Chapter Six: Became Mrs Astor

Glancing out the window, Emma admired the beautiful, luxurious looking mansion as the sleek black limousine gracefully drove down the cobblestone driveway.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, its orange rays illuminated her new home's majestic front.

Cold air shattered the silence that had grown between them since they'd left the wedding site.

"Here we are," Jason said.

His jaw loosened from rigid to slack when Emma turned to gaze at him, as if he were preparing for combat rather than returning from a wedding. She gulped, her hazel eyes darting to get a glimpse of emotion in his intense blue gaze. There was not one.

As they got out of the car, she noticed a guy and a woman, one dressed rather casually and the other in a chef's apron, dash out of the mansion and approach the limousine.

They both yelled, "Welcome boss," as the woman reached to pull off the suit that Jason was holding in his hands.

"Yes, how you guys are doing." Jason nonchalantly answered. He paused and introduced them to Emma "This is Alice, the cook, and Adam, the errand boy,"

Emma murmured, "I'm happy to have met you both."

They smiled in response.

"Ma'am, do you need me to bring you anything inside?" The woman asked.

"Er, yes, my box is in there," she responded, pointing to the car's stall.

Jason screamed to her as she stepped inside, saying, "Come on in, we need to talk."

He escorted her into the elegantly furnished sitting room, however the lavish décor gave little relief considering the subject of their impending talk. The space between them appeared unbridgeable as they took seats across from one another in recliners.

The energy between them was sparking like lightning, and Emma could not ignore it. She readied herself for whatever was ahead by straightening her shoulders.

Jason spoke again, "We need to talk," his harsh voice slashing through the calm.

"I'm sure you understand what this marriage is about, yeah?"

Emma nodded, feeling her heart plummet. Although she knew that this day would come, she had imagined they could pretend for a little bit longer.

She answered, her voice barely above a whisper, "Of course."

Jason glanced straight ahead as he cleared his throat. His tone was calm and meticulous as he remarked, "I think it's important that we establish some ground rules,"

Emma nodded, feeling a lump in her throat. Even though she realized what was going to happen, she was struck with disappointment.

Jason replied in a frosty, faraway voice, "We'll play the happy couple outside these walls. Do not, however, pretend to be a wife to me on the inside. You never were and you never will be. I love someone else; do you get it? Our marriage is basically an economic arrangement."

His statements caused Emma's heart to burst into a million pieces. Although she was aware that their marriage was not built on love, she had felt there may be a prospect for a true connection between them.

She managed to stammer out, "I understand," her voice barely audible.

With an unreadable look, Jason nodded. "Good," he said curtly before standing up.

"Oh, you have the second room upstairs. You don't suppose we'll be sharing a room, do you? As he mounted the stairs, he laughed.

Emma felt extremely alone in the vast living room as she watched him exit. She breathed deeply, pushing herself to be calm.

She got up and proceeded toward the bedroom he'd described, her heart heavy. She groaned quietly, the weight of their discussion weighing heavy on her shoulders as she slammed the door behind her.

Trembling, she moved into the bathroom and turned on the tap. She closed her eyes, leaned against the sink, and let the tears pour.

Emma noticed the bright lights in the bathroom had been turned down as she exited the bathroom.

Smoke swirled in the shadows on the neighboring couch, and the red light from the cigarette was plainly apparent.

Jason clutched the cigarette and peered at Emma with a dark, penetrating glare.

Emma felt her heart skip a beat and panic swell beneath his focused stare.

"Come here." Emma involuntarily flinched at the sound of Jason's chilly voice.

"I..I don't understand, What are you doing here?" She asked, avoiding eye contacts with Jason.

"Don't make me repeat myself" Jason's voice got icier, as the suffocating aura surrounding him deepened.

Emma moved up to him, sighing.

She'll be spending years with this man, she should get used to him.

Jason's mood improved. He glanced at her, his eyes narrowed from the cigarette in his hands.

When Emma walked out the bathroom, he couldn't deny how stunning and sexy she looked.

Jason forcefully got hold of her arm and tugged her toward him. Startled, Emma staggered and crashed in his arms.

Emma was briefly destabilized, she was able to hear her beating pulse.

She was ready to break away from Jason's embrace when he clutched her waist hard and pushed her entire body against his.

She was astonished when she felt his erection and warm body at the same moment.

She looked across at Jason, who had strong desire in his eyes.

"No Jason.. we cannot do this. You just made it clear that we are only married on paper. Doing this isn't right"

Jason chuckled; "Good you said 'married'" he demonstrated the quote "I am your husband, it's only normal that we consummate our marriage"

Jason held her wrists to keep her from moving and used his other hand to grip her chin, forcing her to look up just as she was going to reach out and remove her clothes.

Emma had great anxiety in her blue eyes.

"Please, Jason. I..I can't do this. I'm not ready for this."

Jason put his index finger on her lips before she could say anything more.

"Shhhh.. puppets don't get to say no"

Emma was stunned by what Jason said. While she was in deep thoughts, he forced her on the bed..