Wooing his wife back

" Carla Hudson, do you take Lucas Grayson as your lawfully wedded husband? To love and cherish him, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?" the Priest asked. " Yes, I do, " Carla replied almost immediately, earning a side look from Lucas who was standing next to her. " Lucas Grayson, do you also accept Carla Hudson as your lawfully wedded wife? To love and to cherish him, in sickness and in health, till death do you part? , " the Priest turned to Lucas asking him the same question he asked Carla. ' Say no, ' his subconscious told him as Carla turned to look at him.

He knew he couldn't do anything stupid, people were watching, and everything was at stake. " I do, " he answered in between gritted teeth, trying his very best to hide the scowl that was threatening to show on his face. This wasn't what he wanted, he didn't want to get committed to anyone, especially not Carla.

" FLASHBACK "

I won't, Dad, " Lucas snapped, declining the file on the table loudly. His father, Robert Grayson, was asking for the impossible. " I will not get married to Carla Hudson, " he stated defiantly. " You have no option here, son. We have to sign a partnership with Hudson Corporations and the only way we agreed to do that is to have her married to you. I don't see what is wrong here, both of you have been friends since you were kids. If you do not sign the papers by tomorrow, you'll have to take responsibility for your actions, " Robert pressed on, folding his arms as he rested his back on the chair he was seating on. " I will take full responsibility for it then, I cannot marry Carla Hudson, heck, I'm not even ready to settle down, ". Robert's face held an amused expression, his lips curving upward to form a smirk, Lucas had absolutely no idea of what was going on. " Fine then, I guess you'll have to give up your position and the company and wipe off every thought you have about taking over the company, " Robert informed. On hearing that, Lucas averted his gaze back to his father, his eyes wide open, hoping that his father was going to correct his statement. " Father!, " he yelled. " This is absurd. You can't just take away my position simply because I don't want to get married. It's unfair and I'm sure the lady in question won't also want this, " he argued further, earning a chuckle from his father. " Carla has signed the documents. What is left is your signature and then we'll start the wedding preparations, " he explained. Lucas took the file almost immediately, not believing his father, but was disappointed when he saw a beautiful signature, neatly penned at the little edge of the file. He dropped the file back on the table angrily as he clenched and unclenched both his jaw and fists. Ideas ran through his head, but there was no way out of it. His father was bent on making him get married to her and if he didn't, his position at the company was at stake. Without saying anything else, he glanced at his father one last time, took the file, and dashed out of the office, stomping his feet on the floor. He got into his car and drove straight to his next destination, where Carla lived. She had just finished college and was still staying at home for a while before she started working. He was very sure that there was no way she was going to work if the marriage goes on. He stopped the car and got out, pausing for a while to take in deep breaths before ringing the doorbell. The door opened and Carla came into view, her eyes widening a bit as she saw Lucas, certainly not expecting him to be standing in front of her door. Her lips morphed into a smile almost immediately, trying not to show her surprise. " Lucas, to what do I owe this visit? , " she asked, opening the door wide enough for him to enter, which he did without saying a word. He looked around the house, he had been there a couple of times but it felt so strange to him with all that was happening. After being ushered to a seat and served a cup of coffee, Carla sat with him, watching as he sipped his coffee, his Adam's apple moving up and down, enough to make her feel tingles in between her legs. He placed the cup back on the table, his eyes meeting hers and she averted her gaze looking at anywhere but him. She cleared her throat, blinking her eyes, embarrassed by the fact that she was caught staring like a child. " I received a file from your father, about both our company's partnership and the marriage deal. Do we have to get married for the deal? " he asked and she shrugged trying to act oblivious to what was happening. " That's what my father wants, I have no say in it, " she explained and he raised a brow, giving her a knowing look. " Why are you here? " she asked, trying to change the topic. " You make it sound like you don't want me to be here. Why? At least you signed a marriage deal without consulting me first, " he responded, his face still not showing any emotion but his voice laced with pure anger. "It's a marriage of convenience. Both our companies needed the partnership. I think it is only right that we do what is best for it or don't you think so? ". She questioned, taking a sip from her coffee but he only smirked, nodding his head, making her more nervous than she already was. " I see. Since you said it is a marriage of convenience, I hope you don't expect more from it, " he informed, mischief playing in his eyes as he opened the file, penning down his signature on it before placing it back on the table. " I didn't.... " she tried to say but he cut her off by waving his hands, pushing the file to her.

"Give it to your father when he arrives. We will be having the wedding in a week. The faster the better, don't you think? You can still back off now if you want ", He stood up from the sofa, still not taking his eyes off as he adjusted his tie. She made to walk into his car but he stopped her, deeming it unnecessary. He walked out of the house and got into his car, holding the steering wheel so tight that his knuckles turned white, hot breath came out from his nostrils as he started the car and drove into the streets.

" You should have done that without the both of us having to argue about it, " Robert said to Lucas, beaming with smiles after he heard that his son had signed the contract. " The wedding will be happening in a week. I guess you can take care of it, I'm very busy as it is, " he suggested and walked out of the office without waiting for a response. " Yo, man, " Lucas heard a voice call out as he pressed the elevator. He got inside, ignoring the person as he knew who it was. As soon as the doors began to close, a leg stopped it, and Noah, his cousin and best friend got in, flipping his hair as he did. " The least you could have done was to leave the door open for me, " he whined as he stood next to Lucas who ignored him, saying nothing. " What got into your panties? You look like you want to punch someone, " Noah continued, looking up at Lucas when he got no response from him. "And that person will be you if you don't shut the fuck up, " he threatened, still not sparing him a glance, and Noah raised his hands in defeat, shifting further away from him. "Really, why are you looking so pissed off?" he pressed on, determined to get answers from his best friend. Lucas heaved out a distressed sigh, ruffling his hair as he knew he couldn't win against Noah. " I guess I'm getting married, " he revealed, finally looking at Noah, who stood there, not a word from him. Lucas nudged him, causing him to jump. " Well, that's ....... surprising, " he spoke out, unable to form words and say something real. The elevator came to a stop and the both of them got out, Noah running to catch up with Lucas who was walking in long strides. " So, who is the unlucky girl? " Noah teased, wriggling his brows as he grinned, earning a glare from Lucas who walked out of the company and got into his car, Noah following him behind. " Carla Hudson, " he replied when Noah got into the passenger's seat, and his eyes widened on hearing Lucas' answer, turning to face him. " Carla Hudson? Your childhood friend that has always had a crush on you ever since we were kids? That Carla Hudson? " he asked, his voice laced with surprise, and Lucas nodded, sighing again as he rubbed his eyes with his fingers tiredly. " It was a partnership deal for the company. Her dad proposed a marriage offer and she signed the contract without letting me know and left me no choice. I either had to sign the contract or give up my position and the company as a whole, " he elaborated further. " Whoa...... I knew Robert was mean, but I didn't know it would be to this extent. So, what's your plan? " Noah questioned and Lucas shrugged, starting the car, the mischief playing in his eyes again. " Well..... If she thinks she can sign a contract just to get me, then she's damned. As she said, it's a marriage of convenience. She had better be prepared for what is coming, " he answered, a devilish smirk forming on his lips. Noah pursed his lips together, trying to avoid saying something that would annoy Lucas, but he felt that his best friend might be thinking too far from the issue at hand. Lucas drove into the streets at a high speed, getting home faster than he was supposed to. " Lucas, " Logan, his stepbrother, called out as soon as he and Noah got out of the car. Noah groaned out in frustration and Lucas didn't even try to hide the scowl on his face. No one liked Logan except his mum and Robert. " What the fuck are you doing in my house? " Lucas growled, walking up to his stepbrother as Nora, Noah's girlfriend, came out of the car and went to meet her boyfriend. " I heard the news from Dad, you're getting married to Carla Hudson. I came to congratulate you on your upcoming marriage, " he expressed, wearing a fake smile that was very evident " You can drop the act, Logan. If Dad put you up to this, go tell him that it was well reached, so get the fuck out of my house. My day has been bad already, I don't need your nonsense to make it worse, " he retorted and made to go inside the house, shoving his brother away roughly. Logan was able to maintain his posture and he chuckled as he took a step backward " If you think your marriage to Carla Hudson is going to make you inherit the company, then I guess you have to rethink your choice. Marriage is a forever thing, I don't think you should jump into it just because you're trying to win against me, " Logan advised, making Lucas turn to look at him, staring daggers at him. " And I suggest you keep your thoughts to yourself and mind your own business if you don't want to fight, " he fired back before entering his house. Nora looked at Noah, poking him on the waist as she raised a brow quizzically. Logan looked at the both of them and walked to his car without saying a word. " Lucas is getting married? " she asked and Noah shrugged, nodding his head slowly. " I guess so, " he answered, before taking her in his and dragging her inside. ** Carla sat on the edge of her bed, her mind playing and replaying the event that happened earlier. She had never seen Lucas that angry before, especially towards her. It felt to her like she forced him to sign the contract even though she knew he did it without any word from her. Heck, he didn't even let her speak.

" Darling, are you alright? " Her mother asked,opening the door as she came into view. Carlalooked up and a smile crept up to her face amidsther worries. Her mother walked up to her sitting nextto her on the edge of the bed. She looked deeply ather daughter, not believing the smile she waswearing on her face. Something was wrong, shecould sense it and pressured her daughter to speakup.

Carla ended up telling her about Lucas's visit andhow she was worried that she made him angry. Afterlistening to her daughter's story, Selena placed herhands on Carla's lap, trying to soothe her worries.

" Darling, it's not your fault if Lucas is angry. Youdidn't force him to sign the contract, it's just that hispride won't let him settle down with a woman. I don'teven see what you or your Dad sees in him, "Shesneered, causing Carla to burst into laughter, Selenajoining her as well. After their laughter had dieddown, Carla looked at her Mum, smiling softly as sheimagined a life with Lucas after marriage.

She hoped it would be just like how she predicted.

A week flew by like a flash and it was the weddingday already. Things went by so fast for Carla whohad so little time to prepare but had to makeeverything so perfect as it was her day and shewouldn't want to disappoint Lucas who had beenspending the past week, going to clubs and sleepingwith different ladies like the person he was known tobe.

A week was too small to prepare everything, but shecouldn't complain. She was grateful enough thatLucas signed the marriage contract, complainingabout the time she was given sounded tooungrateful.

She sat on the bed, waiting for her driver to come totake her to the venue. She breathed in and out,constantly fanning herself with her hands as shetried not to ruin her makeup. She didn't know thatthis was how other brides felt during their wedding,she was nervous and felt like pissing in her pants.

The door opened and her dad came into view, withhis neatly ironed black Tuxedo, beaming with smilesthe moment he saw his daughter. She pouted herlips on sighting him, stretching out her hands whichhe gladly took, and sat next to her on the bed.

" Princess, you look beautiful, " David, her father,commented looking at his daughter with pride as hiseyes got blurry. He sniffed and blinked rapidly, tryingto control the tears but failed miserably and theycame pouring down like a downpour as he burst intotears. Carla's eyes soon became teary also and shewiped the tears that were threatening to fall,slapping her dad's shoulder lightly.

" Dad, please you're going to make me ruin mymakeup, " she whined and David laughed inbetween tears, wiping his teary face as he looked upat his daughter, his eyes reddened and puffy due tothe tears.

" Thank you, Dad. I was nervous before you came inand now you've made things better with your cries, "she said, her voice laced with sarcasm and a hint ofamusement, but David took it too seriously.

" Why are you nervous? Princess, you're going to dowell. It's your marriage, you have to make the mostof it. You being nervous on your day would not helpat all, instead, go out there, put on a smile, andrecite your marriage vows to Lucas. You shouldn'tfeel nervous on a day like this, " he advised, makingher coo at him. She didn't know her dad was amotivational speaker

" Seriously, Carla, if you ever see the need to comeback home or you need a breathing space, yourMum and I are always ready to welcome you, " heassured and she nodded her head, hugging him sotightly that he had to tap out before getting choked todeath.

A knock was heard on the door and she releasedhim from her grip before muttering' Come in '. Thedoor opened revealing their driver and she looked ather dad who nodded and stood up, stretching out hishands which she gladly took and they headed out.

Lucas watched as Carla walked up to the aisle,linking her hands with her father's. He lookedsmarter than ever, at least his dad made sure he did.With his neatly shaved jaw, his silver eyes held asign of boredom and mischief. He prefers to be inthe club right now more than anything, having thebest fun of his life. He hated weddings andmarriages so much, he couldn't believe that he wasattending his own.

Just like every other male there, he was wearing ablack Tuxedo. A small flower was placed in hisbreast pocket. He wanted to run away, but hisposition at the company was at stake, something hecouldn't risk for the world.

Besides that, his eyes stayed glued to the damselthat was walking towards him. Her hair was packedin a bun which was then clipped to her veil. Strandsof hair that were curled fell at both sides of her head.Her nude makeup matched her pale skin, addingmore to her beauty.

His eyes trailed down to her body, the satin dressthat hugged her hips which flowed down to theground. With every little step she took, he kept onswallowing his saliva. His eyes remained glued tohers, unable to avert his gaze. It was as if he hadbeen charmed by a spell, she was his spell.

As she got to the podium he managed to peel hiseyes away from her body as he shook hands withDavid. Stealing one last glance at her, he shook hishead trying not to make a fool out of himself.

' snap out of it, Lucas. This is Carla, a hot and naiveCarla. No matter what, she can never be pulled intoyour world, she can never be given your heart, ' hechanted in his head, something he had been doingfor the past three years now.

After the priest's preaching about love and faithfulness , which almost bled Lucas's ear, hebegan to ask the questions that made most couples who were about to be wedded rethink their decision.To Carla, she had nothing to think of, but Lucas thought about everything again.

Was what he was doing worth it? What if Logan was right about what he said