Chapter 4 The Welcome

Elle pov

I was standing at the alter, staring at my future husband's shoes when I replied to the priests' question by

"I do"

Through the veil, I could see his beautiful face stoned with his usual cold expression as he repeats the words.

"I do"

"I announce you, husband and wife, now you may kiss the bride"

I was expecting this as everyone clapped with enthusiasm.

He took one step forward and my heart started throbbing in my chest.

Oh God ! It will be my first kiss.I don't want him to ruin it......please......

I waited but nothing happened.

I slowly managed to look up at him to see his eyes staring at something behind me and his fists clenching in anger.

Oh, I forgot how much he despises my face let alone my touch.

He hated being forced to do it.

I expected him to turn around and leave me here ,to face the embarrassment but he had some other intentions.

He places his palms on my cheeks,his ice-cold fingers touch my burning face and a shiver runs down my spine.

His face started moving closer to me and the sound of applauses ringed in my ears.

I started biting my lip in anxiety and his cold gaze lands on them.

Creases appear on his forehead and the stone-cold expression got colder if possible.

I stilled seeing his expression and my hands started shaking.

Oh God!

Just please get this over with!

His breath lingered on my ear and my hands landed on his chest to get support.

The hardness of his toned chest worsened my situation and I could feel my cheeks on fire.

His subtle beard sent a tingling sensation through me and I held my breath as he spoke.

"Stop shaking like a desperate wh*** it is just a kiss,not like you haven't kissed before"

I haven't dammit!

But I just couldn't tell him this.

His words were so raw and rough that they made my legs shake with anticipation.

Surrendering.

I closed my eyes ready to lose my first kiss when he did something completely unexpected.

A sudden warmness spreads along my cheek ,just near my lips and then it was gone as fast as it came.

Clappings were heard and I looked stupefied at him.

He looked at the crowd thanking everyone.

That's all?

This simple act of his made me involuntarily attractive towards him.

I mean he had a chance of kissing me but he respected my fears and he didn't kiss me.

I found my first belief of him being of loose character shatter then and there.

Even if he was a Casanova, still his morals were not loose.

But what if he did it because he was repulsive of my touch?

The idea of kissing someone like me, disgusting him?

Trying to ignore the negative thoughts, I give the guests a fake smile and proceed with the celebrations.

Weddings celebrations progressed and now it was time for our dance.

To everyone's surprise, my dear husband was busy on a phone call ignoring the repeated announcements calling for his name.

Rose stood next to me as my eyes searched for him everywhere.

"I guess your dear husband is already avoiding you,no wonder he left you here alone. "

"Rose please I am no-"

My words were interrupted when the host asks me to go and call Ashton for our awaiting dance.

I nodded and went out to look for him.

..............................

"I will not tolerate this kind of negligence from my staff John! I told you beforehand to physically verify the stock before giving your final confirmation! Now you are saying the entire shipment was rejected!

.

.

"No, I need the name of the person who is at fault! No excuses will do John! Contact me when you get the name or consider yourself fired!"

She stood behind him debating to interrupt his very important talk or no.

His back looked tense as he ended the call , placing his phone back in his pocket.

Running his hand through his thick locks , he made them messy and loosens the knot of his tie.

He turns around to leave when his angry stare meets mine and irritating swept through his eyes

"What? Why are you here?"

"They.....I mean....we.....are to dance "

His phone again pinged in his pocket and he pulls it out to open up a new message.

His eyes were fixed on the screen as hers were fixed on his sharp features, admiring them as they were being illuminated by his phone's light.

"Huh....what?"

He asked looking up at her .

"Dance.....we are to dance on stage"

"Just skip this bullshit! I am going home already!"

He went past her as she stared at his retreating back in surprise.

Wasn't it necessary to attend to all guests, dance and cut the cake?

"You want to come or no?"

He asked making her come out of her thoughts and follow him blindly.

She bids her adieu to her father and hurried out of the function in-between.

The so called celebration which was organized for their wedding.

He was waiting for her in his luxury car, engrossed in his phone.

As soon as she closed the door he started the ignition.

Few minutes passed and she found herself dozing off to sleep, listening to his business talks.

"Hey! wake up and get out!"

He said shaking her awake as she looks around confused , still in the daze of sleep.

"Huh?"

"I said get out! I need to go somewhere!"

"But....where shou-"

"Elle I don't have time! Just get out and go inside the house! I will be back in a few hours."

He was not in the mood to talk to her, let alone negotiate.

Nodding she turns to look out of the window to see a big house rather castle welcoming her.

It had big class windows and everything screamed wealth.

Pulling her long gown out of the car she banged the door close.

Within seconds the car roared to life and as soon as the car moved she felt a pull to her legs.

"Shit! Shit!"

She screamed as she saw the length of her gown still caught in the car door.

Before she could bang on the car for it to stop, a tearing sound was heard and she found her dress getting torn into pieces.

The longer than the floor-length dress was now not even knee length and she found herself shivering from the cold winds flowing past her.

His car was gone roaring and she was left behind staring at its retreating back.

"Great! What a start!"

She whispers and decides to follow the stone path that leads towards the entrance.

The majority of the lights were off and she doubted if anyone was inside.

She ringed the bell ,shivering in cold.

Hoping for the person to open up fast.

But to her dismay even after ringing the bell for 10 minutes, no one answered.

Stomping her foot in frustration she tried to peek through the windows but they were too high for her.

The property was spread in nearly 20 acres but not a single soul was to be found here.

She pulled out her phone to call ,to only find that 1%battery was remaining.

She decided to call Ashton but her fingers stopped just before pressing the call button.

'He will scold me if I disturb him....he was already very angry when he left'

Before she could decide upon , the phone switched off ending her last resort.

She couldn't go back home .....what will they say.....she came back the day she left .....no....her parents....they will be ashamed.

The cold winter winds were making her lips shiver and she could feel her body going numb.

Placing herself on the staircase near the door, she hugs her legs and presses her chin on her knees.

Rubbing her arms and legs, trying to generate some heat, she decides to wait for him.

4 hours later.........

It was 2 o clock

The winds were getting stronger and it looked like a storm was approaching.

Her whole body was trembling and she could feel her lips sticking together with dryness and cold.

She looked up to see raindrops welcoming her and worsening her present state.

The entrance door had a small roof over it and it was the only shelter ,her only escape.

Sliding against the door she tries to fit under the small roof but still, the rebounding raindrops touched her naked legs and made a shiver run down her spine.

"Please......please ....come back fast"

She kept on pleading ,not realising when through the raging storm her eyelids felt heavy and she fell into a deep sleep.

.

.

.

"Are you crazy or what! What are you doing here!"

He screams towering over her.

She opens up her heavy eyes to see his stormy blue ones staring down at her.

"Huh?....wha...t?"

She asked still not fully awake from her sleep.

Her back was aching badly and she could not feel her arms or legs anymore.

"I said what are you doing here! Why didn't you go inside!"

"I.....keys.......I didn't have the keys.....I ringed....no one opened....."

His eyes went down to look at her state.

Her pink lips were now purplish-blue and she was shivering.

Her white gown,torn leaving her half thighs and legs naked.

The remaining dress on her was all wet and he could see the outline of her innerwear.

Thank God no one saw her like this....otherwise, it would have been the breaking news of the week.

He ringed the bell continuously while banging on the door.

Curses leaving his lips as no one responds.

"You could have fucking called me! What if someone saw you like this! Now even your fuc**** panties and bra are visible!"

As soon as she registered his words she pulled down her legs and placed her hands in front of her chest.

Why didn't she realise this earlier?

Hell, he has seen it all and that also like this!

"You....I mean.......my phone was....dead!"

"Just how stupid can you be, you foolish girl?

I thought you were ugly earlier,now I think you are even dumb!"

She cringed at his words but it didn't hurt much because she was already struggling to remain conscious.

Her eyes were closing down on their own.

He pulled out a spare key from his pocket and twisted the knob.

Entering inside he looked back to see she hasn't moved a muscle.

"Hey! Come inside or do you want to die out there?"

She didn't reply , making him more irritated.

Storming towards her,he was going to scream at her.

"Have you gone deaf no-"

His words stopped when he saw her head leaning on the railing, eyes closed and face pale.

Moving closer to her he shook her but still he got no response.

Patting on her cheeks he called for her.

"Hey, ugly duckling wake up! Stop this drama!"

When she didn't reply he moved his hand to touch her forehead.

It was burning up with fever.

"Shit!"

Curses leave his lips as he held her up bridal style and made his way inside.

It was her first day here and he could already tell that she was going to be a lot of trouble.