The slow song played as Sophia walked down the aisle, his eyes were on her, her hair was tied up in a beautiful way, he knew she was a beautiful lady but she looked really calm and beautiful in her dress. Everything complimented her eyes so well . She was beautiful, the long dreamy veil moved after her as she held tightly the bouquet of flowers. Her heart beat was very loud and her palms were wet in anxiety . She was nervous to her bone. Trying to control her breath, they stood facing one another
Was this really a good idea, she could say no at anytime but she wasn't a looser.
Francis smiled at her, it was definitely going to be a long one year but he needed everyone to believe their little drama
"You look beautiful " he finally said smiling at her as she smiled back in pretense
"Let's get this over with" she whispered audibly to only him
"Do you Sophia kings, take Francis Duke to be your lovely husband to love and cherish in sickness and in health, for richer for poorer till death do you path" the words from the officiating priest rang in her head. What exactly was she getting herself into, her head suddenly became light and pounding, it was like her migraine increased all of a sudden. Closing her eyes a bit, she felt like she was fainting
"Sophia" the audible baritone voice of Francis called her as he watched her get dizzy
"Are you okay" he held her a bit holding her from almost falling
"I don't feel too well" he held her staring a bit worried at her
He definitely wasn't ready for a run away bride, he caught the anxious look on his fathers face as they patiently waited for her response
"Or are you getting cold feet" he teased her a bit but she definitely wasn't ready for a laugh
The displease in her eyes as she looked into his,it was a corny joke and she didn't seem to be happy about that. She deliberately waited a while before saying anything, she loved the look of uncertainty on Francis face . He could bet the stars she was about saying no
"Yes I do" the instance relief as his chest pulled down a bit exhaling
"Do you Francis Duke, take Sophia kings to be your lawfully wedded wife"
"Yes I do"he said immediately without hesitation. The giggles and laugh from the crowd as they seemed please to be newly wedded couples
"you may kiss the bride" the officiating priest said
They started at each other, his palm cupped a face nicely as his lips warmly kissed hers. They needed to make this believable as possible, her fingers calmly touched the back of his neck as they exchanged a warm kiss
He felt ackward, she felt worst. She thanked her stars he didn't put his tongue in her mouth. The roaring applaud and Cheers from the congregation as she smiled softly pulling away from him. It wasn't that bad after all, it was just a kiss, a warm kiss, his Lips were really soft and firm. She laughed within on how funny it sounded thinking about his lips
He didn't mind the kiss, it was just a kiss . Her eyes were a bit bright when he pulled away, and he caught her smiling shyly. Was she smiling because of the kiss or maybe how dumb everyone looked for believing their lies, he couldn't tell but at least they sure weren't doing it again .
The reception started immediately after the wedding ceremony
"You seem to be having fun" Francis came close to Sophia as she sipped wine and nodded her head to the music that played in the background
"What do you want" her voice was stern and full of irritation as she sipped from her wine glass
"Let's go say hi to my family" he whispered into her ears
"No"
"You don't have a choice at this point" he placed his hand on her waist nicely ushering her to the table his family sat
"Nice to finally meet you, sweetheart" an elderly lady stood up embracing her in a warm hug
" same here " she returned the gesture nicely
Francis looked at her as she smiled warmly greeting everyone, maybe she wasn't that bad or she was very good in acting either of them she played the part really well
"I'm so sorry I didn't meet you earlier than during the rehearsal dinner,I was very busy with preparation and work" he listened to her as she lied. He smiled at how polite she was , she was really an actress indeed
" no problem at all Sophia" a Grey haired man said with a bright smile, the striking resemblance of Francis and his father was obvious
"You're welcome to the family " he warmly kissed the back of her palm
"Thank you so much Sir Timothy "
"More years of marital bliss"
"And a lot of business deals" she added and they all laughed
The wedding was over and it was back to reality, they sat distance apart in the hotel room. They couldn't go separate ways as not to create any form of suspicion
"So how's this going to work " Sophia asked Francis who sat at the other end of the room
"We live our separate lives living in the same house "he replied sternly
"I have a spare room in my pent house that will do "
He laughed at her suggestion almost immediately "you're moving in to my house" he definitely didn't sound like he was asking her
"Then forget it " her eyes roamed around the beautiful hotel room they were in. She wasn't sleeping on the same bed with him. It's either he sleeps on the couch or she sits till day break
"If you really want this "he motioned his fingers towards both of them
"To work then you have to do as I say, or better still bring up believable options for this to work" he slowly regretted his decision, why didn't he back out or ask for someone else. She was stubborn and wanted things her way and he didn't have time for back and forts
How rude of him to say something like that, what did he mean by bringing up believable opinions, if he was that smart he could have bought a new house for both of them to live, she wasn't going to move in with him. That was a fact and nothing was going to change her mind about it
"Seems you've forgotten you're a stranger Mr Duke, I don't know you. You don't expect me to move into your house all of a sudden" her voice was low and smooth, as she squinted her eyes a bit . she spoke like she counted her words
"And you expect me to move into yours" he asked in disbelief
"You're a man for God sake " she smirked and rolled her eyes
"And how does being a man have anything to do with moving into a strangers house"standing up from where he sat across the room
"Mrs Duke, you would do as I say" he added walking slowly towards where she sat
"Make me" she stood up to the towering figure of Mr Duke, she definitely wasn't intimidated by his height or broad shoulder .
Their eyes stared into each others, neither of them blinked. Her face was straight and her brows lifted. She was a hand full, but there was something about her audacity that made Francis curious, he liked it a bit . He liked how bold she spoke like everything works because she said so
"You would move into my house and that's final" he towered over her as his eyes looked down at her
"I would do what ever it is I please " her eyes were a bit lifted to hold the gaze at him
"Don't make this difficult for us"
"Learn to listen and do what I say, then this will not be difficult for us" he stared at her lips as they moved when she spoke.
He had never met a lady so full of herself, he had never met anyone bold enough to challenge him which bruised his ego a bit but he was willing to put Sophia in her place
" I listen, I can't say the same for you Mrs Duke" the name annoyed her, she couldn't get familiar with the fact she was married to him, and he knew it.
Mrs Duke, she felt like she belonged to him, she wasn't some property he could buy. It was a two way contract. She wasn't bought or paid
She was only marrying him to keep her father's company and for the publicity,it was definitely going to welcome more reliable clients to her company so why not. She was thinking business and not some game for love .
This was all business, she found his guts irritating, just like every other spoilt brat that was spoon fed with daddy's money. Unlike her she worked hard to keep her fathers legacy, she made his company better even in his absence. She mentally patted herself on the shoulder at the compensating thought of her effort roamed her mind
"Maybe you have forgotten, this is a business contract don't get too familiar with the name, it's Sophia kings and not Mrs Duke so watch your mouth " she pointed at him as she spoke. He was dumbfounded at this point, who the hell does she think she is ?
He looked at her as she moved into the bathroom still wearing her wedding dress. He let out of sigh exhausted from the day
"Three hundred and sixty five days and were done" he shrugged pulling his shirt off as he undressed
The bath was much needed,standing bare warm water trailed through her body from the top of her head. Finally some peace and quiet, a cold bottle of wine would help calm her nerves and the pounding migraine that echoed at the side of her head
"Oh father" she muttered under the water that dripped from her face. How could he do this to her, he knew she never wanted getting married. She had everything, he gave her everything she wanted, death took him away too soon trying to bond with her mother after years of not seeing her was a bit difficult
Her parents divorce took a wild turn but she maintained her close knit relationship with her father, she didn't want to experience the pain he suffered when her mother left him
But he was bent on not allowing her suffer for a mistake he made. Because his marriage didn't work didn't mean Sophia's wouldn't work either
"I really don't plan on getting married Dad" she recalled sitting with him in his study one of those nights she kept him company
"You don't have to deprive yourself from the love you deserve because of our story" the raspy voice of her father spoke gently as he was a bit occupied with work
"I don't just think it will work"
"And why do you say that Sophie" he called her by her pet name
"Dad, please can we not have this discussion. I don't even think it's right I'm just 18" she had matured a lot even at at young age she was wise enough to make decisions on her own
"I know you may think you're still very young, but what you decide now can have a great impact on your future my princess" his eyes held do much sadness, he knew the reason for her decision was because of his Marriage crisis
"I'll think about it, but don't expect a positive response. I'm fine, I can stay with you all my life father" she smiled at his old eyes, he was getting a bit old, his hair has thinned out a lot, little strand filled his bald spot
His voice was lower and his sight was very dimmed. She always said her mother married him because of his wealth
Claris was way younger than her husband
"You can't say that Sophie, I'll be gone soon or better still retired " he coughed lightly taking a sip from his glass of water
"You're getting stressed Dad, we will talk about this some other time , it's almost bed time" the loud knock on the door brought her mind back to her reality, as she was still in the bathroom
"What" she shouted out at the persistent bang on the bathroom door
" you're taking forever young lady" the familiar voice of Francis called out
"Fuck off " she replied loudly not bothered at this point
"Don't make me come in" he teased laughing bit at how mad she would be if he does that. She was taking forever at this point, he had patiently waited for almost an hour and she wasn't done yet
"I dare you Duke" the seriousness in her voice as he stood behind the door waiting
"Can you at least be fast, it's been almost an hour" he complained at the other end
"I will come out with I'm done" she yelled from inside the bathroom
Francis wasn't ready for this, he needed to rest and get to work tomorrow
"Can I get reservations for another room" he said over the service telephone in the room
"Yes sir, there's a free room at the same floor"
"Good" he replied to the receptionist on the other end of the phone
Laying on the well arranged bed in his new room, he stared into the ceiling as his mind drifted a bit
"What have I gotten myself into" he asked himself combing his fingers into his hair letting out an audible sigh of exhaustion .
He couldn't drag time any longer as his father was very impatient with him. He had given him two years to find a wife, but the play boy didn't seem to settle with anyone yet. He was Francis Duke for crying out loud, any woman would want to be with him, maybe except Sophia.
He liked her a bit, he smiled when he recalled her eyes, beautiful bold blue eyes. They complimented her dark hair so well.And the Kiss . Her lips were plum and nice, he bite his lower lips thinking of how nice they were, but it may all be an act. She wanted everyone to believe they were in love so it was right for her to kiss him nicely
But was he that bad? He could feel her frustration and anger when he speaks to her. But he knew deep down that angry bird ,there was a beautiful soft lady
In sincerity he didn't care, he was more of business than pleasure. The soft knock on the door alerted him a bit, who could that be? He hoped it wasn't Sophia, less than 24 hours with her and she got on every bit of nerve in his body
"Who is it" he asked and there was no immediate response