Harry
My wedding day has arrived, and it's nothing like I ever imagined. I've never been one to dream about weddings, but this situation is far from ideal. The bride, Naomi, seemed terrified when I met her a few days ago. She stared at me like a deer caught in headlights, barely able to form coherent sentences. It was clear she didn't want to be here any more than I did.
I can't say I'm surprised by her reaction. This isn't a fairy tale romance or a love story; it's a business deal. I knew that to gain Roman's trust and eventually take control of the company, I'd have to go through with this charade. Roman thinks he knows all about me, but the truth is, he knows very little.
As I get ready for the ceremony, I reflect on the situation. I never wanted to get married, let alone to a stranger. But sometimes, business takes precedence over personal desires. I have a plan, and I'm willing to pay the price to achieve my goals. If that means marrying Naomi and pretending to be a happily married couple, so be it.
Naomi is undeniably attractive, but her appearance is the least of my concerns. What bothers me is her curiosity, her eagerness to know me better. She seems like the type of person who can't mind her own business, and I have no patience for that. Besides, I've met her mother, and I can't help but think she might be just as unpleasant.
I don't have time for distractions or complications. My focus is on gaining control of the company and ousting Roman. This marriage is a means to an end, nothing more. I'm not here to make friends or form emotional connections.
As I finish getting ready, my friend Niall enters the room. He offers to help me tie my tie, and I gratefully accept. Niall has always been the more easygoing and lighthearted of our group of friends, and his presence is a welcome distraction from the seriousness of the day.
"Stupid shit, I hate tying ties," I grumble as Niall expertly works on my tie.
Niall chuckles, his mischievous grin never far from his face. "Yeah, yeah, back to the girl. What were you afraid that agreeing to meet me would mean she would fall in love with my charming personality? Is she so beautiful you think she would change her mind if she met me before your wedding? Were you afraid that I would pick up your fiancée? Did you like her so much?"
I can't help but roll my eyes at Niall's teasing. "What? No, Jesus, no. Of course not. I didn't like her, I just didn't want to worry her any more. You can see that she is forced to do so, and if she met you even earlier, she would have completely collapsed."
Niall laughs heartily. "Excuse me, what? After all, I am the dazzling, most fascinating and charming man Harry."
I shake my head, playfully annoyed. "Yeees, keep telling yourself that, you idiot. Better go lighten your hair a little more or something."
"Come on, I know you envy my hair, curly. Admit that you liked her a little."
꧁꧂
Finally, Naomi appears in her wedding attire, and despite my reservations, I can't deny that she looks great. She's in a white dress, her brown hair flowing loose, and a veil covering her face. But what catches my attention is the hint of tears in her eyes. It's clear she's been crying.
I suppress any sympathy I might feel for her. This is a business arrangement, and I can't afford to let emotions cloud my judgment. Naomi may be good-looking, but it's her strength and resilience that will determine whether this partnership succeeds.
"Wow, man, I envy you. Such a chance for business and such a girl. You bastard are always lucky. I'm gonna cry, I swear," Niall teased, his blue eyes twinkling with amusement.
I couldn't help but roll and then close my eyes at his comment. "Fuck you, dick. Shut the fuck up," I whispered harshly, hoping to avoid drawing attention to our conversation.
"Pardon?" I heard a very soft whisper.
When I opened my eyes, she was standing in front of me. Jesus, she probably thought it was for her. Niall chuckled, clearly enjoying my discomfort.
The wedding ceremony itself is a blur, a series of formalities and vows that I have no interest in. I barely touch her cheek when it's time for the kiss, keeping the act as minimal as possible. I'm relieved when it's over, and I can move on to the next phase of my plan.
Afterward, we don't have a wedding party. Roman has fabricated a story about us being a private couple, wanting to keep the celebration small and intimate.
The wedding ceremony had finally come to an end, and as we exited the church, Naomi and I were met with a wave of well-wishers. Her extended family, who knew nothing of the true nature of our marriage, had gathered to offer their congratulations.
I couldn't hide my growing frustration as we were surrounded by a sea of smiling faces. They were blissfully ignorant, and their cheerful greetings only served to deepen my annoyance. I had no patience for the charade, and I longed to escape this pretense.
Niall, who had been offering his support throughout the day, approached me with a mischievous grin. "Wow, mate, you've really outdone yourself this time, smiling in the company of people for ten minutes!" He chuckled, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
fake smiling
I shot him a withering glare. "Don't even start, Niall."
He raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence. "What? I'm just saying, I never thought I'd see the day when Harry Styles got hitched. It's a momentous occasion."
I rolled my eyes, refusing to engage in his banter. "This is not a real wedding, Niall. It's a business arrangement, and that's all it is."
Niall chuckled, patting me on the back. "Come on, Harry. You never know. Maybe Naomi will fall madly in love with you, and this will turn into a real fairy tale."
I couldn't help but scoff at his comment. "Highly unlikely."
As the well-wishers continued to approach us, offering their blessings and congratulations, I couldn't shake the feeling of being trapped in this elaborate facade. Every polite smile and kind word grated on my nerves, and I longed for solitude.
Amidst the cheerful chaos, I spotted Naomi standing alone near the entrance of the church. She looked visibly sad, her shoulders slumped, and her gaze distant. Despite my growing irritation towards her, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of pity. She was just a victim of this scheme.
I made my way towards her, the desire for a brief respite from the festivities outweighing my annoyance. I approached her with a curt nod, my voice low as I spoke, "We need to talk."
Naomi turned to face me, her eyes wide with surprise and a hint of fear. She nodded hesitantly, and I motioned for her to follow me to a more secluded garden in front of the church.
Once we were out of earshot of the guests, I turned to her, my frustration evident in my tone. "Look, Naomi, I don't know what your game is, but we need to get one thing straight. This marriage is a business arrangement, nothing more. I don't want to see any tears or drama from you. You're a grown woman; act like it."
Her eyes welled up with tears, and I couldn't help but roll my eyes in exasperation. "Oh, come on. Don't start with the waterworks. You look like a damn crybaby who can't handle life."
She blinked back tears, her voice quivering as she spoke, "I...I didn't choose this, Harry. I was forced into it".
I scoffed at her response, unable to muster any sympathy. "Forced or not, that's not my problem. We both know what we signed up for, so don't act like a victim. Now, start moving your stuff into my apartment. I won't help you, so you better figure it out on your own."
As I spoke, I noticed that Naomi's breathing had quickened, and her eyes darted around nervously. It became apparent that she was on the verge of a panic attack, though I couldn't fathom why. Her hands trembled slightly as she clutched the bouquet of white flowers tightly to her chest.
"Harry," she stammered, her voice shaky, "I...I just need a moment."
I rolled my eyes at what I perceived as her melodramatic display. "Stop exaggerating and acting like a teenager, Naomi," I snapped, my patience wearing thin. "We don't have time for this nonsense. Get it together."
She seemed to struggle to regain her composure, her breaths coming in short, shallow gasps. I glanced at my watch, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on me. I couldn't afford to be delayed any longer by her emotional outburst.
With that, I turned and walked away from her, leaving Naomi standing alone in the garden. I could hear her sniffle softly as I made my way to the waiting car, where Niall and my other friends were already seated.
As I climbed into the car and slammed the door shut, I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. Despite the challenges and complications that lay ahead, I was one step closer to achieving my goals. I had no room for sentimentality or empathy in this endeavor, and I was determined to see it through to the end, no matter the cost.
The car pulled away from the church, leaving Naomi behind. As I glanced out the window, I couldn't help but think that her panic and hesitation were entirely unnecessary. After all, in the grand scheme of things, her emotions and concerns held little significance.
꧁꧂
wow, harry is a dick :D