It had been one of the worst afternoons he had ever had.

The car he was traveling in stopped in front of a house that looked more scary than gloomy, the driver got out of the car opening the car door to help him out, it was a huge residence of the plants with the entrance fenced with steel bars.

Was it a prison or a house?

She got out, pushed her way in pushing the gate bars which let out a creaking sound perhaps due to lack of oil or a warning she couldn't make out.

She walked to the entrance and opened it with the key provided by Gael's family.

She let out that air she did not know she was holding in her lungs.

She entered.

The room was so luxurious and huge, she crossed the hall going straight to the stairs, she climbed each step struggling with that heavy dress that made her look like a princess.

She groped her way down the long hallway to a room that had a red bow on the door, she played it down, her feet hurt and she just wanted to rip that dress off.

She turned the handle and walked into the room.

As she made her way through, she removed that beautiful stick that held her hair up, she almost tore off her clothes, she felt so suffocated. She wanted to cry at the frustration of their reunion. She removed button by button, almost hurting her hands as she pulled hard on the fabrics.

She removed the dress.

Remaining in panties and bra, she sat on the bed for a moment before walking a few steps and throwing her heels as far as she could into the room, she removed every last piece of clothing.

Naked.

Steadily following her gait to the shower.

She grabbed the doorknob with her hand, turning it a little, she managed to open it all the way, she froze as she found that familiar face in front of her.

Gael, who was getting out of the shower with a bath towel covering his lower body, raised an eyebrow at the other's actions. He looked around the other's body.

Alisha, his wife, panicked.

She tore off the bath towel Gael was using to cover his body, and they fell together.

The other's weight did not impact against her as much.

Gael supported himself with his hands, remaining a little suspended, those gray eyes connected with hers, they were so beautiful; they seemed to contain the universe. Gael intentionally moved closer towards Alisha, dropping his naked body completely over the other's, that sudden closeness on her and the scarcity of inches on her face, the atmosphere became tense.

"You're afraid" he whispered hoarsely.

While Alisha's heart was beating wildly.

Gael maintained that intimate stance, still his words were so merciless.

"You feel I treat you badly so you can't expect to get close to me" he spat full of cynicism.

Though his face was so handsome almost sculpted by the angels themselves, his words were too cruel.

"Couldn't you expect that you've tangled with another man at the wedding?" he accused over the other's lips.

"Not so..."

Gael rose coldly, propelling himself a little with his hands.

His gaze was so sharp it made her feel so tiny, this man didn't seem like the one she had met before.

Alisha held the bath towel against her body as if it were her lifeline.

"Don't waste energy acting so deliberate" she warned him, caring little if she saw his body, they were supposed to be married and he has enough self-confidence. "We were a fictitious couple and it will be just that, a fictitious marriage."

"You're a..."

"What? You want to argue with your lord?"

Gael leaned in slightly and held his chin.

"If you breach the contract, I'll get back the huge amount of money I've lent to your family" he released her making her tilt her face a little.

Alisha felt her eyes glaze over.

"Fuck you" she muttered.

Gael who was expressionless, ignored those words which he heard clearly because of the silence.

He snorted

He walked a few steps before turning a little.

"We'll have a feast in the evening" he cocked a smile full of derision, before warning her. "Don't act offended because you can't face the consequences."

"Offend me?" Alisha let out a laugh. She met his gaze with that man. "You think I'm interested in your meaningless warnings!"

"You'd better shut up."

"He's conceited" she got up from the floor, first sitting down and finally sitting up. Dropping that towel covering her body, she brought her hands to her waist. Completely ignoring that he's not wearing anything to cover him. "You know nothing but bark."

Gael cocked a sarcastic smile.

"You want to educate me" he dared to chuckle "You, a person with little courage, hardly know what you're looking for."

Alisha leaned closer.

"It was such fun to leave me with a thousand eyes speculating."

"You give it so much relevance" he averted his gaze.

Gael Williams was a head taller than her, he had beautiful gray eyes, his mane was disheveled and a few drops of water trickled down his temple, he observed that person. His wife had blonde hair, beautiful lips, a little shorter than him, her eyes were blue.

"Relevance? If you want to pretend, do it right!"

"You are so ungrateful."

"If you insult me again I'll beat you" she cared little for what happened next, she wasn't going to let him continue down that tortuous path.

"You're funny" blurted out the man in front of her, those blue eyes were on the verge of bursting into tears and he came with such a haughty attitude, it was funny.

She raised her hand ready to slap him.

"Let go" she struggled wanting to break free of his grip. "Don't come imposing your..."

"What?"

Gael dared to laugh in her face.

"A little status doesn't make you..." she wanted to counterattack being interrupted by the man in front of her.

"It makes you better. punching makes you better than me!" Gael released his grip making her back up a little, she was startled by such a quick change in that man. "You better not come make me laugh by being so hysterical."

Though her words were biting her voice remained gentle, she gave him one last look before walking out the door.

Gael had left with a grim look on his face.

He looked so angry.

Alisha picked up the towel and went into the bathroom.

She showered, returning to the bedroom, she approached the bed noticing that elegant dress, the one that made her understand why her husband had returned early.

It looked extremely expensive.

Of the finest fabrics, and she was sure it would be from the best designer.

However, she averted her gaze to the photograph next to the bed.

Time did use to pass in a hurry, she knew nothing of what happened in ten years, he had made his own way and got his love, he would be so happy with the woman in that photograph. He didn't know.

It was supposed to be his wedding room.

"Husband" he uttered in a faint whisper.

At the head of the bed was the photograph of her now husband with another woman, both of them were smiling.

It was the first time she felt envious.

That woman in the photograph was elegant, exquisite and beautiful.

"Calm down" she said to herself, as she felt that liquid she had contained, now dripping down her cheeks. "You'll be fine."

She wiped away that wayward tear.

And smiled.

Alisha Walsh was not so weak.

Alisha changed her dress.

She let out a sigh before daring to leave that room, she didn't think that kind of clothes would suit her so well. It wasn't that she had a bad body, it was just that she preferred her boots and leather jackets.

That beautiful residence looked so empty.

There wasn't a single employee but the place didn't have a speck of dust, it was a huge house with luxurious corridors, colorful paintings that would be from some limited collection.

As he walked down the stairs he noticed that chandelier hanging at the top of the ceiling, it looked like a spider's web adorned with many alluring shades.

He headed for the door.

Going in the car driven by his chauffeur, he began to regret going to that celebration, there would be no way to escape either, he had his eyes fixed on the hands in his lap. Still lingering in her memory was that photograph in which Gael looked so happy with that person. It seemed like the blink of an eye when the car stopped, the door was opened.

Alisha gathered her last combo of courage and got out.

She snorted.

Gael who had been waiting in anticipation at the entrance of the place, where the banquet would be held, was the person who reached out to help her out, she hadn't even noticed that the driver was still in the car, she got out steadying herself a little with his help.

When Alisha got out of the car only then did she discover that the dress she had randomly picked out, from a low quality store, was so amazing when she wears it. His eyes fell on her hypnotically.

That purple colored dress skipped how tiny her waist was, had a slit on her left leg that reached mid-thigh, that highlighted how long her legs were and had a brooch in the middle of her sweetheart neckline, as the only abscessory.

No doubt she had a beautiful body, her snowy skin made the color of the dress contrast perfectly with the color of the dress, her light blonde hair was very flattering and those lips painted in natural pink, made her look hot.

"You plan to drool all night."

Gael came to himself.

"You think you're the real beauty" he rolled his eyes.

"Aren't I?"

"Just play the good wife" he reminded her, leading her by the hand to the banquet.

"Sure that's all that matters, isn't it?" obviated Alisha allowing herself to be dragged along by the businessman.

"Stop wasting time, that's not what we're here for" he reproached her behavior so inappropriate according to him, they should make the best of it. Although he didn't expect much from a girl barely in college.

"Who's wasting their time? "

"You're just a college girl" he paused by the door. "What else could you have done besides waste time?" Gael denied to himself, resuming his walk but was stopped.

"What can you do, Mr. Businessman?" Alisha smiled cynically at him, he wanted to show himself important, well, he could handle that too. "It's your employees who do most of it. What can you do, other than sign some documents?"

Gael stepped closer staying mere inches from his face.

"Stop that disgusting attitude right now" he nudged her forehead with his index finger before opening the door.

They both walked through the door and all eyes fell on them.

The gossip started so obviously.

They both kept walking until they were intercepted by one of her father's investors.

"She's a real beauty" expressed Mr. Tonny showing his glass in a toast to the jovial newlywed couple.

"No doubt about it" approved Mr. Tonny's wife, the same one he had hooked on his arm.

Gael smiled taking Alisha by the waist.

"The best of them all" Gael added, smiling at the couple.

Alisha could only smile as best she could. That possessive way of approaching him had been very surprising. She didn't know these people, she didn't know who they were. She just had to act right.

"Gael, congratulations!" exclaimed one of her friends.

The gentlemen left.

His friends had arrived curious at the newlywed.

"I know" he left a kiss on the other's cheek, perhaps he couldn't stop pushing her to the limit, Alisha felt her cheeks burning but she still had to show her cool, she kept smiling. "I couldn't wait for my wife."

"So much so that you can't leave her for an instant."

"Huh? Why would I do that?"

"Perhaps, because she is not even qualified to be worthy of you" a voice laden with derision, came from his side, it made him look for the origin of that owner. "May that young lady have something important."

Alisha recognized that stranger instantly, it was that unknown man who asked her to dance on her wedding day.

"Williams, may I have a moment?"

The aforementioned continued to look at that subject before heading towards a group of investors.

"Would you like to dance?"

Alisha observed Gael's friends marching one by one, staying with that stranger who was offering again that proposal, the music was still giving a good atmosphere. Now it's a married woman and that made him hesitate.

"I don't think it would be right..."

The man smiled.

"It wouldn't be the first time."

The tango music resounded drawing glances at that dancing couple on the dance floor.

As he asked her to dance he didn't expect her to be quite familiar with him, not to mention they had excellent dancing skills that surprised everyone as their steps were coordinated to perfection, it seemed like they have been a dance partner for years.

They were both moving around the dance floor in a syncopated walk, taking a similar step to the previous one but with more freedom.

As they danced Alisha was suspended by that stranger, she wrapped one of her legs around the other leaving the other one extended, they did a few turns, followed other incredible steps and bent down leaving one leg bent and the other extended horizontally.

Following the rhythm of the music.

They remained in a very striking pose, as Alisha's bent leg was on the other's thigh while she kept the other one extended as a support on the floor, her eyes were fixed on the other's face. The one she didn't quite understand. One of his hands was on the other's chest and the other on his shoulder. While the other's hand hovered around the young woman's waist.

The dress was revealing and perfectly highlighted Alisha's good figure.

Gael regretted having chosen it.

They were a good dance couple.

Of course, what everyone saw was the amazing couple on the dance floor.

Alisha and that stranger were dancing beautifully.

Alisha was the only one who knew what is really going on.

"You can fight what you want. You'll never be that happy" that guy openly laughed in her face, at her misfortunes. "Williams is not someone looking so vaguely, what could you have to make him see gold."

"Will you shut your mouth"

"You're not willing to listen, EH" the grip on her waist tightened, he spun her around and let her head fall back. "You're just a hook" "You just want to be the big fish that everyone will eat. You're not someone worthy."

The taunts were palpable in every word.

Alisha could be seen in his ear.

"I don't give a damn about your opinion" she declared with a smile on her lips. He didn't want to hear her blather.

He laughed.

"Well, you may be that way today. Wait for tomorrow" he raised an eyebrow looking at him in a way she couldn't make out. "Did you see her smile of happiness?"

He wanted to know who that guy was to make him pay for his bold words, she showed her best expression as the music continues.

"There's nothing in tomorrow."

"Isn't there?" the man asked with feigned innocence, he again let out a laugh full of malicious expression. "You are not a person worthy of Williams."

Well, to say it outright was too painful.

"Isn't he my husband?"

"Sure, you must say that because of that photograph in Williams' room."

"You speak so hastily" Alisha spun in the man's arms, smiling as she stared into his eyes. "Is that woman so important to my HUSBAND" she emphasized her last word before the music ended.

"Well, let's look forward to tomorrow."

"There's nothing"

"Thanks for the dance"

That stranger said a polite goodbye to Alisha before Gael returned.

Gael Williams approached placing his hands on the stranger's cheeks, watching him as if honey detached from his eyes. That was all fake, they are a fictional couple.

"When did you meet Spencer?" hearing that question she was a bit puzzled not knowing anyone by that name, and only then did Alisha know the name of that stranger.

"I don't know him..."

"You're trying to deny it" he raised an eyebrow. Gael flashed a gummy smile, he didn't like lies. "Think carefully."

"I don't at all."

"You've danced with someone you don't know" Gael seemed like someone easy to deal with, in reality, he was a sly fox to be wary of. "Is it fun, provoking me?"

"I am."

"You'd better forget it" he released the contact with that warm skin, coming close enough up to her ear. "During our marriage, you may not flirt with man, as it is one of the conditions of the contract" he warned her in a low voice.

As he withdrew a gleaming smile graced the husband's face, all that was false.

Alisha thought about Spencer's malicious words. You're not worthy of Williams, what could you possibly have. Highlighting insecurities creates a powerful impact. Those words jumped like a relentless echo in her head. She could only smile, thinking of Gael's past with that woman, elegant and beautiful.

Gael must have considered that person in the photograph a rare beauty, he must have waited a long time to meet that person, they seemed happy so much that they captured that memory of being on a gondola, they were both laughing, they must have made many promises together, traveling to luxurious places, going without fear before a society that would see them as a heavenly couple.

She repressed the depression inside her. He dispersed his thoughts by blinking repeatedly. Unaware of the sad countenance that was drawn on his face.

"We just danced" Alisha explained to him, ignoring that pain that oppressed his chest .

However, Gael thought she didn't take his warning seriously so he kissed her forehead to remind her.

"By pretending to be sad you plan to make me understand that you've fallen in love with me, a 'husband' you've only met three times?"

Alisha gently shook her head.

"I dare not do it, but I have loved you for ten years" she expressed honestly.

She wanted to start her plan ahead of time so that Gael would know her true identity, but seeing his cold face, she gave up the idea.

The banquet ended.

Alisha followed Gael towards the entrance of the building, his sports car was already parked waiting for its owner, the businessman took the keys from the employee and opened the door for his wife. As Mr. Williams' car started up, Alisha put on her seatbelt.

Alisha drove off in Gael's car.

She accidentally watched in the rearview mirror as Spencer drove off with a beautiful woman.

"If you want to cry, I should get off at the next intersection."

Hearing that sudden voice, she furrowed her brow.

"Who wants to cry? No one is crying."

Gael cocked a smile.

"It's just a precaution, I don't want you to damage my car."

"Can this clunker get damaged?" Alisha looked so surprised that she put a hand to her chest.

Gael laughed lightly. A smile tugged at his lips before he realized what he was doing and suddenly wiped himself out. He felt weird every time they've spoken.

"What?" she turned with sudden interest. Alisha missed that smile, missed that laugh. She wanted to throw herself into someone else's arms and give him a tight hug.

"Nothing."

Williams cleared his voice.

"Can't you stop being a bore" she tilted her gaze to the window. "Five minutes isn't going to kill you."

"You want to talk about responsibility? A college student can do that." Gael hid a smile, that girl could be a box of surprises.

"They can talk about a lot of things" she pouted crossing her arms at chest level. He averted his gaze to the window, those streets were unfamiliar, at least they gave him a good view. "We're going home."

"I want to sleep."

Gael turned at an intersection following the path to the huge house on the outskirts of town.