MARRIED ACCIDENTALLY

CHAPTER 23

Ann’s POV

Nervousness, with a mixture of excitement, shoots up my spine.

Unlike the first party I attended as Vince’s partner, my emotions right now contrast with what I felt that night.

I was scared shit, with goosebumps spreading all over me in fear, unable to think of the exact way to act.

But right now, I just want to be myself. Vince's constant reminder that no one dares cross paths with me is fueling my confidence.

In a floor-length blue dazzling dress, I step into the event centre, my hands entangled with Vince’s.

Just like the last time, the party is already in full swing, making me wonder if Vince does this for a reason or not.

He is the boss, remember?

A smile tugs up my lips just as a familiar face appears in front of me.

Isabel and one other girl. They stop talking the moment they see us.

Isabel darts her eyes to Vince, who doesn't bother to spare her a glance as we stroll further in.

Swiftly, we walk past the two girls.
“Annette,” another familiar voice calls, making me halt and shut my eyes tightly.

Ryan.

“You know her?” Someone asks behind. “Where the hell do you know her from?”

Vince’s hold on me becomes firmer, and I don't bother to look back.

He moves slowly to a seat and drags it out for me like a gentleman, making me flash him a smile.

“Ryan is answerable to you, Ann. You shouldn't be scared or intimidated by him, okay?” His hands find mine, and I nod quickly, still smiling.

Even though I want to tell him I am not scared of Ryan or intimidated by his presence here, the way Vince hovers above me, watching every inch of my face, has suddenly left me speechless.

“Good,” he breathes out in satisfaction.

Aside from having to go out with tons of bodyguards, I am perfectly ok with this life and the dignity and safety it brings.
For now.

The only thing I am worried about aside from Mom is my job. I was unable to go for the interview, and I am considering going back for my Master's or taking a cooking class if I can't afford schools around here.

I studied Business Administration, but recently, I have had a profound interest in cooking. I am considering finding a catering school nearby so Vince won't discourage me because of safety.

Then I can start small and get enough to open my restaurant someday.

When Vince slumps to the seat opposite me, I watch him go through his tablet for a moment, oblivious to his surroundings.

I believe it is work. I seriously understand how busy he can be, but I suddenly feel left out. This is a party, and work should stay aside for now.

Glancing around, I realize Isabel is watching us closely.

The other girl is no longer with her. Before I can look away, I see the girl.

In Ryan’s arms.

Wow!

She must be the princess.
The ringing sound of Vince’s phone makes me jolt back to reality.

He stares at the screen of his phone for a second before picking up and leaving without excusing himself.

A waiter walks by with a drink, and I signal to him before grabbing one.

Like the other party, I don't know what this party is about. And I can't make out any meaning or any faces aside from Ryan’s and Isabel’s.

I haven't seen Vince’s mom, and I hope she isn't here tonight.

Perhaps, she is absent because she knows Vince will be here, and she doesn't want to see him because of what happened the last time she visited.

Even though I was insulted, I wasn't fine with how he treated her, and I heard he once hit her. I have been meaning to talk to Vince about it, but I haven't gotten the perfect timing to do that.

He is always busy with one thing or the other.

With the tension about the impending attack still heavy on everyone, I believe he will be this busy till it is over, which I hope will be soon.

I savour the smell of the fruity wine before taking a sip. It tastes as nice as it smells.

“Enjoying your evening, princepate?” Isabel shows up, slumping onto the seat where Vince was in a while ago. She leans backwards and drapes a leg over the other stylishly. With a smile, she demands again. “How is married life?”

A burst of genuine short laughter leaves my mouth. “Marriage is fine. Not a bed of roses but pretty sweet.”

I wink at her, and her smirk vanishes.

I watch her fume as I take another sip of the wine.

This isn't what I envisioned about my perfectly planned marriage life, but it isn't bad.

Vince and I are civil with each other. We might not be best of friends, but I would choose this over a cheating, lying bastard.

“Poor thing,” she scrunches up her face before grabbing my glasses of wine and downing everything in one gulp. “It's so sad to see how blind you are falling into this trap you call marriage. Vicente doesn't do love, I hope you know. He hates the thought of love and I am sure he can never love you. You look like someone who is love deprived but sorry, Vince can't give you that, ok?”

“If he can't, then who will?” I retort back sharply.

“Sadly, no one because you are not worth it. Just like how Ryan dumped you for someone worthy of being called a wife, I am sure Vince is going to do the same pretty soon. Till then, enjoy your so-called marriage life,” she rises up to leave, but I stop her with a lift of my finger.

“I see Ryan must have told you about our history. Sad, isn't it? Sad for him I mean. But good for me because if he didn't dump me like you said, I wouldn't have met a wonderful, sweet lover like Vicente, would I?” The scowl returns back to her face. “You think I don't regret dating that asshole? He can go to hell for all I care. I ought to be worried about his girlfriend but surprisingly, I am not, probably because she is friends with a bad bitch like you.”

“Don't you dare call me that!”
“Don't you dare think you can trample upon me like you want. I am Vince’s wife and that means you have to respect me as that!”
I hear a clicking sound, and my heart jumps into my stomach.

Are there paparazzi around, or is this just someone from the crowd recording this confrontation and hoping for a fight?

Instantly, her eyes light up, and I turn slowly to see Vicente coming back in with another guy behind him.

She leans down as if to whisper into my ears, but her words are audible enough for the person next to me to hear. “Vicente will never love you, Annette Vasquez. He is only using you and when he is done, he will come for me. If you think this is bullshit too, then try to make him fall in love with you.”

“What are you doing?” Vince’s tone is filled with anger. Isabel leans upright, her smile so bright one could mistake her for a good girl.

“Hi Vince,” she waves at him shyly, making me wonder why I felt intimidated by her the first day we met. Right now, she looks like an immature teenager begging for love.

Vince doesn't reply to her as he averts his attention back to me. He takes long strides past her and stops in front of me.

When he leans down, my breath hitches until his lips touch mine, and a victorious beam spreads across my expression.

And I kiss him back with the same fervour.