chapter 4

Arielle Cowell Pov

After the charade was over I accepted my fate for there was no way I was going to pay back 10million without a job, I got dressed and the car took me to church everything went on smoothly without anyone realizing am not the real bride, not like I expected my family to be present but it still hurt they sold me out and could not even spare a second to see if am okay they hurriedly when to spend the money, the part I have been waiting for finally came

" you may now kiss the bride,"

I thought he will do a close-up but no he kissed me and that's when the church the media, and just everyone turn into an uproar fidgeting in the background but Gabrielle held my hand and led me towards the media the words that came out from his mouth the next second made me so proud of him

"Mrs. Arielle Adsence is my wife's name and from today onwards I won't tolerate any form of underlooking or disrespect towards her so the people responsible for it will have me to contend with, secondly miss Solange Aquila left her wedding in the last minutes I think she will explain best to the media.

'' Mr. Adsence, are you indirectly saying you married your new wife because you're scared of another public humiliation?

'' NO I have known her for a long time but I had to respect my mothers wish of marrying the one she thought was best for me and since it did not turn out well it's only right for me to marry the woman after my heart" I could not believe it but it made me happy.

The wedding went on well, the family of my Gabrielle is so angry with him his mother would have taken the option of calling the wedding off but from the little, I have seen about him the journalist from earlier was right,

Gabrielle married me because he is still terrified by the incident which took place 4years ago. I did a little research online and trust me the news is not the best but I won't force him. I will be patient with him while he is comfortable opening up to me.

I know this marriage is a marriage of convenience but I am willing to put in all my effort to make it work. I will discuss it with Gabriel when we get home. the wedding reception is just a business deal party for it is composed of only businessmen and women trying to gain a connection with everything going on I have little interest in the so-called things displaying on the stage so I head outside to the garden of the hotel to catch some fresh air,

As I walked past the swimming pool I could see a figure for a moment. I got scared but walking closer to the person I realized it's Gabrielle and realization suddenly hit me for he when missing amongst the crowd r like two hours so he has been here... I believe he needs some time alone so I quietly turn and start walking back

" Arie please can you keep me company" I heard him say in a shaking voice, it made my heart hurt to see him in such a vulnerable state, I turn back and walk towards him taking my sit close to him, I take off my hills and keep my feet in the cold water ...oh my god how refreshing we stayed silent for like an hour just enjoying the scenery and feeling each others heartbeat

" Am sorry for dragging you into my messed up life, I did not want to do it I guess I'm just too paranoid about the last wedding" he chuckles as he drinks more wine, Gabrielle let's go up to the room I think you have had enough to drink, it's well okay I've got you covered if you want to cry it out your free promise I won't tell, I smile as I tell him he can cry and he returns the smile and to be honest his smile is one in a billion he looks so good when he smiles, so let's go come on I will give you a hand I say as I stand up to pick up my hills and help him stand up I won't be surprised if he forgets everything by tomorrow morning he is so drunk.

As we reach the room I realize it's a honeymoon suite with all the roses and romantic stuff makes the moment awkward but Gabrielle seems not to care so relax a bit I pull him to the bed while I help him take off his suit and shoes while he remains in his underwear and pant I heard to the bathroom get a waiting towel, to clean him up so he can sleep comfortably when I return to the room Gabrielle was not on the bed I panicked for a while as I hurriedly drop the bowl on the bedside table and rush out only to find him drinking one of the wines which was used to decorate the room.

" Ariel come drink with me, the wine is good it will make you forget how miserable our lives are at the moment, come on"

he pulls me towards him and I stumble and land on his lap I try getting up but his grip around my waist is strong which makes me panic, I have never been engaging in sexual activities with any man, I try to loosen his grip but he is stronger than me, Gabrielle was not like this a while ago so what happened.

Gabrielle come I put you to bed you have had more than enough for today, I tried persuading him to get some sleep but his next words made me frighten

" Ariel I don't know what is happening but I feel so hot I can't control myself am trying my best but my failing, can you help me prepare a cold shower I don't want to force you against your will" I looked at him and all I had for him at that moment was admiration

I don't mind giving myself to him I am just worried he will misunderstand by tomorrow and he will hate me, as he loosens his grief over my waist he hurry up and run a cold bath for him but deep down am worried he will get sick, I come into the room and help him to the bathroom ones he was comfortable in the bathtub I step out to give him time to calm down,

I stayed in the room for two hours and there was no movement in the bathroom. I panicked. I became scared something had happened to Gabrielle so I barged in after knocking 3 times and got no response.

My heart bled when I saw the state of Gabrielle he was inflicting pain on himself, who does that I know he is too responsible to be the kind who is into drugs, he can't be into drugs ...no I don't believe it there has to be some other explanation, Gabrielle we can talk it over okay you don't have to hurt yourself it's not the right thing to do, tried persuading him to reason out with me

" hahaha, Ariel you're too naive to tell me if it's not the right thing to do then what's the right thing to do? Take away your purity no way… I can't, I won't be able to live with myself if something like that should happen so hurry up leave I can't control myself for too long, you can call my secretary to book you another room so you spend the night don't worry by tomorrow it will clear off"

but I am too stubborn to listen to him I can't leave him in such a state I wonder what's wrong with him .. Gabrielle what's wrong can you please tell me I can't leave you in such a state when I don't even know if you are going to be fine

"Am fine I did not have intentions of consummating my marriage with Solange but it seems she had other plans and if my guess is right then all the wine in this suit have been drugged and it is very strong she must have to spend a fortune to get this kind, so hurry up and leave I will be fine by tomorrow" no I won't leave you, you stood up for me in front of my family and the world so I won't leave you when you need me most… am ready … a. Re..ady to consummate our marriage

" you've got to be kidding right, which girl does this hurry up and leave it's going to hurt and I am not in control of my mind and acts now so I can't promise to go slow on you please listen to me and leave"

"Well if you won't listen then I will make you listen," I tell Gabrielle

I have never done this so I can only play along with the stories written in books and magazines, that's my last hope… I move closer to him.

I slowly take off my wedding gown not forgetting to let it slide down on its own and I step forward to him maintaining eye contact, and from the looks on his face he is trying very hard to fight the urge but I don't back off and boom he gives up.

Gabrielle charges towards me like a hungry lion after its prey and for a moment I wish I listen to him, the look in his eyes did not seem right I haven't spent much time with him but his eyes are one of his greatest assets I noticed for the first time we met and looking at same eyes now makes me scared, for they carry a frightening look.