POV Keith
As the streets roll by on our way home, I can't help but glance at Ella again. She stares out the window, a placid expression on her face. Her hands are tucked neatly in her lap, and her red sneakers peek from under her wedding dress. Her eyes flick to me, only to notice the direction of my gaze. She quickly tucks her shoes under her dress again, showing no other reaction outwardly.
Did she wear these throughout the ceremony? My curiosity piques.
I can't help blurting out, "What happened to the shoes sent with your outfit?"
Her eyes widen before her face slips into a neutral expression again. Even though her face is blank, her shoulders tense up, and she defensively retorts, "I'm not used to wearing heels. The ones that were sent were too high, and I was sure I would trip up on the long aisle. How embarrassing would that be? So I took the executive decision to nix them. Sneakers are way more comfortable." Just as I start to look away, she adds under her breath, "It's not like they could be spotted under the gown anyway."
"And easier if you decide to bolt." I quip back at her.
"What!?!" she gasps, eyes wide as she stutters onward, "I wasn't going to— I would never go back on my word!"
I smirk, feeling strangely satisfied as I ruffle her feathers.
How can she be so calm when MY insides are roiling with so many emotions?
I am now going to be the heir of Ingram Technologies. Grandpa confirmed that he will sign over the company as soon as the acquisition of JB Tech is complete.
And now you're also married. I glance at the unmoved Ella again.
Sold your soul for this one, didn't you?
Since the week we've been engaged, word of Ella has found me fast, especially when it's my mother whispering in my ear. Ella begging Eliana's family for money, scraping through classes like she couldn't care less, always desperate to outshine Eliana but never managing it. That's who I've married — if Mother is to be believed. And I do believe her.
I have tied myself to disaster for Ingram Tech. I hope at least Mother is happy.
After this, I just stopped listening. I had hoped to meet her once for coffee, before we married, but hearing about her just turned me off completely. I had hoped to discuss how we might make this temporary marriage palatable to each other, but now I just don't care what she wants.
And I'm tied to her for months, if not years! I suppress a groan.
I don't want anything to do with her, I decide.
Ella turns to me, like she wants to say something, but we arrive at our condo. I jump out of the car before she gets a word out.
The chauffeur holds open the door for her and she steps out. She looks disappointed briefly, before she has her staid mask back in place.
So fake. Like anyone in our situation could be this calm.
I feel another wave of frustration rise in me. I'm deeply aware of the crunch of the gravel beneath her feet as we cross the driveway to the building entrance, and the taps of our feet feel like the dirge of a funeral.
I frown as I take in the state of the lobby. This building might have once been considered the peak of luxury, but now it's just a rundown building past its prime. My resentment increases as we walk towards the old elevator. Is this piece of junk safe?
I lived in a state-of-the-art mansion until Ella came along. Now I'm here in this ramshackle condo because my mother doesn't want Ella to know the extent of our wealth or rubbing shoulders with Kenneth, the bleeding heart of our family! Screw them all!
No! Screw Ella!
I scowl in her direction to see her smiling at the elevator like it's the second coming of Christ himself.
What in the world? Did her father skip the part about how she is probably slightly insane?
She skips ahead and enters the elevator ahead of me, as if afraid I'll stop her. She grins at me as she asks, "What floor?"
"Fifth." She presses the button and hums along to the music filling the elevator. Of all the reactions I might have expected, this was certainly not it.
She is grinning along happily while I stand here deprived of all my creature comforts!! Dammit it all!
My scowl deepens. I want to punch this elevator. Before I can decide to do just that, the doors ding and open to our destination.
We step out onto the landing. I take the lead, walking towards the door before she can try to engage with me again. I open the door and the lights come on. At least the inside is outfitted well.
I step aside to let her enter.
Her mouth forms into an 'O' and her eyes widen slightly as she takes it all in. The house is done up in tones of greys, woods and creams, with brass fittings, giving it a modern and luxurious vibe.
I check my phone for the floor plan my mother has so kindly provided.
Turning to her, I point towards a door. "Inside that door is your room. That is my room. Your things are already put away and some more things appropriate for your station as of today have been added. That, there, is my study, and you are NOT to enter it under any circumstances."
I point towards another door, and glare at her to drive it home. I do not want her privy to my work, documents, or money.
She nods hesitantly, eyes wary as she looks on.
"It's been a long day for both of us, and I'm going to bed. If you're hungry, there's food in the fridge. You can heat it up if you want and figure out the rest." She nods again and turns to head towards her room.
"Let's keep out of each other's way." I stop her one last time. "I don't expect to mix in your life, and I don't want you to mix in mine. Let's keep any social outings to the minimum. Grandpa expects us to show up once a week for family dinners, but that's it."
I glare at her further to drive my point home. "There's no need to contact me if you need anything. I'll leave my assistant's number on the fridge. Contact him if you're dying."
She blinks at me as I finish my monologue. I can tell she's a little rattled in the tense set of her shoulders and the fists balled at her side.
Good.
As an afterthought, I drop a card onto the coffee table by the sofa. "This card holds your allowance." It plinks on the marble, but she doesn't move to take it. "It will be refilled on the 3rd of every month. If you run out of money, figure it out. Don't come to me looking for handouts. Good night."
I vanish into my room, leaving a shell-shocked Ella rooted to her spot, frozen in stunned silence.