POV: AUDREY.

Alexander and I walked down, the majestically designed aisle, of the party venue. It was lined with a beautiful red carpet which was lavishly designed with lavenders, roses and orchids making them scream not just luxury but also royalty.

The party room was an open garden, which was situated at the heart of the hotel. It had a kidney shaped swimming pool in it which looked comforting. They also illuminated stars from the lights beneath them, causing the pool's surface to embody the sky. I could literally jump in it and forget all that just happened but, I wasn't a good swimmer.

The cotton garlands lining the garden could almost be mistaken for a roof. It was beautifully decorated, with white and green roses, which was a matching color with the carpet grasses. The lights which hung from them, shone brightly and were being aided by the stars that embraced the sky.

Everything looked perfect and for a moment, it felt as if the heavens were in support of what was going on that night, including Jimmie's death.

And if they were, then they were definitely not being fair.

The eyes of the guests felt like arrows that shot out angrily from its archer's bow. It was the look of disgust, sneer and jealousy. But for some weird reasons, it felt like they were also scared.

I was still carefully observing them when I lost my balance but was caught by Alexander just in time.

"Don't be scared Hazel. No one here would dare to do anything to my bride."

"No one here would dare touch your bride but my sister was murdered in cold blood right here." I whispered with anger.

"Hazel...." He proceeded again but I cut him short.

"I'm not scared Mr. Royales. I'm just exhausted." I retorted as I helped myself up and adjusted my dress.

"Let's go." I said to him coldly.

"You know hazel, a thank you would have been appreciated." Alexander said calmly, as we locked our hands together again, like magnet and metal.

"I didn't ask you to catch me Mr. Royales."

"I was definitely fine on my own."

" You just can't pass up any chance you get to touch me ." I blurted out immediately.

I was already getting furious by the turnout of things this night.

"That statement really hurts Hazel."

"Can you just keep quiet?!" I whispered.

"Let's just get this done quietly please."

"Anything for my wife," he replied calmly.

The event finally kicked off and all sorts of activities were going on. From recitals to auctions down to exhibitions. It dawned on me then.

This wasn't an engagement party but, a masked way for these hungry grabbers to make more money.

Soon enough, the guests came to greet us and also welcome me into the business. The lingering thought that, one of these guests could be Jimmie's killer was sickening and I felt nauseous from it. I quickly excused myself to go get a drink from the bar.

The bar was situated right next to the buffet. It was a mini bar and the drinks were arranged neatly behind the counter, which made it easier for people to identify the drink they would like to get.

"A shot of lager beer please." I gestured to the bartender.

"Incoming milady!" The bartender replied offering me a heartwarming smile.

I sat there in silence as I waited for my drink when my mom suddenly walked up to me.

"Jimmie's body has been taken care of." She said coldly.

I felt a burning sting in my chest as my mom dropped the bomb. I actually expected this from her but, for some reasons, it hurt.

I just nodded and gave her a fake smile.

The thought of never seeing Jimmie again lingered bitterly in my heart. More so that the killer could have been apprehended, if not for my mom's desires.

I turned and stared at my mom intently filled with rage and disgust, as I bit my lower lip sharply, causing it to bruise a little, all in an attempt to stop my tears from escaping.

"Audrey,"

"In no time, you will get to understand your dad and I." She stated plainly but I stared her in disbelief.

"Mom, spare me this crap already please."

"I have already had enough for a day."

She stared at me quietly.

The silence after was soul wrenching.

"Your drink, ma'am." The bartender said, breaking the silence.

"Thanks." I said as I stood up and walked to the buffet.

I wasn't really sure of what I was doing here. If there was something I was certain about right now, it was the fact that I wasn't hungry but I had no choice.

The buffét looked really inviting. It was a Scottish banquet buffét style, with many Scottish delicacies ranging from roasted Scottish beef, wild Scottish game pie, smoked salmon canapés, langoustine cocktail and Scottish tablets as desserts. I took a serving of Scottish tablets and was munching slowly when, the discussion between two ladies caught my attention.

"I mean she's not even up to his standard. I'm still amused at what could make Alexander settle for a girl like that."

"Don't get me started Sophia. She clearly seduced him because, she can only offer her body."

"Besides, her father is wretched."

"Yeah, the scandal really took a toll on his company."

"Which gives her no other option but to go after Alexander's money."

"She had absolutely nothing to offer."

"You need to see the way her mom sucks up to aunt Lisa."

"She could pass for one of our cleaners." The girl finished, as they let out a heartfelt laughter.

I thought I should ignore them.

"A poor shameless b*tch."

Her utterance lit up the anger I had felt all night.

I suddenly walked up to her furiously and emptied my drink on her hair as she screamed in shock, attracting the crowd to us. Everywhere suddenly went silent, that even the sound of a pin dropping to the floor could be heard.

She turned towards me in shock.

"What...... did.... you.... just.....do.....?"

I just stared at her nonchalantly.

"Sorry..." I said, making an irritated face.

"My intrusive thoughts took over."

"The drink looks good with your hair by the way." I replied sarcastically.

"You b*tch!!!" She cursed as she raised her slender hand to hit me but I held it in place.

"Don't you dare!" I threatened her.

"Let go of me!!"

"Now!!!!!!!!"

I forcefully let go of her hand and made to walk away when she gripped my right hand.

"And where do you think you are going?" She asked furiously.

"Pay for my dress."

"What?!" I scoffed.

"This dress cost me fifteen thousand dollars, and you just ruined it."

I stared in disbelief.

"Ohh really?."

"I can't afford it dear."

"I'm so sorry about that."

"Excuse you?"

"I'm sorry not sorry about your dress." I stated plainly.

"This has got to be some kind of sick joke right?"

"You've got some nerve girl.." her friend chipped in.

"I mean you just ruined a 15k dollar dress and you are not even bothered about it?"

"Ohh I'm sorry."

"Am I supposed to be scared?"

"What?" She scoffed.

"I see you clearly don't know whom you are messing with right?" She said as she pushed my right shoulder aggressively.

"You should have watched it before you called me a cunt!." I replied gripping her hand.

"And who the hell do you think you are?" She asked in fury.

I made to reply her when a husky voice echoed from behind and sent chills throughout the crowd.

"My bride." Alexander answered as he approached us, like he didn't just send chills into the crowd.

POV: Alexander

The sound of my voice made the crowd resonate in fear as I walked towards Jimmie with pride and took her hand in mine.

She had been gone for quite a while and the guests were getting suspicious. Prior to searching for her,I noticed the chaos going on, only to find her amidst it.

"What do you think you are doing?" she asked, staring at me intensely.

"Thank goodness you are here Alexander." Sophia whimpered.

"This b*tch here ruined......" but I cut her short.

"Not another word Sophia. I really don't care about what's going on but, no one gets to insult my bride. I'm only letting you off because of mom."

"but Alexander she..." I already knew it was about her dress. Jimmie did a damn fine job ruining it.

"Meet Charles for your dress." I finished coolly.

Sophia glared at Jimmie like she had just snatched one of her toys. She and I grew up together and we're usually mistaken for siblings. She wasn't a bad person but spoiled– thanks to my mom.

My marriage to Jimmie didn't sit well with her and I knew She and Jimmie were going to have anything but a good relationship.

As for Ashley, I never liked her. She was a bad influence on Sophia and only befriended her in order to get close to me. She had no right to speak down on Jimmie after all her sexual advances at me.

An insult to Jimmie was directly at me and I wasn't going to tolerate that.

"But Alex..." Sophia tried again.

"Enough Sophia" I said, firmly trying to address her when Jimmie snapped again.

"Next time you want to insult royalty, wear a raincoat." She blurted, her gaze hard and voice cutting like glass.

Her utterance caught me off guard and definitely agitated Sophia the more. I had to act quickly before claws came out.

"You are such an ingrate. You wouldn't even be if not because of my brother!" Sophia scoffed.

"Sophia!" I barked, gripping her arm.

"We will deal with this later."

"And you– Come with me. " I said as I turned to Jimmie and dragged her out ignoring her last shriek.

"Drenched bitch!"

She always made sure to have the last word.

We barely got to the car when she yanked herself from my grip.

"I was handling the situation very well. You didn't have to butt in." she snapped furiously.

"Your presence always makes everything feel so– exposed."

Her outward sentence really stung.

"Do you have a problem with thanking people, Hazel?" I asked tightly.

"No."

"I just have a problem with you."

Damn!!!

This marriage was gonna be one hell of a rollercoaster.

"That's not very good hazel. We are already a couple."

"The last time I checked, I didn't opt for this...."

She didn't finish because my temper got the best of me as I grabbed her both hands and placed them above her head, pinning her against the tiled wall. She trembled immediately, making me regret my actions.

My regrets however dissolved into amusement.

"Did you just bite your lips Hazel?"

"Ohh, you wish!" She was quick to defend herself.

Typical Jimmie.

"You have to rein in that feisty problem of yours."

"Or what??" she replied, raising her small frame to meet my eye level.

"You can't do sh*t, Mr. Royales."

Ohh, little hazel eyes.

I narrowed mine as I smirked at her. She was teasing me and looked so impossibly beautiful doing it.

"Cute."

"Are we making threats now Hazel?" I asked intently.

"Let go of me Mr. Royales!" she retorted.

"Fine. But if you don't deal with that temper of yours, I'm gonna punish you for it."

"Getting entangled with you is already a punishment." she snapped, rolling her eyes.

"Mmmm....." the words slipped as I slowly turned speechless.

I stared at her like I was trying to read her while, slowly grazing my left thumb on her right cheek and taking it down to her neckline as goosebumps reflexively kissed her light skin from my touch.

Her reaction made the craving I had been trying to suppress all night, rise heavily. I couldn't decipher if I was scared of my desires but, I was certain I wanted her.

Suddenly, her wrist watch beeped–loud and urgent. Her heart rate was spiking.

"You can't even endure a touch from my thumb?" I teased.

She couldn't answer. Instead, she just stared at me helplessly. I could sense that she was fighting a battle within herself.

"I like this side of you, Hazel."

"Well, there is no other side to me than this, Mr. Royales." she finally found her voice.

That sounds like the Jimmie I know.

"And just so you know, I'm not like the other ladies who cower like chickens in your presence.."

Her threats sounded so hilarious and I couldn't help but smirk.

"Rascal!" she muttered under my breath.

"I nearly wet my pants Hazel." I said making a sarcastic face.

"Pretty lips are not supposed to utter such scary words, are they?" I asked calmly.

" Well, mine does."

" Now can you let go of me?"

"And if I don't?"

Her eyes locked in mine.

"You know. You are really self-absorbed and obnoxious. You think the world revolves around you right?" she seethed,

Slowly leaning in on her with my voice dangerously low...

"The world doesn't revolve around me..."

" But tonight, you orbit around my world like you were born to."

"What?"

"Let me take you to our galaxy hazel." I concluded as her lips parted in shock.

POV: Audrey.

The bright light seeping from the window nearly blinded me as my pupils struggled to adjust to it. Rubbing my hazy eyes, I sat up lazily.

Butler Charles was standing near the curtains, hands clasped behind him like he had been waiting for me all morning.

"Good morning Charles. You are reporting already?" I asked fuzzy.

"yes ma'am. How was your night?"

"Very well dear."

"Is Alexander home yet?"

"No ma'am."

My face fell instantly. It's been two weeks since we got married and the last time I set my eyes on him was the party night. In the midst of his sneaky charade, he got a work call and vanished since then.

The worst part? I couldn't even decipher if he was really tied up with work, avoiding me or if he had other women outside.

Talk about taking me to your galaxy but you disappeared even before the wedding could end.

"Ma'am, are you okay?" Charles asked, his voice low with concern.

"Yeah sure.... I'm fine." I said trying to suppress the tears that made my vision blurry.

I really haven't adapted to staying in this house especially without a known face. Things may not have started off well with Alexander but for some strange reasons, a part of me yearns for him and I really hated myself for that.

"He's still choked up with work I guess." I said dryly as I got up from the massive bed slipping into my flipflops.

"What would you like to have, ma'am?"

"Ohh... nothing for now. I'm good."

"Okay ma'am. Remember Sir. Will's party is tonight."

Sh*t.

The scenario I have been avoiding will eventually transpire tonight. Lexan and I have been on edge ever since he found out about what happened on Jimmie's wedding night. I guess the betrayal stung him so hard that he had to check out on me.

He has been my best friend since grade school and he was like the brother I never had to Jimmie and I so, his anger was justified. Knowing his serene personality, I knew I had just this night to patch things up with him.

"Your dresses would be here in 15 minutes ma'am. You have to try them on." Charles pressed on.

"It's alright Charles. Let me shower first. My bath's ready right?"

"Yes ma'am." He replied.

"Thank you. I would be down in 10."

"Sure." He bowed slightly before leaving the room.

Charles was the only person that helped to keep me insane despite my turmoil. At first, he seemed distant but then getting to know him, I discovered that he eluded so much warmth.

Slipping out from my nightwear, I crouched into the bathtub, letting my body be immersed fully in the warm water. The scented candles gave the bathroom a soothing fragrance and the lights complemented the blue bubble bath. He knew the right therapy for an anti-morning fan like me.

I soaked in the bath for a while and stepped out. Quickly drying my body and hair, I wore the pink tank top and black shorts that I could grab when, I stepped into the closet. Packing my hair into a messy bun, I strode downstairs.

The dresses arrived soon enough and if there was another accolade I could give to Charles apart from being a really comforting person, it was the award of a fashionista. The dresses were so unique and I knew I would have trouble picking one.

"Sir. Alexander said you should keep them all."

"What? I just need one."

What a show off.

"He insisted ma'am." Charles pressured.

"Okay then." I shot out dryly.

Alexander's actions lately had me on edge. He clearly was avoiding me but then he sends breakfast home every morning, makes sure I don't lack anything and even sends gifts home. At some point, It felt like I was barking up a wrong tree by suspecting him of Jimmie's murder but on a second thought, it felt as if he had an ulterior motive. I mean, a married man hasn't been home in two weeks?

Not allowing my thoughts get the best of me, I walked to the clothes hanger and observed each one carefully for something that would fit my style. I didn't want something too flashy but these dresses screamed otherwise. I fumbled with the clothes when a particular gown caught my eye.

It was a yellow A-line strapless wrap ruched satin dress with an open back style that swept the floor elegantly. It looked so mesmerizing that I wanted it instantly.

"What do you think?" I beamed at butler Charles.

"You have an impeccable taste ma'am, I must say." Charles complimented.

"Gracias amigo." I said bowing curtly as he smiled at me.

"What do you think of my Portuguese mmmm?" I gazed at him like a child seeking candy.

"That's Spanish Milady." he blurted to my disappointment.

"You are no fun." I squirmed to Charles' amusement.

"I'm gonna go try this on." I said storming off into the dressing room.

A few minutes later,

"The final reveal!!" I screamed at him happily.

"You look extremely beautiful ma'am."

"Awwwwww....... Thank you so much Charles." He beamed at me bowing slightly.

"Do you need any other thing for toni......" my phone suddenly buzzed, cutting him off abruptly. It was Lexan. Finally....

I sent you a package. Be ready by 7.

I was still glued to my phone screen when the door bell rang. Charles bolted out to get it.

"Ma'am." he called out after a few minutes, handing me a red box and a bouquet of wild flowers. They were my favorite.

"He didn't have to." I muttered under my breath, washed with guilt.

"I'm sticking around if you need anything ma'am." he finished before letting me drown in my thoughts.