chapter 23

"No one has ever said that marriage is easy. I vowed to be with you in sickness and in health, and I meant every word," I tell Tay, and a smile forms on his lips.

"You are stronger than you think," Tay says, and tucks my hair behind my ear.

"You will be the death of me, but I don't mind. You are worth it." My stomach flips with butterflies. He takes something out of his pocket.

"I got this made before I left," Tay says as he hands me a box. It's necklace with what I think it's his initial in the box and little diamonds on it.

"Can I?" he asks, and I turn my back. He flips my hair to the side and places the necklace around my neck. I touch the T and seconds later, kisses trail down my collarbone.

"In marriage things are unpredictable. If something or anyone threatens us, I want you to look at this, and remember—" Tay turns me around by my shoulders.

"That you are everything to me." Tay caresses my cheeks with his thumbs. For the first time in my life, I have nothing to say.

"I love it!"

"Can I ask for something else too?" Tay asks.

"Okay," I say, not sure if I want to know.

"I want you to come with me to a charity event," Tay informs me. My mind races; how much I hate them. I know it's for charity, but those things are boring as hell and on top of it, my mother will be there.

"Do I have a choice?" I ask, and a smirk forms on Tay's lips.

"To be honest, you don't have a choice," Tay says, amused.

"I will make it worth your while; I won't let my wife get bored to death. I Promise." Tay says and sits on the couch.

"I hope so." I glare at him, and he chuckles.

"Come here?"

We lay on the couch in each other's arms, listening to each other's heartbeats until my eyes burn to sleep.

"Help! The house is on fire!" a voice shouts, and I jolt awake to find Future switching the TV on with a cup of coffee in her hand.

I try to get up, but the pain at the back of my neck sends me back to a soft surface.

I should have known that he will wake up before me.

"Couldn't you have thought of a better way to wake me up?" I ask.

"Nope!" Future says popping the 'p'.

"You okay?" Future asks when she notices me rubbing my neck.

"Yeah, just a little pain in the back of my neck," I tell Future.

"Good thing your husband booked a spa for you," Future informs me.

"What?" I ask, confused.

"Tay booked a spa treatment for us. God knows how much I need some pampering," Future says and takes a sip from the mug.

"Where is he?" I ask, getting up.

"Work,"

"What time is it?" I ask.

"About ten-thirty." Future says.

"I'm hungry," I inform Future, rubbing my stomach.

"I know, there are pancakes on the kitchen counter." I make my way to the bathroom, take a quick shower, brush my teeth, and walk to my room. I dress up in shorts and a light blue dress shirt and pull my hair into a messy bun.

Future is sitting on the barstool, busy on her phone. I grab the plate with the pancakes and a glass of juice and sit across from her. My mouth waters at the smell of pancakes. I dig in and can't help but release a moan.

Future chuckles and I snap my head up. "What?" I ask. She places the phone down and looks at me with amusement.

"You know, you eat like a pig, but you look thinner than a needle. Where does all the food go to?" Future asks and I shrug with my mouth full.

"Whatever you are doing to get that body of yours, you need to share the secret, girl! I gained weight and I can't have that. I worked hard to get here." Future says with a bit of pain in her voice.

"What do you mean?" I ask.

"It's a long story.' Future says and as I am about to respond a knock is heard at the door.

"I will get it." Future makes her way to the door and I finish my pancakes.

I make my way to the lounge and find two stretcher beds and two ladies in white.

"Hi," I said.

"Go put this on." Future butt in before the poor girl can even greet me back. I roll my eyes and walk to the room and change into a towel.

The rest of the day goes by quickly and now it was time to get ready for the charity event.

"I have nothing to wear," I inform Future.

"That's why you have me," she says and opens her closet. She takes out a black silk dress that has silt at the side.

"It's my new design, and it will fit perfect on you." Future says, handing me the dress. I put it on and she was right. It looks good on me. It has a long slit that ends on my thigh, but a good one.

"Now shoes." Future hands me black heels that look like they are about four inches, and I groan. She styles my hair into a bun.

"Do I have to put them on?" I ask, hoping Future will change her mind and allow me to wear sneakers.

"Only those can do, missy. We don't want those paparazzi chopping your head off tomorrow now, do we?" Future says like my mother and a smile forms on my lips. I know she is right. They would kill to get Tay and I on the front page.

"Fine," I pout, and put the heels on.

"Now be a good girl and turn around for me?" Future demands and I oblige.

"Something is missing." Future pinches the bridge of her nose, thinking.

"I got it!" she exclaimed excitedly.

She takes out a black clutch purse and hands it to me.

"Now you are ready." as if on time the doorbell rings.

"Well look who rang the bell tonight!" Future exclaims as she walks out, and a smile forms on my lips. I look at my reflection in the mirror, then walk out.

Tay and Future haven't realised that I'm in the same room as them. Tay is in a black tux. I can only see his back. I clear my throat, and he turns around.

The room is quiet; Tay hasn't uttered a word to me.

"Well, this is the part where you say 'you look beautiful my dear wife'" Future hit his arm and Tay shakes his head as if he was in another world.

"Man!" Future and Nate will be the death of us all.

"Shall we?" Tay asks, offering his hand and I take it.

"Don't do anything I wouldn't do!" Future shouts as we walk out.

"I got it, Justice," Tay tells the young man. He nods and gets back to the driver's seat. Tay opens the backseat door and helps me in and gets in after.

He turns his head to look at me as the car moves. "You look beautiful," Tay says, and a smile forms on my lips.

"Thank you, you look handsome too."

****

The place is packed with paparazzi. Justice opens the backseat door for us and Tay climbs out and takes out his hand for me, and the paparazzi immediately jogs to us.

"Mr. Payne, how is married life treating you?" One asks, but Tay ignores her, and we make our way inside.

All heads turn at our arrival. The decorations are beautiful. Round tables, flowers and music and the place looks spectacular. Waiters are serving drinks. A man approaches us.

"I'm glad you made it, Mr. Payne, and thank you for offering us your building again this year to host this event," the man says while shaking Tay's hand.

"It's my pleasure, Mr. Walker," Tay says.

"This is my wife, Olivia Payne." Tay introduces me, and Mr. Walker kisses the back of my hand.

"Nice to meet you, Mrs. Payne. You look more beautiful in person." I blush, and Tay clears his throat.

"Right, I will see you soon?" with that he walks away.

"Something to drink?" Tay asks and I nod. He grabs two glasses of wine from a waiter, and we walk further in. He introduces me to some of his business associates, and so far, I am happy. But that didn't last for long as some bimbo walks to us looking all bitchy.

"If it isn't the great Tay Payne!" she says and kisses Tay on the cheeks.

"Melta," Tay says her name.

"It has been long since we got together," she says, touching Tay's arm, acting as if I'm not here, and murderous thoughts cross my mind.