My Dream Marriage

Edward.

“I will be there in no time, I will have to ask him by myself,” I tell Darren, my other right hand man but he is a secret one because it’s only my dad and brother who knows about him. I am off to the warehouse to see the idiot who gave the photo to the media. I don’t remember telling anyone to take photos of any member of my family. That could be risky given that everyone wants to have photos of my family. I don’t know why they are obsessed with my family, are we that fascinating to watch or stories about us sell faster they just want to know what happens in my family? Can’t people just mind their own business? This paparazzi thing has never been on my good side, just wanting to disturb my peace.

Is it that stupid Aniston? If he is the one then he will get it from me. I know he is my rival and any enemy would want to do anything to bring their rival down.

The warehouse is just a few minutes away and this journey feels too long. Neera, what was she thinking? Is it hard to understand that I am a businessman. Why would she even think that going out with that man would make me stay with her at home. Come to think of it, she has too much freedom, that is why she can come and go as she wants. This has to stop. I will let her know when I reach home but for now let me deal with this first. I tried to end this mystery yesterday but I think whoever sent him to take the photo was so adamant in making sure it gets to be published in the news.

“Bring him out,” I say and sit on the chair I usually sit on when dealing with these criminals who try to tarnish my name. I am at the old warehouse.

A haggard man is brought in before me by two of Darren’s men. He looks well beaten with blood drying up on his shirt and face. He looks up at me and looks away. “Tell me why you couldn’t let me know the person behind what you did since yesterday, leading to the papers publishing it when it was so easy to avoid it? Who paid you to do this!” I raise my voice since I can’t be lenient with such a person.

“Sir please spare me, if I do this my family’s lives will be at risk. She told me if I dare say her name she would kill my family, please,” he begs.

“She?” I look at Darren questioningly and he shrugs. “You mean a woman sent you to do this? Who is she?” I ask. “Ah! Sir, I didn’t mean to say it,” he says. “You know what, that woman promised to kill your family but listen. If you don’t tell me now, I will make sure your entire generation ends with you forever and make sure nobody ever remembers your existence and that it gets erased forever.”

I nod my head at one of the guys who brought him in and he bends down next to the young man and presses a metal on his finger. He lets out a shrill cry and begs to be let free. I like it the moment they become obedient. “Okay, okay I will talk,” he pleads. “Go on, the floor is yours man,” I say. “It…I.. t is, she told me that her name is…,” he stutters and I get impatient. “Say it young man!” I shout. “Taylor,” he says. “Is that a woman’s name?” I ask, clearly pissed off. “That is what she told me, but I can recognize her if you ask me,” he says, ” she also said that she is your friend and that I shouldn’t bother if I do it well,” he adds.

Taylor? A woman? I fish out my phone from my pocket and scroll to my phone gallery. I select a picture and put the screen before his face.

“Yes, that’s her. She is the one,” he says recognizing the woman in the photo.

This can’t be true. How can she do this to me? “Are you sure about this?” I am unsure if he just guessed it or something. “Yes. I am sure, a hundred percent,” he says with certainty in his voice. “Alright then, you are a smart guy but if I find out that you lied to me then my promise to you will come to pass,” I warn him since right now I am really boiling inside. What the hell?

I stand up and leave the room leaving the young man and two of Darren’s men with him behind. Outside Darren asks me if he could get rid of the man or wait until I find out if the woman is behind it or not. “It’s okay, the young man sounded frank. I think he might be telling the truth. I have no business with him,” I say. I have to go and find her. She has a lot of explaining to do. I slide back into my car and drive away from the warehouse. I dial her number and she answers on the second ring.

“Hi, Edward can’t you even wait for me to settle in? I only got here today and you can’t give me some time for myself. Come on,” she says sluggishly but I am not in the mood for her shenanigans. “Please spare me that one. Where are you right now?” I ask. “In my hotel suite, why?” She asks. “I am coming there,” I say and she laughs from the other end, “I knew it Edward, you couldn’t wait for me to get here.” “See you,” I say. “I am waiting,” I can sense her smile through the phone.

Twenty minutes later, I am at her hotel door ringing the doorbell. She doesn’t hesitate to open the door as if she was standing next to the door waiting for me to knock. She is wearing a white shower gown with her hair secured in a white towel.

“That was quite fast,” she says, smiling from ear to ear and pulling me into a hug. I hug her back and we move to sit on the couch. She starts to kiss me but first things first. I move my face away and she frowns looking at me. “What is it Edward?” She asks. “No, what is it Taylor?” I ask sarcastically. “What? Why do you call me that?” She asks, frowning her face further.

“That is the name you use when doing things behind my back, right? Isn’t it your name?” I ask her with my eyes narrowed. “Edward, what are you saying? What did I do?” She asks innocently although she is guilty of this one. “Oh so we are playing this game?” “Edward just say it. I’m getting impatient,” she says with the right emotion I wanted her to have.

“Tell me why you sent someone to take photos of my wife without my permission.” She shrugs, “oh that, I just wanted to show you how your wife is unfaithful, Edward.” “Wouldn’t you just send me the photos? Besides I had already been informed about that by one of my men,” I tell her. “Edward, I hope you are not spying on me either,” she says with one eyebrow raised. “This is not about you. I wasn’t spying on her either. That Aniston is my problem. Why did you get it to the media anyway?” “Evil deeds should be seen by everyone, so I was only doing you a favor,” she answers unfazed by the repercussions she could cause me.

“Do you know the consequences that could befall me considering what you have done? I am a businessman. A renowned one for that matter. I could lose clients because of that,” I say. “No Edward. The world would see it as the ungrateful wife to a good business man like you teaming up with her husband’s rival,” she corrects. “Let this be the last time you do this. I don’t want to start having questions about my family’s welfare,” I say. “She is your family now? Edward, I thought it is just a matter of time before you get rid of her,” she says pouting her lips. “We are married and she is my wife. I can’t just get rid of her like that. For the time being please just lie low,” I say. “Okay Edward but I can’t stand you being with her. I wonder why you chose to marry her. Couldn’t you have declined?”

“Are you asking me that now? Come on. We are past that one now. I had told you that this was pre-planned even before I was born so I wasn’t in a position to turn it down. Let’s focus on the future,” I say and she moves until she is rubbing herself on me.

“No, we are not doing this today,” I say sternly. “Why? Are you punishing me?” She asks. “There. You said it. Moreover I have a dinner to attend to,” I say. “Can I be your plus one?” She asks hopefully. “It’s a family dinner. My mom said it’s like a welcome dinner for Neera so I must attend,” I say. “Oh, I see,” she says sadly. “Don’t be sad. Tomorrow I will take you to the big surprise that I had promised you okay,” I say. “When are you planning on moving out of your parents house?” She asks out of nowhere. “Not so soon. It is better if Neera and I stayed in my parents house, I will move out when I want. I have to go now,” I say standing up from the couch.

“When will I be going to see this big surprise?” She asks. “I will call you tomorrow. I hope you don’t have plans then.” “No I don’t. It’s the weekend so I won’t be working. I already know this place so no need for any tours. I will be doing some touch ups on our Marina project that Alex informed me about then. As for my work back home, I don’t work on weekends. From Monday will do,” she says and I hug her and leave the suite.

****

I am freshened up and ready for dinner. It’s a family dinner so no need to be too formal. Given it is my welcome and my first dinner with my new family then I guess I have to dress well but not too formal. I have chosen a navy dress with black sandals, one of the dresses I got from Marina. I gather my hair in a perfect bun and secure it with a pin.

I move slowly down the stairs as if counting the steps I take to reach the dining table. Everyone else is seated.

“Welcome, there is your seat,” Edward’s mom says. “Thank you,” I say and sit on the seat, which is next to Edward’s.

There is his father, his brother and his sister-in-law together with their two children, a son and a daughter who I don’t know their names. They smile up at me and I smile back.

“So Neera, I know you have met each and everyone here except these two,” she refers to the two kids. I nod. “These are Dexter and Myra’s children, Maya,” the girl, “and Rana,” the boy. “We are pleased to have you as one of our family members. We treat our family matters with maximum secrecy and whatever happens here remains the business of the family,” she concludes. “Yes Neera, I couldn’t wait for my son to get married to you since you proved to be a responsible and humble girl. You just have to mind this family’s reputation in whatever you do since everyone is bound on getting to know whatever goes on with this family. Whatever happened yesterday should not repeat itself,” his father says. “I totally understand sir,” I say.

“You are welcome to the family, Neera,” his brother says.

“We are pleased to have you here,” Myra says and I smile.

Rana, the eldest of the two kids, stands up from his seat and asks, “can I stay here tonight and sleep with Neera?” Everyone bursts out laughing and his mother says, “no you can’t. Are you forgetting your big bed back at home?” “It’s okay, let my grandson stay here for tonight,” Piper says. Maya doesn’t say anything but smiles.

“So all said and done, Neera, don’t call me sir. Eric is okay with me. Now Edward, all I want from you is a grandchild,” Eric says and Edward clears his throat and I smile shyly.