The Billionaire's Wife

02.

Sarah's POV:

Next Day

My phone rings waking me up from my sleep," what?" I snap.

"Someone isn't a morning person", Dante laughs.

"What do you want Dan?"

"My brother just asked if you and I want to hang out with him and Mackenzie today."

"No, I'll see them at dinner tonight", I turn down the offer.

"You know Mackenzie for over ten years and we hang out with her all the time", he points out.

"Maybe she didn't hear the news yet about Alaric and I arranged marriage, I can tell dinner will be very awkward once she knows", I explain.

"I know I can't force you to come, but we are going shopping though", he states.

"Why?"

"For a dress, remember there is a gala soon", he reminds me.

I sigh,"yeah and I bet I'll have to be his date too, last year Mackenzie was, no surprise there."

"You need a dress, you have to look good as Alaric's fiance, I'll pick you up at 2 pm", he hangs up.

I get off my bed, well there goes my sleep.

I haven't seen my other best friend, Phoebe for a while. I'll give her a call.

"Hello girl, I was going to call you today, are you busy later?"

"Yes, I am going shopping with Dante, do you want to come?" 

I open my closet.

"Is it for the upcoming gala?"

"Yeah."

"Of course I want to come with you to shop, are you driving?"

"Dante is picking me up at 2 pm."

"I'll be over before that."

"There's another thing I have to tell you, I'm getting married."

I take out the clothes I am wearing today.

"What? How?" She exclaims.

I tell her what my father told me.

"Alaric Hale? No way, isn't he dating Mackenzie Brown?"

"They're just best friends like Dante and me", I reply.

"You better be careful, Mackenzie is protective of him as you can see."

Yeah, I get that first hand over the years.

"Well once we're married I hope he doesn't run to her when it have problems, although we may not be attracted to each other, we still bonded by holy matrimony."

"You have to tell him early to set boundaries with Mackenzie, if she gets too involved it wouldn't be a two-person relationship anymore so, the visiting every other weekend and spending her entire stay with him has to be cut out once you're living together", Phoebe explains.

"I doubt he'll even listen to me, beside her father is going to sign a contract with him soon so I'll be seeing plenty of her", I sigh.

"You have to demand respect or else they'll both walk all over you as time in your marriage goes on."

"I'll be careful don't worry, anyways when will you and Dante make it official", I tease her.

"We only been on a few days Sarah and recently been busy with work."

"Better claim him before another woman does, women are talking in the workplace about trying to get his number or even sleep with him."

"What?" She gasps.

"Tick-tock, but he will never settle with those type of women from his past experience, he already is in love with someone."

"What?"

Oops.

"Phoebe, I-"

"I'll see soon Sarah, I don't think I'm coming with you later", she hangs up.

You screw up badly this time Sarah.

I call Dante immediately.

"Hey, what's up?" He answers.

"I screwed up badly."

"What did you do this time? Are you in jail already? We barely talked less than ten minutes ago."

"I may have told Phoebe you are already in love with someone."

"What were you thinking Sarah? Now she's going to assume I'm not into her and I'm playing with her feeling, I can't lose her", he rambles.

"I'm sorry."

"I guess I'll have to speed up making it official then", he sighs,"see you later."

****

Alaric's POV:

"Remember dinner is at 7 pm", dad reminds me over the phone, I am relaxing in the hot tub before I go out to meet Mackenzie for us to hangout.

"I'm leaving home at 5 pm to pick up Mackenzie", I inform him.

"I hope you're not planning on leaving after dinner, I want you and Sarah to talk to each other alone first", he adds.

I sigh.

"Is that a problem?"

"No, I'll talk to her."

"Good, see you later."

"No."

I hang up, place my phone on my towel and get out of the hot tub.

Its 10 am, I promise Mackenzie I'll meet her in the hotel lobby at 11, better go get ready.

1 hour later

"Morning, I got us smoothies", I hand Mackenzie the cup.

"Blueberry?"

"Your favorite", I nod.

"Thanks", she gives me a side hug and we leave the hotel.

I know there are photographers nearby taking out pictures of us but they got use to seeing us together all the time that there isn't any romantic story to talk about. The biggest story will be my engagement and unexpected wedding, biggest story of the year.

"Let's walk, its a beautiful day", Mack states.

We stroll down the sidewalk and turn a corner heading towards a park that isn't far.

I drink my smooth as I enjoy the sight with my best friend beside me.

Mack and I sit down on the bench,"are we going to the gala together just like every year?" She asks.

"About that..."

Mack's phone rings, thank goodness.

"Hey dad", she answers, she looks at me and points behind her, I wave her off and she gets up.

"I'm good, I'm with Alaric", she walks off.

I turn on my phone and go on my i********: account, I have over 100 new followers, plenty of likes and comments.

I take a picture of the walking trail of the park and post it on my story.

Mackenzie returns,"my father coming in on Tuesday evening, the meeting will be held on Wednesday at 10 am as instructed by your secretary", she informs me.

I nod.

"So about my question about the gala, the reason why I ask is because I have a date", she tells me

.

"Really?"

She nods," he asked me earlier this week, dad seems to tolerate him so that's a good sign."

"I'm happy for you."

She sits down next to me and finish her smoothie.

"I see your fans has post your current story, they move fast", she scoffs scrolling through her phone.

I chuckle,"don't be jealous you'll always be my number one fan", I nudge her.

"Whatever jerk face", she shoves me.

____

I watch myself in the mirror, this is an important dinner so I dress to suite such occasion. I am in dress pants, a dark blue long sleeve shirt making my dark blue eyes stand out, and black blazers with my black shoes. I put on my gold watch on my wrist, get my car keys and slip my phone in my pocket.

I look at the time, 4:45 pm, time to go get Mackenzie.

I go downstairs and into the garage, I decide to take my BMW today, I don't want my future in-laws to feel intimidated although they are the second-largest company after my family's.

I drive down the driveway and through the open gate, I have tight security here.

15 minutes later

I pull up in front of the our hotel that Mackenzie is a resident for the weekend with in the best suite.

Mackenzie exits the hotel a few minutes later and get into the front seat, she is in a simple red dress with flat shoes in her feet and light makeup.

"Let's go, I miss seeing Daphne."

Daphne and her get along for some reason, probably something with her stepmother and Daphne being friends when they were younger.

I drive through the gates to my dad's mansion and park in between two vehicles in front of the garage.

The maid opens the door and Dante runs out,"brother you're here", he hugs me when I get out of the driver's seat.

"Aren't you too old for this?" I push him away as Mackenzie gets out and I lock the van.

"Hey Danny", Mack smiled.

"My name is Dante."

"Whatever you say", she winks at him and goes inside.

"How do you put up with her?" Dante points over his shoulder.

"Been doing it for over ten years", I shrug,"you known her as long as I did, you should tolerate her."

He shrugs.

We enter the mansion and Daphne greets me immediately,"you're here great, the Barlowe family will be here in about the next hour or so."

"Why?" Mack frowns.

"You didn't tell her?" She looks at me.

"Tell me what?" Mack watches me.

"Um.."

"Alaric you're here, let's talk in private", dad comes down the stairs.

We walk out back and sit down by the table near the pool.

"You know you will have to set boundaries soon with Mackenzie, no more unannounced visit outside of work", dad begins, "I already talked to Dante and he understands, although he is in love with Sarah's other best friend so they will be seeing each other when she hangs out with Phoebe."

I roll my eyes.

"Don't mess this up Alaric or else you wouldn't be the one to get the CEO position", he threatens.

I freeze.

"You know I can withdraw from handing you the company and give it to Dante without a second thought, he has the education to run a business."

"Yes father."

He returns inside and Mackenzie comes outside and sit down in the chair next to me.

"What was Daphne talking about?"

I remain silent.

"It's okay, I will not prey."

***

My future wife's family has arrive, dad, Dante and Daphne greet them, I am in the dining room with Mackenzie; she is sitting next to me. 

They all enter the dining room, Sarah looks good can't deny that, she's in a fitted dark blue dress that reaches just below her knees with black heels in her feet.

"Hey Mr and Mrs. Barlowe, hey Sarah", Mack greets them.

Mrs. Barlowe frowns a little, clearly not expecting Mack to be here.

"Hello Mackenzie", she nods, but shoots dad a look.

They all take their seats, Sarah sits down opposite me with Dante next to her

.

"I'm so happy we can officially have dinner together like this and many more to come", dad states.

"What's he talking about?" Mack whispers to me.

"We're happy to be here", Mr. Barlowe nods.

The maids bring out the food and we all begin to eat.

"Sarah, do you expect to manage one of your family's company in the future?" Dad queries.

"Actually I recently started", she replies.

"How do you think it is so far?"

"Good, my father and brother helped me a lot."

"Alaric can also give you pointers if you have any questions", dad adds and she looks at me.

"I'll keep that in mind."

When we finish eat, Daphne begins to talk.

"The food was delicious, I hope we are meeting up like this more often."

"Of course we are honey, after all Alaric and Sarah are getting married", dad nods and Mackenzie's face drops.

"What?" She says in dismay and looks at me with a disappointed face.

I glare at dad.

"This dinner was arrange for Sarah and Alaric, they are getting married soon", Daphne explains.

"I see."

"I'm sorry, I thought Alaric told you, you are best friends after all."

"I thought we were", she looks away from me and I sigh.

She gets up,"I should get going."

"You don't have to leave Mack", I grab her hand.

I see Sarah roll her eyes and Dante whispers to her.

Mack pulls away,"its not appropriate Al, not in front of your family and your future in-laws, I'll call you okay", she leave.

"I have somewhere to be too", Dante leaves immediately.

Dad gives me a look, its time I take Sarah outside to talk or something like that.

I get up, go around the table and offer my hand to Sarah, she looks up at me.

"Let's go outside for a walk."

She gets up and takes my hand when we are out of our parents' sight, I pull away.

"Just to let you know I never agreed to this, we'll have to set some ground rules", I hiss at her.

"I'm not happy about it neither honey", she snaps.

Ugh, I have to put up with this for five years.

"Good, we can agree on something."

She sits down by the table while I stand near the pool with my back to her.

"Just know Mackenzie will always be an important person to my life so just because we're married I'm going to exclude her from it", I add.

"I don't expect you to, it's obvious she's in love with you, anyone with eyes I can it", she scoffs.

I laugh,"she's not in love with me, that's what we want people to think to stop other women from throwing themselves at me which is something you'll have to get use to when we go out in public after we're married."

"Whatever, you got to tell her no more unannounced visit, she has to respect your privacy once you're married."

"I think she get that after tonight, but like I said she will be part of my life, so don't expect me to be all lovey-dovey with you because I don't like you."

"The feeling is mutual jerk."

"We wouldn't be sharing the same bed neither."

"Let me guess, it's preserved for your dearest Mackenzie", she replies sarcastically.

"You better watch your mouth", I glare at her.

"I don't even want to sleep in the same bed as you neither so no problem", she glares back at me.

"Good, we're done here, before the end of the month we'll announce the engagement publicly and you'll move into my house", I state and go back inside.

"How did it go?" Daphne grins.

I shoot her a cold look and leave the mansion.

I text Mack.

Me: I'm sorry, I should have told you, I just didn't know how to

Mack: You knew how, you just didn't want to tell me to protect my feelings, well this is way worst because I had to find out during that dinner, a head's up would have been nice

Me: Where are you? Are you at the hotel?

Mack: It doesn't matter, I already book a flight to go back to California in the morning

Me: Mack I'm really sorry, please forgive

Mack: I'll see you soon Al, okay?

I curse and speed down the street, I can't lose my best friend.

_____________________