Married To A Cruel Billionaire

Chapter 8. Show time

She froze on the spot while him on the other hand deepened the kiss. She was at loss of what to do, her first reflex was to push him away but he held her securely. Seeing that he wasn't willing to let go, she bit his lip hard.

He parted with her and hissed slowly in her ear.

"Find something better than just biting me." He said and smiled at the people present. She couldn't help but notice his dimple at the side and she wondered if he had it on both sides.

"Thank you all for your presence at our engagement party. Sorry for the earlier scene, I'm too eager to take her away" He said and many chuckled. "I hope you'll enjoy the event" He said taking two glasses of wine passing on a tray and pushed one into her hand before toasting. He downed it in one go and people started roaming in the hall.

"I have more important things to do rather than staying with you, I'll leave you be torn by the envious women present, bye" He said and placed a kiss on her cheek and disappeared.

What a wonderful husband I'll have

She walked aimlessly in the hall, greeting a few people, discussing with a few others and receiving glares from a few of them.

On the other hand, Elijah walked towards his grandparents and his mother. Edmund and Mayra were chatting merrily, while his mother Cheyenne was staring at the whole event with a scowl on her face but she immediately smiled seeing her son.

"Elijah" She said calling the attention of the other family members who smiled at him. Mayra, his grandmother was looking for something or rather someone behind him and frowned not seeing her.

"Where is your beautiful fiancee?" She asked while Cheyenne rolled her eyes.

"Somewhere in the hall" He said.

"Why are you forcing that woman on my poor son? " Asked Cheyenne.

She wasn't saying it because she wants to defend him, rather, she had her own appointed daughter in law and didn't want anyone else but her.

The temperature fell by a few degrees and Edmund glared at Cheyenne about to lose his cool. Mayra sensing the tension spoke sternly to Cheyenne.

"We've had this discussion already. You don't even know the woman and you're already rejecting her" Cheyenne didn't get the hint and continued insisting.

"I know she is not right for my son, all she wants is his money, I can see it from where I stand "

"Maybe what you can actually see is your own affinity for money, I still remember clearly your relationship with my late son" Said Mayra, pissed.

Cheyenne was about to defend herself again when Edmund glared at her.

"If you open your mouth to say more nonsense, you're leaving this place and forget about attending the marriage" He said coldly and Cheyenne shut her mouth. He turned to Elijah and ordered, "Find Altagracia and bring her here"

Elijah gritted his teeth and obeyed nonetheless. He was looking for a sky blue dress and tan skin. When he kissed her, he noticed she was rather hesitant and clumsy. If it was another woman, he would have sworn he was her first kiss.

Finally, he found her discussing with her father, Devon Parker and walked towards them with a smirk.

"Mr Parker" He called their attention and immediately snaked his arm around her waist and brought her closer. She tensed in his embrace but he ignored it.

"Mr Hales, How are you doing?" He asked as cold sweat drenched his back. The calculative Elijah examined his every moves and took mental notes.

"Very good, your daughter is the most beautiful creature I had ever laid my eyes on" He said scanning her from head to toe, laying a special emphasis on her chest. She felt the urge to hide it and instead glared at him.

"I hope you'll treat her well"

"Of course. Now excuse me but I'll have to kidnap her" He said with a small smile and dragged her away from her father. He had also noticed she didn't have a taste of the wine in her hand.

"You don't like wine?" He asked and she glanced at her drink before saying.

"I have a very low tolerance to alcohol and I drink only when I'm at home" She explained and he nodded.

"Oh my goodness, see how beautiful you are darling. Come see your grandmother in law" She said immediately grabbing Altagracia's hands. Edmund smiled at her too which shocked Cheyenne since he doesn't smile at her, the mother of his grandson.

"Are you a fairy? Oh where are my manners. My name is Mayra, but call me grandma"

"Altagracia Yelena Parker, nice to meet you" Said Altagracia with a curt smile in a well behaved manner which added a glint of pride in the eyes of the two elderly people.

"Mexican and? " Asked Edmund about the origins of her name.

"Russian" She didn't give details about the second name.

Mayra continued asking questions to Altagracia, and they continued interacting merrily.

"Excuse me grandma but it's time for the show" He said and grabbed Altagracia's hand and brought her to the middle of the hall and got on one knee.

"Altagracia, what we have now is a long story-"

Oh, I bet it is.

"-but I don't want to let it go, not now, not never, babe."

Babe? Where is that one coming from? What if I kick you in the balls 'babe'?

"Will you give me the honor of being the happiest man in the world by marrying you?" Altagracia was still flabbergasted by his acting talents.

"Say yes" people chimed in repeatedly was she finally smiled at him.

"Yes sweetheart, I want to marry you" He slid the diamond ring on her finger as the hall burst into applause. He stood up slowly and cupped her cheeks before capturing her lips for the second time that same evening sliding his hands slowly to her waist deepening the kiss.

Poor Altagracia was in a tornado of emotions. While him on the other hand had to admit she was really desirable, but he had to fight the wave of desire that was climbing crescendo in him. They parted and he stared at her face to see any hint of being the despicable woman he had made her to be, to see the total opposite. Her eyes were shy and she was blushing as if it was the most intimate thing she had ever done.

Drop the pretense already Altagracia. He urged in his mind.

They both felt this marriage will be more difficult than what they had thought.