Every Rose has a Thorne (last chapter being redrafted & all editing being done)

Chapter 1

I can't believe this is happening....

The reality of the decision I have made has left me speechless. Literally speechless. And for those who know me, that alone is a sign of impending doom. Okay, so I might be a bit of a drama queen when it comes to my life, but you would be too if you were in my shoes.

I'm not sure why my trusted friends have let me sink this low. Couldn't someone have slapped me awake? Is that too much to ask?

I looked up at the beast of a man sitting opposite me at the table. I say 'beast' in the nicest way possible. He hasn't actually done anything beastly, but he looks at me as if he's about to pounce on his prey. Meeting his gaze, I felt my blood run cold as shivers ran up and down my spine.

I turned to the official who had signed off the marriage papers. The look in his eyes was a mix of pity and amusement. I wasn't sure what amused him more: my absolute disgust for the man who had signed his name under 'HUSBAND', or my signature in my maiden name. I am adamant about keeping my identity and not becoming Mrs. Thorne. I'm sure my new husband will have something to say about that as soon as all witnesses are out of sight, but I will not give in. I refuse to let him take another thing from me.

"Mrs. Thorne..." My husband's personal assistant, Mary, called to me as we all left the boardroom, "...will you be joining Mr. Thorne at Le Petit Paris for a celebratory drink?" I looked at her, reminding myself that his staff were not aware of the circumstances surrounding this marriage. They were on a need-to-know basis, and right now, they didn't need to know.

"Sorry, Mary, but I don't think I'll be joining Mr. Thorne. I still have a lot of packing to do and need to arrange for the landlord to collect my apartment keys as well. Oh, and please, call me Roxanne," I replied with a smile, hoping she didn't pick up on my lack of desire to be in the same room as her boss, my new husband.

"Mrs. Tho... sorry, Roxanne, Mr. Thorne is the landlord of the building you're renting from. I'm sure you won't be penalized for handing in your keys a day or two late," she said, trying to hide her annoyance at my lack of knowledge about Thorne Enterprises.

"Mary, I like to do things by the book, no matter who I'm married to. I do not wish to receive any special treatment. Please excuse me from the celebrations. I will be at the main house at 5 pm. Please ensure that a separate room is prepared for me in the meantime. I'm a light sleeper and need my own resting area. Thank you." I hate speaking down to the help, but I can't bear to be here any longer.

This building, this man, has taken away my dream of a big white wedding. My fairytale romance. Walking down the aisle to see the man of my dreams looking back at me, wondering how he got so lucky to be marrying me. Instead, I ended up with a boardroom table, an official signing off the marriage, and a death stare from my new husband. A farce of a marriage. A marriage for my parents' convenience and my new husband's pleasure at having a new plaything.

I rushed downstairs, avoiding the driver I knew had been sent to escort me back to my apartment. I slipped into the alleyway and came out behind the building. Hailing a cab, I fought back tears. Climbing in, and as soon as the door closed, I could no longer hold them in. All the day's decisions and their consequences rushed to the surface. The taxi driver, an old bearded man, bless him, looked at me and didn't harass me for an address. He just drove. He drove past the park, into the market area, peaceful happy places. I think he was trying to lift my mood, and it was working. I smiled at him, wiped my tears, and handed him my business card with my apartment address written on the back. I only noticed then that he hadn't switched the meter on yet, so this trip around town was on his own dime. Not mine. He punched in my address on the GPS and switched the meter on.

The trip to my apartment was quiet, pleasant. I thank my guardian angels for the lovely taxi driver who gave me a chance to release all the pent-up emotions. As we pulled up to the apartment building, I leaned forward to pay for the trip, making sure to add a sizeable tip. I'm glad I gave him my card; I'd like to be able to help him one day.

***NOTE FROM THE WRITER - All characters, places, businesses and news events are fictional***

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