(◍•ᴗ•◍)✧*。

HOPE WELLINGTON

"..you may now kiss the bride?"

My heart stopped at that. I tried so hard to put it at the back of my mind. But kiss is an important subject in a wedding.

How will he kiss me? He doesn't love me. W..what if he refuses to kiss me? The dread was clouding me. The dread of rejection. I didn't know what should be done in such circumstances. I'd prefer he kissed me on the cheeks. Although onlookers will be disappointed but atleast he won't feel bad about it.

I cast my eyes down, feeling overwhelmed.

God save me! God save me!- I started repeating in my head, only to feel a hand on my face, and then the proximity of him surrounding me.

I was very much aware of Oliver's presence in his arms, but that made it more special. That kid means the world to me.

"Hope..", I hear him whisper which makes me look up at him.

Embarrassment alert!!
He's definitely not kissing me. Never in a million world..

And then in that very daze, I felt his eyes on me, and then the place where he meant to kiss. And it shocked me to the core, that the place was not my forehead or cheeks or nose but the very lips that quivered at the thought of him.

He leaned down a bit and placed a gentle but breathtaking kiss on my lips.

For once, I learnt what it is about the time stopping. It does. It really does stops when something of this kind happen.

"Thank you..", he whispered pulling me a little closer by my shoulders. God! What is this happening!?

What was the 'thankyou' for? For marrying him?

My eyes catched his obsidian ones and I feel something strange inside. It wasn't just love. For the first time in my life, I felt the motivation of having him to myself. To pull him close and never let him go.

My attention diverts when Oliver tucks at my veil, confused at the exchange between us, and the distasteful expression on his face.

Soon enough, he uses the little distance between us to lean forward and kiss my cheeks.

Even though my uterus did not produce him, I still feel my ovaries bursting at the sight of this little charmer. I kissed him too. And I swear I had never felt more complete in my life than at this moment.

*

My eyes snap open as the beautiful modulation of reality comes back in the form of a dream, and I find myself staring at the dark ceiling with dim lights at the corner.

I sigh. The unfamiliar bed will not let me sleep for a few days. And when I thought I was finally asleep, I was dreaming of that. I looked at the digital clock on the wall, only to find it was 3 am in the morning.

I felt a little shifting beside me and turned to look at the figure lying not so far, at the other end of the bed.

He may have acted like a perfect gentleman in the whole ordeal, but as soon as it was time to sleep, he came into his oh-so-typical David Wellington style. Roaming all around in just sweatpants can cause problems. If not for himself, then for the others living in the same house.

He offered to take the couch, but I refused. This is not a short term agreement but a huge ass marriage, where we have to live together. I can't let him sleep on couch. And about sharing a room? We didn't have to think much... because back in highschool, when my roommate used to abandon me at nights, and I had nightmares after my father's death that left me no option but to wake up whole night, he offered that he can be there.

Then also, he had a habit of sleeping without any upper clothes, and that habit continues till date.

So an agreement was deduced that we'd share a common bedroom and a bed. We are friends after all. What is wrong about sharing a bed with a good friend?

  - yeah. Nothing much.

Just that his Adonis like back was exposed to me, and i felt a strong urge to trace my finger on this fine greek sculpture like man, who also happens to be my husband now.

Huffing, I sat up and took the edge of the duvet, covering myself, as well as his back.

  - Lord save him from my eyes!

This marriage is going to be no easy task.

And I felt it the moment I saw those marital bed decorations all over this room. Thankfully, we both decided to ignore it, and when David went inside the washroom, I cleaned the majority and when it was my turn, he cleaned the remaining.

The awkwardness was real, and I hated it.

I stayed up till it was hard to open my eyes anymore, and slept when finally the tiredness overwhelmed me.

*

The next morning, when I woke up, the space next to me was empty. I was  tired and overwhelmed last night, but the morning brought calmness with it.

I decided to step out of the room after getting in terms with the new surroundings. The room, my room or more appropriately our room was a wood and black themed room that looked elegant yet rich. There was a couch across the bed, that had a closet door to its left and the washroom to its right. A medium sized chandelier hung in the middle of the room giving out the vibe of a royalty. One wall of the room had a huge window that was behind the curtains at the moment. Another wall, just adjacent to the bed had a transparent sliding door to the balcony. The curtains were drawn there too to restrict the sunlight. The balcony and the window were supposed to give a magnificent view of Rome, something I have loved to gaze at Erica's penthouse, which is just above this one.

I looked at the time to see it was nine in the morning. And I was reminded that David told me Jefferson would come at eleven to discuss the further course of action.

I got down the bed only to find myself dressed in my shorts and a shirt. It's appropriate enough to live with a man, especially when the man is my friend.

When I reached downstairs to the dining area, I heard some voices from the other direction. Following the voices, I went to see David, (bare from above!) trying to cook something.

I think he left the bed not long ago. He was still in the same pants as last night, and his hair was a sexy mess. I mean, David have always had prince hair, where his hair were a little longer and beautifully curved at the end. He sure tried another hairstyles which I personally didn't like, because this one was his natural and my favourite. His hair, right now was messed up, haphazardly sticking out, and god forbid, hot!

"Good morning Hopeless!", His voice halted my thoughts and I smiled, "Good morning Dave..."

His actions halt for a few seconds and he looked up from the pan, "You called me Dave after a century!"

I chuckled, "You complained about that before...so I decided to grant you a wish."

He rolled his eyes, "Oh kind lady! Here have some caffeine...you look exhausted.."

I nodded, "I couldn't sleep till late.."

"Why? Were you eye raping me?"

Yes. I was.

I chuckled to hide my discomfort at being caught, "So much self obsession.."

Soon after, he came out with two plates of scrambled eggs and a coffee for me, "This is a welcome meal Hope. Welcome to my home and my life. And sadly you have to settle with this, because I can't force Eric to cook a meal so I could impress you."

I shook my head, "It looks wonderful. I know you can't cook like Eric, but you are still tolerable."

"Was that an insult?"

I grinned digging into the plate, "Yeah. It was."

Well, something about him was different from all those rich billionaire men who owned multinational companies. He could have easily given me anything as a welcome. The capitalist world has half of the world on their feet. And he was one of the most prominent. But this guy knows how to give meaning to the simplest of his actions. He's been rich from the start, but I came to know when I read an article about him in the newspaper when he finally took over. He is one of the most down to earth person in this world.

"I can postpone the meeting with Jefferson for tomorrow. You look exhausted.", He suggested with a concerned look on his face.

I sighed, "David the meeting is important. We have to attend Eric's birthday party tonight as a couple. We'd have to get our appearance look real for the court. And I am not exhausted. The wedding decision, rushed planning, and then yesterday, everything was just a little bit extra. I am not going to rest unless you get Oliver."

I mumbled the last line to myself but David was looking at me with an unexplainable emotion. I have promised him that I will be by his side through this. After all, that is the purpose of the marriage.

He nodded and called Jefferson to confirm the time.

*

"All luxury but no homey homey feeling."

Jefferson commented to which David scowled, "What do you mean?"

Jefferson looked around bored, "I mean one can tell the penthouse cost a fortune. The style, architecture, the themes, everything...but it doesn't look like a home of a newly married couple...."

He gets interrupted by David, "You expect used condoms disposed here and there..??"

The guy was irritated after the interruption, "...I meant to say a newly married couple with a one year old kid. The jury accesses every little detail. They'd look for family photos, scattered toys, and even used condoms."

I made a face to which Jefferson looked a little embarrassed while David smirked. This sneaky guy.

"Can we please have a little productive conversation. I mean... Jefferson we shifted here just yesterday. So it's bound to not look homey...but we can always include the stuff that is needed here. We can make it all look like a happy home."

He nodded and looked at David, "Finally someone sensible here...Well, today our concern is Eric's party. You both will arrive in the same car, and make sure to act all lovey-dovey before the media...so even when the news of your marriage reaches them later on, they get used to the idea of you both being together. Media is a force in the court. If there is an acceptance in the air about your wedding, the court will not be very much against it. I mean there are common people in jury who interact daily with social media and all. It is bound to influence your case."

Make-believe means pretending we are a happily married couple.

I looked at David to find him already looking at me. It is not going to be easy. And we were both aware of this.

"Also, drop hints of your marriage among the guests. People should get the idea that you are definitely way more than friends."

We had to agree with this. A part of me wished we didn't have to act not because it is difficult but because it was all real. I wished we had some ro...

"It'd be a task to make the act look real. Even though our family knows it all...but it'd feel strange to act like we are in love...when their is nothing of that sort."

I look away trying to hide my distaste at his words. Only if you knew. I wouldn't sacrifice my life if their was 'no love' between us. Even if it is solely from my side, there is still love present. But I knew I have to get used to this. To pretend like there is no love even when my heart is bursting with love for him, every moment I breath the same air as him.

I stood up taking my phone, "Don't worry...we'd manage it all. Now guys, I'd go with Erica to get my dress."

And with a steel heart, I left the place.

*

(◍•ᴗ•◍)✧*。

"David! Please help Eric...otherwise he will have my head for leaving the kids with him. I have to get my hair done. Please please pwease!", I could literally see her pouting to convince me.

I rolled my eyes, "I get it now why sisters are annoying. I will go to them. "

"Aww! You are the best big brother in the whooooole world.", Her attempts at buttering me were commendable. Not that they were working.

I stood up picking up my jacket from the couch, "Hope is with you?"

"Yes yes!", I hear her voice on the phone, "We both have to get ready. I'd ask Stephan to deliver your suit at our penthouse. You only have to help Eric in taking care of the kids, feed them, make them sleep, and get them ready for the party. We'd come before  you leave for the party."

"Okay okay...now leave before I change my mind."

I locked my penthouse and took the elevator to Eric's. Jefferson left few minutes ago, and I was only sorting out some papers when Erica called.

I used my card to enter the penthouse when my little shit came in front of me, "Dadda!!!"

My heart melted at the sight of him and ofcourse the fact that he called me Dadda. Only strengthening my resolve to have him near me. I went forward and picked him up, hoisting him up in the air which made him giggle loudly.

"Dadda...papa...buttay...appy...appy..buttayyy!", He told me turning back to point at the figure behind him who was no one but the asshole.

He had Eve in his arms and a spatula in another, looking at me with a scowl.

Oliver's broken words were enough to tell me he is informing me about his Papa's birthday, which I very well knew. But ofcourse I ain't wishing him.

I saw him coming forward and then signalled me to take Eve, "Your sister called you here...so it's only necessary you take her child's responsibility. I am going to cook."

"Oh! My sister had sex alone to make her child. Didn't she?!"

He smirked, "You wouldn't want to know the details Dick!"

I almost gagged and threw him a disgusted look before taking both kids with me to the couch. The two were hyperactive. Not they are not normally.

I kissed my niece on her tiny head and she smiled lazily. When her so called cousin saw me doing that, he too pulled me to his level and kissed Eve on her cheeks.

God! This little poop!

"You have to kiss every girl that I kiss? Don't you!?"

He grinned as if he won a trophy. This guy definitely loves to vex me up. Like the 'Papa' he's been growing up with.

Few minutes later, I heard Eric's voice from the kitchen, "Even though I'd like you to die from hunger, your sister would have my head if I let you. So bring the kids along with your starving ass."

"You are so kind Mr. Asston. I swear your each syllabus has a coat of honey around it."

I took both kids and settled them on the high chair. Eve wouldn't eat with us, though a bottle of breast milk was prepared for her. She needs to be fed.
Oliver settled on his seat and I tied his penguin bib around his neck.

His whole grain meal was prepared and placed before him. He definitely made faces at it, so Eric added few choco chips to it to lure him.

I settled beside Eve, to find the world famous Lasagna by Eric. Something I would kill to eat.

The guy is an ass. Particularly to me at the moment. But he can have me on my knees at this moment in exchange for this lasagna. Back then, he didn't cook much. But when I begged him alot, he used to cook on my birthdays or whenever he lost a bet.

If I didn't know better, I'd think this is a peace making gesture by him. To cook my favourite. On his birthday.

I began eating and felt myself being glared at.

"Isn't your Dadda a douchebag??", He cooed at Oliver who nodded in response.

I rolled my eyes, "What do you want?"

He smirked sitting back on his chair, "The least you can do is thank me for the food."

"Thank you? For what? And since when did you start giving legitimacy to the word?"

"Since you stopped blasting my ears with your goat like voice singing a happy birthday song for me.", He said and I swear I saw something flicker in his eyes. Like he was sad. Vulnerable.

What was he sad for?

It is because of him that I and Hope had to marry. That Oliver is stuck in a court case. That I can lose my son.

Just remembering how three lives were at stake just because of his ego issues, left my mouth with a distaste. It hardened me from inside. I don't care. I don't fucking care. If I had distorted our friendship, he fucking destroyed it.

I didn't look up at him. I didn't want to. Though I heard him sigh loudly as if he was waiting for a reply.

But I had only one thing to say.

Fuck you Eric!

*

I finished cleaning the dishes and removed my apron to go back to the kids who were with Eric right now.

"Okay! So say it as I do...okay Oli? And Eve..you pay attention here..", I see both kids looking at him attentively.

"Business is an art..."

"...tart!!", Oli yelled in repetition.

"...and you just need to be your real self!"

"..pelp!!"

Eve looked at Oli and her father, and clapped in approval.

"Let them first learn how to clean their poop."

The busy man turned to look at me and then scoffed, "There is no age to learn something."

I went and sat beside the kids, looking down at Eve who was looking back at me, "Your Papa is the shittiest man on the face of the earth."

Like usual, she clapped at my declaration making that scumbag glare at me. The satisfaction to insult him before his daughter was immense.

My phone pinged in my pocket and I looked at it only to find it a text from Hope, "My dress is velvet red."

She told me this to match my tie or pocket square with her. Jefferson said it would give out more 'couplish' vibes. If that is even a word.

*

I rubbed my head which was already starting to ache. I saw Eric across me taking deep breaths to regain energy. These kids do some drugs that we aren't aware of.

"Olive baby! We still have an hour before mumma comes. So why don't you take a nap like the good boy you are.", Eric explained as well as requested.

Oliver, who was standing before me with his baseball bat, looked at Eric bored and then back at me, "Daddaa...balll!"

I picked up the ball beside me and lazily threw it in his direction only for him to wave his bat in the air like he's scoring some home run.

I rolled my eyes and laid back pretending to sleep, "Eve is sleeping. I am also going to sleep like a good boy. Oli is a bad one today."

He looked at me, not liking being called a bad one again and again. Lazily, he dropped his bat and came forward to the edge of the couch pulling at my shirt.

I peeked open one eye and looked at him.

"Goo boi Oli...sweep!"

"You want to sleep?", I asked.

He nodded and forwarded his hands beckoning me to pick him up.

I smiled internally and picked him up and laid him on my chest. He was so small that my chest and torso were enough for him.

"Sleep now. Good night."

He looked at me with those black eyes, no trace of sleepiness anywhere.
Anytime he has slept beside me, it was always by mistake. I don't know the technique of making him sleep. But he really holds the expertise to put me to sleep effortlessly.

"Pat his back slowly and hold his head.", I heard Eric's voice and looked at him surprised that he would help me put my son to sleep.

Isn't he the one pulling me to the court to prove my incapability to raise my son?

He was looking elsewhere, laid back and eyes closed.

Oliver squirmed in my arms making me look at him, and I do as I was instructed.

Soon enough, I see him going limp and then finally closing his eyes to sleep.

This kid can be a handful one. He has destroyed his playroom and also the sitting area. His toys are scattered all over. And in the course of three hours, he has been changed twice because he wanted to drink from a glass, and then smeared himself in his baby food.

I thought Eric is regarded as the ideal father, but he himself was on the verge of crying.

*

Wearing the blazer above the black shirt made me feel confident. Some people are just born beautiful, like the one in the mirror right now.

Smirking to myself, I adjusted my pocket square that supposedly matches with Hope's outfit. Fixing my hair for the one last time, I turned to leave the room when Erica came in front of me.

"Remind me what number of blue dress is this?"

She sighed, "Some fifty thousandth."

"He's a dictator.", I mused as she came forward to fix my collar, "...you should not let him tell you the colour of clothes you wear."

"And how come you become a feminist today?", She asked chuckling.

"No! I only want him to get irritated."

"Knew it.", She dusted off the invisible dust from my shoulder, "Now you look like a handsome man!"

I smirked, "I was born handsome. You must have been a blind all your life to see this now."

She rolled her eyes, "If I were a business women, I would never associate with snobs like you and Eric. Now go! Hope is downstairs because Oli refuses to let her go."

I shook my head, "Why don't you tell him I'd be incest now??"

"Go David Go!"

*

My steps literally faltered down the stairs when my eyes fell on the figure dressed in velvet red, from top to bottom. Being hugged tight by the dress, at all the right places and her left leg totally exposed to the eyes of this oh so pervert world.

What perfect curves!!

And the red bangs tied in a bun just...Fuck!

This is Hope!- I chided myself.

This is my wife..- came a small voice from within which completely unnerved me.

Oliver was in her arms, dressed in his own clothes and holding her face in his hand looking at her like a kid admires a doll.

Our eyes met when I reached the last step and I only passed a small smile, before making a beeline for the kitchen.

Have some water. Calm your nerves. This is Hope. Your friend. Who trusts you. Trusts you to look at her the right way.

I gulped two glasses of water and closed my eyes for a second.

Breathing in and out, I left the kitchen and came out to see all ready to leave.

"We'd be taking Oli and Eve. And you both come together.", Erica instructed us probably aware of what Jefferson proposed.

I nodded, "Let's leave Hope."

I left before anyone and I could hear her steps behind me. Once we were in the elevator, she looked at me with concern, "Are you okay? Any problem?"

Well, the lips were too coloured in some dark red shade, that attracted my attention the moment they moved.

Fuck you David! Calm your tits!

I nodded, "All good. I just don't want to mess it up." Nothing is good. You look like a last piece of meat right now, I'd ravish on this very elevator.

I shook my head, and stood at the corner most position, trying to maintain maximum distance between us.

She was observing me. I was probably behaving strange. But it was better strange than insane.

(◍•ᴗ•◍)✧*。