Chapter 20

▫️Christian’s POV...

After Stella went to her room, I sat on the couch, rubbing my temples. What the hell had I done last night? A vow slipped out of my mouth before I could stop myself --- never get drunk again.

Then MJ strolled in, asking casually about throwing a reception party. I waved him off, shaking my head. “No. Not happening. Family was already there; there’s no need for any outsiders.”

“Man, you’re such a buzzkill,” MJ muttered, walking away.

Later, I decided to upload some pictures from the wedding day. I picked a photo of Stella and me walking toward the stage, another of us exchanging rings, and—oh, the kiss. My lips curved into a smirk as I added that one too. I typed the caption: "MINE 🧿❤️" and hit post.

Let the world deal with that. Let the jealous ones cry themselves to sleep tonight, I thought with a self-satisfied grin.

But something struck me. A wedding gift. She deserves one after what she did. I called Titan, and within 30 minutes, he delivered the gift.

When I walked into the living room, Stella was chatting animatedly with Ava and the others. The way they were laughing and lounging, you’d think none of them had jobs. How do these brats have so much free time?

Clearing my throat dramatically, I said, “Stella.” She turned, arching an eyebrow at me. I handed her the box with a smirk.

Her eyes lit up, and she clapped her hands. “Finally! A gift from this ridiculous wedding!”

I leaned closer. “I already gave you a gift yesterday. This one’s extra.”

Nick chimed in with a laugh. “Exclusive gift alert, bro!”

Stella’s cheeks turned red, and she slammed her fist against my bicep, clearly embarrassed. “Jerk!”

But when she opened the box and saw what was inside, her expression shifted in an instant. She threw it at me.

“What the hell is this? I need a proper wedding gift.” she asked, looking irritated.

Stella shocked. I rocked.

I grinned. “A toothbrush.  It is used to clean mouth so it doesn’t stink while kissing."

Stella rolled her eyes," I know that, genius. But why are you giving it to me? I already have one.

I laughed, "Oh, really? I thought you didn’t. That’s why you forgot to brush on our wedding day."

I turned to the group. “Guys, guess what? She didn’t brush her teeth on the wedding day.”

The room erupted into laughter, patting Stella's shoulder but Stella stood there, arms crossed, her lips twitching as she tried to hold back a smile.

“Correction, hubby,” she shot back smugly. “I didn’t brushed for two days.”

My jaw dropped. “T-Two fucking days?”

The laughter in the room doubled as I grabbed a tissue, furiously wiping my lips. Ewww. The memory. “Oh my God, Stella! What’s wrong with you?”

She laughed along with everyone else, but her next move caught me off guard. “So,” she said slyly, “how was the kiss then? Consider it as wedding gift from me.”

My smirk returned as I leaned in closer, voice low. “How was mine?”

Her eyes widened, and she coughed, her face turning crimson. “Ugh, you’re impossible!” she huffed.

I proudly said, "And yet, you’re stuck with me."

Stella mimicked her face and said,"I’d rather stuck with a cactus."

I said,"Cactuses don’t kiss as well as I do! But yeah they will never complaint about your unbrushed teeth like I do!"

Then Stella pushed me aside and grabbed Ava's hand, “Come on, Ava. Let’s leave this lunatic to his toothbrush obsession!”

As they walked off, I couldn’t help but chuckle. This is way too much fun. But still she must have brushed. Who thought she will skip brush to take revenge from this forced marriage.

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▫️Stella’s POV...

When I reached my room, I threw myself onto the bed, groaning. “That man is the worst!”

Ava was smirking at me, leaning against the wall.

I shot her a glare. “Don’t even say it.”

“What?” she said innocently. “I didn’t say anything.”

I grabbed my phone to scroll through Instagram in order to  distract me. My feed lit up with the pictures Christian had just posted. I couldn’t help but like them.

My gaze lingered on one photo—us walking toward the stage. I looked good. Scratch that, we looked good. My husband—ugh, fake husband—was looking ridiculously handsome.

Stop swooning, Stella! He’s a jerk, remember? I scolded myself.

But still, I want a real husband who is hot, handsome and rude to everyone else but sweet and romantic with me? Ugh, stop daydreaming, this isn't fictional world.

All I have got is a handsome bastard who is arrogant like jerk and rude like asshole with me. His wife. The only girl in his life.

On the top of that he irritates me and then tease me. I really wish to grab his hairs, crush his tiny masculinity and kick his ass that hard.... Forget it he will not be able to walk and will look like fucked up.

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▫️Christian’s POV...

After posting the picture, I couldn't shake the thought. What if someone barges into her room? She’s such a heavy sleeper—too heavy. She wouldn’t even wake up. The idea alone made my chest tighten. So let's settle this too.

After dinner, I spotted Stella heading to her room and called out, “Why didn’t you slept in my room last night?”

If I tell her directly that I care about her, then she will consider herself princess.

She froze, turning slowly. Her eyebrow arched. “Excuse me? Why should I?” I already assumed this answer of hers.

I folded my arms. “Because we’re married. What if my parents show up early in the morning? How am I supposed to explain?”

“It’s a fake marriage, Christian. And why would your parents be peeking into your bedroom intruding your damn privacy?”

She had a point, but I wasn’t going to admit it. “What if someone breaks in? You shouldn’t sleep alone.”

Her face shifted, a flicker of worry crossing her features. “What about your so-called high-security team?”

I sighed, stepping closer. “Even the best security can fail if betrayal happen. You need to sleep with someone for safety.”

She shook her head firmly. “No thanks, I can manage intruders very well.”

I clenched my jaw, deciding not to push further. “Fine. But don’t blame me if something happens. "

She rolled her eyes and went in her room smashing the door on my face.

Then I made a call to Titan. It's time for a lesson. Something to scare her—just a little before something bad happens for real. At midnight, everything would fall into place.

She wants to be stubborn? Let’s see how stubborn she really is.

See you at midnight amore mio.

(Amore mio - my love)