C6 The Strange Bastard

Knock, knock, knock!

"Shie, I'm sorry to disturb you. I just wanted to tell you something about tomorrow's schedule," Shienna's assistant said after knocking on the door late at night. Bryan, who knew the assistant as well as his wife's best friend, glanced at her and went back to his work on his laptop.

"Say it, J."

"Ever since you became Mrs. Sanders, the press has been polling to see who would be interested in hearing clarification from you." Jennifer paused her sentence to ascertain her best friend's reaction. "Can you do the press conference for tomorrow?"

"Um... that matter..."

"Ahem... let's not forget the agreement between us," Bryan interrupted, unable to hear the conversation as if he wasn't there. "Do you want me to tell people you mistakenly conceived the baby?"

Shienna gave Bryan a sharp look, then returned her attention to Jennifer, awaiting a response.

"Jennie, I'm sorry. There are conditions where I can't give them what they want. This marriage is a personal thing. You know what I mean, right?"

"Shie, this is important for your career. If you don't explain, they'll block you from the media, which means you won't be able to regain your fame if you ever want to."

Jennifer was right. Shienna might want to return to showbiz. Maybe later, when the baby was born, because then she would have nothing to do with Bryan, and she could enjoy life and decide how to live it. However, in every sentence Jennifer uttered, Bryan would glance at her and Shienna with a probing look.

Jennifer finally leaned closer to Shienna and whispered, "Shie, don't you want to tell your possessive husband to go to his room? I'm not comfortable talking about this in front of him. You saw what he's like!"

Shienna turned to Bryan and looked at him momentarily before finally asking as Jennifer told her. "I need to talk to Jennie about something private. Can you leave for a minute?"

Bryan didn't look at his wife but was still focused on the screen before him. Seeing no response from her husband, Shienna rolled her eyes.

"Just ignore him. Let's continue this conversation, but to the point," Shienna said as she stretched her neck. She felt pain in her collarbone and back because she had not laid down since the party started.

She wanted to go to bed early because there would never be a bridal night between her and Bryan, so Shienna felt she had more time to rest. Unfortunately, Jennifer thinks differently, and that's just how busy Shienna's day-to-day life has been.

"All right. So, you know that the media and even your fans love you and David and matchmaking you two. When the rumors of your breakup started circulating, the media and fans aggressively hounded you for clarification. And don't forget how David has treated you all these years. He's taken you for granted and made you his queen. I wish Bryan could have done a lot better. So that the media and the fans don't disturb your life by linking you with David."

Jennifer had finished explaining at length what she wanted, but neither Shienna nor Bryan responded immediately. Shienna was still thinking about Jennifer's words and thinking back to her ex-boyfriend. She unconsciously confirmed what Jennifer had said about what David used to do to her in the past. He treated Shienna especially.

Meanwhile, Bryan just raised one eyebrow, seemingly unconcerned.

"Are you going to keep quiet like this? Say something!" Jennifer was starting to look annoyed. Her face and hair were already messy because she had been just as busy as Shienna all morning. As her assistant and best friend, it was naturally her job to take care of Shienna and do what was best for her, especially since this wedding did not involve Shienna's parents.

"I can't say no. You know, I always obey everything you suggest. I don't know about that bastard," Shienna replied while glancing at Bryan typing on his phone screen.

"If you expect me to agree with your suggestions, I'm sorry. I'm Bryan Sanders, a billionaire who never takes anyone's word for it." Bryan paused his sentence and turned to the women sitting nearby. "I am the one who decides."

Shienna growled in annoyance, then got up and motioned to Jennifer, who looked confused.

"Alright. I think we got our answer from this asshole. You can go, Jennie."

"B-but, Shie. You have to consider this; otherwise, you'll become a public enemy for hurting the feelings of the man they're glorifying as your partner. Shienna!" Shienna was about to close the door, but Jennifer held back with her arm and turned to Bryan. "Bryan, please consider it. You love Shienna; I know that. Please don't let every one turn against her for something she never did."

Bryan still didn't move, even though Jennifer was staring at him intently. "Bryan—"

"When you're done, you can go back to your room! Be polite; it's our bridal night!" Bryan said, then slammed the door.

BRAKK!

Jennifer stumbled to her feet, then twisted around as she cursed Bryan's attitude for making things difficult for her best friend, Shienna.

***

Bryan and Shienna sat before hundreds of people with cameras, recorders, and notepads in their hands. All of them were focused on the woman who had captured the public's attention for several years due to her talents and character, which was unique for some fans. However, a few months were filled with another story, which managed to distract everyone from Shienna's charm all this time.

Shienna's principle of remaining a virgin amidst the onslaught of the glittering and party lifestyle, as well as the love bombing of David Emerson, her former lover, when they were still together, became a trend among young people.

However, after she reportedly spent a hot night with Bryan, will fans still believe her?

"Shienna, do you still remember your principles? You kept your virginity, even making David choose to seek pleasure from other women. But now, there is news that you gave the thing you guarded to a man who turned out to be your ex-boyfriend and now you're marry him. Did you plan this? Did you do this on purpose so that you could return to Mr. Sanders after he became wealthy? What do you think about this news?" a reporter asked.

Before Shienna could answer, another question came up. Jennifer tried her best to jot down every question the reporters asked, but she couldn't stop staring at her best friend beside her, looking pained and staring ahead blankly.

"Shienna, did you marry Mr. Sanders for his wealth? Don't you come from a wealthy family with a good career and wealth that is not inferior to your husband? Why did you decide to marry him? Is this marriage just for business and interest? Are the rumors true that you are pregnant?"

"Why weren't your mom and dad at your wedding yesterday? Did they not approve? Or are they no longer on your side, like they were with your twin sister, Zanara?"

"Shienna, did Zanara attend your and Mr. Sanders's wedding?"

... and many more questions that left Shienna feeling overwhelmed. Jennifer couldn't bear to see Shienna struggling with the reporters' questions. After all, Shienna and David had just separated, so it must not be easy to keep bringing up problems she wanted to forget.

Jennifer was about to take over the opportunity to answer the reporters' questions individually, but she failed when Bryan raised his hand, signaling her to stay put.

Bryan turned his head several times, watching to ensure his wife could answer all the questions without hesitation. However, seeing the pallor on Shienna's face, Bryan coldly got up and grabbed the microphone before him.

"Please calm down for a moment. I, as Shienna's husband, represent her to answer your questions one by one, as my wife seems to be in poor health."

The noise that had filled the halls of Gladiola Palace was instantly silenced. Bryan's deep, firm voice managed to silence the noise in the room, and now it was his turn to speak.

"The matter of the rumors circulating about the end of Shienna and Mr. Emerson's relationship, I can say that their relationship did not go well from the beginning. You must know what David Emerson is like. If you heard rumors of infidelity, it was not Shienna who did it. There's no way a woman who kept her virginity would have an affair."

Bryan's words stunned Shienna, who looked up to see the man's face.

'Is this Bryan the Bastard talking? Did he take the wrong medication, so he decided to defend my good name?' Shienna thought to herself as she blinked in disbelief.

"About that hot night, you rumored. It wasn't like that. I had been pursuing Shienna for a long time and promised to return if the man of her choice ever hurt her again. And when that happened, I didn't stay silent. I didn't want to lose her again, so I made her mine forever. And our marriage was not based on business or interest but on my will. With Shienna's consent, of course."

Shienna blinked again, turning to Jennifer, who also couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"And one piece of good news for you. Shienna and I are expecting the baby of our love. We wish you all the best for Shienna's health and our future baby." Bryan smiled, turning to Shienna, still sitting in her place. And before Shienna knew it, Bryan leaned over and kissed her lips warmly and lovingly in front of the reporters.

Before long, Bryan pulled his face away from Shienna, wiped the kiss marks on the corner of his wife's lips, and straightened up to face the reporters again.

"I hope my answer is satisfactory to you. Whatever Shienna decides, if you love or even hate her, let her live a good life. If anyone makes her sad or spreads unkind rumors about her, I assure you that I will not stay silent."