Becoming Mrs Donovan

Lola played a game. A game she considered dangerous. And she knew it was going to fuel Max's ego, he was just the type to feed on such things. But what she did had to be done. And it was kissing Max back, returning the same energy as the passion he used to kiss her. 

And the only reason she did was because of a staff peeping at them. From her peripheral vision, she was able to catch the sneaking figure of a staff, hiding most of her body behind the wall while taking a peek into the dressing room. It was exactly at that moment Max decided to kiss her, and she knew if she behaved oddly by pushing Max off her, it would create a suspicious story for the peeking staff, so she had to play along. 

She had to give a show. And she succeeded. Because the staff bought it. 

But now, she was facing the man she would be marrying in two days telling her that she forever belonged to him. 

Those words infuriated her. But she knew she couldn't act however she wanted or say whatever she really wanted to say as they were in a public place, where people were watching them, and probably listening in on them.

"All of this isn't your fault. So I won't take out my anger on you." Lola whispered to Max's face, "But you should really learn how to compose yourself in public, people are watching us. Or are you beginning to fall for me so badly that you can't hold yourself back from kissing me? This is the second time you would be forcing a kiss on me." She pointed out, and a proud smile graced her lips. 

She knew she cornered him. He would have expected her to react angrily, but her words left him surprised and a little flushed. It caused her to chuckle. 'Two can play this game'. Lola thought to herself as she turned around to face the mirror to continue admiring the most expensive things she had ever worn in her entire life. 

"Hey," Max called, walking to stand in front of her, "I am nowhere close to falling for you. Don't even start getting such an idea." He quickly refuted. Lola shouldn't be catching on to how irresistible she is becoming to him. 

He was the only one feeling their soul bond because he was the cursed one. The hex of the witch was still running in his blood and entangling with his soul. And he couldn't wait for them to get married, to complete this invisible bond between them, so he could stop feeling this immense pull to her. 

He hated when his emotions overridden his rational thinking. He was a man of brain, not a man of heart. So this definitely can't continue. 

Lola let out a small laugh and replied, "Says the man who just kissed me. I should remind you what we truly are. Contracted partners. Nothing more, Max."

"But you also kissed me back. You didn't fight it. And that can only mean that you enjoyed it." Max argued, unwilling to accept defeat. 

"That's where you are wrong, Max. I only kissed you back because one of those staff was watching us. Probably wanted to satisfy her curiosity about why the richest bachelor was getting married in a rush. And I gave her the show that would quench any rumor from erupting. I was smart. You were foolish." Lola stated, feeling good that she was able to give Max the replies he needed to hear. 

She was not going to be a pushover wife. Just because he is a billionaire doesn't give him the right to keep treating her however he likes, or like he owned her. He hurt her in the past because she was a naive girl who was blindly in love. But she was no longer that Lola, she would not allow him to hurt her the same way he did before. 

She is grown now. And she had worked on herself. Even though money was a scarce item for her, it didn't hinder her from building her self-worth. 

"Just let us get married. Your smart mouth needs to be trained." He booed her nose cutely and stepped back. "The fact still stands, Lola. You belong to me now." He whispered into her ears then walked out of the dressing room. 

Lola watched his retreating figure, a sigh escaped her lips as her chest heaved with a bit of anxiety. When it comes to Max Donovan, she could never guess what to expect. And talking to him made her heart accelerate more than usual. She wasn't sure if it was because of the painful past, the thrilling present, or the unknown future. 

Whichever it is that is causing her heart to beat rapidly, she doesn't like it. 

And she hoped it subsided before their wedding day. 

The rest of the day went by so fast. Lola went back to the hospital, and she was finally able to explain everything to James, her brother. She let him understand every nook and cranny of the contract she signed, and also what to expect from an arrogant billionaire like Max. The only thing she kept from her brother was the past she shared with Max. 

James was still much younger and couldn't have remembered his sister's short-timed boyfriend. He couldn't remember that there was an incident in his sister's school that caused her shame and embarrassment. Lola was certain that if James knew about that information, he would be utterly against their marriage. And she couldn't have that happening. 

She needed her only family left to be by her side. And they needed the money. 

The following day, Lola awoke with a call from Max's personal assistant, Ethan. He told her a car was sent to get her. She needed to go through some beauty treatment today, and later on, she would be meeting the paid actor who would act as her father because her brother couldn't be present because of his health status. And she would also meet the bridesmaids who are also paid actresses to act as if they were the closest of friends. 

Everyone participating in the charade has signed a Non-disclosure agreement so that everything stays a secret. They also had a script to follow, so when the reporters that would be attending interviewed them, their stories would match. 

Everything was planned perfectly even if it was a rushed wedding ceremony. But with money, everything is almost possible. 

Max was extremely delighted when the morning of their wedding day came. He was close to being free from the bondage of a curse the old witch placed on him. He dressed up happily with the help of Francis' workers, the fashion designer.

The female workers were with an anxious Lola. They helped with dress, hair, and makeup. The reflection of herself in the mirror made her believe it was someone else. She looked divine. It was at this moment she accepted truly that money does make someone beautiful. 

She tried not to satisfy her curiosity of knowing the price of everything she was wearing. But when she saw the diamond earrings, she knew getting married to a top billionaire was no joke. She heard the maids helping her dress up whisper amongst themselves that she was a lucky woman. 

Max has created a profile for her. But even her new profile couldn't match Max's profile. He was a billionaire. And in her new profile, she is a millionaire. The stark difference was bold and clear. And no one dared to disrespect her. 

It was going to be hard getting used to being served by multiple people. It wasn't her life. She had always been the one doing the serving, not the other way around. But life has it that she was now going to be the one ordering people around. 

It felt daunting like she was going to make a mistake by doing the wrong thing or saying the wrong. Ethan, Max's personal assistant, had advised her to accept every gesture thrown her way because that was the life of wealthy people. And that is the life she is diving into by marrying Max Donovan. 

Soon it was time for the bride to walk in, and join her groom at the end of the aisle to exchange their vows. 

Her nerves wanted to misbehave, but she was able to chide them into order. Yet, the fear of messing up didn't leave her. What if she steps on her dress? What if she didn't look like a woman worthy of Max Donovan's status, and it caused people to gossip badly about her? What if she makes a mistake while exchanging the vows? 

She could feel sweat beading up in her back, beneath the expensive wedding dress. She knew she had to stop overthinking, and just retain her focus on the task at hand. And that was being the best bride for Max Donovan. 

The moment she stepped into the luxurious-looking hall where the wedding was being held, the man acting as her father hooked his arm with hers, and guided her down the aisle. 

A lot of eyes were on her, but she acted unfazed. It was planned to not invite a lot of people. But she could still guess there were about a hundred people in the hall. Twenty of them were reporters, and the rest were close business partners and friends. The usual "Here comes the bride" tune was being played by an old lady on the grand piano, close to where Max was standing and waiting for her. 

"This is it, Lola. You are going to become Mrs Donovan." Lola thought to herself as she stylishly scanned around the hall. Amidst the strange faces was one familiar face that brought a genuine smile to her face. 

Her brother was sitting amongst the guests, smiling at her. 

He thought he was not going to be here. But she guessed someone wanted to surprise her. And if that person happens to be Max, he has earned a point from her. Because seeing James made her happy, and not feel alone. 

Soon, she was taking careful steps as the man acting as her father handed her to Max, who took her hands with a proud smile. 

The guests maintained quietness except for the flashes of cameras by the reporters. This was a huge event. And they needed to cover everything. From the beginning to the end. 

"My bride looks so beautiful," Max said to her, and she gave him a smile.

 "My groom looks dashing," Lola replied. 

That was just a simple and courteous act for the camera and the officiator. 

The vows were shared, spoken delicately with heartfelt expression just as planned. 

"I now declare you husband and wife. Mr Donovan, you may kiss your bride, Mrs Donovan." The officiator declared, and the guests erupted into hollers and clap for the newlywed.

And Max Donovan kissed his new bride with a sweet and short kiss. A perfect act for the camera.