2025-02-11 22:43:06(Ethan’s POV)
Ethan paced the luxurious Windsor study, running a frustrated hand through his hair. Across from him, Zara sat on a velvet chair, legs crossed, arms folded, glaring at him like he was the world’s biggest headache.
"I’m not signing that damn paper," Ethan snapped, tossing the contract onto the desk. "I’d rather marry a rattlesnake."
"Oh, trust me, I’d rather marry a block of ice than be stuck with you," Zara shot back, her sharp eyes narrowing. "But it looks like we don’t have a choice."
Leonard Windsor cleared his throat from his seat, a silent warning to both of them. "Let me remind you both, this is a contract. Not a love story. You don’t have to like each other, you just have to follow the terms."
William Carter sighed. "Ethan, just do this. Once the deal is sealed, we all get what we want."
Ethan clenched his fists, feeling trapped. His entire life had been reduced to a business deal, and the worst part? He was being tied to this insufferable woman who thought the world revolved around her.
Zara, meanwhile, let out an exaggerated sigh. "Fine. I’ll sign. Let’s get this over with before I change my mind and strangle someone."
"Oh, please. Like I’d let you touch me," Ethan muttered under his breath.
She glared. "You don’t look that expensive, so trust me, I wouldn’t want to."
Ethan exhaled sharply, then grabbed the pen. "Fine."
The tension was thick as they both signed the marriage contract, sealing their fates.
Lisa, watching from the corner, muttered, "This is going to be a disaster."
And oh, how right she was.
The grand Windsor estate was filled with lavish decorations, expensive floral arrangements, and guests dressed in designer outfits. The wedding was supposed to be elegant, classy, and graceful.
It was none of those things.
Zara stood at the altar, looking stunning in a designer wedding dress though the scowl on her face ruined the beauty of the moment. Ethan, standing beside her in a crisp black tuxedo, looked equally miserable.
The priest cleared his throat. "Do you, Zara Windsor, take Ethan Carter to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
Silence.
Zara blinked, her lips pressed into a tight line. Then, in a deadpan voice, she muttered, "Do I have a choice?"
The congregation burst into whispers.
Ethan smirked. "I’d say no, but if you want to run, I won’t stop you."
Zara sighed dramatically. "Fine. I do."
The priest turned to Ethan. "And do you, Ethan Carter, take Zara Windsor…"
"No," Ethan said immediately.
A collective gasp echoed through the hall.
Zara turned her head so fast, it was a miracle she didn’t snap her neck. "Excuse me?!"
Ethan smirked. "I was just seeing if I had a choice too."
Leonard shot him a deadly glare, and Ethan sighed. "Fine. I do."
"You may now kiss the bride."
Zara took a step back. "Oh, hell no."
Ethan chuckled. "Don’t worry, Princess. I wouldn’t kiss you even if someone paid me."
Zara rolled her eyes, and the priest quickly wrapped up the ceremony. The moment they were officially declared husband and wife, Zara turned to Ethan with a sarcastic smile.
"Congratulations, husband."
"Likewise, wifey."
Then, just to be petty, Ethan dramatically threw his arm around her, making Zara stumble slightly.
She elbowed him.
He stepped on her dress.
She pinched his side.
He "accidentally" tripped her.
By the time they walked down the aisle together, half the congregation was laughing while the other half was whispering about how these two lunatics just got married.
As if their wedding wasn’t enough of a disaster, Leonard decided to make things even worse.
"I’ve planned a honeymoon for you two," he had announced at the reception. "Two weeks in the Maldives. Non-refundable."
Ethan and Zara exchanged horrified glances.
"Wait, what?!" they shouted in unison.
But it was too late. The trip was booked.
And that’s how they found themselves sitting next to each other in first class, strapped in for what would be the worst flight of their lives.
The moment the plane took off, the war began.
Zara glared at Ethan. "Don’t touch me."
Ethan smirked. "Then stop breathing in my space."
"Oh, I’m sorry, is my existence bothering you?"
"Yes."
Zara rolled her eyes and leaned back in her seat, but Ethan wasn’t done. He deliberately adjusted his seat so far back that it almost crushed her legs.
"Are you serious right now?" Zara snapped.
"You said not to touch you, so I’m just making space for myself."
Zara grabbed a pillow and whacked him with it.
Ethan grabbed his pillow and threw it over her head.
Passengers around them started whispering.
The air hostess approached them with a forced smile. "Sir, ma’am, please behave."
Ethan flashed an innocent smile. "I am behaving."
Zara scoffed. "Yeah, like a psycho."
The air hostess sighed and walked away.
The rest of the flight was filled with more drama
By the time they landed, they were exhausted.
But the nightmare wasn’t over.
:::::::
The moment they arrived at the honeymoon villa, they both stared in horror.
It was a tiny, one-bedroom apartment.
One. Bed.
"No," Ethan said immediately.
"No," Zara echoed.
They turned to the manager.
"Excuse me, there must be a mistake," Zara said. "Where’s the second bedroom?"
The manager blinked. "There isn’t one."
Ethan groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "You’re telling me I have to sleep in the same room as her?"
"Trust me, I’m as disgusted as you are," Zara snapped.
But there was no way out.
They bickered their way inside, throwing their bags on the floor, complaining about every little thing.
Zara took one look at the tiny wardrobe and groaned. "Where am I supposed to put my clothes?!"
Ethan smirked. "What clothes? You barely wear anything decent."
Zara gasped, grabbing her handbag and launching it at his head.
Ethan dodged, laughing. "Missed."
Zara grabbed another one. "Not for long."
A full-on handbag fight broke out.
They threw handbags, pillows, blankets, even a shoe at each other. Zara hurled a bottle of lotion at Ethan, and he ducked just in time.
"You psycho!" Ethan shouted.
"You started it!" Zara shot back.
By the time they were done, the entire room was a mess.
And they were both exhausted.
Without thinking, they both collapsed onto the bed.
Both of them.
Same bed.
Too tired to argue, too drained to move.
Ethan muttered, "If you snore, I’m kicking you off."
Zara mumbled, "If you
breathe near me, I’m suffocating you."
Then, before either of them could process what just happened, they fell asleep.
Together.
And that was only the first night of their nightmare honeymoon.
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