Wife for Hire

Chapter 4

(Karmen)

I was making a mistake, was my thought as I walked down the aisle. The dress was beautiful and so was my hair and make up, I looked like a different person. Joe walked into the room I was getting ready in and walked right back out thinking that he had the wrong church. There was a sinking feeling in my gut all that morning and the night before, wondering if I was doing the right thing, but I was constantly reminding myself that I didn't have a choice. Marcus hadn't contacted me since he broke into my house, but I didn't want to chance it any longer.

Joe walked me down the aisle and gave me away, he even kissed me on the cheek before letting me walk up the stairs. The most affection he'd ever shown me without some curse words being involved. The pastor said his opening lines and I'd honestly begun to tune him out, my thoughts were too loud. This was happening, this was really happening. I looked down at the ring on my finger and that proved to me that this was real. I was really getting married to a man that I didn't even know.

"Do you Jason Aldridge, take Karmen Denise Winston to be your lawfully wedded wife to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?" He looked at me and smiled a smile that I knew was fake, but from the look on the faces of the people in the crowd, it seemed real.

"I do." He said tears falling as if on cue.

"Do you, Karmen Denise Winston, take Jason Aldridge to be your lawfully wedded husband to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?" I looked at Jason then at my cousin and Maxine, I thought of my mother and how disappointed she would be if she found out I married for money. Joe was nodding his head at me, mouthing the words 'do it', but there was a face that caught my attention. A man on Jason's side, with salt and pepper hair and his blue eyes. He was staring at me, disapproval written on his face, but also a small smirk at my hesitation. He raised his eyebrows as if teasing me for pausing. Jason was squeezing my hand.

"I do." I choked out. The pastor smiled widely and clasped his hands together.

"With the power invested in me, I pronounce you husband and wife! You may kiss your bride!" Jason lifted my veil and for a moment he paused, his eyes a statement of shock and then he was lifting his hand to wipe away a tear. I hadn't even realized I was crying, to everyone else it looked like a sweet gesture between two love birds that were extremely happy to be together, but the look in his eyes held no guilt, no regret, as he leaned in to kiss me.

(Jason)

We left the church, I was smiling, not because I was married, but because of the annoyed look on my father's face as he realized that I had won. Karmen on the other hand, looked like she wanted to puke. I just hoped she could make it to the reception.

We hugged our guests on the way out and got into the limo that was waiting outside the church for us. I opened the door for her before waving at everyone, including the paparazzi that showed up to get Aldrige corporation's heir finally settling down. I climbed in and smiled triumphantly at her. I had won.

(Karmen)

Once that business was done we went out to entertain our guests and for once out of this whole wedding day, I was smiling. I had convinced myself on the ride over that I was doing the right thing. I didn't have to worry about my mom anymore and Marcus, I could finally pay Marcus back as well.

Once we made it into the reception hall we were directed into a private room where Jason and I were to sit together and eat dinner. They'd brought us big plates of food and a bottle of wine, the idea was a sweet one, giving the bride and groom some time alone before anyone was able to come in and interrupt any special moments. I stood once the staff left and began pacing around the room. Convincing myself that this was all fine, it was a lie, It wasn't true, it wasn't okay either. My mom would kill me if she knew about this and Marcus, who knew how Marcus would react.

"Karmen chill, it's not that big of a deal." I scoffed. Jason had obviously never grown up having financial issues, so he didn't understand how hard this would be for someone like me. The sudden shift in my life. I hadn't even been able to tell my mother and that's what was hurting me the most. The door opened and Derek walked in smiling at the both of us. He went over and did that bro shake thing that guys do and then came over to me and opened his arms, asking for a hug. I nodded and allowed him to hug me, before awkwardly patting him on the back. He ushered me back over to the table and sat us down.

"I came by with the contract so the two of you could go ahead and sign for me, also to congratulate the both of you on your marriage." Jason beamed at the second part and took the pen from Derek, he began signing in all the places that Derek pointed at and then handed the contract over to me. I looked it over again and everything looked fine until I ran across a clause that hadn't been there originally.

"Karmen Winston has to do whatever Jason Aldridge desires?" I said looking at him as if he was crazy. He smirked and my eyes narrowed at him. What kind of clause was this. I looked over at Derek and he winced, looking away from me.

"You knew about this?" I said he nodded.

"Yeah, I tried to talk him out of it." He said, sending a glare over at Jason. They were silently communicating.

"Look, this is still, in a sense a job, I hired you to be my wife and you are going to be my wife for a year. I can't have you thinking that you can run around doing whatever you want. Besides Kare bear, we're already married, back out now and the contract is null and void." Jason said with a sickly sweet smile on his face. I frowned, what was I supposed to do now? We were already married, we'd already said our 'I do's' I couldn't turn back now.

"Fine." I grumbled, but then smirked as I thought of my own condition. "As long as you follow my new condition as well." I said writing it in myself and then initialing all the other spots Jason had signed. I slid the contract back over to him and he looked at it, his eyes and smile going from triumphant to annoyed and frustrated. I laughed at the sudden change. Derek walked around the table to see what I had added and let out a loud guffaw of laughter.

"I'm not doing this. Jason can't have any relationships outside of our marriage? He is to treat it like the real thing and if he is to get caught cheating, he will pay Karmen Winston her 1 million immediately followed by divorce?" He said shaking his head and pushing the contract away. I smiled and took a sip of my wine.

"Aww Honey, we're already married, back out now and the contract is null and void. Besides, I was nice enough to give you a discount." He seemed to fume at my words then and I shrugged. Don't dish what you can't take. I thought. He begrudgingly signed the papers and then handed them back to Derek, who was still very amused with my power play. He stopped and whispered something in Jason's ear and let out another loud laugh before leaving. The satisfaction of winning this round still didn't ease the worry and guilt that weight on my heart.

We left the reception late that night and went straight back to Jason's home. Scratch that, Jason's castle. I climbed out of the limo, still in my dress and walked to the door and let him unlock it. He ushered me inside and closed the door behind him.

"Home sweet home." He said as we walked further inside. He began walking upstairs, I wasn't sure of what I was supposed to be doing so I stood in the foyer like an idiot.

"Well aren't you coming?" I nodded and began following him upstairs, I hadn't thought about or worried about what our sleeping situation would be and considering I never slept in the same bed as another guy, I was pretty nervous.

"This is your room." He said as we stopped in front of a door and pushed it open. It was painted a nice lavender with a white bedspread and furniture. It was beautiful. "Well that was your room, but since I'm to treat this like a real marriage, we'll be sleeping together darling." I shook my head.

"That wasn't what I meant." He pulled me out of the room and began pulling me to the room that I assumed we would be sharing.

This room was nothing like the room that he showed me before. His bed had navy blue sheets and a black comforter, there was a walk-in closet and his own private bathroom connected to the room. Inside the bathroom there were two sinks, one for me and one for him I guess.

"Get changed sugar stick, we're going to bed."He winked at me and began dropping his pants. I squealed and ran into the bathroom slamming the door behind me.

This was going to be a lot harder than I thought it would be.