TROPHY WIFE

"Who are you." The man questions Arianne. Whom at this point, couldn't shake the trembling in her palms.

Just as she tries to speak, Lucian comes out from his room .

"Don't scare her Rowan. Take the files and head out." He growls and makes his way back inside.

Arianne walks back hurriedly to her room, still stunned by the incident.

"I'm guessing you're the dutiful wife." The man teases. His voice, a blend of rich charisma. His intimidating frame frightens her but his beautiful smile numbs the fear.

"uhm..I guess." She responds and hurriedly increases her pace.

"I'm Rowan .. Lucian's cousin." His voice grows louder as if trying to reach out to her.

" You'd get used to him soon enough…" he reassures. "Just don't walk past that bright red door at the end of the hallway."

 Arianne turns slightly out of curiosity but before she can summon the right words to ask, he's already at the door.

 *******

Arianne wakes up in the late hours of the morning, scrambling out of bed slowly to see a note resting in the bed side table. She picks it up to read a letter from Lucian.

"We have a dinner event this evening. You're coming with me."

She hadn't had the time to process becoming the trophy wife of a billionaire and now her sad routine life had already begun. After breakfast, Arianne takes a walk around the house , her hands sweeping through the stacks of book in the study.

"Woah..its like a book museum in here.." She marvels at the huge book shelf's inside.

 She had always loved to read and this was starting to be safe space to indulge her thoughts. She picks up a book to skim through but ends up engrossed it in for hours, that she doesn't realize when night began to draw.

 Halfway through the romance novel she was reading, a deep voice slitters through her thought. Jolting her back to the present .

"You shouldn't be in here Arianne." Lucian deep voice has her standing up abruptly, the book falling off her hand. It was the first time he said her name out loud. It would have been a surprise to her but her mind barely registers it as all she wanted was to find a way out.

"Uhm…I'm sorry…I just thought.." Arianne stutters as he walks up to her. His frame over shadowing hers.

"You thought what?"

"you sweet little thing.." he tusks. "you don't want to know what happens to those who don't follow my orders." His fingers trace the lines of her chin.

At this point, Arianne bits her lips in annoyance. "I'm not your slave..I'm your wife." She finally musters up. Before he could respond she tries to slip always. But he's much faster. Lucian grabs her wrist and pulls her against the wall. Her chest heaving as she squirms.

"Don't push me..Arianne..I might just consummate this marriage tonight." He grins . Pinning her against the wall. Their eyes both lock on each other. As if in search of an answer or a sign. Lucian moves closer ,his lips closer to hers but Arianne shuts her eyes. Unable to predict his next move.

"Get dressed for the party.. Or else, I'll assume you want to continue from where we stopped." He whispers into her ears. Just then her eyes flings wide open and he releases her from his grip.

She walks back hurriedly to her room . Unable to understand what just happened between them.

For a second her mind tricks her into believing he might have started growing some affection for her.

"Of course not. He's Lucian Sinclair. He could never love anyone but himself." She scoffs.

"I should be lucky I'm still alive" .

Arianne grabs a quick shower and by the time she's done. She notices a red dress placed on the bed with a note.

"Wear that tonight. Don't embarrass me."

"Urgh…just like I said. He only cares about himself." Arianne pouts and slides into the dress.

 ********

 The event gala is a sight to behold. With beautiful tapestry and waiters serving expensive champagne glasses to the guests. We walk into the massive room, my hands interlocked in Lucian's as we navigate through the swamp of crowd.

"Oh Mr Sinclair. How delightful to have you here." An elderly lady greets us with her husband by her side.

"Its an honor." he replies and shakes their hands.

"And who is this beautiful angel ?" The man asks in curiosity.

Lucian pulls Arianne close and she remembers his words in the car. "whatever happens. Just smile."

"My wife.. Arianne." He speaks louder with so much confidence like he believes it was more than an arrangement.

"Oh wow. The most Eligible Bachelor is now married. Congratulations." The couple speaks in unison. Part surprised.

"It's a pleasure to meet you.." Arianne greets them in a faint tone as they walk away.

Halfway through the event, her legs had startles aching, with the high stiletto heels she had on.. Arianne preferred comfy clothes but for the occasion, she couldn't afford to be on Lucian's bad side. She finds a quiet corner with a chair and decides to relax . As she loosened the straps of her heels she feel the height of a man against her.

"Aren't you our little trophy wife?" Rowan's voice hangs in the air until Arianne looks up.

Silently she wished she could confront him ."Don't call me that. " she murmurs in her head.

"Just joking…I see you're lonely.. can I keep you company?" He smiles. Waiting until she responds.

"Alright." Arianne smiles in return as he grabs a seat beside her.

"Tell me..is the house to your liking?…I mean him" Rowan gestures towards Lucian , who was speaking to a few dignitaries afar.

"well.. I wouldn't know. Since he has barely spoken much words to me."Arianne sighs.

"Thank you for asking.. No one has asked me what I wanted so far." She thanks him . Peering into his eyes for a moment. She realizes how meek and welcoming he was and she pondered why it wasn't him she was told to marry.

"I 'm extending my friendship to you.."He smiles wildly and extends his hand. "I'm Rowan, don't think of me as his cousin. I'm just a man who needs a friends too".

His words makes Arianne giggle as they exchange a handshake. "Friends…"she nods.

A while into the conversation he questions.

"So tell me sweetheart. Do you plan to survive Lucian or do you plan to let him break you?"

Arianne eyes widen at his accusation." What do you mean?"

"Don't tell me you haven't realized that somethings not right." He moves closer to her. "You have no idea what you've just walked into."

Arianne's heart skips a beat . What should I be worried about?" But Rowan changes the topic.

He hands her his phone. "type In your contact...we should meet up sometime ."

She types it in and gives him his phone. Rowan looks at her loosened heel straps.

"Let me help you with that." He gets down on one knees. As he wraps them around he legs , Arianne could help but notice the way his hands grazed upon skin, sending a tight warmness around her stomach.

"All done…" he looks up at her for a little more than a second. That they don't notice Lucian walking up to them.

"What's going on here???" his words commands both their attention.

 *************