Chapter Nine

Bella's POV

"Lukas, stop at McDonald's," Caden said to the driver and dressed up a bit, adjusting his tie and pulling his jacket together.

Lukas pulled over in front of the restaurant and Caden came down, smoldering like some god or something. Oh, so typical!

I sighed from the thought of waiting in the car.

At least I wasn't going to spend any more seconds with him.

"YOU are coming with ME!" He yelled and pulled me out of the car roughly. How disrespectful! Gosh!

"Can you at least give me a heads up before your brain loses it screws? And besides, I don't wanna!" I yelled and folded my arms to my chest, acting like a total brat.

He still pulled me out anyway and then grabbed my waist, whispering, "We're married, remember?" tugging me in with a fake smile and gritted teeth. "So darling, act like it," he completed his statement and loosened his grip on my waist a bit.

He smirked as he turned to me and then turned it to a charming smile that totally swept me off my feet. He can be cute at times. Rarely.

Those smiles were obviously fake, but they sized my breath while they lasted. He grabbed my hand and led me to the restaurant, sliding a hand behind my waist.

We sat at the table and had most eyes staring at us. I guessed it as normal among celebrities but I was afraid I could get a panic attack at some point.

We ordered and got our food in no time. I was starving.

The place was so quiet and Caden didn't say a word. At least thank God! I could've cringed my way to the ICU.

I ate the food like I hadn't had something to eat in years. Stuffing my mouth with the burger and ketchup, making a bit of a mess as I had ketchup all over my hands and the burger in the worst shape. Okay, a whole ton of mess.

"Where are your manners!" Caden whispered with gritted teeth and a fake smile.

"In my pockets," I replied cheesily with a chuckle.

He rolled his eyes and buried his face under his palms. Soon enough, we were done and set to go. After the hell of drama I pulled.

"You've got a little something on your lip," he said and grabbed a serviette, heading for my trembling lips.

"I can do it myself," I insisted and grabbed another serviette, trying to prevent anything from happening. Anything like a kiss perhaps or me just going dumb for how romantic he acted.

"No. let me," he insisted sternly and cleaned it off gently, his eyes staring into mine in a magical fantasy. I said it. I just knew that would happen. Cliché much....

Okay, he was acting really charming and cute , but it had to stop. Before my brain finally melted.

Let's just say it was something called acting and he was a king in the game rather than a pawn. That was all to it and that was all there was ever gonna be.

°°°°°°°°°°

"Miss Mercedes - We love you!" They yelled in excitement. The cheer was deafening as I felt my ear drums pound in pain, my eyes getting dizzy.

"We love you so much. You are our star!"

"Please sign the autograph!"

Autograph? Jeez! I completely forgot that would happen. I couldn't forge Mercedes's signature. I didn't even know what her signature looked like.

The press was there. The cameras, my fans, Miss Banks, and of course, my bodyguards were there. Was it a wedding ceremony, a bazaar or something?

The Kensington's, Mamasita and Papi were also there. I just prayed for my soon to be departed soul. Rest in peace, Arabela Leah Allegra.

That was no time to disappoint.

My hands were crossed with Caden's as we walked down to the conference room with the press and everyone making a hell of noise and cheering on happily.

We all walked into the room and Miss Banks locked the press and everyone out. It was a nice room, overly air conditioned which almost froze me to a cube, fortunately. Nice furniture and a beautiful painting hanging on the wall. Walls painted pure white and a chandelier hanging from the ceiling. Pictures on the wall and beautiful rose patterns on the tiles.

"Ready?" Mamasita asked, obviously anxious.

"Is there supposed to be a rehearsal or something? Like a preparation, Or memorizing our lines, you know, that kind of thing - why isn't anybody saying anything?" I said clumsily as everyone stared like I was insane or something. Much expected.

"Mercedes! Stop fooling around. You're a professional! What are you even saying?" Mamasita yelled acidly, widening her eyes and ready to swallow me whole the next moment.

"Des, are you feeling okay? Should we call the psychiatrist? We could postpone the press con, if its okay with you," Papi asked, concerned and walked over to me.

"Yes, please. Can we?" I asked as he held my hand.

"No! No one is postponing any press con.

Its today and that's what it is. She should see the psychiatrist after this. Now, we have an important business transaction to seal!" Mrs. Kensington yelled in poison and rolled her eyes.

"I agree," Mr. Kensington added.

Mamasita nodded and papi stared at me with saddened eyes. I just stared back with quivering lips and a heart running slow of beats.

I looked back at Caden. He smirked, as usual.

"Open the doors!" Mamasita yelled and Miss Banks opened them.

"Shut up! Shut up everyone! I'm not doing this dumb press con, nor getting married to this big time ass hole jerk. I am not even the real Mercedes and I need to go home! So, quit yelling like immature idiots!" I yelled at all of them.

But though in my mind. I mean, I can't say all that shit for real. I'd be toast!

The press came running in.

And then, the moment we had all been waiting for came. I, Arabella Leah Allegra which happened to be me was declared toast.

°°°°°°°°°°°

Caden and I were seated and the press was just opposite with their cameras and sticky notes, ready to jot down the piece of crap that fell off my mouth, along with multiple magazines.

Everywhere was silent. Everyone just stared.

This would be easy. I don't even have to say anything. Ha! And here I thought I'd be blabbing my mouth none stop.

"You are supposed to open the conference. Everyone is waiting," Caden whispered to me.

Oh boy! And here goes a ton of shit!

"Good morning, Amiga's!" I yelped with a huge smile.

Everyone just stared. Nothing happened. Okay, that was bad. PRETTY BAD! They stared at me like I was going insane.

"In the name of the father, and of the son - " I started in a low tune and little chuckles came from the press.

I was just trying to give an opening prayer.

"Let's just move on with the questions," Mamasita said loudly and cleaned my mess.

"Miss Mercedes, the last time, you said you were going on a vacation. Can you tell us how that improved your career or was that just an excuse to run away from the press with the mess you created?" A blonde lady asked insultingly.

Wow! How in the world was I supposed to answer that? I didn't even know what mess I created.

"The mess - I created - what mess?" I asked.

Everyone laughed.

I joined them laughing. If you can't beat them, join them.

"Miss Mercedes, is it true that you got pregnant for your rumored boyfriend and that's why you decided to run away with him? As in, Elope with him?"

Now,you tell me! How in the world was I meant answer that? I hate the press.

"Pregnant, huh? You don't see any baby. Why ask?" I shot and they all nodded in agreement.

At least I nailed that one.

"Miss Mercedes, is it true you are getting married to Mr. Caden Kensington?"

Okay that was easy.

"Yes. I'm getting mar - " I stopped.

Why couldn't I complete the sentence? I just kept remembering what ma and pa said about coming back home with a boyfriend or baby. I dunno. My brain couldn't think well. The words weren't coming out. I was numb.

"Miss Mercedes,"

"Miss Mercedes - Are you okay?"

"Are you alright ma'am?"

You know what the best thing to do in that kinda situation is? Fake a faint!

In that sort of mess, I couldn't handle it at all. My head already buzzed from the stinging headache and thoughts flashed in my flooded mind.

I just sank in the chair, and closed my eyes slowly until panic arose in the air and I was aware I caused a catastrophe.

"Miss Mercedes!"

"Someone call an ambulance!"

I heard multiple voices say the same thing.

"Des!" Papi said and touched my arm.

Caden carried me.

He touched my butt. Good thing he thought I was unconscious. I'd smack his hand right off if I was conscious.

He slid his hand behind my waist. It tickled. I smiled a bit and tried my best not to break it into a loud laughter.

Opening my left eye a bit to peep, my eyes met with his, my body in his arms and suddenly, I was shivering.

I immediately shut my eye back and my heart raced. What if tells on me?

Surprisingly, he carried me to the limo. The weirdo didn't tel on me. Let's thank the God he serves!

The driver drove away with only Caden and I in the car along with dead silence.

I was still in his arms but since he knew, I  as well sat up. I mean, the glasses were tinted.

I carried my head up slowly and immediately, My mouth accidentally went with his, tasting the peppermint he took just a while ago in the conference hall and just having his mouth in mine. It felt really awkward.

My eyes were wide open, and so was his. I would jump right out of this car and get hit by a bus if everyone didn't think I was unconscious.

Author's Note.

This chapter has got my vibes on!

I particularly love the drama.

Don't forget to vote, and tell me what you think in the comment section below.

Yours truly, PaulyQueen.....