Livia Huang dreams of a life behind the lens, but her father's ultimatum threatens to ruin everything: marry Lucas Walker, the charming yet scandalous playboy CEO, or give up her passion for photography forever.
Lucas Walker, trapped by his own fami...
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"Livia Huang, do you take Lucas Walker to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?"
"I do."
Dang it, It was not supposed to happen but dad blackmailed me, threatening that he'd assign up bodyguards for me who'd follow me 24/7 and I wouldn't be able to sneak out to do photography. Though, dad allowed me to do photography on weekends but sometimes I did sneak out with Isabelle on work days.
Mother, of course, pressured me, saying that Lucas was a nice guy who'd take care of me but this was an arrangement, a forced marriage, he would not even look at me, let alone take care. My parents were good at making me listen to them. Though, most of it was emotional blackmail but they always looked at positive aspects of every situation and the negative aspects were for me to deal with. They'd ask me to commit murder and, damn I'd do it without realising. How funny.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife," The priest announced. "You may kiss the bride now."
Screw it.
Neither of us moved, he stared at me, his gaze sharp and tight and lips twitching in somewhat disgust...I gazed back at him with the same expression, the same intensity, it was almost as if we had been wanting to kill each other. (I wanted to do it though). Claps echoed in the background awkwardly, it was a private wedding, that meant there was just two families, mine and his. Though, I couldn't seem to spot his parents but only his grandfather who stared at Lucas sharply and mine sat beaming. This wedding was supposed to go public in the upcoming gala next week, which meant I only had seven days of freedom until we'd have to act as if we are in love. For the world, this marriage would be a love affair that had turned into this long time arrangement but for us, it was nothing more than a forced and profitable arrangement.
When the claps ended, we walked down the aisle, the smell of fresh roses greeting the fake romance we'd be pulling out. He hadn't given me his hand, instead he had maintained a breathable distance, shoulders straight and confident posture, his flashing gray eyes stilled and calculating and his slightly tousled hair framing his face, he wore a tailored suit that just went right with his muscles. His jaw was sharp and tight and he smelled of wood and rich mint. The only thing about him that seemed soft was the wedding ring he now wore but it was worth nothing to neither of us.
"Done staring, love?" His eyes flickered on my face for a second before his lips stretched into a slight smirk and he adjusted his cufflinks. Heat crept up to my neck, cheeks blurring in red. "You're not worth staring." I breathed out, my voice quiet and breathless. I pulled away to the desert table where Isabelle stared at me with a concerning look. When I told Isabelle that I was getting married, she was shocked, she tried convincing my mother to stop the wedding but their decision was just that - theirs. They could never change it, I knew it.
"Your...husband looks quite composed." Her tone was light when she gazed at Lucas sharply. "How are you holding up?"
"I'm fine." I lied, though I knew Isabelle understood that I was anything but fine. Isabelle looked at me, her eyes softening. "You're not fine, liv." I looked at Lucas who talked to my parents, his expressions polite and hands tugged into his pocket. It didn't seem that he was dragged into the same situation as me, he seemed to pretend. It came to him naturally.
"I'll just survive." I whispered, looking back at Isabelle who pulled me into a soft hug, muttering something I couldn't understand.
"Try not to kill him." She murmured and gave me a still smile, her eyes sharp.
"May I have a word with my wife?" Lucas interrupted us, giving us a cold smile. Isabelle gave me a look that said good luck before slipping away.
Lucas led us to the balcony, the night air welcoming us away from the chaos. The laughter, chatter and clicking of the glass faded as the cold breeze kissed my skin, Paris twinkling beneath. I felt a pang of frustration building up inside me. I clenched my fists, my nails biting into my cold palm. I glared at him, what the hell was I even doing out there? I had nothing to do with him, not until the stupid gala when the world would see our perfect love story. Until then, I didn't have to move with him and act as if we are in love.
But the man who couldn't even smile at the altar was dragging me away to the balcony like he had something important to discuss. What did he even want? To remind me of this bitter arrangement?
"What Mr. Walker?" I snapped. "Now that we are married, congratulations, you can save your reputation."
He let out a low laugh, cold and it wasn't remotely amused. I clenched my jaw when he leaned against the balcony railing. "How generous of you, love. Thank you for saving my reputation. I'm truly blessed."
"Don't call me that." I rolled my eyes at him, crossing my arms over my chest.
His smirk sharpened. "It suits you, doesn't it? And besides, I'm just practicing."
I scoffed. "You're awfully smug for someone who couldn't save his reputation without dragging me into this mess."
"And you're awfully bitter for someone who said I do willingly."
"Don't flatter yourself, lucas. I wouldn't even look at you if my parents hadn't forced me into this." I said, my tone sharp and brows shot up in a frown.
"Seems like family problems, love. Don't put your misery on me." He shrugged, his face unreadable. I stepped closer to him, my voice laced with sharpness. "Why did you even call me here?" A rich scent of wood and mint entered my nostrils as I took in the sight of him.
"We are already married. I don't care anymore, Do whatever you want," I snapped. "Now, if you're done, I'd like to go back to pretending this nightmare doesn't exist." I turned on my heel, storming from the balcony.
"Well, if you insist, my love. But remember...you're mine now." He retorted, his voice mockingly sweet.
I stopped on my tracks, my stomach flipping in disgust and pulse quickening. I turned to him and gave him a tight smile. "Try this dialogue on one of the girls you have fucked. Goodbye now."
