Vanessa Tigress!.........

"... George Reginald Cruz!, Do you take Vanessa Tigress?!..." The Clergy looked at me in surprise

I looked up and my gaze met George's and he was....smiling.

"Yes!, Tigress!." He said to the Clergy and I could hear everyone's murmur

"What the heck?!" I thought to myself

"Very well then!, George Reginald Cruz,Do you take Vanessa Tigress Fisher as your lawfully wedded wife?!" The Clergy asked

"Yes....I Do....I Do...I Do!" George said

"Vanessa..." The Clergy said but I cut him off

"You don't have to add the Tigress...." I said awkwardly and gave George a deadly stare

"Vanessa Fisher, Do you take George Reginald Cruz as your lawfully wedded husband?!" The Clergy asked

"I Do...I Do...I Do!" I said

That was it, that was my last chance of getting out of this.....I don't even know what to call it.

"Is there anyone who thinks these two shouldn't be joined in a holy matrimony?!, Speak now or forever remain silent" The Clergy asked

I looked around to see if anyone would stand. I knew it was wrong but I secretly wished someone would stand to oppose this death trap!. I looked at my Dad and Mom cladded in designer brand clothes! But then none of them stood up. Right?!, George spent a lot of money on the wedding gown, it'll be a waste if anyone were to stand anyways.

"Well then ,in absence of none...I now pronounce you Husband and Wife!. You may kiss your bride!" The Clergy said with a tone of finality.

"Whhhhaaaaaaaattttt!" Was all my brain could scream

I looked at George and the only message my face was trying to convey was " Are we really doing this?!"

George didn't seem bothered about this but I was freaking out!. There was no way he'll actually expect me to kiss him and that too here?!....In front of all these people?!.

George's face was getting closer and I knew I had to do something. Should I fake a stomach ache or faint!."Vanessa think!....."

As his face itched nearer and closer to mine, I closed my eyes and when his face got close enough to kiss, I turned my face and his kiss landed on my cheek!.

"That was unexpected!. How the fuck did I do that?!. I'm a freaking genius!" Those were the thoughts flowing in my head as I smiled to myself

I looked at George and he was.... Smirking?!. Is that a smirk?!.....Was that what he was expecting?!. The guests!...

I looked at everyone sitting and they had the unbelievable expression on their face. I turned my head and Bianca's gace met mine and she was.....hurt?!. This marriage must've been a big deal and now what?!.... The kiss just explained the fact that we weren't actually in love with each other. I know George said I shouldn't try to prove anything to anyone and that I should just be natural but what have I done?!. And he still has that annoying smirk on his face...God Damn It!.

I threw cautions to the wind as my hand went swiftly to his collar and I pulled him in for a kiss. I knew he must've been surprised by my actions but he still managed to smile admist the kiss. His hands wrapped around my waist and he drew me closer like he was trying to fill the little space left between us. The world around me went silent and I admit I got lost in the moment but I soon ran out of breath and the cheers from the guests brought me back to my senses. I pulled away from the kiss but his hands were still wrapped around my waist. He came closer and whispered into my ears

" You really are full of surprising features Tigress!." He said

"I know right?!.....Maybe I really am a Tigress!" I thought to myself

I walked up to my parents when George left to greet some of his guests. My Dad pulled me in for a hug and I couldn't help but roll my eyes.

"You did well!" He said and then I gave off a fake smile

"Vanny baby...!" My mom called

"Please spare me the fake pleasantries!" I thought to myself

"Mom...I've missed you!" I said and gave her a hug

"Same here honey. Samantha sends her greetings. You know I'm starting to think this marriage wasn't a bad idea after all....I mean look at you,you're literally glowing!. I couldn't even recognize you at first!. I guess Mr. Cruz is treating you well huh....I just hope you do not become an ungrateful bastard and forget your roots..." My mom started off but my dad stopped her midway

"Enough!" He said and looked at me with pity.

"How are you holding up?!, It must be really hard for you right?!" He said and I could sense the pain in his voice.

"Pa.....you do not have to worry, I'm doing good..."

"Of course I'm not!" I thought to myself

"George...is a really nice and caring guy...."

"Yeah, except he's a complete dick head!" I thought to myself

"Hmmmmmmn!" My dad said

"You should really thank him for us,you know he bought a new house for us and opened a supermarket and mall for your mom!" My Dad said with a smile

"Wait, He did?!" I asked with widely opened eyes

"Yeah, didn't he tell you about it?" My dad asked

I looked at George and he was having a good chat with his Investors. I knew a lot of advantages were attached to being his In-law but isn't it too early?!....

"Well No! He didn't tell me anything about it. You know it's being really stressful and busy ever since I came here so he must've not had the time to tell me but that's great news Pa.... congratulations!." I said with a smile

"And it's only possible because of you baby!. Always remember that whenever it get too hard and you feel like you can't take it anymore,you can always come back home,ok?!" He said

"Yes pa,I'll come visit you one of these days" I said and gave him a tight hug.

I left my parents and walked up to George. I needed to thank him for his help but isn't a mall and supermarket too much for my Stepmom. I got to where he was chatting with his friends and carefully tapped him

"George...can we talk?" I said with a smile

"Well if it isn't Mrs. Cruz!" One of his friends said and the other just laughed

"Hi everyone!" I said with an awkward smile.

I didn't know whether to bow and just wave but then I had to be natural so let's keep it natural.

"Hello there.....I'm Francis... Francis Romano!" He said

"Wait...The Francis Romano?!" I said with wide eyes

"Yeah?!" He replied with a confused smile.

"Oh My Goodness!...It really is you!" I said with a wide smile

"In the flesh!" He said and smiled

"Well.....I am your biggest fan.....like I've watched all your shows and what's that thing you always say again?...." I said trying to remember

"Smile no matter what you're going through,hell or heaven!" We both said it and then laughed

I extended my hand for an handshake but then he pulled me in for a hug instead.

"Ohk..... we're hugging!. Is this right?!" I thought to myself 'cause I knew George was right beside me but he wouldn't mind,would he?!. It's not as if we're in love or anything". I thought but then.....

"Francis?!" George's deep voice called out

"What?, she's a fan!" Francis said as he finally pulled away from me.

"Careful,my world was in your hands!" He said and I couldn't help but blush

He took my hands and pulled me away from the guests

"Hey slow down....What are you doing?" I asked him when he finally stopped walking

"You wanted to talk!..." He said

"Oh right,I totally forgot about what I wanted to say...Oh ok...My parents!" I said

I didn't know what to tell him all I knew was that I wanted to ask him about the mall.

"Your parents?....." He asked

"Yeah...." I started but I didn't feel like it was the best place to start a discussion so I decided to say something else.....Anything.

"They're leaving!" I said

"Ohk.....Should we go and say our goodbyes!"

"Ewwwwww.....No!.....They're not dead-yet!" I said and fondly pushed him with my hands

"Yet?!" He said

"Yup,greeting them goodbye shouldn't happen now don't you think?!" I said

"Hmmmmmn,I agree. Not now" He said and then silence followed.

It was getting really awkward and I couldn't bring up any topic even when they were a million things going through my mind.

"You really surprised me earlier..." He said "Earlier?!" I asked

"Yes,the kiss!" He said with a smirk

"Oh that.... It's nothing actually. I did that because I felt sorry about turning my cheeks and because I didn't want to draw attention or rumours about our marriage. Bianca's expression wasn't quite great so I just went all in for it. Don't think I did it because I wanted to ok?!.....I did it because I had to!." I replied

"That was quite an explanation Tigress!" He said and started walking closer. He raised my cheeks with the tip of his finger and brought it closer.

"What are you doing?!" I asked nervously

"Confirmation!" He said

"Confirmation of..." I stopped talking when his lips landed on mine.

He kissed me slowly and gently but it felt like he was actually licking my mouth wall.

"Mmmmmmmm" The moan came out of no where and I was shocked so I pushed him away.

"Strawberry?!" He asked

"What?!" I replied

"Your lips...strawberry!" He said while his eyes were on my lips

"Oh.....it's the cake" I replied with an awkward

"Ewwwwww guys, get a room!" Bianca said

"Oh we will!" George replied her

"Well I have to borrow sister-in-law for a while please... "She said and started pulling me along without waiting for a reply

"Where to?" I asked her

"To greet our Aunties.....Just so you know,George isn't really on good terms with them. But you don't have to feel pressured,ok?" She said with a smile.

I replied with a nod. As expected,the Aunties were really cool and sweet but they had a lot of questions.

"How did you meet George dear?!", "How did you manage to hold him down?!", "Or are you pregnant?!","When should we expect a baby boy or it's ok if it's a girl anyways!","What family are you from,are your parents Ministers?!". What could I have done without Bianca!, She's an Angel!.

I noticed Bianca's eyes were fixed elsewhere and she wasn't paying attention so I decided to ask

"If you stare too hard you might bore a hole in him sis inlaw" I said when I realized she was staring at a guy who was chatting with a bunch of girls

"That's exactly what I wanna do Sis!." She replied still staring at the guy

"Thats Arnaldo!" She said

"Oh,the snitch!" I said 'cause that was the first thing I could think of

Bianca turned her head and was now staring at me like she was ready to invoke a ghost

"That's Arnaldo, my Boyfriend!,and George's only friend I acknowledge!" She said proudly

"Oh....He's the lucky guy. Wait did you just say "acknowledge?!" I asked her

"Yup and then there's the witch!, Iyvonne!" She said with an irritated look

"Iyvonne?!" I asked her

"Yes, Iyvonne....." She said but then a lady suddenly answered her

"Did you call my name?!" The lady asked

"I told you she was a witch!" Bianca whispered

"Well nice to see you as well,I've been doing great ,thanks for asking!" The lady replied with sarcasm. I couldn't help but be amazed,she had this aura that screamed"Authority ". She was dressed in a simple long black gown that showed all her curves and shapes In the necessary places. What added to her beauty was her cat like and sleepy eye structure. Her Eyeball was grey in colour and her makeup was simple but classy.

"Waow,so she's The Iyvonne. She's pretty and rich; probably" I thought

"Hi,I'm Vanessa" I said when I noticed she was eyeing me from head to toe

"That's obvious honey. I was wondering what type of girl was bold enough to seduce the stone god!" She said

"I'm Iyvonne, George's best friend!" She said with a smile

"Best friend my foot!" Vanessa said quietly which made Iyvonne turn her head sheepishly towards her

"Well nice to meet you Iyvonne" I said and extended my hand for an handshake

She stared at me for a while before finally taking my hand. She pulled me in a for a hug and slowly whispered into my ears

"You smell nice;smells like George!" She said and then released me

"Iyvonne!" George called

"Honey!" Iyvonne replied

They smiled at each other before colliding in a hug. George gave her a peck and they exchanged pleasantries and then.....

"Tigress?!" He called and then came closer

His hands went around my waist,gave me a kiss and then said....

"Should we head home?,you haven't finished what you started last night!....."

Epilogue...

George went into the bathroom and found out she already dozed off and her head was buried inside the bathtub filled with water. He didn't know what to do 'cause he didn't want to invade her privacy so he tried waking her but she was sound asleep.

"Shoot,come on Vanessa,wake up!" He said while shaking her to see if she'll move but she wasn't moving

He dipped his hands inside the water and carried her out of the bathtub then carefully went to place her on the bed.

He just stood there and eyed her for about 30 minutes because he couldn't take his eyes off her body. He had to urge to explore every inch of her body but he had to restrain himself. He took a towel and covered her body but he was having a hard time turning her. He was finally able to turn sleeping Vanessa and she now had her face facing the bed and then suddenly,the sight of Vanessa's horrific scars took him by shock and he just stared at her back filled with scars,unable to move his leg!......