Chapter 5

“Resolve this in twenty-four hours or forget about the Aston Empire!”

“You can't do that, Father. The deal was to get married and I have done that. You can't breach the contract!”

“I can and I will! Twenty-four hours, that's all you have, Carlos.”

Henry stormed out of the house, banging the door on his way out, leaving the couple in tension.

Bailey paced the living room, anger simmering beneath the surface. She’d married Carlos for a business arrangement, not to be humiliated. The image of Vivian in Carlos' bed replayed in her mind, fueling her determination. Carlos needed to understand boundaries, even in a marriage of convenience.

Carlos approached her leisurely, his face a mask of frustration. "Bailey, we need to talk."

Bailey didn't reply but kept pacing around. But how did the paparazzi find out?

But Carlos interrupted her musings, as he repeated his request.

“Bailey, we need to talk. Now.”

"About what?" Bailey snapped, not stopping her pacing. "Your latest fling or your father’s ultimatum?"

Carlos was already frustrated and Bailey wasn't helping matters.

“Now’s not the time to show off your bitchy attitude. I must succeed my father, even if it means putting up with you. So, do us both a favor and listen to me.”

Looking into his restless, emerald eyes, Bailey felt a strong need to comfort him. But she quickly restrained the abominable thoughts. She was supposed to be mad at him, not sympathize with the cheat.

“Dress up. We're going to the Brooklyn Bridge.”

“Pardon? What has the bridge got to do with this mess?”

Bailey stared suspiciously, at the retreating figure, as he walked to the bar. Carlos Aston was really a strange man.

“Wipe that look out of your face. It doesn't suit you, sweetheart. Rest assured, I don't want to push you over the bridge. Yet.”

“Then, what else could we do at the bridge? Sightseeing?”

“Exactly. At least, you've proved that your worth isn't just between your legs, but there's something in that thick skull.”

“Can you ever talk to me without an insult attached?”

Bailey was getting tired of his insults and critics. She knew she had wronged him in the past, but his attempt at revenge was pointless.

“Where's the fun in that?” Carlos smirked, eyeing her. She was still dressed in the tight gown that messed with his head. He couldn't believe he was rock hard at such a sensitive period.

“Carlos, can we focus on the matter at hand?” Bailey snapped as she noticed his eyes on her boobs.

“I'm focused. Very focused indeed.”

Feeling shy, she walked to the window and wrapped herself up with the curtains.

“Look who's trying to be proud. It's too late for that, Angel.”

“Back to the issue, we need to go to the bridge to watch the sunrise. I can bet my shares that those bloody hounds will be there. They will take pictures of us being so in love and this fucking rumor will disappear forever.”

“Can you complete a sentence without cursing?”

Bailey could only imagine if they had kids. The last thing she wanted was for her baby’s first word to be ‘bloody.’

“Bailey Whitney_”

“It's Aston now.”

“A fact that will forever haunt me. Now go get dressed.” He waved her off, sipping his drink.

“If you would listen…”

“I won't. Can you just leave?”

“I don't think it's a good idea to lure the paps to the bridge or even the snapshots. That's too obvious.”

“I don't ever recall asking you what you think because I assumed you can't do that properly. We're going to the bridge. Get dressed, we have to catch the sunrise.”

Bailey counted to ten and tried to calm herself down, or else she would surely stab her annoying husband.

“A honeymoon will be much more convincing.”

Carlos stood up and strutted towards her, making Bailey clutch tightly to the curtain for protection.

“If you wanted such a whirlwind romance, mi amor, you should have thought twice before forcing yourself on me. We're not having a honeymoon. Ever. So get that ridiculous idea out of your head.”

Looking into his eyes, Bailey searched for the man she had once known. He had been cold and calculating five years ago. But he could never say a harsh word to her.

“Stop daydreaming. Get dressed!”

***

“Is that…yes, it's him! Carlos Aston and his new wife in the flesh and blood!”

“Smile and lean into me,” Carlos whispered, as he held her waist.

“No, that will make it so obvious that we're faking this.”

“I don't remember asking for your suggestion. Now, lean on me.”

Bailey had been trying so hard to control her body, as she was pressed tightly against him.

“We're supposed to hate the paparazzi. We're supposed to be leaving. That's how it's done.”

“A word, Mrs Aston!”

A lanky man with large ears rushed to the couple and tried to force himself in between them.

In this rather heinous and very embarrassing process, the man forced himself in between them, with a force that knocked Bailey down.

Carlos quickly rushed to her, helping her up.

“Bailey! Are you alright? Are you hurt?” Carlos quickly conducted a full checkup on her.

For those few seconds, Bailey was in another universe. She watched him examine her hands, her knees, and the rest of her body with so much care and adoration. This was the man she fell in love with. A hard guy on the exterior, but soft-hearted.

“OMG! You two look so cute.” The man gushed, taking several shots of the couple.

It took every muscle in Bailey's body to be able to hold back Carlos as he rushed towards the man.

“Calm down, Carl! Come on, let's go.”

Bailey stroked his arm lovingly, hoping to placate him.

“Count yourself very lucky that my wife is too good. You would have been swimming with the fishes in the East River.”

Bailey's heart swelled at the title ‘my wife.’ Could her marriage forever be so sweet?

“I'm very sorry, Sir. Ma’am.”

As they turned to leave, they noticed the audience they had attracted; everyone was recording them.

“One last thing, Mrs Aston! How do you feel about your husband's infidelity?”

Bailey had known all along that she would be asked such a question and she had prepared for it.

Turning sharply, she regarded the man with a disappointed expression.

“How desperate are you? I just saved you from Carlos' wrath!”

“Well, to answer your question. My husband didn't cheat on me. Those pictures were old and some were fabricated. He met Vivian Kingston last night to discuss a business matter and I was the chaperone over the meeting. Therefore, that news was false and we will take legal action against the media house that published it.”

Bailey's voice shook as she spoke, making it seem like she had been truly hurt by them.

Carlos guided her back to the car, still holding on to her, lovingly.

The moment they boarded their car, he let go of her hand abruptly.

“Do not ever call me Carl, again. Don't remind me of my ugly past that you forced your way into.”

“Carlos, please. I have been apologizing for five years now. We can't move forward if you keep holding back.”

“We're picking up Vivian, Eugene. So, drive us to her studio.”

“Please tell me you're not planning to have sex with your mistress, with all that's going on right now.”

“I'm not planning to. I will.”