Chapter 5
MADDIE
"Get in."
I hesitated for a moment, glancing back at the church doors, still ajar with the sounds of shocked guests filtering through. My heart raced, and my mind was a whirlwind of confusion and relief. Without another word, I moved towards the car.
As I opened the door and slid into the plush leather seat. His presence was both comforting and intimidating, a stark contrast to the chaos I had just escaped. The car smelled of leather and a faint hint of his cologne, a scent that brought back memories of our night together.
We both remained silent as he continued to drive along the road, not sure where we are going. Actually, it doesn't matter where are we going. All I want right now is to get out of that place as soon as possible.
The engine purred to life, and we drove away from the church. As we sped through the city streets, the reality of what had just happened began to sink in. My wedding day had turned into a nightmare.
I glanced over at him, studying his profile. He was composed, his eyes focused on the road ahead.
"What are you doing here?" I asked, unable to keep the question to myself.
He didn't take his eyes off the road but answered calmly, "I'm one of the guest," he answered vaguely.
Since last night was the first time I saw him, I assume he came from Wyatt's side. I had no idea Wyatt has a relative who works as a gigolo.
"Does your family knows about your work?" I can't help but ask.
He frowned as if he doesn't understand what I was talking about. I just shrugged my shoulder and decided to not push the topic even further. He's probably not comfortable talking about it.
"It's fine. You don't have to answer that," I said, trying to maintain a semblance of control. "You can drop me at the next block."
"Are you sure?" he asked, glancing at me through the rearview mirror. His eyes held a mixture of concern and curiosity, probing gently for the truth.
"Why wouldn't I be?" I replied, attempting to sound confident. The words felt hollow, even to me.
He then turned his face towards me, his gaze lingering for a moment before he dragged his eyes down to my dress. It was then that I realized how ridiculous I must look. My mind was still in a haze, disoriented by the whirlwind of emotions and events. I was dressed in a wedding gown, complete with a veil and elaborate lace, sitting in a luxury car with a man I barely knew.
The absurdity of the situation struck me, and I felt a flush of embarrassment. I glanced down at my dress, a reminder of today's disaster. The intricate beading and layers of tulle seemed out of place in the confined space of the car.
"I must look ridiculous," I muttered, half to myself.
"You do," he replied bluntly.
The warmth I had felt a moment ago vanished into thin air. His arrogance stung, but I couldn't deny that I was still thankful for him getting me out of that place. The reality of my situation hit me again, and I knew I needed time to process everything.
"I need a moment to think. Do you mind if I ask you to drive me around for a while? Don't worry, I'll pay you. And I'll pay for the gas," I said, trying to regain some control.
He chuckled and shook his head, his reaction catching me off guard. I raised an eyebrow, squinting my eyes at him in confusion.
"What's so funny?" I asked, feeling a mix of irritation and curiosity.
"You," he replied, still smiling. "Do you always act like that?"
"Like what?" I replied sassily.
"Always think that you're above others," he replied. "That you can pay everyone with your money."
I was caught off guard. I know I wasn't the kindest person among the crowd. I agree that I tend to always use my money to get everything.
I huffed, crossing my arms over my chest. "Well, excuse me for trying to be considerate."
He glanced at me again, this time with a softer expression. "Look, Maddie, I don't need your money."
"Y-You know my name?"
Instead of replying, he raises a wedding invitation in his hand. My name was written on it.
It took me a few more minutes before I finally compose myself and regain my confidence. "Well, are you going to drive me or not?"
He smirked before starting the car again and pulling back onto the road. The cityscape passed by in a blur of colors and lights, a stark contrast to the storm of emotions inside me. The silence between us was filled with an unspoken understanding, a strange connection formed by the shared moment of escape.
As we drove, I found myself staring out the window, watching the world go by. My thoughts raced, jumping from one thing to another. The betrayal, the humiliation, the uncertain future—all of it swirled in my mind like a chaotic storm.
We continued driving in silence for a while longer, the rhythm of the road soothing my frayed nerves. Eventually, we pulled up to a quiet park on the outskirts of the city. He parked the car and turned off the engine.
"Let's take a walk," he suggested. "Fresh air might do you some good."
I nodded, feeling a strange sense of relief. We got out of the car, and I carefully gathered the skirt of my dress to avoid tripping. The park was serene, with a gentle breeze rustling the leaves and the sound of birds chirping in the distance. It was a stark contrast to the chaos I had just escaped.
All eyes were on me as we walked in the park. They'd probably think that I was crazy for walking around the park wearing a wedding gown. However, I noticed that they were looking at us with warm eyes and admiration. I turned to the man behind me and realized that he was wearing a suit. Without the context of what happened a while ago, we both looked like a newly wed. I chuckled to myself just by the thought of it.
"What's funny?" he asked, frowning.
"Do you want to marry me? I'll pay you," I blurted out, the words escaping my mouth before I could fully process them.
He looked at me, stunned. For a moment, he just stared, as if trying to comprehend the absurdity of my proposition. I couldn't blame him—it was crazy. Here I was, standing in a wedding dress, asking a man I barely knew to marry me in exchange for money.
He took a step forward, closing the distance between us until our bodies were only inches apart. I had to tilt my head back to meet his eyes due to his towering height. He leaned in, his face coming level with mine. My breath hitched when I caught the scent of his minty breath, a small but intimate detail that made the moment feel even more intense.
"I don't need your money," he said softly, his voice low and steady.
His words, simple yet profound, hung in the air between us. The sincerity in his eyes was unmistakable, and it left me feeling both vulnerable and relieved. I had expected a sarcastic remark or a rejection, but his response was different—genuine, unguarded.
I swallowed hard, trying to find my voice. "How much are you earning for being a gigolo? I'll match your salary. Or better yet, I'll offer you more. Name it," I insisted, my desperation evident in my tone.
He chuckled, shaking his head. "Is that why you paid me last night?" he asked, amusement dancing in his eyes.
"You were one of the gigolos at my party last night, right?" I pressed, my confusion and embarrassment mingling as I tried to make sense of the situation.
His laughter echoed through the park, drawing the attention of passersby. People started to stare, curiosity evident on their faces as they tried to figure out what was happening.
My confusion grows at his reaction. Am I wrong? Is he not what I think he is?
"Let's get you home. You probably need a rest," he said before he gently pulled my arm back to his car.