Bran's POV
I watched as she danced with her father and a few other guests. I knew she was trying her best to look like the happy bride, but she was failing woefully at it.
Her back was hunched, her dance steps were lazy, and she still carried that sad expression on her face.
"I honestly thought you were joking about marrying Sophia, turns out it is serious, how did you get her to agree to this after so many years?" Ken, my best friend, asked as he took his spot next to me.
"Man, I honestly don't know how I did it, but it worked," I said and continued looking at her.
"She's all grown now, although she still scares me, but she's more beautiful now."
"That's my wife, man," I said, swatting his arm.
"My apologies." He said, mockingly bowing.
He was right, Sophia Tyler was the scariest 19-year-old I had ever met; she was feisty, and I wondered where all that went.
We had met when her father's business was doing really well, and he had not started his gambling habit. He supplied my own father with building materials, and he became a frequent visitor at my home, accompanied by his daughter, who was always curious.
We started talking, she was beautiful, so we spent enough time together till she confessed she liked me, I was taken aback by her confession, too shocked to reply that she had taken that for a yes.
We became closer, like lovers. I could still see the betrayal on her face a month later when I told her I had a girlfriend.
"Bran, isn't that your uncle?" Ken asked, shaking my hands, and pulling me out of my thoughts.
I followed his hands, and indeed, it was my uncle talking to Sophia. I felt uneasy.
What was he telling?
"Can he let me catch a break?" I asked angrily.
My uncle Tim Garner was the reason I was having this wedding in the first place, and it wasn't in a good way.
I had left so many relationships which had been private to focus on work, which wasn't anybody's concern. A rumour started spreading about my sexuality, and my uncle was fueling it; he obviously wasn't on my side.
It had gotten so bad that the investors wanted an answer, or else they were going to pull out of the company. My uncle, being the cunning person he had always been, dropped marriage as the only option, or I would leave the company.
I took it.
"I'm sorry for ruining the party, but can I have a dance with my wife?" I said, breaking what I had considered a lengthy conversation that should end.
"Oh, that's fine, she's all yours." He said, leaving Sophia's hand. "I just hope she knows the truth." He said and smirked.
I felt like moulding his departing figure into a vase.
"What is this about?" She asked as she let me move her to the rhythm of the music. "I hope you haven't forgotten our agreement." She added.
I had agreed to give her as much space as she wanted.
"Yeah, I just want to have a dance with the bride, I don't want people asking why we don't look so in love," I said as my hands circled her waist. "What was he telling you about?"
"Who?" She asked, looking around.
"My uncle."
"Nothing."
"Sure?" I asked again.
"Yes"
I held her waist tighter as we twirled around to the music.
"This is where you'll be staying until our contract is over," I said, leading her into the new house I had just gotten some days back.
"Okay." Her voice sounded tired, it had been that way since we bade farewell to her dad and sister.
"Is this about your Dad?" I asked, leading her upstairs.
"I'm fine, it's nothing you should be worrying about, let's get this over and done with, I'm already tired."
"Okay," I said, defeated.
I was glad she at least understood the marriage terms; if she played her part well, we would be done in no time, and a year would pass faster than we think.
After showing her around the important parts of the house, I brought her to the room.
"You'll be sleeping here," I said, leading her into the room.
I watched as she sat on the bed and looked up at me. "The house would be too lonely since you'll be leaving for work after the honeymoon. Can I get someone to stay here with me until I get my business back?" She asked, her eyes lazy.
"Your sister?" I asked, sitting next to her.
I had thought everything would lead to more arguments and quarrels, but to my surprise, we were handling everything like real couples, it was going way calmer than I expected, and I wasn't comfortable.
That's not a problem, I'll get your sister to come stay with you since she understands what's happening." I added.
"No, someone else."
"Okay, I'll try talking to one of the agencies," I replied.
"When will my Dad get everything back?" She asked, looking at her feet.
"Tonight, before we left, I asked Ken to give him everything, I have already signed the papers before the wedding."
"I hope whatever happens, the whole gambling incident won't find its way to more ears, you promised it would be strictly between all the parties involved."
I nodded, "Yeah, I said that too, and there's no way anyone would find out, I told you I'm not the bad guy."
She hissed.
I stood up to take off what I was wearing, as I was already feeling uncomfortable in it.
"What are you doing?" She asked, looking at me puzzled.
"Taking off my clothes," I answered, wondering why she had that expression on her face.
"Are you supposed to do that here?"
"Yes, why not here?" I asked.
"Isn't this supposed to be my room?" She asked, looking around.
"Yes, and mine too."
She stood up immediately. "What? You have to be joking."
She looked frightened like she wanted to disappear.
"No jokes, hun, this is a one-bedroom home, and maybe, I'm the bad guy."