AIDEN

My face turned red with fury as I clenched my fists in anger, my body language displayed my rage as I paced back and forth. My breathing became heavy and my voice grew loud as I yelled at the man standing before me in my office. 

"I want you to find that lady and kill her," I ordered.

I couldn't believe that I had been taken off guard by her actions. I had remained sited, frozen in place, my face burning with shame as the woman lashed out after slapping me right in the face with a venomous tirade of insults and accusations.

 I had thought my business deal was going to go smoothly, my business partners were about finalizing on the proposal, but then she had arrived and ruined everything for me, her eyes were cold as ice as she finished her verbal assault, and left the office.

I could feel the weight of my partners' stares on me, a look of disbelief that a man of my calibre could be slapped not once but twice on the face by a woman, I was humiliated. I tried to choke out a few words to calm the atmosphere, but it was clear that my credibility had been irreparably damaged.

As the meeting disbanded, I stumbled out, barely able to hold myself up with the weight of humiliation heavy on my shoulders. I knew that I would never be able to live down the disgrace of being slapped by a woman in front of my business partner's and shareholders, and that the shadow of this moment would follow me for the rest of my career.

There was nothing more that I wanted now but to have that woman killed as soon as possible, she had done something that even my mother couldn't dare do.

"Sir, I understand your anger but it is best we find out first why she did...."

"Max."

"On it Sir," Max replied. He had been opportune to witness the whole incident and he knew I had every right to be mad with rage with what had happened but I knew he was about to stop me from trying to kill the lady but he didn't dare say anything further because he knew how I was in situations like this. It was best to obey my orders than face my wrath.

The office door opened as Natalia walked in majestically with a smile on her face, Max bowed his head to her briefly then walked out of the office closing the door behind him. 

"My love," Natalia smile at me closing the distance between us, she had been at her photoshoot when I  got a call from her that she had heard what happened, I knew she had someone keeping an eye on me in the company but I didn't bother finding out who the person was as long as it was just to check my well being. 

"My goodness," she said placing her hands softly to my cheeks where the aftermath of the slap was still showing but I took her hands and yanked them off my cheeks, it was obvious she had left her photoshoot halfway to come see me.

"I heard what happened, I am sorry baby."

"This is all messed up," I yelled banging the desk in front of me and scaring Natalia. 

We had been dating for three years now and it felt like she was still terrified of me, of what I was, even though she had told me constantly that she wasn't I could still sense the fear whenever I had a temper tantrum. 

"I am sure Max will be able to..."

"I want her dead, she has to be used as a scape goat," I said.

"Baby, you need to calm down," Natalia pleaded. She placed her hand over my neck leaning in as she kissed me lightly on the lips.

"She humiliated me for fuck sake, right now we can only proceed with what we discussed last night," I said angrily staring at Natalia. My mother had suggested that I got married as soon as possible, even if it was for a period of time, it was the only way I could get my shareholders to see me as being responsible.

Right now they were still looking at me as a young boy who wasn't fully able to manage the company, even though I had proved to them over and over again that I was capable and diligent, those old fools felt marriage was the icing on the cake. 

I didn't like the idea one bit when my mother had brought it to my ears but looking at the current situation, it seemed it was the best choice right now. 

"The marriage stuff?" Natalia asked like she wasn't certain of what I was talking about. 

I knew Natalia wasn't keen on us getting married quickly, and because of the company. I also didn't see myself getting married as well but right now it was the only option and Natalia and I had been dating long enough to get married.

She had sounded reluctant last night when I brought the topic up and even now I could see the reluctance in her eyes, I knew it was because of her modelling career but being married to me wasn't going to be an hindrance to her career as a model. 

If that was what she wanted to do, then I planned to support her.

"Yes, I think that is the best option right now for the company, we should get married Natalia, I know it feels rushed but three years is enough time for us," I said trying to make her see reasons I wasn't good with words, I was sure if I told her I loved her she would be willing but I wasn't one to use that word. 

"I don't want to get married," she said to me. "You know I was actually thinking of a plan to sort this whole marriage out and I think this slap incident came right in time."

"What nonsense are you on about Natalia?" I asked letting go of her, was she mocking me?

"Don't get me wrong babe, what I mean is, I am not ready to get married right now because of my career but that shouldn't stop you from getting married. This lady that slapped you, can be of good use for like a contract marriage till we are really ready to settle down."

"You want me to marry another woman?" I asked with a puzzled look not believing something like that could ever come out of her mouth. It was one thing for us to slow down on the marriage procedures but for me to marry another woman, was she out of her mind?

"A contract marriage for your shareholders."

"This is absurd coming from you Natalia."

"It isn't, didn't you say you wanted her dead. It would be a better punishment to take her freedom away from her than just killing her so easily," she suggested.

SELENA

I groggily opened my eyes, blinking a few times until I adjusted to the dim light of the unfamiliar room. Confusion and panic immediately set in as I tried to remember how I ended up in this place, but everything was blank. As I sat up, I took in the surroundings and tried to piece together where I was.

The room was small and sparsely furnished, with a single bed pushed against one wall and a small table beside it. There was an old-fashioned clock ticking loudly on the wall, a lamp on the bedside table and a window with minimal daylight streaming in, casting eerie shadows around the room. The walls were painted a dull shade of gray, which made it feel even more unwelcoming.

A sense of unease began to grip the me as I took in the unfamiliarity of the space. I quickly searched for any clues that could give me a hint to my whereabouts but there were none. No familiar items or personal belongings were in sight.

I felt knots form in the pit of my stomach as I tried to remember how I got here. My tummy twisted as I slowly recalled that I was held at gun point before I blacked out, was I dead?  

My breath quickened as I looked around the unfamiliar room getting out of the bed. I searched for a way out, running my hand over the smooth surfaces of the walls, but I found no hidden panels or seams. The only furniture was a simple wooden chair in the center of the room, which I pushed aside with a grunt of frustration.

Turning to the door, I gave it a firm shove, but it didn't budge. I tried the handle, but it was locked tight. Panic rose in my chest as I realized I was trapped. 

My eyes scanned the room again, looking for any clue or tool that could help me escape. It was then that I noticed a small vent near the ceiling. I stood on the chair, stretching to reach it. It was too small for me to crawl through, but I could see a faint glimmer of light on the other side.

Using the strength in my arms, I managed to remove the vent grate, and I was relieved to find a narrow space between the walls that I could squeeze through. I hesitated for just a moment not sure of what could be out there but I knew this was my only option.

I took a deep breath ready to get in when the door opened slowly, I staggered on the chair out of fear, I was sure I was going to be the death of me once my head touched the ground, shutting my eyes closed I braced myself for impact but instead my fall was stopped mid air.

I opened my eyes to see who was holding on to me so firmly, "You?" I exclaimed as I stared at Aiden Frazier. 

I shoved him off me staggering back as a smirk fell on his face, I couldn't remember how I had gotten here but it was obvious now that they had not killed me but brought me here on his order. 

"Where is my mum and my sister? What have you done to them you crazy lunatic?" I asked angrily. Were they also locked up in a room like I was?

"They are safe for now," he said to me walking to the bed and dropping a file and a phone on the bed that I had not noticed he was holding on to when he had tried to stop me from falling off the chair.

"Let me out right now," I demanded but only got a light chuckle from him, when I had slapped him in the office earlier I had been consumed by anger but now standing before him and seeing him upright I was consumed by fear. 

His glare terrified me and I could only wonder what was going on in his head as he stared at me with a repulsive look.

"Sign the papers and I would let you out," he said. 

"Sign what fucking papers? I want to see my mum and sister right now, I demand to see them this minute."

"Demand?" He glared at me angrily closing the distance between up, I gulped at the sight of him walking up to me, I wanted to move back but my feet remained glued to the ground. 

"I don't do too well with disobedience," he informed me grabbing me by the arm and squeezing tightly as I winced in pain, I opened my mouth to protest but before I could be shoved me right on the bed next to the file and the phone. 

"I didn't mean to hit you," I sobbed as fear consumed me, it seemed being stubborn was going to get me killed, maybe if I begged him he would let me off. 

"Does it look like I care, open the goddamn paper right now," he yelled at me as shivers went down my spine. 

I hurriedly opened the paper reading the content carefully, what was this? A contract for a marriage? Was this some kind of joke? Did he kidnap me to get married to me or was I hallucinating?

"What is this?"

"A marriage contract, you have one minutes to decide or I won't hesitate to slit your mother and sisters throat."

At his words a video started to play on the phone, it was like it was programmed that way, I dropped the file to the side and picked the phone. It was a video of my mum and sister tied to a chair and blindfolded with two men standing behind them and holding a knife over their neck.

I stared at Aiden as panic filled me, "please let them go, it is me you want, I didn't mean to hurt you," I cried going on my knee instantly. Why was he doing this to me? What was he going to gain by getting married to me? 

"You have fifty seconds left," he said checking his wristwatch.

"Please don't do this, I beg you," I cried. 

"Kill them," he ordered like he was talking to someone. 

"No!!" I screamed. "I will marry you, I will agree to the contract, don't do it." I cried.

SELENA

"We are gathered here today to join Aiden Frazier and Selena Crawford in holy matrimony," the priest finally spoke after he did the sign of the cross in the air. 

It was happening, I thought to myself. I thought about different escape plans while I was been brought here but seeing how tight the security were I knew there was no way out of here because I didn't know the exact place Aiden had kept my mother and sister. 

There was security at every corner of the house, even while I was being brought to the church, three cars had escorted me and in the car two security personnel had sat in the car with me. 

I had tried to gather some information from the maids who had come to dress me up and do my make up about the whereabouts of my mother and sister but none of them seemed to be interested in talking rather they were hell bent on getting me ready as soon as possible, to avoid the wrath of their boss.

They had even encouraged me to eat but I refused.

"Please ma, we don't want our boss to fire us," one of the maids had begged me to eat kneeling down and ready to even lie flat on the floor as the two other maids joined her by kneeling down as well. 

I was forced to eat the food and drink enough water as well because I didn't want them to get punished by my actions. 

What had baffled me was how fitted the wedding gown was on my body, it was like they knew my exact measurements all along.

I had resulted to pinch myself at interval to see if I was dreaming or hallucinating but I only ended up hurting myself and realizing it was reality.

"Do you take this woman to be your wife, to live together in holy matrimony, to love her, to honor her, to comfort her and to keep her in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live?" The priest asked staring at Aiden.

"I do," Aiden responded immediately, there was no reluctance in his voice, like he wanted to get this whole thing over with. The more he stared into my eyes the more I wanted to curse at him for making me do this against my will.

"Do you take this man to be your husband, to live together in holy matrimony, to love him, to honor him, to comfort him and to keep him in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live?," The priest asked me this time looking at me but I was still looking at Aiden with gritted teeth to even notice that it was my turn to speak.

Irrespective of the fact that the man that stood before me was tall, handsome and so sexy, I found it difficult to look at him for so long without secretly lusting for his touch again, my thoughts annoyed me so much that I imagined myself slapping him right across the face.

"Ma'am," I heard Max mutter to me as I stared at him then at Aiden who was motioning me to respond to the priest.

It wasn't that I didn't hear the priest but I never imagined in my wildest dreams that this was how my wedding was going to turn out, without my consent or my family and to a complete stranger that I knew absolutely nothing about. 

"I...I..d..do," I stuttered not wanting to see the wrath his maid were talking about earlier, even though I tried to act not afraid of him, I really didn't know him and what he was capable of doing to me if I refused him.

I knew behind his smudge face, he was nothing but a self centered and a heartless man.

I had barely finished talking when I felt Aiden reach out to take my left hand in his. 

I took a step backward not knowing what he was up to but only got a smirk from Aiden as he reached out for my left hand again and pulled it to his eye level.

"Here boss," Max said bringing out a ring from his pocket and offering Aiden with a bow as it dawned on me what was about to happen next.

I suddenly felt like a heavy weight was being placed over my chest as my heart started to race faster, I stared at Aiden who was now looking at me with a smile on his face.

He seemed unbothered by how repulsive I was looking at him and I noticed that no matter what I said or do he seemed less concerned and hell bent on doing as he pleased.

Aiden placed the ring to the tip of my fourth finger waiting for the priest to continue the vows.

"Repeat after me," the priest said. "I, your name, give you this ring as a token and a pledge of our constant faith and abiding love."

"I, Aiden Frazier, give you this ring as a token of my love and a pledge of our constant faith and abiding love," Aiden repeated staring right into my eyes as he slowly placed the ring into my finger. 

I stared right at him nervously as my mouth quivered at his cold hands holding mine and placing the ring into my finger.

He brought my hand to his lips as he placed a kiss on the ring, it felt like he had always wanted to do that.

I stared at his warm lips on my hand as he let go slowly, my eyes trailed his hand and my eyes slowly widened in shock when I caught sight of the ring in my finger. I stared at Aiden, then at Max and then back at the ring in her finger. 

Who was this man?

How did he know about this ring?

For as long as I could remember I had always wanted a costume made wedding ring from Sapphire Stone , they were well know for making costume jewelries for celebrities. 

I had gone as far as to even sketch out the design I wanted, and here it was right in my fourth finger, staring me right in the face. 

I was sure my shock expression did not go unnoticed by Aiden, who seemed to be expecting to see just that. Did he really find out about this ring or was it a coincidence? I thought.

He couldn't have gone through the trouble for someone like me, it definitely had to be a coincidence.

"Ma'am," Max said handing me the ring as he bowed his head to me, I wasn't comfortable with how he and the other bodyguards were always bowing their heads to me, it felt like they were compelled to do it because the last I checked they wanted to kill me.

I collected it with trembling hands as I stared at Aiden, I rolled my eyes at him and reached for his big left hand as I raised it up placing the ring at the tip of his fourth finger.

"I give you this ring as a token of my love and pledge of our constant faith and abiding love," the priest repeated.

"I give you this ring as a token of my love and pledge of our constant faith and abiding love," I said in a low voice as I placed the ring into his fourth finger. 

"You may kiss the bride," the priest announced. 

What? I exclaimed in my head, of course the groom was to kiss the bride, but was he really going to kiss me?

He leaned in slowly lowering his head to my level as he planted an innocent kiss on my lips. 

I had not anticipated the kiss but neither was my brain willing to reject the kiss. 

It was my first kiss and this bastard had just taken it away from me just like that without allowing me to process the whole scenario.

I had been saving my first kiss for my crush in school.

"You are mine now," Aiden muttered on my lips as he planted another kiss on my forehead this time.