The hall was filled with lilies, jasmine, and several other flowers that Lily loved. She'd picked them all out including the decorations herself. The Harringtons had been too eager to give her the perfect wedding of her dreams.
Now she wasn't even here to see it or enjoy the sweet fragrance from the flowers that drifted through the air.
Adrian knew all eyes were on him the moment he stepped in, a single flower in his hand.
They'd all expected to see Lily, ever pretty and gracious with her even more stunning wedding gown that had been designed specially for her by a luxury brand.
Only to get hit in the face with Adrian, a smug grin on his face to hide the bundle of nerves that currently plagued him.
He kept his face straight, avoiding the eyes of everyone and the dozen questions they had on their lips.
Instead his gaze locked onto his intended groom, Rowan Hale. He was wearing a black tuxedo that matched Adrian's.
The only difference was that Rowan stood taller in his, with hands tucked into fists by his side. He was angry, Adrian knew that much. And he liked it. Angry Rowan was better than arrogant Rowan because it meant his control had slipped.
Adrian slowed down, counting his steps in his head while his eyes remained on the groom. His groom. He almost laughed from how absurd the situation had turned.
Then Rowan lifted his eyes and met Adrian's with an intensity that almost knocked the man down.
By the time Adrian made it to the altar, all of Rowan's patience had evaporated into the thin air. He grabbed Adrian's hand in a tight grip that made the man almost swear in front of the priest.
"You sure took your time crawling up here," Rowan said, voice low so only Adrian could hear. "Who do you think you are to keep everyone waiting? To keep me waiting?"
Adrian managed a smile so bright it sickened the man in front of him. "I didn't know you were this eager to marry me."
Something dark and dangerous flashed in Rowan's face but it was gone in a second, his cool mask falling back in place. "It's not like I had a choice?"
Adrian nodded, like an understanding mother would to a child. "Of course, it's not like you know how to stand up to your family."
Rowan's jaw ticked with barely constrained anger. "Watch your mouth."
He knew he had hit a nerve. "Why? You think you can fool me with that arrogant—"
The priest cleared his throat and started the ceremony, any longer than that and the men in front of him would end up punching each other in the face.
Although Adrian doubted Rowan would do something so barbaric as to hit another man in the face. The guy was such a saint. A pampered pompous saint that got on his fucking nerves.
Adrian let the words of the priest drone on his head, not quite piecing his words together. His forehead had creased in a frown as he thought of Lily.
She should be the one standing here with Rowan, saying the vows she'd written for him. His job had been to make sure Rowan treated her right, even though he hated the man almost as much as he hated their birth parents.
He looked up confused when he felt Rowan's thumb on his forehead. "Why are you frowning on such a happy day?" the man asked softly which made Adrian gag. "This should be the happiest day of your life."
"Stop, your face alone makes me sick," Adrian bit back. "Don't act like whatever that's going on now is real."
Rowan smirked as he slid the wedding ring down Adrian's finger. "It's as real as this ring."
Adrian repeated the movement with the ring given by the priest, he tried so hard not to grimace when he said, "I do." As if any force on earth could make him look in the direction of his now supposed husband.
The guests clapped as they were proclaimed husband and…husband?
"Smile," Rowan whispered against Adrian's ear, his breath hot. "Don't want anyone to think you're doing this against your will."
"Well, that wouldn't be further from the truth," Adrian retorted.
"The investors are all here, we need to make an impression."
Adrian stiffened when he felt Rowan's hand at the small of his back. He turned with a glare. "What the fuck do you think you're doing."
"Mind your language," Rowan cautioned as he guided him to the guests. "All you have to do is smile, no need to speak."
Of course, he was only a puppet in their grand plan. "I will do as I please."
Rowan's hand curled completely around his waist. "You will do as you're told."
-
-
By the time they were done speaking to the guests and investors, Adrian was a complete raging mess. He could feel the rage flowing through his veins and burning every part of him that son of a bitch had touched. The bastard didn't know how to keep his hands to himself.
Rowan had paraded him like some trophy that everyone needed to see. He'd kept quiet the whole time, not because Rowan asked him to—but because he truly had nothing to add to the conversation.
All they spoke about was the merger and the new products they were launching. It reminded Adrian that he was not a part of this world, never would be.
The entire social circle was filled with people who were two faced. They all smiled in front of the Harringtons and the Hales, only to talk about how they were letting their son marry some guy they'd picked off the street.
Adrian had gritted his teeth and kept quiet. Wasn't he already used to being spoken down on? Even his adoptive parents treated him the same way. They were just more subtle because of Lily.
He prayed that the day would be over, he needed to call his agent. He and Rowan had auditioned for the same role in a BL movie. It was being directed by one of the top movie directors in the industry, to work with him would be a dream come through.
Deep down he knew Rowan was no way interested in men, and had only auditioned to spite him. Just like every movie they'd starred in.
Sometimes he'd get the role and Rowan would take the supporting character. Other times Rowan would be the lead. But this time? He needed to win. Just so he could rub it in Rowan's face.
There was something delightful about beating Rowan at his own game.
"What are you thinking so hard about?" Rowan nudged him.
"What?" Adrian glared at him.
"You bite your bottom lip when you're thinking too hard…like now." Slowly, he reached over with his thumb and pulled Adrian's lip from between his teeth. "Any harder and you'll injure yourself."
Adrian glared at him. "And how is that your business?"
"You're my husband now, act like it."
Adrian wished he could punch the smug grin off Rowan's face. "Is this circus over? Can I go now?"
Rowan's eyes twinkled with something unreadable. "Leave? Darling, the party just started."
Before Adrian could throw all the swear words he knew at Rowan, the taller man had already stirred him to the reception area where they were to have their first dance.
"Adrian dear," Ms. Evelyn's voice reached them immediately as they got to the dance floor. "You've done really well, I'm proud of you. We've had all the reporters sent away since the wedding didn't go according to plan. None of you have to worry about the news of your wedding getting out."
Despite himself, something in Adrian loosened. It wasn't often that he heard those words that meant he'd done well. He was also glad the media wasn't involved.
One scandal was enough to ruin his entire career. And unlike Rowan, he didn't have a powerful rich family backing him up.
"I was thinking of leaving," Adrian finally replied. "My job here is done?"
Ms. Evelyn put her hand on her chest in feigned shock. "Done? We need to have the toast first, then you'll have to move your things to the condo we prepared for the newly married couple."
"Wait…I think you're getting it all wrong. I just stepped in for Lily to save face, we're not really married. Right?"
"Oh, dear," she laughed like everything he said sounded funny. "You signed the marriage certificate didn't you?"
"But…" he looked at Rowan with disgust. "I'm a man."
"Don't tell me you're still close minded. This is the modern world, you can get married to anyone."
"Aunty, that's not what I meant."
"I'll send you the honeymoon details later. I'll go get your father for the toast." She walked away, leaving Adrian with his mouth hanging open in shock.
Then he turned to Rowan, eyes blazing with anger. "This is all your fault. If only you'd said no to marrying me, this wouldn't be happening."
"Sorry darling, but it already did. Stop moping around like a child."
"What did you just say to me?"
Rowan didn't reply, he only pulled Adrian close as the song for their dance came on. He placed Adrian's hand on his shoulder and started to move. "Don't forget to smile."