A Bride for a Merger

It was the night of the business function that Christopher and I was going to. Knowing that this was going to be a huge event and alot of important people were going to be there, I decided that I needed to look my best. I know this night meant a lot to Christopher and even though I didn't really care about him much, I knew that my appearance would have a lot of impact on him. If I didn't look presentable enough, I know he was going to be an extreme ass. Even though Christopher had been more civil and nice towards me, I didn't think that he was a total nice guy now and wouldn't start acting like an asshole once more if he thought I would embarrass him by not dressing up to standard. Therefore, in order to avoid any possible arguments of such, instead of doing my hair and makeup myself I had decided to hire professional hair stylists and makeup artist to come over that evening to make me look 100% perfect that night. Since the back of my dress was a but open and it was strapless and exposed a little of my top, I decided that I wanted to wear my hair down instead of up. A few hours before I know it would soon be time to get ready, I made sure to shower first before I got my hair done. That way I wouldn't end up ruining it from the shower or anything after it had already been fixed. When my hairstylist came over, she had rinse my hair adding a few brown highlights to it and clip the ends. After washing my hair and blow drying it, she proceeded to curl it by adding all kinds of hairspray to make it shiny and stay in place. I think it was pointless to wash my hair in the first place if it was going to be lathered with hairspray again. I showed her my dress that I was wearing, informing her that I wanted to wear my hair down but I needed a hairstyle that would fit with my dress. She had curled my hair in such a way that it was really bouncy and looked thick and as if it had a lot of volumn. Most of it was pinned over my left shoulder. My makeup artist then set to work on adding makeup to my face and neck to make it look quite even. She had made it looked so natural that it was hard to tell if I was wearing make up or not. My skin just looked flawless and even my lips were done in a natural color and looked as if I only had on lipgloss, but nonetheless it still helped bringing out a certain glow.

When they both finished their work, I thanked them gratefully and they left. I then decided to wait a few more minutes before fully getting ready since we still had a few minutes before the time that Christopher said we'd be leaving. When it was 6:15pm, I decided it was time to start getting ready. We planned to leave at about 6:40 the latest since the event would be starting at 8pm and there might be traffic. We decided it was best to leave early.

After moisturising my body with some strawberry flavoured Victoria secret lotion, I went to put on my long turquoise dress struggling a bit before finally getting the zip up. I then put on a silver six inches heels. I went to the mirror to check myself as I put on my diamond necklace with some matching drop earrings. After checking my appearance, I sprayed some of my Chanel perfume over my body before grabbing my silver clutch, ensuring sure my essentials were in. I always made sure to carry wipes, sanitizer, lip balm, a small bottle of body cream, my phone, keys, credit cards, driver's license even though I didn't drive here in my purse. I grabbed a black leather jacket to take with me incase I got cold, before heading downstairs.

Christopher was already ready and in the living room lounging in the couch. He was watching TV and waiting when I reached downstairs. When he saw me, he stood up with a shock expression. By the look on his face, I knew I had succeeded in meeting his satisfaction. It was obvious that he loved the way I looked.

"Hi," I smiled at him.

"Hey... You look amazing." Christopher smiled looking me up and down.

"Thanks. You look good too." I replied.

Christopher was wearing a black suit with a white shirt and a slim black tie. His hair was in its usual not too messy style and he had a few days old stubble on his face.

"Thank you," he smiled. "And you're ready earlier this time."

"Well yeah I decided to try getting ready earlier than the time given." I said to him. "So are you ready to go?"

"Yeah, yeah sure. The car is outside." Christopher replied as we walked to the door. "After you maam."

"Thank you sir." I said as I walked out the door Christopher had opened for me.

Upon reaching outside I noticed it was his car parked out front instead of the car that Nathan drove.

"Uhm, why is your car here? Isn't Nathan driving us?" I asked confused as he locked the house door and came beside me.

"No, tonight is Nathan's daughter birthday. So I allowed him to take the night off. I didn't want to hire a limo or another driver so I've decided I'd drive tonight for a change." he said to me.

"I didn't know Nathan had a daughter." I said as we began walking to the car.

"Yeah, he has a four years old daughter-Mia." Christopher told me as he opened the passenger door for me.

"Oh, thank you." I said climbing into the front seat.

"No problem." Christopher said closing the door before heading around to the driver's side.

When we had reached the hotel that the dinner was being held, the first thing I noticed when the car was parked and we came out heading towards the entrance, was that there were a lot of guys with flashing cameras as each person entered the hotel.

*Oh no, Paparazzi.*

"Oh no." I said nervously coming to a halt.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Christopher asked concerned.

"I honestly didn't think there was going to be paparazzi here tonight." I swallowed nervously.

"Well it was expected since all the business persons from all the big technology company will be here tonight." Christopher said to me.

"I just didn't think about it." I said to him.

"You're not scared of a little camera and spotlight are you?" Christopher asked jokingly. "I'm sure you've been to a couple of these functions with your dad and family before and had a few run in with the paparazzi?"

"I haven't been out to any of these events in years. Not since my mom died. And I hate the paparazzi. The last time I ever had any run in with them was at her funeral and ever since I've tried avoiding them and stopped attending business function with my Dad." I told him truthfully.

"I'm sorry," Christopher said sincerely. "Here take my hand, I'll be here beside you the entire time okay?"

"Okay." I nodded before taking his outstretched hand.

Christopher gave my hand a reassuring squeeze before pulling me close to him hooking my hands in the crook of his elbow. I felt a strange sense of comfort by this so I tightened my hold around his arm. "Don't worry okay? I'm right here." Christopher smiled reassuringly at me.

"Thank you." I said genuinely to him.

"No problem. Come on." Christopher said to me as we started walking once more to the paparazzi swarmed entrance.

I honestly didn't thought anyone would even recognised me since I've only been to couple outings and business functions with my dad but that was years ago and over in Chicago. But apparently I was wrong. Some of them had recognized and remember me as daughter of Stanford Diamond, the CEO of Diamond's Technology Limited. I guess there was no total escape from things like this forever when you were born into a family of rich business men, socialites and some philanthropists. Walking through, I couldn't wait to get pass all the flashing camera and the questions thrown out by the paparazzi as we tried to get in. I was already nervous and now annoyed by some of the questions being thrown out. **Allison where have you been over the years?'

'People haven't seen you at any business functions in years since the death of Aileen Diamond. Why was that?'

'Did you have a baby?'

'Christopher, we heard you got married' 'Is Allison your wife?'

'Does the merger between Lee's and Diamond Technology Limited have something to do with your marriage?'

'How long have you guys been married?'

'Are you guys thinking about starting a family?'

'Christopher have you ever cheated on your wife?'

'How is business for you since the merge?

'Can we get a picture of you guys together?'

One specific woman reporter decided she was blunt enough to get extremely personal.

"Allison, are you aware of your husband's womanizing ways, Do you think you'll be enough to satisfy and change him?'

Seriously? I get it, that's their job to ask questions but come on, boundaries anyone?

Could she be anymore rude? Whether or not Christopher and I's marriage was real or not, that was really rude and offensive.

It was customary and only polite to answer at least one of the relevant questions or allow a picture if you feel like it. Christopher had volunteerped in being the one to answer the questions. He had told them that yes we were married, that business was now even better and they'd have to organize an official interview if they wanted to ask more questions.

As for the rude inquisitive reporter, Christopher had put her in place letting her know that she was way out of line and that wasn't any of her business and if she ever insult him or his wife like that again, he'd make sure she didn't have another job ever again. We posed together for one picture and then finally got a chance to go inside as the paparazzi started pestering the couple behind us. I sighed with relief as we were in the hotel's banquet hall. "Are you alright?" Christopher asked. "I'm sorry about that."

"Yeah I'm okay. It wasn't your fault. I got to live as a normal person without inquisitive paparazzi and reporters for a couple years until tonight. I didn't even know anyone would even recognized me here." I sighed.

"You're the daughter of a millionaire and owner of a famous technology company. And that's the paparazzi, they we're bound to recognize you eventually. Their job is to be all up in everyone's businesses." Christopher replied. "Although they don't know the meaning of boundaries. They're pathetic at times."

"I guess," I sighed. "I think I need a drink."

"Alright, let's go to the bar." Christopher said to me as he put his hand on the small of my back leading us towards the bar area.

****

I had downed more than two champagnes to help me get through the night. I always found these type of functions extremely long and boring. I mean if I had to listen to one more long talk about doing business and technology and clients blah blah blah, I was going to scream.

Throughout the dinner, as we sat a few business men had went up to make speeches. I didn't even know Christopher was gonna make a short speech as well. And then he went ahead and made the bold move of pointing me out and introducing me to everyone as his wife.

After the dinner, I had to follow Christopher around as he greeted other business associates and potential business partners and clients. I had to play the wife card once again by making conversation with most of these men and their wives or dates. I was also introduced to some of his colleagues and employees personally.

And there again, we had to act like the loving couple. We were hugging each other around the waist or holding hands and smiling at each other when different business personnel came up to congratulate us on our marriage, or wishing us a happy and lasting marriage. They also kept telling us how we were a cute couple and suited each other well.

Christopher's mom and Dad was also there together and were both happy to see us there and that we were getting along. And he was even more ecstatic about Christopher's public announcement as me being his wife.

"You look great Allison, really beautiful." Mr.Lee said to me. "You too son."

"Yeah, really amazing." Tania smiled at us in agreement.

"Thank you Mr. Lee, you guys look great as well." I smiled. "Tania I love the hair."

Thanks to the buzz I had gotten from the champagnes, I was a bit more confident and chatty this evening. Which was a plus for Christopher as all his associates thought I was a perfect wife for him.

"I'll leave you guys to continue mingling, I'll see you later." Mr. Lee said to us.

"Alright Dad." Christopher smiled.

"I will se you later Allison." Tania said to me as she and her husband walked off arms in arms to go mingle.

"Your parents are really nice, I like them." I said to Christopher.

"Thank you," Christopher smiled at me. "They like you too, but I guess you don't like me though."

"You're cute Christopher, so I'd like you if you weren't such a jerk to me most of the time " I said to him as a waiter was passing us with a platter full of champagnes and I took one.

Before I could put it to my lips, Christopher took it out of my hands.

"Hey! Why'd you do that?" I asked annoyed.

"I think you've had enough champagne for tonight Allison." Christopher said to me placing the glass of champagne on a table behind him.

"How would you know?" I frowned.

"Trust me, I know. This would be your fourth glass and you telling me I'm cute means you probably had too much." Christopher said to me.

"Don't be ridiculous" I said to him trying to reach for the glass once more but he kept barring me.

"Okay, so what's going on here?" I heard a chuckle from a familiar voice.

"Allison here is trying to get drunk and I can't allow that tonight." Christopher replied with a laugh.

I turned around seeing Clint and a beautiful Asian girl.

"Hey Allison." Clint smiled at me.

"Hey Clint, could you please tell your friend that sane people like me need a bit of alcohol in their system in order to be able to survive these boring business events?" I said to him causing him and the woman to laugh. "Allison this is Tasha, Clint's girlfriend." Christopher introduced.

"Hi nice to meet you." I said to her.

"You too Allison." Tasha smiled at me stretching her hand for me to shake.

"Oh sorry, I forgot the handshake." I chuckled taking her hand.

"That's okay." She chuckled as well.

"See? You're already tipsy." Christopher said to me shaking his head.

"I am tipsy, but not drunk." I said to him.

"One more glass of champagne would totally do that job." Christopher replied.

"Well then, if you don't want me drunk then maybe you should take me home." I said to him.

"I will, the night is almost over anyway I just need to talk to a few more potential clients and then we can leave." he said to me.

"Well fine, I'm going to the restroom. When I get back we can go." I said to him turning to leave.

"Wait, I'll come with you." Tasha said coming along with me.

After finishing my business in the stall, I came out to wash my hands and splash water on my face.

"I think you and Chris makes a really cute couple." Tasha smiled at me.

"What? I don't think he'd agree with you." I chuckled.

"I beg to differ. It's clear that Chris is really smitten by you." she replied.

"You really think so?" I asked her.

"Definitely." she smiled.

"It is the same with you and Clint." I smiled back at her. "How long have you guys been together?"

"We've been together for over four years now." Tasha replied with a smile.

"Wow, that's a long while." I said her.

Tasha and I went back out to where we'd left the guys and saw Clint standing off to the side as Christopher talked to a beautiful looking blonde in a short red dress. By the look of things, she was clearly attracted to him by the way she was touching his arm, and tossing her head back as she laughed at whatever he said to her.

Don't asked me why, but I was indeed upset by this. I was definitely mad at Christopher. I should have known Christopher was still the womanizing jerk I had come to know. He said he was going to talk to more potential future business associates but I was curious to know if she was a business person.

"Why the hell is she all over him like that? Didn't she heard when he introduced you, that you're his wife?" Tasha asked looking over at them in disgust. "Doesn't she get that he's married, why is she flirting with a married man?"

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"The question is, why the hell is he allowing her to?" I replied quite upset.

"Come on, you need to make your presence be known." Tasha said as we walked over to where they were.

"So are we ready?" I asked coldly as I stood beside Christopher.

"Allison," Christopher replied frightened as if he wasn't expecting me back. "Allison this is ..."

"I'm Kimberly." the woman finished for him. She was smiling as she stretched out her hand for me to shake. "It is nice to meet Chris's wife".

I could tell that under all that sweet smile, she was a total bitch. And based on Christopher's behavior, I could tell that she was one of his mistresses or ex's. It was also obvious that he was feeling a bit awkward and uncomfortable in this situation.

"Like wise." I said to her folding my arms across my chest instead of shaking her hand before turning to Christopher.

"I'm ready now, are you?" I asked.

"Yeah, yeah sure. I'll go get the car." Christopher said leaving us.

"Let me just get your contact before you go Allison." Tasha said to me.

"Yeah sure." I said as we exchanged numbers.

"I'll see you around Allison." Tasha said hugging me.

"You too." I smiled hugging her back.

"Night Allison." Clint said to me.

"Good night Clint." I smiled at him as I started walking towards the exit leaving them behind.

Before I could reached the exit, I heard Kimberly calling after me.

"Hey Allison wait up." she called out.

"Kimberly, I'd really love to stay and chat but it's getting late and I'm kinda tired." I said still walking. "Christopher's waiting on me."

"You know you're not gonna have him for long don't you?" I heard her say and that caused me to stop.

"What?" I asked turning to look at her.

"Chris," she smiled at me smugly. "We used to be together. You might be pretty and all and think you're really special because he married you but it'll be only a matter of time before he'll be coming back to me".

"Oh right, good for you." I smiled at her sarcastically before I started walking again. "Goodnight Kimberly."

"What? You don't believe me?" Kimberly asked as I heard her heels following me. "I can have any guy I want Allison, including Chris."

"Yeah I'm sure you can, because obviously you're a certified stuck up slut." I scowled at her. "You need to get a life." I walked off leaving her behind.

Christopher was waiting for me leaning again the passenger side of the car.

"Allison, about earlier... Kimberly and I are..." Christopher started to say but I cut him off.

"It is okay Christopher, I get it. She's one of your ex's right?" I said to him.

"We just messed around one time but that was a long time ago." Christopher said to me as he opened the door for me.

"Okay." I said climbing in the seat.

"Uhm Allison, give me a minute and we'll soon go home okay." he said looking over the top of the car at something.

"Alright." I nodded as he closed the door.

I sat in the car leaning my head back on the seat. I sat there for a while with my eyes closed. A minute had definitely passed and Christopher wasn't back like he said. So I opened my eyes looking over to where he had gone. I didn't see him at first but when I looked again, I spotted him and Kimberly chatting it up and once again she had her hands touching his arms like earlier.

"Really? Really Christopher? You're gonna left me here waiting just so you can go chat it up with the bitch?" I said out loud to myself.

I looked back at them and noticed that they were both laughing at whatever she had said to him.

*Alright, so you're going to leave me waiting in a car for more than five minutes, just so you can have a laugh? Okay fine. Why don't we all have a laugh? *

I thought to myself.

I looked over to his side of the car noticing he had left the keys in.

Smiling to myself I slipped off my heels and climbed over to his seat. I then started the car and sped off from the hotel leaving him to stay and laugh it up with Kimberly.