Chapter 37
The wedding was gradually drawing to a close, with guests already beginning to leave. The last to depart was Alajos’s aunt. Vivian’s heartbeat began to quicken; she knew what was to come next.
Her father, Bryson, announced the end of the wedding, and Alajos would take Vivian to the new home he had prepared for them-the dreaded wedding night was imminent.
Alajos took Vivian’s hand and led her out of the banquet hall, with his bodyguard following closely behind. The black car had been waiting at the entrance for quite a while.
Mare stepped forward to open the car door, and Vivian and Alajos sat together in the back seat. Despite the spacious interior, they sat close together, arm to arm, leg to leg, which made Vivian feel uncomfortably self-conscious.
She looked away, out the car window, at an unfamiliar direction; she hardly knew any part of Houston well.
Vivian stared at her fingers, feeling somewhat sad, and Alajos did not seem to have any intention of disturbing her. The entire car was silent.
They soon arrived at the hotel entrance, where Mare was the first to open the door. Alajos got out of the car and walked around to Vivian’s side, opening the door for her and extending his hand.
Vivian looked at his broad, generous hand and, without much hesitation, placed her hand in his. Alajos led her by the hand and escorted her into the elevator.
Vivian gazed at Alajos’s tall figure and sighed internally. Apart from his mafia identity, he was indeed a gentleman.
Her heart was racing too fast. The elevator was not cramped-only Mare followed them inside, while the rest stayed outside. But she felt a bit breathless, perhaps due to the tightness of her dress’s zipper.
The elevator dinged to a stop on the thirty-third floor.
Alajos led Vivian across the corridor to their destination, the only room on the thirty-third floor with double oak doors-their bridal suite.
Vivian felt dizzy and weak in the knees. She leaned on Alajos’s arm, barely managing not to kneel down. Her complexion must have looked terrible.
Alajos carried her into the room and laid her on the soft, large bed. Mare closed the suite’s door behind them but did not leave. He would stay outside the door all night to ensure their safety.
This realization made Vivian feel even more uncomfortable, knowing Mare could hear any noise from the room.
Alajos went to a round table in the room, where a bottle of champagne and two glasses were placed. Vivian glanced around the room while he poured the drinks, noting almost everything was red.
Red pillows, red bed coverings, and red rose petals covered the entire room. There was also a hot tub on the balcony-should they grow tired, they could lie down and relax in a warm bath.
A warm bath?
Vivian paused, suddenly realizing she had no nightgown.
She hurriedly checked the room and indeed saw her small suitcase had already been brought over; her mother had packed her belongings, and she was not sure if her nightgown was among them.
Alajos took off his suit jacket, revealing a white shirt underneath. He undid the cufflinks with one hand and rolled up the sleeves before pouring champagne into the glasses. Handing one to Vivian, any movement from Alajos startled her like a frightened rabbit. “I don’t drink,” she said.
“You’re too tense, Vivian,” Alajos looked at her with furrowed brows, displeased with her reaction. “Alcohol can help ease your nerves.”
“No…” Under the pressure of Alajos’s gaze, Vivian hardly had the chance to complete her refusal and reluctantly accepted the glass.
Alajos’s tense shoulders relaxed as he pulled out a chair for Vivian. She shook her head, and he chuckled, sitting down himself. “Don’t be too nervous, Vivian.” He kept his eyes on her, drinking his champagne, the desire in them barely concealed. “There’s a hot tub over there. Take a warm bath; hopefully, it will relax you.”
Alajos’s penetrating gaze made Vivian feel like a lamb to the slaughter, vulnerable to his predatory nature at the slightest hint of exposed, tender skin.
“I…” Vivian took a deep breath to steady herself, “I don’t have a nightgown…”
“You won’t need it,” Alajos said, drinking his champagne and staring at her with his brown eyes. “You are my wife, and your naked body belongs to me.”
His words were true but only served to instill fear in Vivian, whose very skin felt exposed under his lustful gaze. She crossed her arms, feeling slightly more composed when her hands touched the smooth fabric of her dress. “No… then I…”Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.
Vivian tooka deep breath, “I don’t want to take a bath, thank you…”
“What are you afraid of?” Alajos finished his champagne and approached her. He was too tall; Vivian had to look up at him, which only added to the feeling of oppression.
Vivian clenched her teeth, saying nothing.
Alajos’s brows were furrowed, his patience running thin, but he did not want to be verbally harsh on their wedding night.
“In your own time, change into your clothes and then join me on the balcony,” he said with an authoritative tone.
Alajos walked a few steps towards the balcony and then turned back to add, “Of course, if you want to take a bath in that dress, I can accept that too.”
With no other option, Vivian carried the suitcase her mother had packed into the bathroom. The bridal suite was spacious, and so was the bathroom. The two large mirrors on the walls reflected her awkward state, making her feel even more uncomfortable at the thought of having sex there…
Her face turned from red to pale in an instant. She must have been bewitched by Alajos, that dreadful man…
Vivian opened the suitcase to find lingerie and several nightgowns. She felt a slight relief; at least she wouldn’t have to go out naked. But her relief was short-lived as she examined the styles of the nightgowns.
A strappy lace slip that barely covered her buttocks, a wholly lace see-through babydoll that left nothing to the imagination, a lace bikini with no cups… Vivian froze, knowing she could never wear those and then casually present herself to Alajos.
With trembling hands, she kept searching and finally settled on a pure black lace nightdress. It had a plunging neckline but a long hem that reached her knees.
Taking a deep breath, Vivian spent a full 30 minutes in the large bathroom, and only when she could no longer stay inside did she open the door and step out.
Alajos had already filled the hot tub with warm water. He lay in the tub, his hands resting on the edge, with champagne and their glasses beside him.
Vivian noticed the layers of white bandages on his arm; they were immaculate, with no trace of blood, which seemed like a good sign.
Alajos opened his eyes as she emerged. The pure black lace of the nightdress hid little; he saw Vivian’s full breasts, her flat stomach, and…
His lascivious gaze slowly drifted down, and Vivian, feeling shy, wrapped her arms around herself, trying to cover her exposed skin. She abandoned her delaying tactics and hurried into the tub, hoping the water would shield her from Alajos’s view.