"And Mrs. Salvero. Aren’t you lovely in person..." The woman said to me with a warm smile, the age lines prominent at the corners of her eyes.

I believe she was... Mrs. Ellis.

"T-Thank y-you..." I replied.

Shoot! I sound like a quivering fish or whatever that was.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes!"

"Oh."

"Just nervous... that’s all."

"Well, if it makes you feel better... I am too."

I nodded, only keeping my forced smile. Zade was done talking business with Mr. Ellis.

The couple finally let us be, but others just kept coming to greet The Couple Of The Century. That was what they were calling us. A bit cinematic if you ask me.

"Interesting name, darling, don’t you think?" Zade asked me, when we were left alone.

For the last hour, I felt like a beauty prize by his side, just smiling, nodding and shaking hands. Somehow we had made our way to the grand foyer where the relations became endless.

"Don’t be so quiet..." he muttered, and I disliked the shivers taking over my body. "You’re meant to act like a wife and not just stand there like a decoration."

I shot my eyes at him and gritted out. "What are you expecting me to do, make out with you in public just to pass the message that we’re a loving couple?"

"If it counts... should we get on with it then?" he teased. "We do need a lot of convincing. You can already notice the questioning look because you just keep standing there." He dragged his eyes lower, a burning sensation following when set them at my lower abdomen. "Or are you still... affected?"

I clenched my teeth. "You don’t see anyone shoving their tongue down their partner’s throat just to prove their relationship. There’s something called too much effort."

I hope he doesn’t resort to using that damn vibrator again. He fucking looked like he was gonna do it.

Zade chuckled as he leaned close until our faces were inches apart, and I really thought he was gonna shove that tongue down my throat. But instead, he pressed a soft kiss on my collarbone, so tender I was compelled to close my eyes at the sensation of his wet lips.

I gripped his suit tightly, on the verge of yanking him away to give myself a breath, but this man was too much to handle.

"You’re mistaken. There are other ways to give them what they want. What happened earlier was the consequence of your actions."

Unashamed, he dragged his lips up my neck, taking his time to kiss and gently suck my skin. I was stunned by his gentleness, but it also made sense since we were in public.

To them, I was his beloved wife, and he was selling the image.

Snaky asshole.

I almost jumped off when he kissed the top of my cleavage.

"Zade!"

"What happened to calling me sweetheart, hm?"

I glared at him, and he winked, taking another champagne to drink.

"So much for selling the image if you get drunk..." I stated.

"I won’t..." he replied, dropping the empty flute on the nearby table, and seeing the refreshments there made me hungry.

"Are you sure about that?" I asked.

"This might as well be one of the occasions I don’t attend."

I narrowed my eyes. It made sense that I haven’t seen the almighty Zade Salvero on the news frequently like other billionaire CEOs.

"Why? You may be a Don, but you’re CEO of Monarch Group, one of the most successful companies in Hightower City."

"I prefer the Undercity."

Undercity?

I think I have heard that name before. One time, from my father when I interrupted him in the middle of a call.

Zade’s grin grew wider. "Is my kitten interested in me?" He brought the small slice of cake to my lips.

Unable to resist, I took a bite, loving the taste and ate more. I licked the cream off Zade’s fingers, and his eyes darkened with desire.

I made sure I didn’t leave any cream behind, pulling away and using my thumb to wipe the corner of my lips.

Zade had seemed to hit a time pause for a while, and I don’t want to think about what was going through his head right now.

I took a flute of champagne from a passing waiter. "Is it wrong for me to be interested in my own husband?"

"Certainly not..." He replied, amused, then, with a roll of his back as if to restrain himself in some way. "This is Elliot’s specialty, not mine."

Zade passed a quick look around, studying everything. I could finally see that uninterested mood or maybe it had been there since the moment we walked into the opera house. He was just letting me see right now.

"The Undercity is where I thrive best. Keeping up public appearances, it’s usually not my style."

I suppose the only reason he was here right now was to sell the idea of this marriage. I had another guess, though... it wasn’t just about a Don needing a wife, but as CEO, too.

"Undercity?" I asked.

Zade casually brushed the curled strands framing my face like he had done several times.

"Let’s skip that... I wouldn’t want to bore you."

"My God! Look at you two."

I whipped my head to the familiar voice and found my father walking toward us. A twisted feeling crammed my stomach at the sight of him.

He has really changed... at least on the attire side. Never seen him so flashy before. It made me sick knowing the source of it.

I figured he’d be here, but I wasn’t counting on seeing him.

My father had the biggest smile plastered on his face. "The couple of the century is the highlight of the evening."

"Mr. Salvero... a lovely evening to you," he said before looking at me.

"How much I’ve missed you..."

He came closer and embraced me, but I didn’t return it, just standing so stiff I thought I’d break from his hold.

"Father..." I said sternly when he pulled away.

"My little girl looks so beautiful tonight."

"..."

"Aren’t you happy to see me?"