didn’t know until when he would want her. For now, she had to do everything to keep his interest until she graduated. She needed the total make-over Eunice told her about. She tilted her chin and gave herself a fierce look in the mirror. She could do this. It's not the end of the world if she wasn’t his legal wife. She would survive.
"Babe?" she heard his voice and a knock.
With one last look in the mirror, she let him in.
"Why did you have to lock the door?" he asked with furrowed brows.
She wanted to shout at him because he really acted and spoke as if he owned every inch of her and she didn’t have the right to have a little privacy.
Doesn’t he own you? She asked herself.
She walked past him. She chose not to start a fight with him. She didn’t want to be late.
"Sorry. I didn’t know I locked it. Can we go now?” she asked trying to sound casual.
She had to fight her feelings for him. She mustn’t feel any pain and regret once they parted ways. She couldn't afford falling in-love with him though sadly, she was half-way there already. The sooner she ended it the better.
Luke couldn't help but notice that there was something different about his wife. She was quieter than usual like she was in deep thought. His eyes narrowed and he felt a bit pissed thinking that she was up to something or worse, she was thinking of some *ssholes!
"Why so quiet?!" he rasped with a hint of irritation in his voice.
She was looking out the window. He was driving. His bodyguard was behind them using another vehicle. She turned to look at him. His face looked a little grim and she wanted to ask him why but she didn't. They just had sex so she she had no idea why he looked slightly annoyed.
"Maybe I am just tired," she replied.
He threw her glare, "We only had a quickie but you are already tired? Maybe you thinking about something which I don’t like!" he hissed.
She looked out the window again. She didn't like what he was implying. She couldn’t believe that he was the one doubting her.
"Like what for example?"
He let out a sarcastic quite laugh, "Like how to run away from me? Or maybe you are thinking about Joyce’s brother?!" he rasped.
She wanted to release a bitter laugh. How could she be thinking of ways to run from him? She needed him for his money. She even wanted to ask Eunice for help to hold his interest in her. He said she might be thinking of Brett? How was that possible? She hardly thought about her friend because her mind was occupied by this cunning man so Brett didn’t even enter her mind until now that he mentioned his name. This man in the car with her had a brain which always worked overtime especially when he was suspecting her of doing something though he didn’t have any proof. She didn't want to use the word husband anymore when she was referring to him. She wasn’t even sure if he was her legal husband.
"Why would I think about something like that? And why talk about Brett?" she asked without any emotion in her tone.
"Most of the times I don't know what you are thinking Mrs. Contrero but never think of leaving me! And don’t you dare think of any man! I can be a real beast if provoked! " he threatened and she sighed.
"Eunice came over the house this morning," she told him to change the subject. She looked at his right profile. His frown seemed to have deepened.
"Why? Did she say or do anything to you?” he asked sounding worried since he knew that the woman was manipulative.
"Is there anything she needs to tell me?" she asked while her eyes are at him.
He didn't turn to look at her, "None but it would be better if you stay away from her," he suggested in a chilly voice.
She raised a brow. This man didn’t want Eunice to tell on him. No one spoke after that until they reached the university.
"I will pick you up again later. We will go home first so you can freshen up. We'll have dinner with my parents. They are back from France.”
He pulled her by her nape to kiss her on the lips and she just allowed him. She couldn't help her body's reaction to him anyway. She thought that was okay. It was her heart that she should guard. After the kiss, she expected him to just let her go out by herself but he also got off and opened the door. And even with people passing by, he kissed her again. She was glad it was just a quick kiss. He took hold of her hand. His brows furrowed when he noticed that she wasn’t wearing her wedding ring.
"Where is your ring?" he rasped.
"I left it at home. I don’t want to lose or misplace it.”
He cursed. He pulled her to him by her waist, "You should always wear it!" he ordered through clenched teeth. His handsome face was a little red from anger.
She just nodded. She knew all eyes were on her as she walked away from Luke. He waited for her to go past the entrance before he went back to the car. Who wouldn't stare at her? They all witnessed how possessive he was. He was super hot and all and she felt she was so plain for him. Most of them were probably thinking what he saw in her just like Eunice. She felt a stab of pain but she tried to erase the feeling.
***
They were at the back of the car. This time Mario drove them and Luis was as usual driving behind them. The moment they entered the area where his parents live, the more she felt insecure and irrelevant. She felt Luke squeeze her hand.
"Relax babe. You look great,” he whispered in her ear.
She just smiled at him. He looked immaculate in his gray long-sleeves shirt. She was in a plain long black dress which he chose. He also asked her to put her hair up. Her face was bare of make-up as instructed by him. He said he wanted her to look as simple as possible. The more she felt the big gap between their social status when she saw his parents’ house. It was a mansion. She frowned because there were a lot of cars parked nearby. Seemed like there was a big party.
"I-I thought it’s just a simple dinner with your family?” she asked nervously.
"That's what I know too!" he said irritably as he dialed his phone.
She felt her palms went cold and sweaty. She was all nerves.
"We're here! I thought it's just us? What's all this?" he rasped on his phone.
She let her eyes around the garden. She could only watch this kind of garden on tv and movies.
"Okay!" he said curtly to the person on the other line before hanging up, "Let's go! We'll use the back door,” he told her.
Eunice walked to them. The woman was so pretty. She was in a light pink dress which was for sure expensive. She looked like her assistant especially with the dull dress she had on. She said hello to them while she looked at her plain and boring dress. She smiled at her then kissed her on the cheek then Luke. She wasn’t surprised that she was here. As she said before, she was close to Luke’s family.
"You gave us all the shock of our lives .Getting married in haste? " she asked Luke as if challenging him.
"And you couldn't wait to tell my mother which is not surprising at all," he murmured coldly.
The two kept the stare which made her feel uncomfortable.
"Luke!" called a female voice.
Mrs. Amanda Contrero, Luke’s mother appeared. She hugged his son before she turned to her and smiled. She opened her arms to her, "And this must be Isabelle, my new daughter-in-law."
Luke nodded at her as if to say that she should hug his mother too. She did so though she was feeling shy.
The woman enclosed her in a tight embrace, "You are beautiful Isabelle. Though I am a bit hurt because Luke didn’t tell us about your wedding. I am very happy to meet you.”
Luke and Eunice were only looking at them.
"Luke, go to your father and the guests. You know the family tradition. The women come out after the men. Besides, I want to get to know your wife a little," his mother said.
He looked as if he would refuse at first but the older Mrs. Contrero raised her left brow at him.
"Is it too much to ask if I want to have my wife alone with me?” he sighed, "Okay. Be good to her,” he told his mother but his eyes were on Eunice.
The other woman just met his stare without saying anything. He pulled her to him then kissed her lightly on the lips before going inside.
"Wow! Is that my son?" Luke’s mom asked with a slight shake of her head. She lowered her eyes and just smiled timidly.
"We have to do something with her Aunt Amanda. She can't go out there looking like that," Eunice commented.
"I have to agree. You are so pretty my dear. I don't know why my son wants to hide your loveliness in such a plain dress like that. I want all my friends to see how gorgeous my daughter-in-law is.”
She couldn’t say that her son was very possessive so he let her wear the dress.
"Let Irene do wonders to you. She's my personal make-up artist and stylist. My daughter Dianne has a lot of dresses which she hasn’t even used. We'll choose one for you. I think you are the same size.
(after half an hour)
"You look great my dear! You are even lovelier!" the old Mrs. Contrero said with delight while Eunice was poker face.
Her face almost distorted. She was sure that Luke would be angry. She couldn’t even recognize herself. She didn’t know that she could look like this. She was in a stunning white tube dress which showed her creamy shoulders. It was above her knees so her beautiful legs were exposed. She was wearing stilettos owned by Luke’s older sister. They fit her perfectly. She looked sophisticated.
"You look like a model!” the stylist complimented her.
"I can't wait till Luke sees her,” Eunice said with a certain glint in her eyes.
"L-Luke might not like me in this..."
"Nonsense dear! He should show you off! He has a very beautiful wife! Let's get inside. I can't wait to see everyone's reaction,” Luke’s mother took her hand as they walked to the side of the house where the garden party was.
They didn't see the sneering smile on Eunice face.
***
Luke was at a table drinking. His father, Reed with his own father and some of his father’s friends were present. Only around thirty guests were invited. Most of them were relatives and close friends. This was their post wedding reception according to his mother.
"You are so secretive! You didn’t even tell us about your wedding!” his dad’s best friend said while shaking his head.
"What’s taking them so long? I wonder what your mother is doing with your wife,” his father joked.
"Maybe Aunt Amanda is really trying to get to know her better," commented Reed.
Luke frowned and looked at his watch. He had to agree with his father. Isabelle was taking too long to come out though he knew she was with his mother and Eunice. He wasn’t worried that the latter would do something bad to her since his mother was with them. He decided to better check on them. He was about to stand when they heard a loud clap. People turned to where the sound came from. His eyes turned into half slits when he realized it was his mother.
"Good evening everybody! May I get your attention please? I would like you to meet the new member of our family. Meet Luke’s wife Isabelle! My lovely daughter-in-law!“ his mother announced with a wide smile.
He gritted his teeth when his wife came into view. Everyone except him clapped their hands as they stared with admiration at the woman who was now standing next to his mother. Her dress was hugging her body like a glove. Her lovely skin was emphasized by it. Her hair and make-up looked superb. In other words, Isabelle looked really lovely but he didn't like it. This was what he didn’t want to ever happen. His eyes roamed around and saw how the men were looking appreciatively at his wife.
"F*CK!" he cursed.