Chapter four: No Other Choice

"Sign here, Mr. Bertram." The registry man pointed at a space where Mr. Bertram scrawled his signature on.

"And you Miss Tanning." My hands trembled but I finally managed to put pen on paper, signing my freedom and quest for genuine love away.

I had tried but get the money but no company wanted me just as I'd thought. A high school dropout had no hope at all. No one wanted to give me any job even if it was the lowest one. And no one would loan a jobless person.

I had to come back to him. The doctor had been frequently calling, Lexie's health was deteriorating everyday. And whenever I went to visit her, I saw it for myself.

This was the sacrifice I had to make to save my best friend. I was twenty two and I had signed the rest of my years to a man I knew nothing about, except what I read on the social media.

"Congratulations, Mr. And Mrs. Bertram." The man handed us a copy of our marriage certificate.

"Hear that, Mrs. Bertram?" Blake took the certificate from the man. "Let's go celebrate." He pronounced rather dryly.

I nodded. "What about my friend?" That was the only important thing to me right now.

"I don't go back on my word, Mrs. Bertram." Amusement tainted his eyes, he was probably finding it funny that I was now his wife.

Blake Bertram was known for his playboy life. I wondered if that would end or he would keep doing it. Well, that was not my business. I just wanted Lexie to be fine.

"There's also another catch." He said, as one of his two bodyguards came to open the door for us.

My heart skipped. "What is it?" I absentmindedly toyed with the very expensive ring nestled in-between my finger.

"The thrift store I bought will become yours. You can now chase your dream of being a fashion icon." He stated matter-of-factly.

Was he joking? How had he known my dream? "How did you know..."

"That you want to become a fashion designer? I don't think that is necessary, Riana. You're my wife, you will have the best and live your dreams." His tone was unnecessarily cold.

But my thought was quickly swayed from his cold attitude to the part where I would be chasing my dreams. I was thrilled by that aspect. Maybe this marriage thing was not so bad.

I could overlook his unstable character and focus on what I would gain from being a Trillionaire's wife. Lexie would live, I would own that thrift store and never have to go homeless again.

"Okay." I replied in a tone void of emotion.

"There's something that's imperative that you should know." He gave me a dispassionate glance.

"Yes, Mr. Bertram." Why was he cold towards me for no reason?

"As my wife, it's Blake to you. Also, you will not interfere in my private life. You have no right to." His expression seemed even harder.

"You said I'm your wife, I should..."

"The day you try to stick your nose into my business, Riana..." His eyes flashed impatiently as he turned to give me a full cold-blooded stare. "You'll end up back on the streets like you always have."

That made my eyes stung but I swallowed back tears. "Yes, Mr. Bertram."

"I said it is Blake!" He reminded quite harshly.

"I know what you said but if I'm going to be treated and talked to like a slave, then I'd better regard you as my master." I retorted, my chest squeezing tight.

When I realized we had gotten home. I climbed down the vehicle before the men could come around to opening it and fled like the devil was on my heels into the house that I was going to live in desolation for the rest of my days.

I felt like Rapunzel and this gigantic mansion was my prison tower, only I shared it with the man responsible for throwing me into the prison.

"This way, Mrs. Bertram." A maid was already waiting for me at the extremely large foyer.

I dumbly followed, feeling very lost and confused. I sniffled back tears. He had no idea the nerve he'd touched when he had so casually talked about my once-upon-a-time homeless situation.

"Here, ma'am." She opened the door and made way for me to step inside. "This is your room, ma'am."

"Thank you." This room is bigger than two average houses put together. Oh my goodness! And everything was a gleaming luxurious blend of white and gold.

"I'm Phina, your personal maid. If you need anything, there's a bell to ring. It's beside your bed." She instructed kindly and left.

I sighed. A very luxurious prison. I slipped off the white gown I'd worn to the marriage registry and climbed into bed. I was just so exhausted — physically and emotionally.

A single rap on the door, before I could make myself presentable, it opened and in came my only-on-paper husband. I awkwardly tried to covered myself with the thick bed cover.

His gaze was intent on my skin, making it flush. I was just in my pants and bra. I was used to strutting about scantily clad living with Lexie. I had to remember this was not with Lexie but a man.

I saw a certain something flicker in his eyes but it disappeared before I could make sense of it. His eyes returned to my face, my cheeks were going beet red with embarrassment.

"I already called the doctor. Your friend will be transported abroad to get a new liver." He informed, keeping his eyes on my face.

I could not pull the bed cover, so I sat with my hands covering what they could. "Why abroad?"

"Because I ordered it so." His eyes were daring me to challenge his choice.

"But there are better hospitals here too." How would I be able to visit her?

"Remember it's not your money, Riana." He stated coldly.

I bit my lip, trying to calm myself from acting or speaking based on emotions. "How will I get to visit her and know she's fine?"

"Are you interested in a girly gossipy visit or your friend's health?" Were his eyes mocking me?

"That's why I came to you in the first time, was it not?" I shot back before I could control it.

He stepped closer and leaned over the bed, my face was close and his grey eyes had darkened. I swallowed nervously.

"Watch your mouth, Riana. Or this wife is not going to like her husband's reaction."

He eyed my body one more time before leaving my room. I released the breath I had no idea I'd been holding and collapsed on the bed.

Lexie was getting treatment, she was going to be fine. A thrift store was going to be mine too. But why did I feel so empty, unhappy and wetting my bed with tears?