Chapter 4 Marriage and Mayhems

The conference room buzzed with tension as Evelyn and Drake faced the press. Rachel, poised and professional, stood nearby, her eyes fixed on Evelyn with interest. Her dark hair was pulled back into a sleek ponytail, and her tailored suit seemed to blend seamlessly into the background.

As the questions flew, Rachel occasionally interjects, expertly deflecting attention from Evelyn's controversial statement. Drake watched her with a calculating gaze, his instincts whispering that something was off. His eyes narrowed slightly, his brow furrowed in concentration.

Evelyn, though grateful for Rachel's support, remained guarded. She answered the questions politely but doesn't reveal anything personal. Her eyes flickered towards Racheal, her expression, masked with caution.

As the conference finally wraps up, Rachel approached Evelyn with a warm smile. Her eyes sparkled with genuine interest, and her lips curved upwards in a gentle arc. She subtly adjusts her bracelet, and the silver initials "SM" glinted in the light.

"You handled that like a pro!" She exclaimed, her voice low and smooth. "I'm impressed." Her eyes locked onto Evelyn's, holding it for a fraction of a second longer than usual. The gaze was intense, yet warm, like a gentle embrace.

Evelyn raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite herself. Her eyes searched Racheal's face, looking for any hidden motives. "Thanks," she replied, her voice measured. "You were a big help."

Racheal's smile never wavered. "I'd love to grab coffee and discuss... other things." Her voice trailed off, leaving the implication hanging. Her eyes seemed to bore into Evelyn's soul, as if searching for something deeper.

Drake, who had been watching them since, cleared his throat, his expression skeptical. "I think we've had enough excitement for one day, don't you?" He placed a possessive hand on his wife's shoulder, his eyes, warning Rachel to back off.

Rachel's gaze never faltered as her eyes locked onto Evelyn's, after she faked a smile over Drake's possessiveness. "Maybe soon, then," she said, her voice dripping with sincerity. "I'll hold you to that."

*** *** ***

Evelyn and Drake sat in their luxurious living room, the tension between them palpable. Evelyn's eyes narrowed, her voice laced with curiosity as silence filled the room for some minutes.

"Your reaction at the conference, towards the reporter, Rachel...why did you act that way?"

Drake's expression turned guarded, and his jaw clenched. "I just don't trust her, Evelyn. There's something about her that doesn't add up."

Her eyes flashed with annoyance. "That's ridiculous. You're acting like she's some kind of threat."

Drake's eyes locked onto hers, his gaze intense. "I'm telling you, Evelyn, there's something off about her. Her questions, her interest in you... it feels calculated."

Evelyn mocked, her eyes rolling. "Oh, so now you're an expert on people's intentions? You think everyone's out to get you through me, don't you?"

Drake's face darkened, his voice low. "I know what I see, Evelyn. And I see someone who's trying to manipulate you."

At first, she felt he was joking. Not until he made that statement and her face turned icy, her voice suddenly dripped with disdain. "You know what I see, Drake? I see a man who's trying to control every aspect of my life. You want to keep me caged, only interacting with people you approve of."

Drake's eyes widened " I just want to protect you."

Her eyes blazed with defiance. "Protect me? From what? Living my own life? Making my own decisions? I'm not your prisoner, Drake. I work for you, but that doesn't mean you own me."

The air was thick with tension, their words hanging like a challenge between them. Drake's expression softened with his eyes pleading. "Evelyn, please understand-"

"No, Drake. I won't be controlled. And I won't be kept in the dark. If you have issues with anyone, then tell me what they are. But don't try to dictate who I can and can't associate with." She cuts him off angrily with an hateful glare.

Drake's fist was clenched this time, and veins encircled round his forehead as he watched her stand, ready to walk the hell out on him.

" let's get something clear, Evelyn" He spoke suddenly and she halted.

" Yes, you work for me, and I pay you handsomely for your services. That means you'll do as I say, when I say it."

Evelyn's eyes flashed with defiance, her chin jutting out. "I'm not your servant, Drake. I'm your wife... or at least, that's what we're pretending to be."

His eyes narrowed "Don't play semantics with me, Evelyn. You know the arrangement. You're expected to follow my instructions. You even address me by my name, ignoring the fact as you said, that you work for me. "

"Oh, really? Well, I didn't realize I was signing up for a dictatorship when I agreed to this fake marriage." Her eyes rolled derisively.

Without uttering a word, he hands her a file, his expression smug.

" And what's this? " She bashed her lashes.

" Rules for our little charade."

Evelyn's eyes widened as she opened the file, her face incredulous. "What the...? "

" What is this ridiculous rule you set at the expense of being your wife?!" She half yelled and he smirked with one of his fingers raised.

" Rule one: Always address me as "My Love" in public'.

" What??!" Evelyn widened her eyes and he raised two of his fingers.

'Rule two: Never wear the color blue on Tuesdays'.

Before Evelyn could even utter another word, he raised three of his fingers.

'Rule three: Always laugh at Drake's jokes, even if they're not funny in public. "

Drake's expression was unyielding and his eyes serious. "Yes, those are the rules. And you'll follow them, if you want to keep your job... and our little arrangement."

Evelyn left her mouth agape. "You can't be serious. This is ridiculous!"

Drake's face was stone-like, his voice firm. "I'm dead serious, Evelyn. You'll do as I say, or you're out. Your choice."

Grudgingly, she sat down on the sofa and stared like she was about to plug his eyes out.

" In addition to the rules, a secretary would be employed basically for the means of communication between us. So let's say, today would be the last day we would communicate like this in this apartment. " He added and she just replied with a nod.

Just as she was about to get up from the sofa, she noticed a condom lying at the side of the soft upholstered seat.

With a scary jump, she glared disgustingly at drake who wasn't bothered by her reaction. "And what is this?!, You annoying being of a man!"

Drake smirked, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Oh, come on. Don't be such a prude. It's just a little something to spice up our marriage."

Evelyn's face flushed with anger. "You're impossible!, I regret agreeing to this contract at the first place!"

Drake chuckled " I know for sure you're dying for your body to be handled by an handsome man like me"

Evelyn's eyes flashed with irritation, but she bites back her retort, remembering the rules set for their charade. She takes a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down before walking away.

••• •••

< NEW YORK CITY, SHELTON'S VILLA>

Rachel smiled cunningly on reminiscing her call to Evelyn before she attended the conference.

" We'll give them a statement, all right. And it won't be the lie you want them to hear, Drake!" The voice played on her recorder and she laughed to herself.

" A marriage of facade huh??, You would have done better Drake Langston. Now, I'm going to make you pay." She gritted, with her fist clenched on the sight of a broken picture frame on top of her dressing table.

*** *** **

< LANGSTON'S & ASSOCIATES >

Evelyn and Drake sat in their adjacent offices, separated by a glass wall. While Evelyn focused on her work, with her eyes fixed on her computer screen. Drake, nonchalantly leans back in his chair, his gaze fixed on Evelyn.

He looks at her with a mixture of annoyance and admiration, his eyes lingering on her determined expression. Evelyn, sensing his gaze, ignores him, her eyes never leaving her screen.

The employees in the outer office whisper and snicker, watching the tension between the two. One of them announced in the chat group.

" Who's noticing how our egocentric boss is melting at the glance of his wife?"

With his eyes never leaving Evelyn's face, drake picks up his phone and sends her a text, bearing an mischievous smirk: "You're so focused on work, you're forgetting to breathe."

Evelyn's eyes flickered to her phone, her expression unchanging. Her fists became clenched on noticing the message from the last person she wants to deal with at the moment as she has numerous work to handle, thanks to him.

Angrily, she typed out a response: "I'm breathing just fine. You're the one suffocating under your own ego."

The employees stifle their giggles, enjoying the silent banter between the two. Drake chuckled, his eyes still fixed on Evelyn.

Evelyn rolled her eyes, her face still set in a determined expression, while Drake continued to watch her with a smirk on his face.

The employees continued to whisper and snicker, watching their bosses with interest. "They're so cute together!" one of them said. "I know, right? They're like two peas in a pod!" another replied.

Drake smirked, his eyes never leaving Evelyn's face. He picks up his phone and sends her another text: " Smile dumbass, my employees are watching. I can't be looking at your ugly-ass face for nothing."

Evelyn's eyes flickered to her phone again, a small pretentious smile played on her lips on noticing the stylish glances played by the employees.

Knowingly releasing a mischievous smirk, she typed out a befitting response: " If only you would stop staring at me like a deranged he-goat, then you'd know I have work to do, My love."

' Sent' she looked at him stylishly, bashing her lashes cutely as he checks his phone.

The employees "awww" at the exchange, happy to see the couples so in love. Drake chuckled, his eyes still fixed on Evelyn. "She's so stubborn," he thinks to himself. "And I love obstinate women." He bit his lips unknowingly, in a seductive tone, driving the employees insane on his admiration of his wife.

As the employees continued to gossip and speculate about the newlyweds, the office door bursts open and a stunning woman walked in. She was dressed to the nines, her long legs strutting confidently across the floor.

Eva Grey, that was her name, one of Drake's unrequited exes who refuses to let him breath after hearing that he was married. Also known as 'miss bag of troubles' by everyone she has an encounter with, the plumpy lady in her mid-twenties, moved to where the receptionist was, to unleash the only thing she was good at; Making a scene.

"Where is he?" She demanded, her voice dripping with venom.

Her eyes scanned the office, with her gaze, burning with determination. Her lips were pursed, her eyebrows furrowed, and her nostrils flared. She was a force to be reckoned with, and everyone in the office could sense it.

Her eyes landed on the skinny receptionist, who shrinks back in fear to her chair. " Where's Drake Langston?" She questioned angrily, bashing her extended lashes fiercely.

"D-don't know what you're talking about," she stammerred in fright.

Eva's gaze narrowed, her eyes flashing with anger. "Don't play dumb with me," she hissed. "I know he's here. I can smell him."

She stalked forward, her high heels clicking on the floor like a ticking time bomb. The employees part like the Red Sea, fearful of getting in her way.

Her eyes scanned the offices, searching for her prey. She pauses outside Evelyn's office, her gaze fixed on the glass wall. For a moment, she just stares, her expression unreadable.

Then, she turns on her heel, wanting to continue her search but halts at Evelyn's voice.

" I'm sorry ma'am, but are you in search of my husband?" Evelyn stepped forward, a sly smile spreading across her face.

Eva's eyes narrowed, her gaze fixed on Evelyn's face. "You must be the little wife, who thinks she can tame Drake's wild ways," she sneered with folded arms.

Evelyn extends her hand, her eyes glinting with amusement. "Hey, Eva. It's a pleasure to finally meet you. I've heard so much about your... exploits."

Eva ignored Evelyn's outstretched hand, her expression disdainful. "I don't have time for your games, little Pest. Get out of my way. I'm in search of the man who think he can walk into my life and walk out as he pleases!"

Evelyn's smile turned to a frown. "Oh, I'm not going anywhere, you lousy cat. "

" What did you just say to me??" Eva bashed her lashes angrily, surging towards Evelyn.

" Do you know the difference between us two?" Evelyn began, looking straight to her eyes.

" Your left hand is missing a ring on its fourth finger. That's what. So why blame my husband for walking into your life and walking out as he please?!"

Eva's eyes flashed with anger, but Evelyn didn't flinch. Instead, she took a step closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "You see, Eva, I know that you're used to getting your way, to manipulating people with your tears and your tantrums. But I'm not afraid of you. And I'm not going to let you this time."

Without warning, Evelyn reached out and grabbed her by the hair, her grip tight. Eva's eyes widened in shock as Evelyn started to walk her out of the office, with her feet dragging across the floor.

The employees watch in stunned silence as Evelyn marched Eva out of the office, her expression fierce and unyielding. They've never seen anyone stand up to Eva before, and they can't believe what they're seeing.

Finally, Evelyn released Eva's hair, her eyes blazing with anger. "Stay out of my way, Eva. And stay away from my husband."

Eva's face is red with rage, her eyes flashing with hatred. "This isn't over, " she spat. "You haven't seen the last of me."

Evelyn smiled, her eyes glinting with triumph. "I'm shaking in my boots, Eva. But until next time, stay classy."

With that, Evelyn turns on her heel and walks back into the office, leaving Eva standing alone in the hallway, her face twisted with anger and defeat.

***

Evelyn stormed angrily to Drake's office. "What did I say about letting me know about your issues with people?!" She half yelled on sighting him, calmly taking his coffee.

"You know, I think I need to add a new clause to our contract," she says, her voice dripping with venom as he ignored her outburst. "Keep your relationship life away from me, or suffer the consequences."

Drake looked up from his coffee, his expression calm and unbothered. "How do you know of Eva?"

" Don't think I'm looking up into your life like I'm jobless, we share the same schedule and on the list was Eva's tantrum. Seems, like you were expecting her."

" I never asked for your presence in my matters, I'll change the schedule." He stood up with his hands on his pockets.

Evelyn's looked on unbelievably. " Not even a thank you??"

" Use the door when you're done with your outrage" he caressed her cheeks and her face boiled in anger.