Chapter 5 The convenient wedding

The golden chandeliers of the ancient cathedral cast a warm glow over the pews filled with distinguished guests. Charlotte stood at the altar, in the presence of the priest and the guests, a calibre of people that she wouldn't have dreamt of associating with at all.

She wore an adorable wedding gown that cost more money than she had made in her entire life. The fabric clung onto her slim body revealing her perfect shape, each beautiful design on the gown reminded her of the price she had paid to have all of these luxury.

Beside her, Oliver Blackwood her husband looked every bit the powerful billionaire, he was putting on an expensive black tailored suit. He exuded a chilling Charisma that got almost all the ladies in the audience dripping and signing out of envy.

They all thought that the love story between Oliver and Charlie was amazing. They're like a fairy tale couple, the dream of most women. Little did they know that to Charlotte, this whole wedding thing is a nightmare. She was given the devil's alternative.

The priest's voice echoed from all parts of the building, Charlotte could hear the voice but could barely hear the vows. Each word seems to blur into the next like a cruel lullaby, sending her soul into an unavoidable nightmare.

Her hands trembled in Oliver's but his grip was tight, and firm leaving no possibility for any escape. She wished she could just faint there and be rushed to the hospital.

Charlotte was brought back to reality by the voice of the priest. "Do you, Charlotte Renee Miller, take Oliver James Blackwood to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?"

Charlotte hesitated, just for a fraction of a second. Oliver still gripped her hands very tight and he was looking her straight in the eyes with a wicked smile on his face.

"I do." The words sounded more like a whisper. She managed to be audible enough for the crowd to hear her voice.

"And do you, Oliver James Blackwood, take Charlotte Renee Miller to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

"I do," Oliver said, his voice rich and sure, like he was closing a multimillion-dollar acquisition rather than marrying a woman.

The priest smiled warmly and said "By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Oliver leaned in, his face an unreadable mask. She braced herself for an incoming contract kiss, not knowing how many more times she would be kissed before the contract expired. But instead his lips just got close enough to brush against hers there was no kiss.

He only made the guests believe that he was kissing his wife. He made sure his lips were brushing against hers before saying "always remember that this is just a contract and there's nothing serious about it."

She closed her eyes while he spoke because she didn't want to see his scary eyes but the scene appeared to be very romantic.

The guests erupted into applause. Cameras flashed. Confetti rained down from the high vaulted ceilings. Charlotte wore a fake smile on her face to mask her sorrow.

She looked at the crowd as they clapped and cheered her and Oliver and she said to herself if only they knew what was going on.

Arm in arm, they walked down the aisle together, bathed in the spotlight of everyone's admiration. Charlotte was lost in thought. She wondered why Oliver held her so firm and close in such a romantic way.

She liked how he held her while he pretended to be kissing her. She wished that he'll continue to hold her like that until the two years is over so that she can finally walk away with so much money.

Outside, the late afternoon sun bathed the grand stone steps in gold. The sleek black limousine waited at the curb, flanked by suited chauffeurs and a line of luxury cars. Photographers snapped pictures as they posed briefly at the top of the stairs.

"Smile," Oliver murmured in her ear. "You don't want people thinking the blushing bride already regrets her choices."

Charlotte gritted her teeth and smiled wider, her eyes stinging.

Once they were safely inside the limousine, the atmosphere shifted. The tinted windows sealed them off from the world, creating an eerie cocoon of silence.

Oliver poured himself a glass of champagne from the built-in bar, offering her one with a smirk. She shook her head stiffly.

"Still pretending to be the innocent girl?" he teased, sipping from his glass. "You'll learn. Everyone has a price, Charlotte. Even you."

She turned away, staring out the window at the passing cityscape. Her mother's surgery would be scheduled tomorrow morning - if Oliver kept his word. If he didn't...

Charlotte swallowed the rising dread. She couldn't afford to doubt him now.

Their 'reception' was a small, exclusive gathering at Oliver's private estate - only a few dozen people, but each one more powerful and dangerous than the last. Politicians. Business tycoons. The kind of people who could buy and sell futures with a snap of their fingers.

Charlotte smiled, nodded, made polite conversation with strangers who looked at her like a trophy on Oliver's arm.

She felt more like a lamb among wolves.

Hours dragged by before Oliver finally pulled her aside, his hand firm on her waist. His touch was casual enough to seem loving to onlookers, but the pressure in his fingertips warned her otherwise.

"Time to go home," he murmured, his lips brushing her ear in a way that made her shudder.

Home.

The word tasted bitter.

They walked towards another car, this time a black Aston Martin and Oliver held her hand and gently helped her into the car before entering and they drove quietly.

The city lights blurred into streaks of gold and red as they sped away from the downtown lights, heading toward Oliver's penthouse.

As the elevator door closed behind them leaving just Charlie and Oliver in the glass tower that looks like it would touch the sky she could notice his gaze on her, it was unrelenting and she hoped it's not what she's thinking.

She became tense when he wouldn't stop staring and tried to steady her breathing, gripping the bouquet of wilted roses in her hands like a lifeline.

The elevator chimed softly, and the doors slid open onto the penthouse, an expansive cold space of marble, glass, and steel. It was breathtaking and soulless all at once.

Oliver gestured for her to enter first and she hesitated at the threshold. Something primal screamed at her to run, that once she crossed that line, she would never come back the same she nodded in disagreement.

Oliver noticed that she's tense and let out a gentle smile "it's ladies first remember." He said bringing his face closer to hers she rushed in immediately trying to avoid what was about to happen.

The door slammed behind her and she didn't bother to look back. Oliver tossed his jacket on the armchair and walked past Charlotte "You can use any bedroom of your choice." "But remember that we had a deal and once you breach our agreement the deal is gone along with everything you care about." That sounded like a threat and she decided to reply to him this time around.

Before she could say a word, the loud ringtone of Oliver's phone cut through the room. He frowned while glancing at the phone and then his face darkened.

Without any word he turned away from Charlie and took the call. Charlie wondered what kind of man he was. He couldn't even say an excuse. She heard snippets of his call, words like "threat," "leak" and "Charlotte."

Her blood ran cold immediately and fear gripped her. She didn't know what Oliver had in mind or who he was talking to about her, but she could tell that he's a very dangerous man.

Oliver hung up and turned back toward her, his expression dangerous. "It looks like someone's already trying to ruin our little arrangement," he said softly. Then, with a predatory smile, he added, "And they're coming for you first."