The Last Ceo’s Deal

CHAPTER 45.

Christine Pov

I look through the window when the taxi pulls up outside our hotel. It’s a massive building, at least three times bigger than Fanuel’s mansion back in the city. I should have known that Fanuel would go for nothing but the grandest, most exquisite hotel there was while still keeping it near home.

In the distance, the sea stretches to infinity. Now that I don’t have any books to keep me busy, I’ll be spending most of my time in the water. I should at least spot a tan to show for my honeymoon.

Fanuel opens my door then steps back to usher me out. He takes my hand and I try to pull away but he tightens his hold, making me wince. His tight hold is not painful but it’s outright uncomfortable.

“What? Let me go.” I whisper as he leads me to the hotel.

“Don’t be dumb Christine. This place is open and anyone could see us. You should really start acting like my wife.”

I huff. “Getting married was your idea and I daresay it’s the worst idea ever.”

He releases my hand as we walk into the reception.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

“I know.”

The receptionist smiles at Fanuel whose face remains pretty impassive.

“Welcome Sir. Have you booked a room yet?” She bats her lashes at him, acting like I don’t exist.

“Yes we already booked. It’s under Fanuel Hudson.” He gives her a bored look as she clicks a few keys on the computer.

I’m fighting a scowl. Now I’ll have to worry about women seducing my husband.

Shut up Christine, you’re not his type. My subconscious is sneering at me.

“Here is your key card Mr Fanuel. Your bags will be brought up. Anything else I can do for you?” The bitch of a receptionist purrs as she hands Fanuel our key cards, touching his knuckles very deliberately before she pulls back and flicks her hair, sitting up straight in her chair such that her boobs jut out.

I follow her every move with a frown. I feel anger bubbling through me and I know that she’d be dead meat if I laid my hands on her.

Not his type.

Fanuel’s words flow into my head and my resolve is shattered. I am not his type. She is more of his type. She is obviously pretty and her face is painted in layers of make-up.

Fanuel takes my hand and tags me to the elevator and I walk proudly, knowing that the receptionist is watching us.

See bitch, he is mine.

We lean on opposite sides of the elevator as it whisks us to the thirteenth floor. Fanuel eyes me warily and I keep my gaze on his chest, deliberately avoiding his eyes.

I’m dying to lash out on him but I’m not about to let him know that I’m jealous.

I stay quiet even as we walk down the corridor and Fanuel opens the door to a secluded hotel room. He steps aside when the door swings open and lets me walk in first.

Always the gentleman.

I take in the room with my eyes and my breath hitches. It’s the most ostentatious room I’ve ever been in. It’s large, with a nice sitting area and a couch that is big enough to accommodate at least five adults comfortably. The TV set sits at the corner and bouquets of flowers are arranged in strategic positions.

The room smells of strawberries and I find myself inhaling deeply. I love strawberries.

I move my eyes to the huge heart shaped bed on the extreme corner of the all white room and I’m sure that my mouth hangs open. On top of the billowy white pillows and sheets lies more flowers than I could ever imagine in my wildest dreams.

The roses are fresh and the petals look smooth and inviting. I walk to the bed and pick a pink rose, placing it on my nose and taking a deep breath. My eyes wander to a red card tied with ribbons and I read the single sentence written in a neat halting handwriting.

Congratulations Mr and Mrs Fanuel.

“Say something.” Fanuel’s deep voice comes from somewhere behind me and I turn abruptly. He is looking at me with his hands in his pockets and I take a deep breath.

“I’m taking the couch.”

He frowns. “Are you going to make a fuss about sharing a bed with me?”

“Actually yes.”

His frown deepens. “Why?”

“Why not?” I challenge myself right back.

“Don’t be kiddish Christine. I was hoping that we’d try and have a normal marriage but I’m not going to touch you if you don’t want me to.” I can feel the sincerity rolling off his tongue.

“This is not about sleeping together Fanuel. Not that we won’t have sex anyway, this is all your plan.”

He takes a step towards me. The atmosphere in here seems to have changed and it feels like something tangible hangs in the room.

“Then what is it about?”

“Our Union is fucked up. I’m here today because you blackmailed me into this, because my dad stole some millions and I happen to be the sacrificial lamb…stop this useless pretense of yours cause you’re just trying to hide the wolfish you! You threatened the people I love to get me to marry you. How am I supposed to share a bed with you without strangling you? I don’t even trust you.”

“You don’t trust me?”

“Hell no.”

He rocks on his heels before he walks past me to sit on the bed, pushing the flowers aside.

“Did I ever give you a reason not to trust me?”

“Lot’s of reasons.”

“We have time. I want to hear them.”

I sigh before I flop on the bed, making sure that there’s some space between us.

“You kidnapped me on Friday night, plastered my picture on the newspaper on Sunday, held me hostage in your house on Monday, Beat the crap out of me and pushed me to that dark chemical basement to die, threatened to hurt my parents and my best friend that same night and to top it all, you’re appearing all nice and warm, why would I trust you?”

He presses his fingers to his temples. “Here comes the headache.”

I roll my eyes. “What a waste of breath.”

He stands up. “Fine, I’ll take the couch. You take the bed. You are the lady here and I won’t let you sleep on a damned couch.”

I gasp in surprise, who is this man?

“I thought I was your maid, this is all a sham.. so why all these features?”

“Christine, can you stop?!!!” He yelled.

“I’m trying to be nice don’t unleash the dangerous venom in me.”

I swallowed hard and kept quiet.

That was easy. I was somehow expecting him to force me to share the bed with him. I heave a sigh of relief.

“Thank you.”

He nods. “Do you need anything? Water, food…”

“Water. Wait, are you going to call that bitchy receptionist? If yes, then I don’t want water anymore.”

He frowns and shakes his head, then retrieves a bottle of mineral water from the fridge I hadn’t noticed.

“Bitchy receptionist?” He asks with furrowed brows as he hands me the bottle.

“It’s nothing.”

“Christine, tell me now. What is wrong?”

All my anger hormones jump up at his casual tone.

“Are you going to stand there and act like that woman doesn’t have the hots for you?”

He bursts out laughing. “What are you talking about?”

His laughter throws me over the edge.

“She was flirting with you right in front of me. She didn’t even acknowledge me, I know all this is fake but I deserve some respect.” I snap angrily and he stops laughing when he realizes that I’m actually serious.

“She wasn’t flirting. She gave me our keys then we walked to the elevator.”

“She was flirting with you Fanuel. I’m not a moron, I know what I saw.”

He exhales soundly. “I think you’re being delusional again.”

“No I’m not. She was practically pushing her boobs into your face.”

“They’re fake.”

“What?”

“The breasts. They are fake.”

I stand up. “You actually noticed them huh?”

He shakes his head. “I’m not blind and her chest was right in front of me. What was I supposed to do? Close my eyes?”

“She was pretty too huh?” I snap again.

“Honestly, I can’t even remember what she looked like. I had a lot on my mind.”

“What was on your mind?”

“I was wondering whether you were going to love this room and the flowers and all that. For once in my life I was able to do all of this myself and that was in my mind all through. Now if you’re done throwing a tantrum because you are jealous, I would like to step out for some air. The sight of the setting sun across the sea is breathtaking.”

I bite my lip and stare at the thick Persian rug. I’m acting like the wife from hell… the jealous wife. The exact thing that Fanuel doesn’t want in a wife.

I have no right to be jealous. We are not in love. We are married for convenience.

“Are you coming?” Fanuel’s voice makes me look up and I shake my head. After my show of jealousy, I should avoid him for a while.

I don’t want him to bully me and make fun of me.