For Better, For Worse: The Serpent's Contract Wife

Chapter 54: The Media’s Obsession

ANASTASIA

That picture went viral. Yes, that picture. And I’ve been looking at it for far too long.

The paparazzi was no joke. They captured it like it was a scene right out of a fucking romance movie. I thought they were supposed to be a menace to society? But this was just...!

I’m speechless.

I was pulled against Zade’s body, my hands secured at my sides, and it was as if the bouquet was just perfectly installed for it, like some fairytale.

And Zade?

He held my waist with one hand while the other tilted my chin up so that my mouth was flawlessly locked on his.

We looked like a fucking dream come true; it made my skin crawl.

I hadn’t just stared at the picture for hours, but the comments too. It was almost as if this particular photo had erased all the doubt and questions about our marriage. It was insane.

They... they love us.

This must be why Zade came to the academy, bought me that bouquet, and tried to mess with my head. I mean that déjà vu feeling freaked me out, and the more I think about it, a headache comes.

I exhaled softly, shaking my head as I went to my social media account. I haven’t posted since after the marriage, at least not my picture, just my babies. The least I could do was show the world how cute they were.

"Holy..." I murmured when I saw my followers.

I had two million already!

They have liked all my posts too, everything since I first created the account.

OMG! I’m a fucking celebrity.

A scoff rolled off me as I scrolled through all my pictures. I don’t post much of my face, just my ballet shoes, my outfits, a lot of that because I loved showing the world the pretty things I wore, but the excitement wasn’t there anymore.

I rested my hands on my crossed legs before looking over to the ongoing transformation of my room. It went quicker than I expected, everything so professional that I didn’t even need to do much except sit there and supervise.

I stroked Boba and Coco beside me as my two cute bodyguards, ready to pounce on anyone, or perhaps meow cutely?

I snorted at that thought.

My phone chimed, and I checked the notification. I tapped against it, and when the profile came up, my smile dropped.

That snake sent me a friend request?

A mafia Don has a social media account? What’s he gonna do in there, post guns and drugs, or maybe how he tortures people?

Like in his voice... ’Get ready with me as I make people scream while peeling their skin off.’

I snorted again... that shouldn’t be funny, but it was.

I tapped on his profile and scrolled through. Jesus... Was he the Grim Reaper or something? Everything was just black and white.

And he posts just like me... he doesn’t even show his face. He has like three million followers and counting, and had like what six posts? Lesser.

There was one thing that stood out, the only color... It was a photo of my hand with the ring on it.

Okay... except I must’ve been high on something, there is no way in hell I could have just sat there and allowed him to take a picture of my hand.

That creepy snake must have done it when I was sleeping.

I took a moment to admire my nails... I’m in need of a change already. These angels won’t take care of themselves.

I tapped the comment icon, and I couldn’t even begin to read them all, so many of them were keen on voicing to the whole world how they wished it was them.

The urge to create a fake account and reply to all of them was overwhelming. Just to tell them how much fun it was getting married to the CEO of Monarch Group, aka the most dangerous and ruthless Don in the city.

Having throats sliced open at your wedding dinner. A wedding night where you read the contract that sold you off as a property. Becoming a fucking furniture and oh, how could I forget? Using you to get to his enemies.

I scoffed, closing the profile when I caught a post from one of the most famous fashion icons. Athena King. I followed her, and I loved everything she wore. She was practically my role model when it comes to beauty.

I made sure I liked all her posts since I’ve gone silent for a long time. It was worth the time, even though she posts hundreds. I mean, have you seen this lady? In her 40s, but looked like an absolute queen.

Ding!

My eyes moved, heartbeat spiking when I saw that it was from UNKNOWN.

Why the heck is my heart racing so fast?

I need to get myself checked because obviously I’m experiencing a malfunction. ƒгeewebnovёl.com

The worst of them all was that weird dream of me holding him so that he wouldn’t leave. That was high-end stupid, and I should be glad it is what it is, a dream... and that that asshole just dropped me off in my room and left.

I cleared my throat as I tapped against the message box. ƒгeewёbnovel.com

UNKNOWN: Friend requests are meant to be accepted, not ignored, little kitten.

I rolled my eyes.

UNKNOWN: I trust everything has been to your standards. If not, tell me.

He meant the transformation of my room.

I swallowed a lump in my throat, hating as I got so shaky and the eagerness to start making more demands.

I bet he would enjoy that. So I did a countermeasure.

Me: Instead of sliding into my DM, shouldn’t you be doing whatever it is Dons actually do?

The dots appeared instantly, and I scoffed. Always so quick to reply as if he’s looking at his phone right now. The thought of it made a hotness spread on my cheeks.

Am I blushing?

I quickly shook my head to get rid of that horrendous idea. It was probably the weather; it was hot today, so...!

Ding!

UNKNOWN: I just got out of the shower, kitten. Give a man a break.