I’ve spent the whole day in a daze. The reception had gone just as smoothly as the service. Alex has introduced me to his family and friends, the ones I hadn’t met before and while he did this, he’d never let me go. He’s different, I can’t put my finger on why, but I was sure of it. It’s in his actions, in his kisses and the looks he kept sending my way. He got pulled into a conversation about banking and I excused myself. I needed a couple of minute’s breathing space. I pulled away from him and saw his reluctance; he didn’t want to let me go. He raised my hand to his lips and kissed my palm setting my whole body on fire for him. I gave a quick smile to the man he was talking to and walked towards the toilets catching sight of Sofia my whole body grew tense. I hated that woman. Earlier she’d come over to give us her congratulations, the look of contempt she gave me was nothing new, but when she’d tried to kiss Alex on the mouth, I’d wanted to slap her face. He’d moved his face and presented his cheek to her but I hadn’t missed the way her lips had lingered on him before she’d pulled away. She drove me mad, especially when I knew she had something to do with the fake photos although I had no proof of her guilt, just a gut feeling. Why the hell was she here in the first place?
I took my time reapplying my lipstick and powder enjoying the quiet. The whole day although fun had been tiring, and it wasn’t over yet. I couldn’t hide away though; if I didn’t go back out there soon Alex would be in here looking for me. With a sigh, I walked out and back towards the room Alex had hired for us. I smiled at the people I recognised. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, they were laughing and joking and it made me feel like an outsider until I saw Jon. He was frowning and I could see he was upset. When I reached him at the bar, he took my arm and led me to an empty table at the back of the room. Before I could ask him what was wrong he spoke.
“Did you marry Alex because he’s blackmailing you?”
I stared open-mouthed. “Why are you asking that?”
“Answer the question Callie.” He ordered.
“Ok. No, I didn’t marry him for that reason.”
“And to think you almost had me convinced, especially at the church when I saw how he looked at you. You suck at lying Callie.”
I wanted to ask how he thought Alex was looking at me, but I couldn’t. I had to convince Jon. “I’m not lying.” My fingers were crossed behind my back and I wasn’t sure if it was because I was lying about lying, or if I was hoping Jon believed me.
He stared at me and I tried not to fidget giving myself away. “So he isn’t holding something over you to make you marry him?”
Come on Callie, time to act. “No, he isn’t. I married him because I love him.” At least that was the truth.
“And does he love you?”
“That’s a rather personal question don’t you think?” Alex asked from behind me making me jump. How long had he been standing there?
Jon tensed and faced Alex. “It’s not too personal when I’m worried for my friend. I want to know if you’ve forced her into this marriage.”
“Callie is my wife now. You have no rights what so ever to her, but she’ll be upset if we’re at odds so I will answer your question. Yes I love her and I did not blackmail her into marrying me. What possible reason could there be for me to do that?”
Jon nodded, but he didn’t look like he believed Alex. “I don’t know why you would blackmail her especially after all you’ve already done to her, but if I find out its true, I will make you pay. No one is untouchable, remember that.”
I looked at Alex and his fury was obvious, he didn’t like being threatened, but surprisingly he just nodded, not saying a word.
Jon stepped in front of me. “Call me if you need anything, anything at all sweetheart.” He kissed my head. “I have to go now; I find it hard to act happy for prolonged periods of time. Be happy Callie.”
“I will. I’ll call you.”
“Yes, you do that.” With a last warning glance at Alex he walked away. My shoulders drooped in relief. When I got a look at Alex’s face my tension returned.
“Where have you been, and why did Jon ask you that?”
“I went to freshen my lipstick like you already know and when I came back to the room Jon seemed upset. I don’t know where he got the idea from, but it wasn’t me. What could I possibly gain from telling him when I have the most to lose?”
“Well, someone’s been talking.”
“Maybe it’s your girlfriend.”
“My girlfriend?” He looked confused, at least that’s something.
“Sofia. Why did you even invite her to our wedding?”
“There is nothing between Sofia and me. She doesn’t know anything, but if she did, I can reassure you it wouldn’t be her opening her mouth. There’s no reason for me not to trust her.”
I flinched at the accusation in his voice. I wasn’t stupid, that he didn’t trust me shouldn’t be a surprise, but for him to tell me he trusted the person who was very likely out to get me, well it had the power to destroy me. “You’re wrong, but who am I to judge when our wedding is a farce, anyway.”
“Our wedding night won’t be a farce Callie. You can trust me on that.”
Sex, that’s all I was good for. I shook my head. “I can’t do this, we’ve made a mistake. We shouldn’t have married.” I whispered. I knew he could hear the tears in my voice, but I was unable to stop them. A tear slipped down my cheek and I lifted a hand to wipe it away.