People often say" Wedding is for a day...Marriage is for a lifetime...

It was a beautiful morning...cool, calm and braw.

What would you expect at a billionaire's wedding, it was well planned.

The church was decorated in gold and red.

Her uncle with tears in his eyes, led her to the altar.

As she walked regally, she wished she could just run away.

From Rory.....

From here ..

From everything and everyone.

From the corner of her eyes, she could see her sisters and Lily and some other people she didn't know. They did a good job trying to make the wedding work.

....................... ....FLASHBACK........................

Matilda stared glumly at herself in the mirror of the fitting room. She looked down at her wedding dress, then, turned to Cassandra and Jennifer- the wedding planner.

"This looks perfect". Cassandra beamed.

"What do you think Miss Wright?, do you want to check out another outfit?. This looks perfect to me though". Jennifer smiled at Matilda who gave her an unenthusiastic look.

"You have options, Miss Wright. You tried out three wedding dresses already."

"Can I take this off ?". She rolled her eyes.

"Sure".

.
Few minutes later, she came out dressed in her usual outfit.

"I've got to go". She spat out.

"No way Matilda!". Cassie said." You've not decided on the dress, have you?"

"Pick anyone you like"

Cassandra glared at her.

"Miss Jennifer, please give us a minute". Cassandra sighed.

Jennifer excused them with a puzzled look on her face.

"Matilda, are you crazy?...what do you think you are doing?. Jennifer was hired to be your planner...Rory paid her for goodness sake. "

" Jennifer is quite young and has dreams for wedding day. I don't mind if she plans this wedding the way she'd love to plan hers". She walked away.

Cassandra was taken aback.

God.....

What have she done?.

She hoped she wasn't the one who pushed her sister into this.

............END OF FLASHBACK........

************

"Are you sure about this?... she's been acting strangely lately. Don't you think you forced her into this?". Lily asked frantically.

"No, she's going to be fine. She is a Wright and we Wrights are always strong. I'm very sure she'll be okay...trust me".

The priest read the vow to the couples to be and soon it was Matilda's turn to read her vow.

"

"Matilda Wright". The priest said"do you take Rory Brown as your husband,in good health, in sorrow. Till death do you part"

There was silence.

Lily casted Cassandra a nervous glance.

**

"Who gives this woman to be married to this man?". The priest asked.

"I do". Her Uncle hands her to the priest.

The priest received the bride from the hand of her Uncle. He instructed the bride and groom to take hands and face each other.

They did so.

She glared at him from underneath the veil, he didn't see that but he smiled at her.

Bastard.. she cursed inwardly.

The priest read the vow as Rory repeated after him .

Matilda stared blankly at the priest as he read the vow.

"Now Matilda repeat after me"...." I, MATILDA WRIGHT take you,...

There was silence.

She said nothing.

Everyone in the congregation were starting to murmur but she cared less.

If only they knew why she was getting married.

For a few minute, she kept mute untill Rory gave her hand a squeeze.

The priest read the vow again and this time she repeated after him.

Rory chuckled.

Beneath the chuckle, there was a trace of anger. She could feel it.

They exchanged rings.

"Those whom God has joined together, let no man put asunder. Amen".

The congregation erupted in loud cheer.

" You may kiss your bride"

.

He unveiled her.

Instead of kissing her ferociously as she expected, he pressed light whispery kisses to her lips. Before she could stop herself, she captured his lips with her own.

This action made the congregation cheer loudly.

He moaned at the contact of their lips and cupped her face in his hand while he returned her kiss. His breathing ragged, he trailed his hand slowly over her body.

Abruptly, she broke off.

"You taste so good". He whispered into her ear.

She bit her lips.

"Bastard'. She thought.

He brushed his lips quickly against hers before flashing her a wide grin.

How she hated him....

-------------

"Smile Tilda, everyone is watching". He caressed her temple.

She smiled" take your filthy hands off me or else...

"or else what sweetheart?". He asked, a satisfactory grin on his handsome face." You can do nothing here...okay?"

She gritted her teeth and clenched to her fist.

He irked her, a lot but, what could she do?. She signed the agreement herself.

"Be careful, else your teeth will fall off". He cautioned.

She wished she could slap him but it was impossible, all eyes were on them.

"Thanks, Mr Brown..for your concern". She smiled sweetly at him.

"It's my pleasure, my darling wife". He curtsied. "Now let's say hi to our guest, we're leaving now".

She bit her lips till she could taste blood from her vulnerable lips.

**

MAINE

U.S.A.

2:45am.

HE WASN'T A perfect gentleman, she thought outrageously.

Ever since they left the wedding reception back in Nigeria, they had said nothing to each other. And, when they had touched down at the Airport, he didn't help out with her luggage.

She was very exhausted.

After a long dance at the wedding reception and greeting of guests, she felt like she was going to collapse. And to crown it all, her so called husband couldn't help with her luggage.

She closed her eyes and leaned back in the seat of the taxi taking them to their apartment.

Few minutes more, her head was falling and soon she was sound asleep on his laps.

Moment later.

"Here we are" . The driver announced.

Rory looked down at Matilda who was sleeping soundly on his laps. He blew out a breath as he shook his leg vigorously.

Startled,she struggled up from his lap. She blinked rapidly as her sleep dazed expression rapidly cleared off.

A mocking curl formed at the corner of his lips.

Without a word, he hopped out of the car. She gritted her teeth as she carried her luggage.

Her sisters did well packing her two luggage as she was spending three months here in Maine.

Her sleep dazed expression suddenly cleared off as she stopped to gain balance.

It was a starry night, a night if a million stars, she noticed. She smiled, looking up at the night sky, it was so beautiful, so enchanting. She could watch it forever.

In spite of the darkness, she could see the white house far ahead.

She dragged her luggage and swore at him, for he was far ahead of her.
She caught up with him at the porch.

He bought out two keys from his pocket and handed her one. And, for the first time in hours, he spoke "This is the key to the house, it's only right that you have one".

She took it from him and mumured a thank you.

He walked in, leaving her outside to combine if she liked. She gingerly walked in and closed the door behind her.

The living room was lit with a full glare of
light, when Rory switched on the lamp. She marvelled at how beautiful it was.

Exterior view of the beach house.

Interior view of the beach house.

Swallowing hard, she dragged her luggage.

He was sipping a cup of water now, his jaw was tenses and his eyes hard.

Was he upset?

She shrugged. It doesn't matter, all she needed was a good night rest. He could get upset for all she cared.

"Rory". She called hoarsely.

He turned sharply to her " yes?"

"Can you show me to my room, please?".

"Our room is at the right corner". He said, his eyes moving slowly over the length of her .

She almost cringed. Tiny beads of sweat were beginning to gather in her forehead.
Her heart began to pound fast as she swallowed the lump in her throat.

"Our, you say?". She asked huskily.

He wasn't planning on doing anything, she assured herself.

"In case you don't know, there's only one room in this beach house". He said impatiently placing his hand on his hips.

A cold shiver ran down her spine.

Turning around, she grabbed her luggage and dragged it into the bedroom.

She put her luggage in a neat corner before surveying the room. It was painted cream and a large bed was at a side of the room. A dark sheet was stretched out on the bed.

She unzipped the first luggage and gingerly searched for her pyjamas and to her utmost surprise, it wasn't there.

She unzipped the second and her pyjamas wasn't there either.

She was sure she had packed it, but why wasn't it here?.

Instead, she saw a transparent night robe.

Damn!

Cassandra's handwork..

She gritted her teeth.

Well, she had no option but to wear it. She couldn't go through the stress of searching for another cloth. All the clothes she had in her first luggage were not her type of clothing, they were all revealing, she was so sure that her sister had packed them intentionally. While, the clothes in her second luggage, were her regular outfit, which she won't be comfortable with.

She had a cold bath and slipped the night robe on. She pulled the duvet over her chest and stared blankly at the ceiling.
She drifted to the far end of the bed, ensuring that there's enough space left.

Rory wouldn't think of trying anything stupid, he wouldn't dare, and if he did, she would defend herself.
She made sure her pepper spray was very close to her.

He came in and to her surprise, he didn't do anything to her. He slept lazily and dozed off.

Disappointment washed through her.

Perhaps, she had secretly hoped he did something?

Hmmmmmmmm....

I'm so sorry, I've been really busy(my apology is beginning to sound insincere), I'm still sorry, anyways.

I should have updated on Monday but I didn't have the courage to.

Lol...that crazy voice in my head was like" Are you sure of what you are writing?"..." What will your readers say about this book?". Blah blah blah .

Well, I've updated now o.

Comment your thought and don't forget to vote.

Dove🌹