𝟏𝟎

ELSIE

We didn't kiss.

When the officiant said 'you may kiss the bride' Fenix leaned and placed his lips on my forehead.

I'm glad he respected my wish of not kissing on the lips. It was way to intimidate to do it with a person you are acting to be in a marriage with.

No one questioned. When Bridget mentioned briefly, Fenix said that I wasn't comfortable with doing that in front of so many people. Which was also true.

She nodded in understanding and let go of the conversation. Aspen seemed to be disappointed in my decision of not wanting to kiss Fenix.

I knew what she was thinking and planning.

Currently, I was seated on my chair, at the newlywed table. There were plates with food and occasionally I grabbed pieces of the delicious cheese.

It must be one of those expensive ones.

Fenix was not here, he was standing by one of the tables, talking to some of his friends. Ian was next to him, looking up at them and observing their conversations.

He was fascinated by Fenix. This whole time, he was not letting go of his hand.

Fenix ran his fingers through his hair and I audibly gulped the piece of food down my throat. It still hasn't hit me that I was married to that man.

A man that looked like he walked straight out of a magazine. No, he was even better looking.

I heard someone walk towards me and I turned my head to my right. It was Aspen.

She had a glass with a drink in her hand and by the way she was smiling, I knew she had something ridiculous to say. She always does.

Her hair was flowing around her and she closed the distance between us.

I straighten my back and placed my hand on my stomach. It was hard to eat with this hard piece of clothing blocking your proper breathing. Especially when you are sitting.

She sat on Fenix's chair and turned to me.

"Are you gonna spend the night at the hotel or you're going home?" She asked.

"We're going back to his house." There was no way I was going to let Ian alone and stay here.

"I had an idea. So..." Here we go. "Don't look at me like that, just listen."

"Okay. Go."

"So you're gonna share a room right?" She lowered her voice and leaned forward. I nodded.

"When you go to the bathroom to change, dress in some cute underwear set and get out in the bedroom. And then he will see you and you'll pretend like you forgot that he was going to be there. Just say 'Ups, I totally forgot. This is how I sleep usually.' And then go back to the bathroom and dress in whatever you sleep in." Oh God, where was she going with this?

"He's gonna think about that the whole night. Probably the whole time you are married. I got you some cute lacy underwear and bra if you want." She took a sip of the drink and grinned at me like she said something totally innocent.

"You're crazy. Where did you get this idea from?" I laughed.

"From a book." Of course she did. Aspen lived her life by book rules and scenes. I still wonder how she hasn't experienced that epic book love. She was always getting herself in some extreme situations.

"Don't laugh. She walked out in underwear but he grabbed her face, kissed her, threw her on the bed and they had sex. It was really romantic." She finished the drink and placed the glass on the table. She then grabbed some of the appetisers, stuffing her face with them.

I ignored her tips and tricks because there is no way I would do anything like that.

"Enough about me. Did you find anyone?" She immediately shook her head.

"Sadly no. It's hard for me to like someone if they are not secretly a vampire or a werewolf." Here we go again.

"If he doesn't turn into a werewolf on a full moon or if he doesn't want to suck my blood every time he sees me, I don't want him."

"Aspen..." I warned her because she started to speak louder than needed. We both chucked.

"What? I'm just telling the truth." Oh God she literally had no shame. That was one of the reasons why we were friends. She was the one who first approached me and I needed a friend that was more outspoken.

I was pretty quiet and introverted so we balanced each other. It was why our friendship still lasts.

"By the way I'm stealing your mother in law. She's truly an outstanding woman. Also she invited me to do one of her shows."

"Wait that's amazing. You should definitely do it." Bridget said that she does one fashion show every year. She even showed me some of her collections. There were so many pieces that I would love to wear.

"Yeah, I was also thinking about it. I'll probably do it." She dusted off her hands and started to stand up. "Your man is coming here. I'll go." I turned my head as soon as she said that and saw Fenix approaching the table.

Ian was now in his arms and leaning his head on his shoulders.

Before I even noticed, Aspen was gone. Or maybe I was preoccupied with staring at the scene in front of me.

Fenix was holding him with one arm and finally arrived to our table. He sat down on his chair and I ran my fingers over Ian's cheek.

"What is it? Are you not feeling well?" I asked in a voice layered with worry.

"He said that he's hungry." Fenix said and I felt myself relax. Thankfully he was okay.

Fenix waved for the waiter and told him to bring Ian a plate with warm food. I watched carefully as he was holding Ian close to him. All of this with Ian didn't feel like an act.

He genuinely was nice and loving to him.

I ranked my eyes over him and my gaze finally landed on his fingers. The gold band was on his ring finger. Mine was the exact same, only a row with tiny diamonds was in-crafted on the middle.

He probably won't even wear it. I knew a lot of men didn't. It didn't matter though.

The waiter brought the plate and I took the knife and fork to cut the meat into small pieces. I did the same with the vegetables and gave the fork to Ian.

He quietly sat on Fenix's thigh and dug into the food.

Fenix turned to me and placed his hand on the back of my chair. When we got officially married an hour ago, Fenix didn't let go of my hand. Even when we sat here, our fingers were intertwined.

He somehow kept the distance between us very narrow. I knew it was all an act for the guests but it was sure messing with my heart.

"You okay?" He asked with a low voice.

I fidgeted with my fingers and grinned at him. Probably looking like a fool.

"Mhmm. Just tired a little bit." He nodded his head and I felt his fingers on my shoulder, going back and forth in a comforting manner.

I really needed a reality check because all of his actions were making my head dizzy.

Maybe it was the fact that I didn't have anyone act like this with me before.

"We'll leave soon." I hummed not being able to use my voice. Even if I do, I'll probably say something to embarrass myself.

His soft fingers that stroked my burning skin, went up my shoulder until they reached my neck. He ran his fingertips over my pulse slowly. I'm sure he can sense how nervous I was.

When I faced him, his eyes were pointed to Ian in his arm. He was just sitting there relaxed like he was not making my heart pound louder in my ribcage.

I gazed at his profile and my eyes roamed over his face. I must look like a creep but at least I can admire his beauty now that I was his wife. No one can say why I'm starting at him.

"I'm full." Ian said and patted his stomach. He leaned back on Fenix's chest and tucked his head under his chin.

"Good job, buddy." I praised him and he smiled.

⋆˚✿˖°

Fenix parked the car in front of his house. I have been here total amount of three times. And in all of those times, we were bringing mine and Ian's belongings.

It was a beautiful old style house with a big garden.

There were tall pillars at the entrance and tall trees all over the property.

Ian was asleep on the backseat and Fenix took him in his arms while I gathered the dress in my hands. The train was not long but because of the thick material, it was making it hard for me to walk.

We didn't exchange a word but quietly walked inside his house. My home for the next few months as well.

The guard opened the door before we stepped in. I let out a sigh and took off my heels. Fenix waited for me until I had the heels in my hands.

We started to walk upstairs and finally reached Ian's room. His bedroom was very close to ours and I'm glad Fenix was considered enough to do that.

I wouldn't have been comfortable if Ian was on the other side of the house.

We already placed all of his toys inside here.

Fenix laid him on the bed and I grabbed his clean pyjamas. It looked like he was not going to wake up so we tried to change his clothes while he occasionally groaned in his sleep.

My baby was tired. We weren't use to so much activities in one day.

I struggled to do much with my dress that's why Fenix did most of the work. When Ian was changed, we tucked him under the sheets and I placed a kiss on his forehead.

"Thank you." I said to Fenix and he just nodded his head.

Now it was time to go to our bedroom. All of my things were already stacked in his closet. Everything I owned was here.

I felt like I was walking on thorns from the pain the heels caused me.

We got inside our bedroom and I heard the door behind us close. Fenix walked past me and headed to the closet. He then returned with clothes in his hands.

"I'll take a quick shower. You get comfortable." How was I supposed to get comfortable? And why was he so relaxed?

"Alright." Is all that came out of my mouth.

I heard the door click and I slumped my body back on the bed. My eyes were closing on their own. It was not late but I was exhausted.

I took off my veil and placed it on the bed next to me. I fanned my face and rubbed my temples.

From now on, I hope everything goes good.

The sound of the shower echoed from the bathroom and I barely stood up from the bed. I headed to the closet and roamed my eyes over his clothes as well.

I have been here but I didn't have time to look around. His clothes were neatly folded and hanged. The suits were organised by colour. There were only neutral ones but still, I was impressed by his tidiness.

My belongings were on the far end. There was still a lot of place for my things as well.

Aspen's words appeared in my mind and I chuckled, placing my hand on my mouth. She was really crazy with her ideas.

I grabbed my silky purple pyjamas with orange leopard prints. They were comfortable and my favourite set.

The shorts reached mid thigh and the top had short sleeves.

Just as I took them in my hands, I heard the door of the bathroom open. Fenix must have gotten out. I hurried out of the closet and my mouth parted when I spotted Fenix.

He was walking towards the bed. Dressed only in black pyjama pants. His torso was exposed and few drops of his damp hair were falling down his chest.

The tattoos were now on full display and there was a design that I saw couple of man at the wedding have, as well as his father. It must be a same tattoo they all had.

He pushed his hair back again but a few damp strands were falling down his forehead.

His eyes lifted to mine and I closed my mouth shut.

"I have to make a call and I'll be back. You can take the bed and I'll take the sofa if you are uncomfortable." So he did see the hesitation on my face. I really was sceptical of sharing a bed with him. He was still a stranger after all.

He pointed behind him on the couch positioned by the floor to the ceiling windows.

They overlooked the garden and it was on the side where the sun set.

Now it was already dark but the last time I was here, the natural light made the room even more beautiful.

It was in dark neutral colours and had a pretty simple decoration.

"It's okay. I can take the sofa. I'm smaller, you'll probably be uncomfortable over there."

"Elsie, it's fine. I can sleep here." His voice was strict but it was the way he always talked. It wasn't that he tried to be intimidating, it was just his voice.

I'll just lay on the sofa when I get out of the bathroom. It would be fair for him to give up his bed just for me. I was use to sleeping on a couch anyway.

He took his phone and got out of the bedroom. I hurried to the bathroom and pushed the door close behind me.

The bathroom was huge. It had a bathtub, a shower stall and two sinks that had a long mirror above, stretching from one wall to another.

I struggled to take off the corset but after five minutes of trying, I did it.

I tied my hair up and wiped off my makeup. I showered with a speed of light and after I was done, I did my quick skincare routine.

My hair stayed in a loose bun because I didn't have time to wash it and dry it.

I slowly opened the door and got out.

To my surprise, Fenix was already there, laying on his stomach on the sofa. Crap! I thought I'll have time to go and lay there myself before he was back.

I tiptoed to him and bit my lip, trying not to make a noise.

When I was close enough, I poked his shoulder. "Fenix." He didn't move. His breathing was slow and his head was turned to the back of the sofa.

He wasn't even covered up with a blanket. What if he freezes because of me? It was warm outside but in the house it was a bit chill at this time.

I took the blanket that was on the bed and covered his back. I'll sleep on the bed but tomorrow I'll have a talk with him.

He can't be sleeping there all the time.

Letting out a sigh, I walked towards the bed and laid under the covers.

I turned on my back and looked at the ceiling.

I'd be lying if I say that I slept more than three hours.

I found a huge spider in my room, tarantula looking one and I still can't recover. The fact that it must have been in my room for days.... 😭😭

Anyway, thoughts on the story? ☺️

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