ANNALYN'S POV
The moment Aidan was out of the inner room, I snapped my gaze to the TV to see him appear there, walking straight to the seat positioned in the middle of the podium.
Murmurs rose as cameras flashed severally until he was seated.
He leaned forward, the microphone inches away from his mouth as he began. "Good day to you all, I am Alexander Aidan Klein, and this is a press conference to…"
"Mr. Klein, is it true that you're married?" One of the reporters suddenly cut him off and I saw the look of displeasure flashing across Aidan's eyes.
Apparently, he hated that.
I bit my lips, wondering if he was going to answer that or not. The question had thrown the hall into silence.
That was what this press conference was all about anyway. It was to debunk or admit if he was indeed married according to the rumors.
As evidence, I will come out for the public eye to see, as Alexander Aidan Klein's wife. As soon as this is done, I could get my company back.
I have our marriage certificate with us and Aidan had promised to drive me to the lawyer as soon as we were done, to finalize everything.
There was little or nothing Sophie and Kathryn could do now to stop me. This was just a formality because Aidan asked for it.
I didn't need this to get the papers signed. But I agreed to it because it was a way to add to my claims of being truly married, and not faking my marriage like Sophie was claiming.
The reporters began to stare at each other, in curiosity. The more silent Aidan was, the more agitated the reporters looked, and before we knew it, the hall was thrown into a pandemonium.
"Mr. Klein, are the rumors about your marriage untrue?"
"Who is your mysterious bride?"
"Is your marriage real?"
"You have been listed on Forbes for five consecutive years as the most eligible bachelor, how true is this rumor about your marriage?"
"Are you married or about to be married?"
The securities began to shout at them to maintain decorum or Mr. Klein would no longer attend to their questions anymore.
That was something Aidan could do. He looked really displeased and irritated by the noise.
When the noise died down, he leaned forward again. "I'll take one question at a time. If I get interrupted, I'll move on to the next question and won't answer the question of whoever interrupts me, okay?"
He looked so hot, sitting there, throwing orders around like he was ordering his staff around.
Surprisingly, silence filled the air and a pin drop could be heard. I had no absolute idea who Alexander Aidan Klein really was, aside from the fact that he was Sophie's long-time crush, but now, I was curious to know this man I call husband.
To know what he was like at work. To his employees. To everyone around him.
Our relationship had been civil. We really understand each other. Aside from the fact that he hid his true identity from me, we've not had any issues.
I know it's a little too early for that but a whole week being married to this man was enough for me to say marrying a stranger like him wasn't totally bad.
It was way better than marrying that good-for-nothing Warren. And if I were to choose, I'd do this over and over again.
Aidan waved his hands and one of the reporters stood up.
"Mr. Klein," she began, pointing her microphone in the air. "We've heard rumors about your marriage and we want to know how true it is. Are you married or not?"
Aidan signaled to her to sit and she did.
The cameras kept flashing nonstop and Aidan smiled. It was a type of smile that would make lots of women fall to his feet. It made me realize that undoubtedly, Aidan was charming and Sophie was right to crush on him.
"Yes, I am married!" He admitted with that same snide smile.
Gasps filled the air.
More reporters raised their hand in the air and Aidan pointed at one.
"If you're married, can we know who the new Mrs. Klein is, her occupation, her family background and whatever information you could provide about your wife?"
Aidan had a smirk on his face now and I wouldn't lie that I was anticipating his reply too.
But he waved the man down and called out. "Next question."
A young girl stood up. "There have been controversies about the sales and partnership of Klein energy. We believe you're in the right position to tell us which is true and which is not. Is Klein Energy up for sales or for partnership?"
Aidan nodded at the girl and she sat down. "Klein Energy has a new partner and that will be shared when the time is right."
Aidan leaned backward and muttered. "I'll take one last question. I have another meeting in 5 minutes."
More hands were thrown up and he pointed at an older man at the far end of the hall.
"Aidan Klein, you haven't answered any questions about your wife? Is your marriage an arranged one or was it a love match? How and why did you suddenly end up married without a proper announcement…"
"Are you married?" Aidan cut the man short. He seemed stunned for a minute before nodding at Aidan. "Is your marriage an arranged one or a love match?"
Murmurs filled the air and I furrowed my brows.
What was this man doing?
The reporter glanced around him nervously before replying. "It was arranged."
"Good." Aidan slammed his fist on the table. "That will be all from me. My wife is in that room," he pointed towards my room. When she comes out, you tell me if marrying a damsel like her was an arrangement or a love match."
Expectedly, cameras began to turn to the door. Reporters shifted their attention away from Aidan who was looking so relaxed, enjoying himself as they waited for me to walk out.
I shut my eyes, realizing that this was it.
I was about to be thrown into his world. And I was ready for it.
After taking two deep breaths, his Assistant, Chloe tapped my shoulder. "Ma'am, it's time."
I nodded at her and walked to the door. Chloe rushed after me and touched the doorknob, then hesitated to see if I was ready.
I nodded at her and she threw the door open.
The lights of the camera were bright and blinding but I forced myself to ignore them as I let my eyes lock on Aidan's.
He was still seated there like he belonged in that room.
"Mrs. Klein."
"She's beautiful."
"Isn't she Annalyn Lorenzo, Lorenzo's first daughter and the incoming CEO of Lorenzo Cooperations?"
I didn't let my eyes shift away from Aidan's. He was smiling so sweetly at me I felt relieved. If he wasn't doing that, I doubted if I'd have the courage to carry myself like that.
Cameras, paparazzis and reporters weren't new to me. But I was stepping into a new world. A world that might be totally different from mine.
Aidan's world.
My overflowing gown had a skit behind. It was a beautiful red dress which I complimented with a black heels.
When I got to Aidan, he stared up at me like I was a piece of antique. It made me feel warmth spreading through me but I reminded myself that this was a show for the public's eye.
Sophie and Kathryn would be seeing this too.
At the thought of that, I sat next to him and he leaned in to kiss me briefly. The flashes of the cameras didn't stop.
"You look beautiful," he muttered in between my lips.
I blushed red in the face. This was the first time he'd complimented me since we've been married.
"Thank you, Mr. Klein."
"You're welcome, Mrs. Klein."
I turned to the reporters and they began with their trains for questions.
"Are you Annalyn Lorenzo?"
"Yes." I replied, rather too quickly. Some of the reporters were typing away on their laptop while others were still on their toes, taking pictures.
I felt a warm hand around mine and I glanced up to see Aidan nodding at me. "You're doing well. Be calm, okay?"
I nodded, my confidence more fueled.
I expected more questions but nothing was forthcoming until I noticed the whispers and the shared glances amongst them. They began to murmur and the hall was thrown into a frenzy uncontrollable.
I turned to Aidan. "What's happening?"
He didn't look like he had any idea either. He was about to speak into the microphone, whether to tell them we were done with the press conference or whatever when the man from earlier whom Aidan had shut up, stood up with a smirk crawling up his face.
"Mr. Aidan Klein, your reputation was not so great for years and now you're married to a murderer?"
Fear jumped into my heart and I snapped my head back to Aidan in total confusion.
Aidan became suddenly speechless. He let go of the microphone and glanced at me briefly. "What the hell are you talking about?"
"Your supposed wife, Annalyn Lorenzo, is all over the news, as the murderer of her father, Albert Lorenzo."
My hands on my thighs dropped and I shot to my feet. "What?!"