Chapter 4 The Wedding Ring!

• After two days,
• I call Grace as my father instructed me to pick her up for the wedding ring purchase.
• I can’t believe I’m willingly entering this marriage contract. However, to teach the lesson to Grace, I have to do this.
• “Hello.”
• As she answers the call, I state, “Grace, it’s Steve. Dad wants me to pick you up to buy our wedding rings. After my meeting, be ready to go.”
• Grace’s response is unexpectedly defensive, “What do you mean by ‘after your meeting’? Tell me the time, and I’ll check my schedule.”
• I remember my dad mentioning she’s a fashion influencer, so I think she can easily take time out.
• “You make blogs, right? You can take out time; it’s just a ring shopping.”
• Her voice sharpens in response. “My work is more difficult than yours. Don’t you dare comment on it?”
• I try to explain, “I was not demeaning your work, Grace. I meant you work from home; you can do that any time.”
• She gets more offended. “You won’t understand the challenges of my work. You don't know about social media. Go see my followers and comments. People die for me. I work hard, not like you who just boss around sitting in his dad’s office. Huh!”
• A frown appears on my face, listening to her words.
• “What the fuck... Are…”
• “What happened? Got the taste of your own medicine, Mr. soon-to-be to be husband?” I can bet she must be smirking right now.
• Whatever! It’s futile to argue with her.
• So I take a deep breath, trying to keep the conversation on track. “Grace, I didn’t mean to undermine your work. I appreciate the effort you put into it. Let’s not argue; we have to buy the rings, and that’s the focus.”
• “Okay! I will inform you whenever I get time.”
• Before I can respond, she cuts the call abruptly.
• Shaking my head, I decide to check her Instagram profile, wondering if her online presence is as significant as she claims.
• As I scroll through her profile on Instagram, I’m impressed and amazed at the sheer number of followers she has.
• The engagement on her posts is remarkable, and the comments section is flooded with adoration. I must say, her influence in the fashion world is undeniable.
• I come across some of her blog posts and videos, finding them intriguing and creative.
• However, as I delve deeper, I stumble upon a video that catches me off guard. It’s a casual vlog, and there’s a moment where she laughs genuinely.
• I find myself unexpectedly drawn to her laughter, forgetting she’s the reason for my current frustrations.
• But then, in one particular video, she captures my attention in a way I hadn’t expected. Her beauty, the way she carries herself—it’s captivating.
• However, I make myself remember I can’t fall for her charm and beauty again. She is definitely a great fashion influencer, but she has no kindness in her, and I can’t let myself fall for her.
• It’s all because of her, I’m ending up marrying someone I don’t even like, and she’s completely turned my life upside down.
• The realization hits me, and I think, “Why am I even stalking her?”
• I quickly close the Instagram, reminding myself of the purpose—this contract marriage is a plan to teach Grace a lesson.
• A few hours later, after my meeting, I text her, leaving my office.
• Me: I’m on my way to pick you up.
• After a few minutes, when I sit in the car’s backseat, staring out of the window, my phone dings.
• I receive a reply from her.
• Grace: I’m finishing up some work. Let me know when you’re outside.
• Upon reaching her place, I text her again.
• Me: I’m outside.
• Grace: I’ll take some time. Wait for me.
• Why do I feel like she’ll deliberately make me wait?
• I type the message, irked.
• Me: Whenever you’re ready, just come out.
• Unexpectedly, she comes out of her mansion within five minutes. I thought she would make me wait longer.
• Anyway, she looks flawless, as if she just stepped out of a photoshoot.
• As she approaches the car, my driver opens the door for her.
• She asks after settling inside, “Is it necessary for us to do this? I mean, can’t you just pick something you like? It’s just a contract, right?”
• I respond, “You put us into this, Grace. So yes, we have to make it look real for our fathers.”
• “Fine!” She shifts her gaze to the window as the driver starts the car.
• Upon reaching the jewellery store, we step inside, and the owner of that store approaches us. “Welcome mam, welcome, sir. Please come.”
• He gestures to a store worker, instructing them to show us their best ring designs.
• As he shows us some rings, Grace shouts at him, “Why on earth are you showing us these outdated designs? Can’t you bring out something more in line with the current trends?”
• The worker looks a bit taken aback, and stammers, “I-I’m so-sorry, mam. Let me show you more designs.”
• As he presents a more modern design, she examines it, clearly dissatisfied.
• “This is better, but still not up to the mark. Don’t you have anything more stylish?” she demands, her tone sharp.
• This Girl! I’m regretting visiting here with her.
• I intervene, “Grace, let’s be kind. He’s just doing his job.” I keep my tone calm because I don’t want to make the scene here.
• She shoots me a glare. “I don’t care. This is my wedding ring, after all. It has to be perfect. I have a reputation.”
• The worker, although visibly uncomfortable, brings out a few more options. She examines each one with a critical eye, making it clear she won’t settle for anything less than perfection.
• I wonder how I’m going to spend three months with this woman.
• “Grace, let’s not make a scene. Choose something you like, and we can move forward.” I try to explain to her.
• She scoffs, “Why are you so concerned about how I behave? It’s not like we’re an actual couple.”
• I take a deep breath. “Grace, you’re wasting everyone’s time here. A few minutes back, you weren’t even interested in it.”
• She declares, “So, choose my ring yourself. I’m leaving.”
• Clutching my hands to control my anger, I watch her walk away, leaving me with the store worker.
• It seems she was deliberately creating a scene here, punishing me for bringing her here to buy the rings.
• I can’t believe I agreed to this marriage contract.
• After a moment, I select a pair of rings that seem decent enough.
• I leave the jewellery store, and I notice Grace waiting near the entrance. As I approach her, I notice a cigarette between her fingers.
• She smirks, taking a puff. “So you’re done with the rings?”
• Already frustrated with her behaviour inside, I snatch the cigarette from her hand and hurl it on the ground.
• “You’re becoming my wife, so behave, Grace.” I assert, pressing the cigarette stub with my shoe in anger.
• She glares at me. “I won’t listen to you. And you don’t dare to snatch my cigarette like this again.”
• Despite my anger, I hold my composure and respond, “Fine. Let’s just get through this without more unnecessary drama.”
• Without exchanging a word, we head back to the car.
• The drive back is silent, I wonder how I’ll survive three months of this contract marriage. It’s becoming clear that teaching Grace a lesson won’t be as easy as I thought.
• ***
• Over the next few days, as the preparations for the wedding began, I observe Grace and notice the way she manipulates situations and twists words to suit her agenda.
• I know I have to stay one step ahead of her. I can’t let her control me or our marriage.
• Finally, a week passes, and the day of our wedding arrives. I never thought that I would ever marry like this, life is seriously unpredictable.