C7 A New Surprise

The front car door creaked as Ronny unlatched it, allowing Alice to slip into the passenger seat. As she settled, she noticed Andrew in the driver's seat, his demeanor cool and unyielding, focused on the road ahead.

A moment of shock washed over her. Andrew, sensing her reaction, tilted his head to catch a fleeting glimpse of her face before resuming his forward gaze.

"Hi there..." She offered a slight bow and mumbled her greeting. His response was a mere nod of the head as he drove away.

A palpable awkwardness lingered in the air between the newlyweds. Alice, being uneasy, cast glances around, and Andrew broke the quietude with a subtle throat clearing.

"The windows of my car have privacy tint; no one can see through," Andrew mentioned, his tone characteristically cold and matter-of-fact.

In surprise, Alice turned her eyes toward him. Despite his stoic appearance, there was a gentle and caring side that lurked beneath his cold exterior.

"With a serene demeanor, Alice questioned, "How did you discover I was here, caught in this chaos?"

"Why wouldn't I? As Andrew Kingston, if I'm oblivious to my wife's location or fail to shield her, then nothing is more wasteful than me."

Now, bitterness tinged Andrew's tone uncontrollably. Observing his side profile, Alice sighed. His demeanor left her uncertain - was it protectiveness or possessiveness? His words hinted at a touch of self-obsession as well.

However, Andrew seethed with frustration that Alice seemed to disregard her own dignity, taking on a menial task for reasons unknown, leading her into jeopardy. His anger simmered, ready to erupt. Bringing the car to a halt on a quiet roadside, he sighed heavily.

Without casting a glance at Alice, he questioned, "What was that just now?"

Alice lifted her head from editing a message to Skylar, bewildered, as she listened to his question. Biting her lower lip in confusion, she struggled to grasp the meaning behind his words.

"Are you inquiring about the contest itself or the pandemonium within the contest?"

"Doesn't it seem beneath your standards to be a model in a designer contest?" Andrew posed the question, not bothering to respond to Alice's inquiries.

"I agree, but..." Alice began to explain her reasons, only to be abruptly cut off by Andrew.

"Why'd you pull that stunt, especially for the woman you're supposed to have a beef with?"

Andrew's tone revealed his innate rudeness as he demanded to know the reason behind Alice taking on such an ignoble job.

"What?" Alice furrowed her brow.

Andrew pivoted, locking eyes with Alice. "Monica snatched your boyfriend, right? And you're toiling for someone who treats you with malice?"

Alice was caught off guard for a moment. 'How in the world did he discover the affair between Mason and Monica?'

'Naturally, the business devil Andrew Kingston must have his ways. He delved into so much about me; how could he overlook the crucial reason for my marriage to him? I'm curious about how much he's unearthed on this matter.'

"I have my reasons, but why the interrogation?" Alice wasn't fond of his relentless questioning. Despite his rescue, she felt no obligation to justify her choices in work to anyone.

Andrew swiveled his waist, retrieved a file from the rear seat, and handed it over to Alice.

"You left your copy of the contract behind this morning. Take a good look at it; it might jog your memory." Andrew's tone grew colder as he restarted the car.

He's unaccustomed to putting up with disobedience, but his newlywed wife is annoying him. Managing her requires a different approach; he can't handle her the way he does with his employees.

Alice flipped through the pages to find and read the clause he was talking about.

"Clause 3: We can lead separate lives but must not keep anything hidden from each other," Andrew stated the clause before she had a chance to read it.

Alice mentally chastised herself. Lost in her own turmoil, she forgot about this contract marriage, let alone its terms, "My apologies," she uttered in a low tone, bowing her head.

"That's all?" Andrew questioned, wearing a frown.

Alice bobbed her head affirmatively and lowered it again. Andrew glanced at her yielding posture from the corner of his eyes and sighed.

"Okay, keep your mysterious reasons to yourself, but you should have informed me about this assignment. Didn't you realize the competition was sponsored by my company?"

"I was aware, but I'm not accustomed to seeking permission or divulging my work details to anyone except my manager," Alice retorted.

An independent and self-made woman, she's a decisive force in both her personal and professional spheres. While her personal life may be in disarray, her professional accomplishments remain stellar, and regret is not in her repertoire.

"Better get used to it; I won't let you end up in danger again." Andrew delivered another authoritative command, pushing the gas pedal to accelerate the car.

Alice's heart stirred once more. Despite Andrew's domineering demeanor and assertion of his rights, she sensed a genuine warmth and concern-a sentiment she had never experienced with Mason in the past.

"I can take care of myself." Alice said. She wanted to reassure him and dispel any notion of her being unable to handle her own issues.

"I'm sure you are, just like you demonstrated today," Andrew responded, displeased with her dismissive attitude, his tone turning salty once again.

Alice wrinkled her nose and shook her head, observing her perpetually stern husband who hadn't cracked a smile since their encounter. 'Does he really have to confront me as if I've committed a crime?' Alice pondered irritably.

Both of them are actually strong-headed, self-made people who are not used to being interfered with by anyone.

"Yes, I had to, as your husband, I don't want you to fall prey to anyone. It's not a crime, anyway," Andrew stated as he perused her explanation.

Alice was surprised. "Do you possess superpowers? How did you hear my thoughts?"

"I can read your expressions. Whatever, don't withhold things from me moving forward; clear?"

Another directive came from Andrew, and Alice found it challenging to cope. She hadn't obeyed anyone's commands in ages.

'Fine, for my cynical agenda, I'll endure him for the time being. Still, he's leaps and bounds better than Mason. Ugh, why am I even comparing them?' Alice mentally slapped herself for drawing parallels between the two.

''Mason, my ex-boyfriend, and Andrew, my contractual husband; how could I possibly compare them? They serve different purposes in my life. With Mason, emotions were involved, while my marriage to Andrew is driven by a selfish motive.'

Alice emerged from her thoughts as Andrew brought the car to a stop. She gazed at his profile-his refined lines and cohesive features-and let out a sigh. 'Even with his stunning looks that could captivate any girl in the city, I set aside my emotions when proposing marriage. I must draw a clear boundary.'

"Mr. Kingston......."

Andrew cracked the door open, poised to exit, but paused, attentive to her words. "What's up?"

"It's not that I'm intentionally keeping things from you, but the circumstances of our marriage make me uneasy. I suppose both of us need time to familiarize ourselves and bridge the gap to share personal details," Alice expressed her thoughts with a hint of hesitation.

Alice has a plethora of things to conceal from Andrew in the upcoming days as part of her revenge, so it's preferable to make it clear now that she can't divulge everything as he desires.

Andrew took a moment to contemplate and then nodded. "Okay, I'll give you as much time as you need, but I expect honesty if I ever ask you something."

He consented, assured in his capacity to unearth every detail about her through his sources and skillful in managing her accordingly.

"I won't..." Alice assured promptly..

"Great, let's step out."

"I do have one more request," Alice interjected, prompting Andrew to pause once more and arch an eyebrow.

"Please refrain from involving yourself in my issues; I'll handle them in my own way."

For the first time, Alice's tone was firm and resolute with Andrew. Although he was tempted to object, he acquiesced, curious to witness how she would handle the situation.

"Alright, but I've already sorted out today's commotion. Except for live broadcasts, there won't be any news circulating about you."

"I appreciate that," Alice nodded, bowing her head.

Andrew exited the car and held the door open for her. "Shall we proceed then?"

"Where to..." Alice was momentarily speechless as they found themselves standing on the airport runway, facing an elegant black private jet adorned with the RG logo.

"Where's this bird taking us?"

"You'll find out," Andrew replied in his customary cold tone, taking her hand as he walked between his guards, creating a path reminiscent of Moses parting the Red Sea.

Alice was struck with awe as she beheld the luxurious and splendid interior of the plane. While she had experienced chartered flights many times before and even owned one, this was magnificently in a league of its own.

The pilot's announcement revealed their destination to be London; the details remained shrouded in mystery. Alice refrained from asking, and Andrew provided no information.

While the plane soared through the sky, an air hostess approached, bowed to Andrew, and respectfully said, "Sir, the cabin is prepared as per your instructions; would you mind taking a look with ma'am?"

'Cabin prepared for what?' Alice tried to fathom but found no answer.

"Hmm, you can go..." Andrew stated, rising from his seat.

"What's this for?" Alice questioned, looking at him in confusion.

"For our honeymoon...."

"What? A honeymoon?" Alice stammered, taken aback.