I was dumb founded
Is this my mind playing games with me?
The man I had married this morning, just a few hours ago? The man that helped me when my former mate dumped me?
The man who ruled at the very top of Finnor Group.
Was my mate?
My pulse slammed against my ribs as the truth crashed down on me.
The mysterious president everyone whispered about.
The unseen Alpha whose name carried weight across Sunshine City.
It was him, in flesh and blood.
The president of Finnor Group... is Finnick.
My Finnick!
The realization that he is my mate hit me so hard I froze in place.
How could that be?
Before I could even react, Finnick curved his lips into a small, polite smile. Clearly enjoying my misery
The air in the room shifted subtle, he clearly showed off his aura a bit to make it known that he was in charge.
"You're from Glamour Magazine, right?" he said calmly.
"Please, take a seat. I will attend to you guys shortly.
He quietly rolled himself out of the room leaving us standing there lost.
Immediately he was out of sight, I breath a sigh of relief x
"Vivian," Sarah whispered urgently, tugging my sleeve.
"Why are you still standing there?"
Her voice snapped me back to reality. I forced my legs to move and followed them to the couch, my thoughts still spinning in circles.
I quickly pulled out my phone from my bag when I heard a notification sound.
It was a text from an unknown number.
"Fancy seeing you again today MATE!" My heart stopped.
How did he get my number? We never exchanged it. Was he that powerful to pull such strings?
"How did you get my number MATE!" I typed back furiously.
Was it from the ring shop? I remember adding my number to their email list so that any time they ran any promos and I was able to afford their services, I would patronize them.
That was it.
I put my phone back in my pocket. Not willing to engage in his theatrics any more. I was already nervous enough and Serah was too. I needed to be in my best behavior right now to get the best results out of this interview.
I felt his presence before I saw him.
Finnick rolled over and stopped in front of us.
Sarah looked like she might explode from excitement. Her cheeks were red and her teeth was sparkling bright.
"Mr. Norton, may we begin?" I said immediately. Serah was a giddy mess and someone needed to start.
"Sure."
That was all he said.
His expression was neutral and distant. He didn't even look at me.
It was like we were strangers, like he did not just send me a text. Did I read too much meaning into the conversation?
For a terrifying second, I wondered if I had imagined everything from this morning. The marriage. The signatures.
The quiet moment where our hands touched.
"Well..." Sarah began, cheeks flushed. "Mr. Norton, you have remained very mysterious. Everyone's curious-may we know your full name?"
"Finnick Norton."
Any last thread of hope snapped.
Finnick Norton.
Alpha Finnick Norton
He really is my mate.
"What a lovely name," Jenny said smoothly. "Now, we would like to ask you a few questions. We hope you don't mind."
As she spoke, she shot me a sharp look.
I was still staring.
Before I could catch myself, a sharp pinch hit my arm.
"Ouch!"
I flinched and finally came back to myself.
We had agreed on this beforehand. I would lead the interview. Sarah and Jenny would take notes. No room for mistakes.
"You can begin" he replied slightly
I took a slow breath and straightened my back.
"Mr. Norton," I said slowly, looking up at him "are you a local of the Sunshine pack?"
"I suppose you could say i am half local," he replied calmly. "I was born here, but I left for another pack when I was very young."
The urge to laugh bubbled up painfully in my chest. What an irony.
I had tied myself to this man, yet I knew almost nothing about him. He was a complete stranger to me.
But this was work and I had to focus, so I pushed the thought aside and continued reading down the prepared list. The interview went smoothly after that.
Finnick answered every question without resistance. He was cool, reserved, but not rude. Nothing like the harsh rumors that followed his name which was a breath of fresh air. At least, I now knew that my mate was not a snubbush billionaire
Slowly, I relaxed into my seat. My wolf has been pacing around in my mind. Clearly amused by the events of the day.
For a moment, I even forgot who he was to me.
Then my eyes dropped to the next question and my throat closed.
The room fell silent.
All eyes were on me.
"Vivian?" Sarah nudged me. "What's wrong?"
I forced a smile. "Sorry, Mr. Norton. This next question is a bit personal. But I'm sure many of our female readers would be interested in learning about it. ."
That strange heat returned, spreading quietly through my chest.
I swallowed and asked, "Are you currently single, Mr.
Norton?"
The instant the words left my mouth, I wanted to disappear.
Idiot.
Oh Vivian!! Why did I agree to this interview in the first place.
I mentally slapped myself.
If Sarah and Jenny weren't here, I wouldn't be asking a question I already knew the answer to it already, I was his mate.
Nervously, I looked up.
For a split second, I thought I saw something flicker in Finnick's eyes, something almost amused, he clearly enjoyed my discomfort and treated it like his personal entertainment.
Then it vanished.
He leaned back slightly, folding his hands on his laps, his gaze steady on me.
"Well," he drawled, "what do you think, miss?"
The air tightened.
My heart skipped the moment he answered.
What do I think?
What sort of question is that?
Is he teasing me?
I didn't need to think at all.
The answer was already carved into me, sitting heavy in my chest like a truth I could not run away from.
Still, I forced myself to smile. A small controlled one.
The kind I used at work when I didn't want anyone to see too much.
"Let me guess," I said lightly. "A man with achievements like yours... I'm sure you're already mated to a very beautiful Wolf. . Am I right, Mr. Norton?"
Two can play the game.
The words sounded calm and casual.
But the second I finished speaking, I looked away.
I was feeling hot and uncomfortable
Almost guilty.
He looked amused, a smirk formed on his lips.
He was clearly enjoying this.
I clenched my fingers together beneath the table.
Why am I feeling guilty?
Maybe because I married a complete stranger for the benefits.
I almost scoffed at myself. He clearly used me too so the feeling was mutual.
Also, he was the one who hid his identity from me. He was the one who stood there earlier today pretending not to recognize me. He watched me struggle, watched me panic, and said nothing. I didn't owe him silence. I didn't owe him softness.
I wasn't wrong.