Chapter 5 Mrs Anderson

Annette's pov

I ran my fingers through the soft fabric of the dress Nathan sent me. It's beautiful, simple yet elegant, suitable for our court wedding happening today.

" You sure about this? "

Hannah asks. I turn round to look at her, Laura's standing behind her, her eyes are puffy like she's crying. After opening up to my siblings and best friend about the contract I signed, Laura's been very guilty, she still thinks it's her fault. Well, it's not.

" I'm sure about this. " I lie, at Laura, then to Peter, and back to Hannah.

They've all entered my bedroom now.

" I'm so sorry it had to come to this, if there was a way I could fix this, I'd do it. It's all my fault. " Peter pleads and Laura cries

" I'm sorry you had to agree to this nonsense just to save me. " Laura cries more I hug her and place a kiss on her forehead.

"Sweetie, I'll pull heaven down for you. There's nothing for you to be sorry about. I'll marry the CEO and you can go to that dream college of yours. We can afford that now, thanks to him. And it's only going to be three years, after three years the contract expires and I'm free again. " I force a smile on my face as I wipe tears from her cheek.

She pulls me in a tight hug, Hannah joins us and soon Peter does.

" Okay now. " Hannah breaks the hug.

" Let's get you ready for your wedding. "

Two hours later, Hannah finishes my makeover, using pastel colors that complement my skin tone. She has my hair in an elegant bun and the wedding dress fits perfectly. White knee-length dress with a halter neck. Perfect and simple. Hannah drives us to court where we meet with Nathan.

He's extremely stunning in his dapper tailored suit. The suit outlines all his perfect masculine abs for a moment, I couldn't help but daydream about marrying him, not a contract-based marriage but a real love marriage.

Maybe that could work, maybe, this fake marriage could help me get close to him and make him fall in love with me. That could work, right?

I get out of the car and walk towards Nathan

" Hello. " I say quietly.

" Ready to get married? " He asks.

There's no one behind him the way my brother, sister, and best friend stand behind me. He's here alone.

" Yes. " I answer and we walk into the court together, his hand in mine. I feel heady, I could almost laugh. Two days ago, If anyone told me I'd be getting married today, I would have called them crazy, and now look where is am.

After I ended things with Cole, I always dreamed of being with someone who would love me genuinely, yet I'm about to marry a man I don't know. I didn't even think of the reason he chose me when he can have any of the best ladies America has to offer. I was deeply desperate to save Laura, I jumped on his offer.

We stand in front of the marriage officer to exchange our vows. I notice how Nathan tenses as he says his vow. He's not his usual commanding self today. I wonder what's wrong.

" I, Nathan Anderson, take you Annette Brown to be my lawful weeded wife. "

" I, Annette Brown, take you Nathan Anderson as my lawful wedded husband. ".

I almost choke on the words but I compose myself, I can't cry in front of my family or else they'll see how hurt I am. I'm not shaken about marrying Nathan, there are worse things than that. What breaks my heart is how sudden our lives have changed.

We both sign the marriage register

" Where are your rings? " The registrar ask us

" We won't use any. " Nathan replies flatly.

The man arched a brow and hands us over our marriage certificate, and just like that, I'm a married woman.

This all feels too funny to be real. We walk out of the courtroom. Some of my stuffs are already in my car, Peter takes them and puts them in the car boot of Nathan's Bentley SUV. I can't believe I'm leaving my brother and sister, the thought of being away from them brings tears to my eyes but I hold them back. My heart feels like it's been wrenched out of my body and squeezed. The pain is all too much.

I'm leaving the life I know, Hannah, Peter, Laura. I know I'll come up with a plan later, I always do. But right now, being away from them temporarily hurts so bad that I can feel my body trembling.

Laura walks up to me with a sad smile on her face.

" I'll miss you, Big Sis. "

I hold her hands in mine as I reassure her

" Laura, it's only going to be a while, once I get used to Mr Anderson, I can convince him to let you live with us. I will do that, and by the way, you'll be going to college sooner. I bet you won't miss me this much by then. ". I laugh lightly and pull her in for a hug. The three of them watch me with teary eyes as Nathan leads me to his expensive SUV. I don't say anything else, this isn't goodbye.

The drive to Nathan's home is quiet. He stares out the window the entire time as his driver plummets the road, lost in his own thoughts.

Soon we reach his penthouse

The penthouse is on the first floor of the sleek skyscraper. Despite my self, I couldn't help but gasp in awe as I stepped into his spacious living room. Nathan's home is magnificent, that's not surprising for a man as wealthy as him. It's decorated with gray and sapphire-colored furnishings. The marble floor sparks elegance and wealth. It felt like looking at magic.

His home is decorated with a blend of gray and sapphire hues. The couch, the floor to ceiling curtains, all of it. It created a calming atmosphere.

My gaze is drawn to the massive flat-screen TV on the wall. God, that's huge! A state-of-the-art technology. Even the air in here felt like something more luxurious. Nathan's home is a haven.

" I'll show you to your room. " He said as the lights switched on automatically.

" What do you mean by my room? aren't we supposed to share one?." I responded, confused.

He scoffed and narrowed his eyes at me

" Make no mistake Ann, I have no interest in you except to be my wife in name. " He eyed me like I'm some trash can. Shocked would be an understatement, what the hell did he just say, wasn't this the same man who's be flirting with me at his company?

" Well, your actions says different. Remember how you pleaded to allow you fuck me at the club, or when you kissed me in the foyer ? Hun? " I spit out.

" And I used to think you were Smart. " His voice drops so dangerously low that a chill runs through my spine, a smirk curves up his lips and he starts walking towards me, with every step he takes closer, I take one backward, slightly afraid.

" You saved me a lot of unnecessary flirting when you came begging for money. I had initially thought I would have to persuade you with my looks and charm so you could accept my contract. Heck, I was trying to seduce you. I guess I should say thank you for saving me the stress. "

My heart sinks to my knees. This isn't the man I met at the club, this isn't my CEO either, this man right here is a cunning monster, and I just married him.

" You mean to tell me that you targeted me even before the incident at the club and all this time you've been acting like you want me just so I could be your wife? " My voice shakes.

" Finally, you get it. " He scoffs again

" What do you want from me? " I ask in a whisper

" I want something worth more than millions, and I'm desperate. Annette, when a man is desperate, he can do crazy things. you'll find out soon but now I have to leave. Welcome home Mrs Anderson. "

He walks out the door, leaving me alone.

I fall to my knees as hot tears flow freely from my eyes. My cries echo in his home, our home. Different questions filled my head and I can't answer any.

" What does he want with me? "