THIRD PERSON POV
It's been two weeks since Sky Rivers' fake wedding. After accidentally getting exposed to Ocean's torso, her brain had been on a constant roller coaster. Not only had the picture of his sensually alluring chest taken residence in her mind, but the disdain in his icy gaze also stayed with her, effortlessly reminding her that she was just his fake wife.
Too embarrassed, she stayed out of his way whenever he remembered to come home. She was always on alert, waiting for a reprimand that never came.
Child Care Charity is an organization that caters to the welfare and legal rights of children all over the world.
Though it is a charity event, the program was designed as an auction. Child Care Charity, popularly known as Triple-3 reaches out to prominent figures in the society, asking them to donate some valuable items. After appraisals, these items would be listed to be auctioned off with the proceeds going into charity work in war-torn countries and disaster zones.
In 3 months after Ocean had his big break and became a billionaire, this would be the first time he is auctioning his company's best and exclusive product. This would help in boosting the company's prestige and fame.
This was also the first time he would be attending such an event with Sky as his wife. From the moment they left home until they arrived at the venue, the limousine they were in was as quiet as a graveyard until Ocean started working on his laptop.
Ocean looked grim, and his oppressive aura suffocated Sky. She clung to the handle of the door on her side of the car, making sure the space between them was as wide as it could be.
After waiting in line for about ten minutes, their car finally moved, making Ocean look up. They were just two cars away from the Red Carpet.
He turned to the timid, pretty girl beside him and sneered. "Remember not to embarrass yourself today."
"Yes sir." Sky nodded.
"Speak only when spoken to. Do not do anything or go anywhere without my permission. Just follow my lead. Do you understand?"
"Yes sir."
"I don't care how you do it, but my wife should look relaxed, and confident. Not pale-faced and squishy. Remember the conditions of our contract. Do not embarrass me, Sky."
With her heart constantly crashing against her ribs, she straightened her back and cleared her throat.
"Noted sir."
It's been two weeks since they got married, but after Ocean announced their marriage, Sky was instantly tagged as a slut who slept her way into her boss's bed. All she could do was ignore the online bashing. This being her first time facing the people slandering her online, how could she not be scared? Sky didn't know how she would survive the evening, but she had to.
"Emerald Technology's Ocean Woods!"
The moment the name of Ocean's company was called, Sky broke out in sweats. The moment finally came, but no matter how hard she tried to prepare, she wasn't ready. Taking a deep breath, she waited as Ocean climbed down, came to her side, and opened the door for her.
The instant Ocean opened her door, cameras started flashing in her face. Feeling stung and exposed, Sky closed her eyes and froze.
"Sky," Ocean's deep grunt shattered her shock, bringing her back to her senses. It was a warning growl that made her shiver.
"I am sorry," she whimpered, scrambling out of the car.
Getting out, she was so shaky that her legs got entangled. Thankfully, Ocean was close by. He allowed her to cling to his arm and bore her weight. Despite wanting to flick her forehead in annoyance, his gaze was filled with a tender, doting look.
"You better behave," he sneered for her ears only.
Unable to find her voice, Sky nodded, forcing herself to return his smile and doting gaze.
When they stepped onto the Red Carpet, the Item he donated was instantly displayed on a large LED screen hanging above the Red Carpet's backdrop.
The moment the display came on, gasps of shock and excitement spread out. The woman's eyes glittered with wonder and greed.
"Unbelievable!"
"Someone should pinch me. Am I dreaming? Is that what I think it is?"
"Oh my goodness! It's the Neith of Egypt!"
"Has Ocean Woods gone crazy? Why will he donate such a dress to charity?"
"I am calling my mum. I must get this dress."
Men may not care much, but when they saw the frenzy state of their wives and daughters, they became curious and started asking questions. Before long, every man with a female companion wore a grim look. With so many women eyeing this dress, their capabilities will soon be put to the test.
Unlike the previous years when Emerald donated its products, this year, Ocean went out of his way to acquire this exquisite dress.
It was a dress made of only pearls and precious gems. It was said to be the Royal gown of an Egyptian Princess that was found in a tomb some years ago. According to Louis Vuitton, after acquiring it, it was restored.
Last year, at the annual fashion show of the company, the most popular model in the world, Annabelle Al-Masri, an Egyptian, closed the fashion show in this dress. She was regal and powerful, sensual and dangerous-looking while walking the runway. Since then, the dress was put on display at the headquarters for the eyes to feed on. Many influential families tried to acquire it but failed.
Nobody expected it to appear at such an event. The most shocking thing wasn't that it appeared here, but the fact that Ocean Woods was the one who donated it.
"Wow, is Ocean Woods getting this dress for his woman?" A gentleman asked his partner.
"I don't care about that. My sister just sent me a text, insisting that I get her the dress. She wants to wear it for her birthday," the man grumbled while shooting darts at Ocean.
"Hahaha!" His partner laughed. "It's good that she rejected me. If not, I would have been in a dire situation right now." He chuckled.
Though Woods was popular among the new money elites, this dress made the top echelon of society finally notice him. And they weren't smiling. With stocks at their lowest ebb and inflation flourishing on all sides, everyone wanted to save money.
"Close your mouth."
Cladded in a full-length gown that gathered around her tiny waist, before flowing down her legs in fluffy folds that shimmered when caught by the light, Sky was as shocked as everyone. Forgetting that she was in front of cameras, she left her jaws on the floor until Ocean snapped at her.
"I am so sorry. So sorry." She mumbled, instinctively trying to hide her red face from the cameras.
Once Ocean got the signal from the MC, he rubbed Sky's hand affectionately, and briskly walked her off the red carpet. A man dressed like a butler came forward and led them into the event hall.
Half filled and buzzing like a beehive, the hall was large and seats were arranged in groups of three. The seating arrangement faced a large stage with an LED screen that covered a large part of the wall. The screen was displaying everything that was happening outside.
Therefore, the moment they stepped inside, all eyes were on them.
The moment Ocean dropped her hand and sat down, whatever was clogging Sky's throat melted. She could finally breathe.
Once seated, Ocean carefully looked around the room until his gaze landed on his target. To his left, four tables away, two older men were seated with a lady in between them.
Amanda!
His heart tightened.
As if she could hear his thoughts, the lady turned around and their gazes clashed. She was pretty with an oval face. Her long, black hair was full, wavy and shiny. Smiling at him, her left cheek caved in. Her dimple made her face ethereal.
Unable to look away, Ocean's grip on his phone tightened. His breathing quickened, and rage filled his heart. Within that rage was a longing that accentuated the loneliness that was driving him crazy day by day.
Sensitive to Ocean's constantly fluctuating moods, Sky sensed the change in his demeanor. She stole a glance at him. Seeing that his gaze was fixated in a particular direction, she followed it, only to see Amanda, smiling at them.
Her stomach sank. She looked from one to the other, gauging their emotions. The more she looked, the sadder she got. Unable to bear it, she averted her eyes and started playing with her phone.
The old man beside Amanda tapped her and she looked away. With her face gone, Ocean came back to his senses. He opened his contact list. Finding Amanda's number, he typed 'Hi' and sent it. Instantly, a red dot appeared beside the text.
He heaved and gritted his jaws.
He wasn't surprised. He was frustrated.
Having blocked him everywhere, all his texts from the past six months were left unread.
Suppressing the urge to throw the phone, he gritted his teeth.
He felt like he was going crazy.