Love Bids

**CHARLOTTE**

Waves of nausea tossed in my stomach like a ship being wrecked in the storm as I stood in my white beaded wedding dress.

"Miss Johnson", the priest called.

"Do you take Mr. Brian Musk as your wedded husband till death do you apart?do you vow to be there for him, to love, support, and inspire him?".

Looking at the crowd anxiously, cold sweat licked my palms. I wondered if this was something I should go for or not.

"Y... Yes," with my voice all shaky barely above a whisper,and the whole crowd cheering us on like I was the one they had been waiting for.

At that moment, I knew there was no going back. The priest turned to Brian to get a clearer view of his face.

"Mr. Brian Musk, would you vow to love, support, and inspire Mrs. Charlotte Johnson and always be by her side forever till death do you part?".

"Yes, He responded, his expression inscrutable, his green eyes complementing his suit.

" Congratulations! I hereby announce you as husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride".

I froze. As he leaned in. His warm lips pressed against mine for a second or two. Then he pulled out.

******

A month ago

"Sign this".

Brian tossed the documents without looking at me, while tapping his fingers on the table. My eyes roamed through the documents trying to see what I was getting into.

"You get 20% percent of the Oasis shares three months after you get married, consider yourself lucky", he said.

"Can I submit this after a week or two?" I asked,forcing a lightness into my tone while still looking through the documents that had so many conditions.

A low groan rose in his throat.

"You have this decision to make just for a week and I need it submitted before the week ends" He said trying to force a smile.

I couldn't formulate a response for his arrogance.

I had to order myself not to stare at his face. His green eyes shone brighter while he spoke, his strong cheekbones and his perfectly trimmed beards.

Life can only get better after this wedding. I thought.

This contract is going to be a life-changing opportunity for me and the company I have worked for.

"I think you need to make a correction concerning the last condition", I said , while looking through the last page of the document: requesting that, we get to share the same room as married couples.

He moved closer to me, trying to see what it states

" What about it?" He asked, arching an eyebrow.

Behave yourself, I thought. His woodsy scent fills my nostrils, he looks so beautiful I thought.

He leans closer to get a clearer view of the typewritten note, the plumules of our breath mingled.

My mouth suddenly went dry, my stomach fluttering with a warm of escaped butterflies.

"It doesn't sit right with me" I responded, heat picking my face even while the air conditioner was on.

His jaw clenched in frustration.

"It's just for three months", he said, as he stood up to roll up his sleeves revealing his toned arms.

Brian is my boss... yes my boss and the heir to the Oasis Company. I work in the Oasis Company as an interior designer and his substitute Personal Assistant whenever his Personal Assistant is not available.

Brian and I met when the company I worked for went bankrupt. He needed an interior designer for a big project and he wanted a new person. I decided to apply for the job hoping I get the job.

Since then, I have been working day and night to be the best interior designer for the biggest architectural company.

Eventually, I got to be his wife for three months.

The announcement of the wedding was the talk of the town and the country at most.

"What the hell is going on, Charlie? " My former boss asked, sounding angrier than normal.

"What is all this I'm hearing?" He asked again, not waiting for an explanation.

" We are in love with each other ", I lied. Fondling the hem of my blouse trying to avoid his stares.

"In love? He asked me, waiting for a response , but you just met him not quite long".

My instinct laughed at me for not sending the invitation card instead of bringing the card to my former boss.

**BRIAN**

" How is it going?" I asked Liam, the private investigator trying to dig up Charlotte's family background before the media found something dangerous about her and used it against the company.

" No sir, it's still the same", he responded. The investigation has been going on for long now and this is so hard to get by.

This is getting very strange. I thought. Something must be wrong somewhere. Charlotte's family can't be that influential to clear everything concerning her family background. I thought.

My fingers tightened as I slowly relaxed them. "And why was she approving the contract," I thought.

Charlotte and I just don't agree on one thing. She was stubborn and she liked to do things her way which infuriates me just as much as she arouses me.

I wanted to know more about her, she was more than a hardworking girl who did not have any friends.

Then the phone rang, interrupting the silence in the office.

"Any news," I asked Liam who called again.

"Yes sir, he responded, his voice barely above a whisper, I have found a little information that might make the work faster".

"Bring it on", I was getting impatient for this, as I rubbed the beads of sweat on my forehead.

"She is not Charlotte Johnson, but Charlotte Jones," he said.