《Billionaire鈥檚 Most Wanted Bride》


 One

    ~Eva¡¯s POV~


    I entered the big luxurious restaurant. I looked around in search of my blind date. I picked up my phone from my ck leather handbag and dialed thest number.


    ¡°Over here¡±, Damien signaled with his hands. I went in the direction of his hand. I was nervous. No that¡¯s not the word to exin how I am feeling right now. I was rather annoyed. Caressing my bumps, I assured myself the hundredth time. It must end up like the others.


    ¡°Hello,¡± I greeted and reluctantly sat on the chair opposite his. He was my third blind date.


    ¡°I think I might like you,¡± he said with a big smile. ¡°Eva right?¡± he snaps his finger, still smiling. His arrogant attitude was already driving me crazy. If only he knew who he was meddling With.


    smiling, I nodded. I handed my business card over to him. ¡®Ab Food and co LTD¡¯, he read aloud.


    ¡®Yes¡¯, I replied sipping from the cup of coffee the waiter brought earlier before going to attend to other customers¡­ Soon he came back to us.


    ¡°what would you like to eat?¡± He asked extending the menu to us. I collected the menu and scanned it through.


    ¡°Pasta with red sauce. And please add enough pepper ¡± I pointed out. The waiter looked in Damien¡¯s direction, enquiring what he would like to eat.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    ¡± hum¡­ I will also go with the pasta, he said.


    ¡°Why would you want to marry me?¡¯ I asked looking him directly in the eye. His golden¨Cbrown eyes fitted perfectly to his arched bushy brows.


    He kept on staring at me. Precisely he doesn¡¯t have a reason.


    ¡°Everything¡­just everything,¡± he said finally. That was supposed to be a lovelyment but to me, it was the opposite.


    ¡°Or is it because of thepany?¡±, I said ¡­or my dad? These are the two reasons I could think of.


    ¡°You see¡± I sat up and gave space for the waiter to drop the food that we ordered. I forced a mouthful of the pasta to my mouth, allowing the red sauce to sprinkle on my white dress and all over my mouth. That was just to drive Damien away but instead, he offered me a wiper ¡°How annoying,¡± I muttered


    ¡°I miss my past lifestyle. The way I live when I was in California¡± I smiled. Earlier on I had browsed the inte in search of the easiest way to ruin a blind date. Being proud of your dirty past was the one I picked. Although I didn¡¯t have any, I forged One for myself.


    ¡± What do you miss about your past lifestyle¡± Damien picked up interest and ask.


    ¡®I Miss the way men look at me! The way they touch me ¡® I said and alongside demonstrated with gestures. Do you know what they call me then ?, I ask with a grin on my cheeks. They call me¡­.


    ¡®Wtf..¡¯! Damien growled in anger, he picked up his jacket and stumbled out. That was all I needed from him. What other way could I have used it? I couldn¡¯t just tell him that I wasn¡¯t interested, it would prolong everything.


    Iugh loudly attracting the attention of the others in the restaurant. ¡®sorry¡¯ I stopped suddenly and bowed in apology. I won¡¯t easily forget to get myself together. I¡¯m the daughter of a billionaire. all eyes were on me. I took my handbag and walked out.


    I entered my red Lexus LX 600 and drove off. Soon enough I was home. My heart beat faster with every single tiled step I climbed. I prayed that the chairman would be asleep already. I am not ready for the ¡®end of date report¡¯.


    I open the door handle quietly to avoid attracting attention. With my shoes on my hands, I tiptoed inside.


    I entered the sitting room to behold the chairman sitting on the long sofa. He was probably sleeping or watching the television. I wished it was the former


    ¡± How was the date? ¡°Chairman Huxley asked¡­ I was dazed. I stood at the spot Without moving. I wanted to be sure if I heard his voice or if I was hallucinating


    ¡°I hope he was good enough, your kind of man? I picked him especially¡± he said smiling. I bit my lips in anger.


    ¡®It went well sir¡¯ I finally said and made my way to the stairs but was stopped.


    ¡°Here,¡­ sit down¡±¡® he gestured for me to sit in front of him. He turned off the television and took thest sip of Alcohol in his ss.


    I blinked my eyes, staring curiously at him for a moment. but then I could feel my knee getting weaker with the way he stared at me. Obediently I took the closest couch and sped my hands on myps.


    ¡°I got a call from your date¡± he grumbled. ¡°What was that? You said it went well or perhaps you meant that you drove him away like you always do to others? I told you he is an important one !¡± he growled. I didn¡¯t have any exnation to give him, and neither did I feel guilty.


    ¡°Why do you keep doing this? ¡± he red at me with disgust.


    ¡°Father! ¡­¡± I tried to give an exnation. ¡°I don¡¯t want to get married just like that. I am not interested. Besides he doesn¡¯t like me, he only adores ¡± Ab food and co ¡°¡® I mustered courage and said. ¡°I want to fall in love and marry the man of my dreams, I pleaded. Almost subbing. That has been my desire. The way normal ss citizens do. I live my life here every day as if it has been programmed.


    ¡°love? ..¡¯ Look at what you are saying. You are the Sessor of Ab food and co¡± he pointed out. I hate being reminded of that. Not that I don¡¯t like to be the owner someday but using it as an excuse to torture myself.


    He coughed continuously making me grab a ss of water over to him.


    ¡°You can¡¯t own the Company if you don¡¯t provide a husband for yourself and a Son- inw for me ¡°he continued.


    ¡°I will do just that Dad! ¡® I faked a smile trying hard to keep him calm. His health condition might get worst if I don¡¯t y along.


    ¡°That¡¯s more like it. You better do that quickly. Meanwhile, you have another date tomorrow at the normal time and location. You must be so exhausted go to bed. I will text you the details tomorrow morning¡± . he concluded and switched the television back on


    I began panicking with a crazy imagination. ¡® who would it be this time?¡¯ I wondered.


    The look on chairman Huxley¡¯s face was mean. I knew he meant every word he had said.


    ¡®

 Two

    ~Damien¡¯s POV.


    Hugely taken aback by Eva¡¯s startling confession, Damien discovered he had to hold on to every atom of Self-discipline to keep his temper. He was surprised that his proposal was met with a negative response.


    He rushed out of the restaurant that evening to cool his temper. He went ahead and had some bottles of drink. ¡± How could she reject me huh? , he couldn¡¯t contain his anger. He has never felt the anguish of being rejected by a girl. He wondered why Eva had rejected him as he sips his drink with a frown.


    Damien is the first and only son of ¡®The Alexandros¡¯ one of the richest and most famous families. His looks are like that of a model. His Short ck hair was a perfect match for his face. He had golden brown eyes and red thin lips. His nose was not too sharp but whichever way it was, was perfect. He sure knows that he is handsome enough, Head swiveled to look at him whenever he passed. Was it his statue? He damn has fucking six packs on his belly. All these thoughts were ringing in his head.


    He was quite aware that Eva¡¯s actions and words were just a way to push him away. Come to think of it who would give a dirty story about herself like that? He knew he has been rejected.


    ¡°The Alexandros ¡® is the richestpany in the U. S. he is the heir. He will inherit it from his father only if he meets one condition which is to get a bride, If he doesn¡¯t marry before his father¡¯s demise then thepany would be sold off together with its branches. That was his father¡¯s warning.


    He is twenty-seven and still single. He joined his father¡¯s Company after his bachelor¡¯s degree in Italy. Then he was about twenty ¨C three years old. Although he wanted to further his education his mother¡¯s death and his father¡¯s persistence in him joining the Company, stopped him.


    **


    He took his jacket and stumbled out of the small bar. He barely finished five bottles of Alcohol and he couldn¡¯t differentiate between a customer and the bar attendant. He managed to pay the bar attendant before leaving. He abandoned his car and entered a taxi to his Apartment.


    An Apartment big enough to be a family house is where single Damien lives. it looks more like a penthouse. He flicked the light on and jump on his bed. Without bothering for food, he slept off still in his adorable and expensive suit. He has never done that before.


    He woke up earlier the next morning. He left early for work. Having justpleted the construction of his new hotel. He needed to be there early. His father would being too. Every new hotel was built to be more Outrageous and better than thest. ¡°The Sandro hotel¡± owns the best hotel in the U. S as of present.


    ¡°Damien¡±, A Familiar masculine voice called out from the entrance of the hotel.


    ¡°Dad!¡±, he said with a smile. Getting up to hug him. ¡°You are here. Do you like what you are seeing? ¡°He asked turning round the hotel with his wide opened hands. He dragged a sit and ushered his father to sit.


    ¡°Of course I do. You are doing well my son .¡± he said. A waiter brought a bottle of wine and two sses across their table.


    ¡°So I remember they say behind every sessful man, there stands a woman ¡°. Mr. Alexandros said as sipped thest drop of his ss. He scratched his grey but bush hair. Considering how grey it was, you might suspect it was dyed.


    ¡°That¡¯s a different case for me dad¡±


    ¡°I believe you¡± he stood up and walks around the hotel to take a closer look.N?velDrama.Org owns this text.


    ¡°Sure you should¡± Damien followed him. They counted the whole room as they walk past each. It was thirty- five exquisite rooms in total.


    ¡°How was yesterday? ¡­ I mean the date¡± Mr. Alexandros asked. Damien knew he surely will ask about that, he already made up his mind about what he would say to him. ¡± Well dad, I don¡¯t like her ¡± he finally voiced out, clearing his throat and avoiding direct eye contact with his father.


    ¡°You don¡¯t like who?, Miss Huxley ?¡± He couldn¡¯t contain hisughter. He was sure that he was lying. She must have rejected her like she always does¡­ ¡°Miss Huxley the most wanted bride in Denver?¡±.


    ¡± That¡¯s absurd dad!, She might be the most wanted bride but I don¡¯t want her, I see her more as an Asset than a woman ¡°. An asset? That was rude. But Damien cared less. He wanted to convince his father enough. Even if it will involve badmouthing her. Truth be told, he would have married her straight away if she had given in. Or was she just ying hard to get? He wondered. If that was the case she won¡¯t have said something silly, that would piss him off.


    ¡°Hmmm¡­ whatever you say, I¡¯m leaving. ¡± He said and headed towards the exit. ¡°Try and see her more as a woman . Love Eva!!!¡±. He was almost shouting and stormed out of the hotel. His mood wasn¡¯t pleasant. He always had this frown on his face except when he talked to his son. Damien was his only son. His only daughter, Cami is much younger than him, she is ten years younger. she just finished high school¡­


    She is the daughter of his second wife, who died while giving birth to her. Luckily for her, Damien considers her as his blood sister and not a step-sister. He treats her the way he would treat a younger sister.


    Damien waved at his father¡¯s car, waiting for it to finally drive off before continuing with what he was into before his arrival.

 Three

    ~Eva¡¯s POV~


    Brrring ¡­.


    I woke up to the annoying sound of my rm clock. I sluggishly ms it off with my palm and continued with my sleep. About a few minutester, I jumped off my bed like someone that had a terrible nightmare.N?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    ¡± It¡¯s 7:30 am already? Fuck!!! ¡± I cussed out and rushed to the bathroom. Brushing my teeth and rushing through my bath, I dressed in a normal work cooperate T-shirt, a jacket, and a pair of in trousers and then picked a handbag and shoe that suits perfectly the color of my dress. I had my breakfast of a sandwich and went to the sitting room to grab my car keys.


    ¡°Hey dad, Good morning. I¡¯m off to work sir¡± I greeted Chairman Huxley, my father. I was already used to calling him sir since we work in the same ce and he is the boss. Chairman Huxley was still sitting on the same couch as the previous night. He stared at me for a while before ordering me to sit down on the couch opposite him.


    ¡°I told you that you have a date today, didn¡¯t I ?¡± His hands grabbed the file beside him. He threw it at me and urged me to read. The file contains the list of my yet-to-attend blind dates. Chairman Huxley must have spent a whole weekpiling the file and merging them.


    ¡°Dad!!!¡± I screamed as I found out the content of the file. I threw the file back at him and stood up to leave. I was furious. I never expected my father to go that far just to find a suitor.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare !!!. He stopped me from leaving. ¡± Alright I will read it out but first, you have to get back to your sit. ¡°. Slowly, I went back to my sit and crossed my leg over the other. I threw my face away, to the side making my ears avable and facing him.


    He cleared his throat, fixed his sses well, and read aloud from the file.


    ¡± The first on the list is Frank Wright. The heir apparent to ¡® Jaggo food¡¯. Jaggo food¡¯ specializes in the manufacturing of confectioneries, pet foods, and various food products. Frank is 30 years old. Handsome. You can see his picture here¡± he pointed at him . Each person in the file has his picture, more like a passport attached by the side of his personal details.


    _He flips to the next page_


    ¡°William Scott is the CEO of ¡®Scottfield food INC ¡® which specialists in pork products. William is 35years old, and studied business administration in Washington. He took over his father¡¯spany five years ago, after his death, Now he has two branches in Washington. He is handsome. Come and take a look at him, Eva. He said with a big smile but I ignored him. I was getting tired of his endless lecture. Chairman Huxley would never stop until he gets what he want, I was very much aware of this.


    _He flips to the next page_


    ¡°Next is Michael Perez Hilton. He read, this time walking around. Michael is the heir to ¡®Hilton brews¡¯ which is responsible for local brews and household-name beers. They brew over 50 brands. Michael is 29 years old, and he has a nice stature. _He winked at me . _ he could be childish sometimes, maybe because of his age.


    The fourth is¡­


    ¡°Dad !!!. ¡± That was enough. I was growing sick of hearing those litanies. I picked up my handbag and was ready to leave him there if he wouldn¡¯t stop.


    ¡°What? Have you chosen someone already? We still have about three more to go¡±. He said feigning ignorant of the fact that I was fed- up. He flips to the next page and continued. No Matter how furious I was, I would never have walked out on him. He knew that and always take advantage of it.


    ¡°Damien Alexandros is the next. A multi-billionaire who now is the CEO of one of his father¡¯spanies. ¡± Sandro hotel ¡± is a Hotel constructionpany. He has two famous luxurious hotels here. Six more in different parts of the world. Damien is handsome and sessful. Above all, he is young, just a 27year old boy¡± _He giggled_


    He flips to the next page. I acted quickly enough. ¡± I will just go with anyone, father. ¡± I smiled trying to keep my temper at ease¡­


    ¡± Very well then. The time is 7 pm at Honey Hotel. I will text you the details.¡± He said. I was already at the door waiting for thest sentence before I could m it behind him. ¡± Have a nice day ¡± He waved. The banging sound from the door gave him the reply.


    I entered my ck Mercedes Benz and drove straight to thepany. Unlike the other days, I arrived veryte. A bad example for a leader, all thanks to the chairman. ra my secretary hurriedly rushed towards me immediately she sighted me.


    ¡± You are here ma, Good day¡± she greeted me and took my handbag from me. That has been her way ever since she got promoted. Maybe to find a favor from me when I finally be the CEO.


    ¡± Did anyone seek my attention?¡± I asked, entering my office, I saw it was already cleaned. My desk was also looking better than the scattered way I left it the other day.


    ¡°No ma ¡­ Yes ma, you had a call. ¡± She said. I sat at the edge of my office chair. ¡± Was it important?¡± I asked but got no response. I guess she wouldn¡¯t know since I banned her from answering calls meant for me.


    I walked over to my leather sit. Myrge office was beautifully decorated to my taste. It has a couch, television, and two extra leather chair for visitors. For me, it¡¯s very befitting andfortable. I opened my drawer and picked a single key from it


    ¡± I won¡¯t be back today, if the chairman asks of me you know what to say¡±.


    ¡± To prepare for your date, ¡± she said.


    ¡± That¡¯s right¡±. Everyone in thepany knows about my blind dates because the chairman won¡¯t stop yelling.


    I drove myself to Brenda¡¯s apartment.

 Four

    _At Brenda¡¯s apartment_


    Eva¡¯s POV


    I put the key I got from my office into the lock in Brenda¡¯s house. I unlocked it and entered. ¡± Bitch ¡± I shouted. That was an informal way we both address ourselves.


    ¡°Eva ! is that you? ¡± I heard her voice from the kitchen. She came out quickly and gave me a big hug.


    ¡± The way you barge into my house scares me, ¡± she said and looked at me from head to toe.


    ¡± If that is the case, you won¡¯t have given me your spare key!¡± I mocked


    ¡± Give it back then! ¡±


    ¡± Give it back then¡± I mimicked carefully cing the key back in my handbag. She looked carefully at me with a worried face. I was exhausted and my face was showing it.


    ¡± Okay, what¡¯s going on? Omg, they are not shutting you down, are they? Because of¡­ What¡¯s up with you girl, I know that face You look so ¡­ should I say depressed or exhausted¡± she was talking too fast. I know she is sincerely worried about me.


    ¡± Calm down Brenda, it¡¯s just the chairman,¡± I said. She flopped into the chair, calmer and relieved. The problem with me and my father is something she knows every scratch of.


    ¡± What¡¯s the condition? Is it getting worst? Or did he arrange a marriage against your wish? ¡­ ¡±


    ¡± Dad won¡¯t let me be until I get him a Son- inw. ¡± I replied with a sigh.


    ¡± Another blind date? I thought it was over after Chris. She asked in amusement. Chris was the first guy I went on a blind date with. It¡¯s still embarrassing to me, how I treated him. I think the rude and arrogant brat deserved it. He was acting up as if he owns the earth. I just gave him a tip from my insanity.


    ¡± I really pity you, my friend. I know how hard it is¡± Brenda said , suffocating me with a tight hug.


    ¡°If you really do, then go on my behalf¡± I voiced out.


    ¡°Yes I will¡­Wait what??? She stuttered in surprise immediately she understood what I said. I really meant it. If I could see someone that would go instead, I was even ready to pay any amount. She untighten her grip from the hug and moved to the couch opposite mine.


    ¡± Brenda please¡± I pleaded this time, but that was nonsense. They say birds of the same feather flock together. Brenda and I have been single for a long while now . How would she go on a date, Something I hated so much, she might hate that as well. Maybe I was being selfish. Just as I was about to apologize, she epted that she would go.Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    ¡± Okay , I will . But just this once . Not ever again ¡±


    ¡± I promise¡±. I jumped over to her sit and tightened her with a huge hug.


    ¡°And what should I do, should I ruin it or¡­¡± She asked


    ¡± It¡¯s your date now honey, you can do whatever you wish to but once he calls back, my dear you are going to marry him and not me . ¡± I said with a smirk on my face.


    I helped her get ready . She wore a red long sexy gown. She styled her ck wavy hair to look extra beautiful. Her brown eyes are bright-lidded and cat-like. Her thin lips and straight pointed nose fit perfectly to her oval face. Her skin is wless and light. I always admire her beauty especially when she has a light makeup which she does now.


    ¡± You look perfect for a real couples date. I¡¯m worried that he won¡¯t stop thinking of you just by seeing your face today¡±. I said as I did a finishing touch to her makeup. She smirked.


    I drove her to the honey hotel and gave her his number. Whoever it was , I didn¡¯t know, and I didn¡¯t care¡­ ¡± Give me a call I wille to pick you up . Don¡¯t let him find your apartment by driving you home¡± I said and bided her goodbye.


    ¡± Thank you,¡± she said , a little panicked.


    **_Brenda¡¯s POV_**


    I entered the exquisite hotel and looked around for the man in the picture Eva showed me earlier from her iPhone. He wasn¡¯t there . Head swiveled to watch me as I wafted to the outdoor table.


    About thirty minutester, he arrived. He stood at the entrance dialing a number from his phone. I knew it was Eva he was calling so I acted fast. I called him with the number Eva had given me . ¡± Over here¡± I said waving my hands . he dropped his phone back into his side pocket and headed towards me.


    ¡± My name is Michael,¡± he said extending his right hand for a handshake.


    Michael was an exotic treat with his fine features. His white skin fitted perfectly to the sky blue ssical suit he was putting on. He left his hair short and ck, all curled to the back.


    ¡± You look lovely,¡± he said as he sat on the chair directly facing mine. I smiled shyly. For some reason I was already falling for his looks and polite manner. What if he is being nice to me because he thinks I¡¯m Eva ¡®the most wanted bride¡¯?


    ¡± What did you expect me to look like,¡± I asked , trying to be as rude as I could afford to be. Our eyes met for a second . It was an intimate look for two people that hardly know each other.


    ¡± What would you like to order?¡± The waiter arrived, interrupting the ufortable look. I looked at Michael to make an order . After staring at the menu for some seconds he finally made a choice.


    ¡± I will have anything she does¡± he said with a faint smile. I couldn¡¯t stop myself from falling for that too. ¡± You are meant to ruin this Brenda, don¡¯t be easily swayed, ¡± I said to myself. I had to keep in mind that I am Eva and not Brenda at that moment.


    ¡± Just a cup of coffee ¡± I said to the waiter .


    ¡± Two tes ofsagna as well¡±. He said to the waiter as he was about to leave . Lasagna is one of the most famous kind of pasta. It¡¯s made only by AB food , Chairman Huxley ¡®spany. He must have ordered that to impress Eva. I was surely impressed. I always crave for that recipe.

 Chapter Five

    ~Damien¡¯s POV~


    Getting things ready for Cami¡¯s birthday party wasn¡¯t a fair treat to me. She obviously wants everything. I had to start getting things ready for a birthday that is in two weeks time. Coming out of the shopping mall I noticed ady hovering around my car.


    ¡°What the hell are you doing?¡± I asked.


    ¡± I¡¯m so sorry, I mistakenly hit your car when ¡­¡± She turned to tender her apology and to my surprise it was Eva . She must be surprised to see me too , given the way she stopped in the middle of her sentence. She slipped and fell on my bo.


    I stared at her as she made her way up. I wanted to hurt her ¡­ I wanted to hurt her so badly for thinking she could turn me down in such an embarrassing way.


    ¡°Let¡¯s grab a drink,¡± I said and headed to the nearest restaurant. She followed at my back , giving a reasonable space between us. It was quite annoying to me. It¡¯s not like I¡¯m a monster or we had an unpleasant past together.


    ¡± So ¡­we meet again, she said. I thought after our previous encounter you won¡¯t want to have anything to do with¡­


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you drinking¡± I interrupted? She looked up at me . I imagined what she would be thinking, Maybe she will be feeling guilty for what she did but her looks says the opposite. She grabbed a ss and gulped it down so quickly. Like she has been waiting for the moment toe.


    ¡± Let¡¯s get this straight, My father insists I date you, I Know your father wants the same. ¡± I said . I hated how I went straight to the point but it won¡¯t matter. It has to be said after all.


    ¡°That¡¯s Absurd¡± she sighed gulping down the third ss.


    ¡± Whatever you say, I think I might have an idea . That is if you are really tired of going on numerous blind dates. She was startled when I mentioned about her blind dates .


    ¡± You are stalking me ? She asked in annoyance.


    ¡­¡±I¡¯m not¡±


    ¡°Then?¡±..


    I couldn¡¯t get myself to start arguing with her . Instead of beating around the bush I decided to hit the nail by the core.


    ¡± Let¡¯s date ¡± I finally let it out , ready for whatever reaction she would offer. I wanted to fulfill my father¡¯s wish of getting married to her .


    ¡± Now I feel you are hitting on me, anyways I¡¯m not interested. She said and stood up to leave.


    ¡± You haven¡¯t finished your drink ¡± I said in a bid to stop her from leaving. ¡± I wasn¡¯t saying we should date for real, let¡¯s pretend to be a couple for a while¡±


    ¡± And how would that help¡± she shrugged and ordered for a second bottle.


    ¡± Hope you can hold your liquor cos I¡¯m not driving you home¡± I said jokingly but she ignored that . ¡± We have to sign a contract¡±.N?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    ¡± What is it about? The contract I mean¡± she said. She wasn¡¯t taking any other ss. I was amazed she listened to what I said . I almost thought she didn¡¯t hear that.


    ¡°I will draft it. We just have to pretend to be a couple just for 365 days . By then we must have sorted ourselves. ¡± I said taking thest ss from my first bottle.


    ¡°What do you think? That I will just give in? , I¡¯m not a slut okay !¡± She said almost shouting. Her eyes were almost bulging out.


    ¡± Isn¡¯t that what you said you were on our first date?


    ¡°Hey!!!¡­ Who the fuck do you think you are? She hauled, standing up and hitting her hands on the table


    ¡°Damien Alexandros¡± I answered proudly. I have never hesitated to use my surname to my advantage even when I was in high school.


    ¡°Huh? , Do you mean the famous ¡®Alexandros¡¯ ? She asked in surprise and sat down slowly. I nodded confidently.


    ¡± I guess if you knew sooner, you won¡¯t have treated me the way you did ¡± I said taking advantage of the moment to make her feel guilty at least.


    ¡± Hmm .. this is an awkward situation¡± she murmured . Had I known you were Damien Alexandros, I won¡¯t have bothereding for the date .


    ¡± Why,¡± I asked. It was my opportunity to know why she wouldn¡¯t want me. I¡¯m handsome rich and ¡­ What then does she want from in a man that I couldn¡¯t offer?.


    ¡°¡­ Because you are not my type of man ¡± she said . She fixed her eyes on mine. Looking from my head to my toe as if she was weighing my worth. I have never been treated with so much disrespect not by a man not to talk of ady.


    ¡± You are unspeakable¡± anger brushed through my cheek.


    ¡°Thanks for thepliment,¡± she said making me more furious. How was that apliment? It was as if my heart would burst out due to the amount of anger it was holding in.


    ¡± That¡¯s the dumbest way to look at it, ¡± I said craving for more drink . I took up a cigarette from my breast pocket but determined not to light it up in front of her . I promised myself to quit from smoking. Not because the doctor said it wasn¡¯t good for my health , but because my father said so.


    ¡°Now¡± , I said getting down to business. ¡± I¡¯m not gonna bore you with the details . I guess you already know how to y your own role as a multi- billionaire¡¯s girlfriend. If you don¡¯t , figure it out then.


    She looked at me like she would devour me. I bet that must have annoyed her. I pretended not to notice the change on her mood.


    ¡± This should be all for today dear¡± I cleared my throat and said. The waiter came around when he sensed I was about to leave. I paid for the bottles I had. Eva paid for hers too like it was nothing¡­ I almost forget she was a billionaire as well.


    ¡± Do me a favor, when you get to your apartment, think about it. just think of it as a normal business proposal¡± I said , smiling. She watched as I left the restaurant.

 Six

    ~Eva¡¯s POV~


    I stayed up almost all night thinking of Damien¡¯s proposal. In as much as I was tired of my father¡¯s troubles about getting married, I couldn¡¯t bring myself to sign a contract with a stranger.


    I stood up from my bed and headed to the kitchen. I almost forgot to eat again. Turning on the gas cooker, I ced the pot in the fire to make noodles. My favorite easily made meal. Within thirty minutes, I was done. I took my dinner to the sitting room and switched on the television.


    There must always be news about us. To me, all the work the press do is centered on bringing to the world the life of the billionaires. The more secret you expose, the higher your sry. I tuned in to the CBS news channel.


    For some time I only wanted to forget this all. I had to take a specific route to make my life perfect.


    The media isn¡¯t concerned with whatever they publish in the news, whether it hurts you or breaks you, they don¡¯t give a damn.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I listened to today¡¯s news¡± Sarah said. I was shocked to see her, I thought I was the only one at home. Sarah has been my nanny ever since I was born. She also is my daddy¡¯s chief servant.


    ¡°When did you arrive, Sarah? I asked curiously


    ¡± I have been here since morning¡± She smiled. I wonder why she came, leaving dad all alone. If she has been here this morning, am I meant to be eating noodles now ¡­


    I wanted to tell her about Damien¡¯s proposal, but that might sound out of line. I needed someone to rub heads with badly. Only if Brenda was here. I wonder how her date went.


    ¡± It¡¯s past ten already, won¡¯t you go to sleep? ¡± She asked. Sleeping was out of the n for me. I have tried, but couldn¡¯t. I tossed around the bed a couple of times.


    Talking of Brenda, I reached out to my iPhone to call her but instead got a call from my father.


    ¡°Where have you been! In your apartment? ¡± He asked. His voice wasn¡¯t as harsh as it use to be especially after my date.


    ¡°Yes dad,¡± I said with mixed feelings.


    ¡°Won¡¯t you tell me? ¡± He asked. I already told him where I was, does he think I lied?


    ¡°About what?¡± I wanted to be sure of what he wanted to hear. I moved away from the sitting room to the kitchen to wash my dishes. I ced my phone on my left ear and supported it with my right shoulder.


    ¡°I have fixed a date for your wedding with Michael. Soe back tomorrow morning for your wedding preparations¡± he dropped the shocking news.


    I couldn¡¯t believe what I just heard. My phone almost fell to the sink. Why would he want to marry me off to someone I barely know? It just crossed my mind to ask Brenda what transpired between him and Michael. I ended the call with my dad and I dialed her number.


    ¡°The person you called is not avable, you may drop a voice message¡­¡± that was all I could hear from the other end. I couldn¡¯t contain my anger anymore.¡± I hope what I am thinking is just not true, Brenda! ¡® I yelled out loud.


    ¡°I thought the same. So, you really didn¡¯t go on the blind date? I am much relieved now, I mean, how could you have slept with him just on the first day of meeting? ¡± Sarah said, snapping me out of my ocean of thoughts.


    ¡°Slept¡±? My eyes were wide open in surprise. I never expected Brenda to stoop so low. It was all my fault. How could I send my best friend to go on a date for me? What if he drugged her? A Series of thoughts kept on flowing in and out of my head. I see that was why Sarah came over.


    It waste already, I couldn¡¯t drive. This added to the fact that I had a reasonable amount of alcohol that night. I quickly changed into my casual wear and thanks to a cab, I got to Brenda¡¯s apartment within an hour.


    ¡± What the f**k have you done??? ¡± was the first thing I said once I got to her sitting room. I walked around nervously. ¡°My father had actually set a date for my marriage with Micheal. He called a while ago¡±..


    ¡± How?¡± Brenda said, walking outzily from her bedroom. Her makeups were still on, which only means she is justing back. I looked at her in anger. ¡®What the fuck did you do with Micheal? ¡®.. I asked again . But she seems not to have any reply to my question.


    ¡® just like you know I should, I did my part ¡­ But¡± she said and shifted her gaze away from me.N?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    ¡°But what Brenda??¡± I said almost crying. Things are gettingplicated. I¡¯m pretty sure I¡¯m right. How do I clean up this mess? If eventually, the press gets hold of this information, then it¡¯s over.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry Eva, I got carried away¡±


    ¡°And slept with him???¡± I bit my lips hard. He must be thinking that I¡¯m really a slut . ¡± Sleeping with a guy you just met on a date, not just any date but a fvcking blind date? She kept mute and swallowed hard. I could see the nervousness on her face.


    ¡°I never thought it would be like this¡­ But Eva you are overeating It¡¯s not a big deal ¡± she said. Trying to defend herself


    ¡°¡­ Not a big deal, how? I¡¯m getting married to this very guy soon. I don¡¯t know what my father heard but .. Gosh!¡±


    ¡± Eva! , hear me out first. Once I got to the hotel, I waited for him to arrive, and babe his looks were mouth-watering. I couldn¡¯t pretend not to fall for him anymore. It¡¯s quite true that we booked a room but we only kissed. I didn¡¯t let it pass that stage before I rushed out. You have to understand. You are getting married??. Omg, I¡¯m so sorry, we can fix this right? ¡± She pleaded, her two hands holding mine tightly. From the look on her face, I guess she is more scared of losing Michael than me getting married to him.


    The only way out of this mess was to ept Damien¡¯s proposal. I sent a mail to him. We will meet tomorrow and all this would end, but¡­ something new will begin. I¡¯m nervous.

 Seven

    ~Eva¡¯s POV~


    ¡°The son of the famous ¡®Alexandros¡¯ has publicly epted he has been dating Eva the daughter of Chairman Huxley. The two love birds were spotted yesterday together. However, the rumor about her one-night stand with Michael appears to be false ¡­ The new officials have insisted¡­ ¡± I switched off the television. I won¡¯t want to hear more. I heaved a big sigh of relief and headed to the family house. I must obey the chairman and appear before him this morning as he requested. But instead of nning for my marriage with Micheal. Things will change for the better .


    ¡°What did I hear, is it true?¡± Dad asked in a tremulous voice immediately he sighted me in his house. To him, his prayers are about to be answered why then won¡¯t he be happy?


    ¡± Why didn¡¯t you tell me all this while? I even set a blind date for you both . Ohhh I see, you two started dating from that day?. I kept nodding my head like a lost sheep.


    ¡± Say something Eva! ¡± He was asking too many questions. Where should I start to reply?¡¯


    ¡°Ehm¡­ We have been dat.. dating since then ¡± I stuttered. I hope he won¡¯t notice I was lying. His face lit up inughter . It¡¯s been a while since I saw him in that mood .


    ¡°Then when are you getting married to him?¡± I didn¡¯t expect him to be so direct. I bit my lips from the inside, thinking of what to say to him.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure,¡± I said in a whisper. My hands are clenched nervously


    ¡°When is heing to see me?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure¡±


    ¡°Did you say you both have been dating for¡­?¡±


    ¡°Some while now¡±. I avoided his looks. My gaze was all on my clenched fingers in front of me.Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    ¡°Hmmm¡±. He sighed. It must be weird to him , it¡¯s the same for me too.


    I haven¡¯t heard from Damien since I sent him the text. I almost thought that he didn¡¯t see the message but the news this morning shows that he did. Thanks to him no one will ever talk about my vexatious situation with Michael . I stayed in my room avoiding the suspicious look my father gave me . But then my phone buzzed , and the caller ID showed it was Damien.


    ¡°Hello¡± I answered anxiously.


    ¡°My boss wants to meet you at his new hotel,¡± a voice from the other end said. That must his secretary . I clenched my fingers in anger . Is he acting rude because he got the upper hand now? . Why couldn¡¯t he just call me? ¡­ Oh gosh!!!. I was feeling frustrated.


    Just as I was instructed, I went to Sandro¡¯s newest hotel. I had my head covered with a scarf and my face, with sunsses. Getting to the hotel, I looked around but couldn¡¯t see him . I furiously went to sit on the dark quiet side. Suddenly I felt a hand dragging me out. I looked at the owner of the hand only to behold Damien .


    ¡°What the hell are you doing?¡± I Quaked in a shrill voice. I tried to free myself from his grip but that was impossible. ¡°Don¡¯t attract unnecessary attention¡± he said smiling. I looked around and noticed a few people gazing at us. I stopped trying to free myself and acted like everything was normal .


    ¡°Order anything, you don¡¯t have to pay this time¡± he cackled


    ¡± Why are you doing this?. Because you think you have the upper hand now? I might decide to end everything here and now and there is nothing you can do¡± I muttered.


    ¡± This is me being nice to my cheating girlfriend¡± he expressed still keeping his cool .


    ¡± Being nice? ¡­ Girlfriend?¡± I responded. I am just discovering that I have gotten myself into a bigger mess . He brought out a document from his suitcase.


    ¡°Here, read and sign . You mustn¡¯t necessary agree to all terms and conditions , but you must sign ¡±


    ¡°If Life is an ocean¡­¡± I read out the subheading


    ¡± I am drowning in it¡± he interrupted.


    ¡°Hu.. h? You? .. I am the one drowning in an ocean right now , and not you!¡± I trailed off. He was impossible. It was the first word written boldly on top of the contract document.


    I wanted to just sign it and have my peace but on second thought, I decided to read everything.


    ¡± The contract is between two parties. Miss A and Mr. B


    ¡± Firstly, Miss. A must not fall in love with Mr. B¡±. ¡­.


    ¡°. I will never love you and you know that¡± I disgustingly looked at him. Does he think I will ever fall in love with him? What a pity..


    ¡°Sign¡± he handed a ball pen to me with a smile. I can see the sarcasm in his voice. The contract is tost for just a year. A year and I will have my freedom back. I took the pen from him and signed the paper.


    ¡°Now you can tell me what you like and dislike. babe ¡± He hummed. He took the document from me and put it back in his suitcase. He was happy as though there was something else he is benefitting from the contract. Now I wish I actually read everything in the contract before signing. Did he purposely make me not to read them all? Well, Whatever the sly man is nning to do with me afterward, it would never be against my will.


    ¡°Ba¡­ Babe? ¡­ See youter, Mr. Damien. Isn¡¯t it too early to start with your pesky pet names?¡± I walked briskly out of the hotel. Abandoning him.


    ¡°Gosh¡± I screamed as I stumbled upon a chair on my way out. I was so embarrassed that I had to run headlong.


    Getting to the sitting room of my dad¡¯s penthouse, I met my dadughing heartily with his visitor. I smirked, it has really been a while since I saw him this happy. Since I arrived this morning, he has been acting like someone that hispany has made it to the top three best in the country.


    I tried eavesdropping on their conversation, but it was as if they were almost whispering. The only thing I managed to hear was ¡°Not only were we once business partners but now inws hahaha¡± the voice was my dad¡¯s.


    ¡°You are already meeting his father, dad?¡± My voice was too loud that it interrupted their discussion.

 Eight

    ~EVA¡¯S POV~


    I woke up to notice that it was still five minutes before my rm goes off. I groaned sitting on my bed and pulling my hair for some minutes. ¡°This is not happening¡± recalling the details from yesterday. Did I really agree to marry him just like that? I was sure I didn¡¯t sleepst night.


    I got out of bed before going to the kitchen in bare feet to find only Sarah there.


    ¡°Good morning Sarah¡± I greeted her but only got a nod from her side. She was getting things ready for breakfast. The other cooks were not there with her. I wanted to help her out but I was too tired


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry everything will be alright¡­ you have me ok?¡± she said. I walked to hug her back. She giggled. I went back to my room to get ready for work


    Coincidentally, I poked my nose out of my window to receive the early morning freshness and sun. I noticed more cars packed outside the house. _please don¡¯t let it be what I¡¯m thinking¡­ _


    _Yes! I have to talk to chairman Huxley, I will tell him how sudden all this sounds. It is his mistake that he misunderstood everything_


    Getting to chairman Huxley¡¯s study room, to only find him in a discussion with Mr. Alexandros pissed me off.


    ¡°Good morning father ¡± I greeted them and took a seat beside my father.N?velDrama.Org owns this text.


    ¡°Good morning daughter ¡± they both chorused and broke into freshughter. I smiled shyly and in pretense.


    ¡°I want to talk to you dad¡± they both stared at me looking confused I should signify the particr dad I want to talk to? This is bing more annoying than I thought.


    ¡°I want to talk to you, chairman Huxley¡± I stated softly and firmly.


    ¡°Okay, let me just round up with Mr. Alexandros¡± I nodded and stood up to leave.


    ¡°It¡¯s alright you can stay, after all, we are talking about you ¡± I dug my buttocks back to the sit and stared at Mr. Alexandros who chuckled in return.


    ¡°Can we do it tomorrow? You see..¡± Mr. Alexandros said I guess he is continuing from where he stopped. He cleared his throat before starting ¡°¡­ you see my son doesn¡¯t get much time. He is such a workaholic that he even doesn¡¯t have time for himself. But tomorrow is Sunday which means he will be free from work. And that¡¯s why I¡¯m suggesting we do it tomorrow.


    _First I didn¡¯t talk to my father when my blood was boiling in anger and that got my confidence to the baseline.


    Second¡­ What does he mean by his son is always busy? I will have to be rushed just to meet his son¡¯s busy schedules? _


    ¡± That would be great. Eva, sorry I couldn¡¯t inform you, I knew you would be avable anytime ¡± Chairman Huxley smirked


    ¡± We are having a party soon. if it¡¯s possible, I will like you two to exchange rings¡± I stared at him shocked and my throat felt itchy.


    ¡°You¡­ Y¡­ ou could have told me, dad! , I mean¡­ You could have told me, chairman Huxley!¡± I don¡¯t know why my voice was so low but it got me a very solemn face from chairman Huxley. It was as if I was hypnotized at the moment and couldn¡¯t move. At that very specific moment, I knew I have gotten myself into some real shit.


    I heard a footstep approaching us and I look up to know who it was. A woman dressed in a cooperate ck suit stopped in front of us.


    ¡°Lucy this is my daughter, Eva,¡± my dad said immediately she greeted them. ¡°You should go with her Eva¡± My feet were so wobbly when I stood up and followed her out of the room.


    ¡°Hello, Eva! Nice to meet you. I¡¯m your assistant and will be helping you with your engagement and wedding ns. I am really sorry we don¡¯t have time to know each other more but if you ever feel ufortable, with me, let me know. ¡± her cheeks were stretched with a smile. She extend her hands and I shook them with a fake grin.


    ¡± Give me a minute I want to freshen up¡±


    ¡°Alright ma¡¯m ¡± she nodded and sat on one of the couches. I went to the bathroom and locked the door behind me a few drop of tears slipped from my eyes.


    _I.. a.. am only a human and.. and all of those hectic duties andmands I followed were only because he is my father. How difficult it is for him to understand this. _


    ¡± Eva! can you hurry up a little? We really don¡¯t have time ¡± I heard lucy¡¯s voice. I rushed my bath and came out to meet her.


    I followed Lucy to one of the rooms in the east wing of the penthouse. I will be lying if I admit that I have entered all the rooms in my dad¡¯s penthouse.


    I have never been to that room before. The people there seem to be assisting Lucy.


    ¡°Will you like your hair to be strengthened or¡­¡± Lucy asked with concern. But I ignored her. It¡¯s not like I am getting married to my first love or someone I fell in love with. Why should I be excited or decorate myself a lot? I took a seat and chuckled as my pretty face reflected in the mirror.


    ¡°Trust me,¡± she said and gelled my hair in a side braid. She further decorated it with hair pins. I loved it.


    The red long dress seems too beautiful on my light tan skin. Of course, it was going to attract lots of attention. I liked the perfume. The fresh smell kept my spirit cheering. She applied some light makeup on my face


    ¡± I see you like it¡± Lucy smiled back. I didn¡¯t notice that I have been smiling at my reflection in the mirror.


    ¡°What if I don¡¯t? ¡± I was sarcastic this time. She looked calmly at me and smiled. _then she will re-do it. That¡¯s what they paid her for_


    ¡± Then this is how you will appear tomorrow¡± she ignored my nastyments.

 Nine

    ~EVA¡¯S POV~


    ¡°Stay confident honey, today is your day,¡± Brenda said making me smile.


    ¡± The day I will finally pay thest price for your mistake or the day that I just started paying the price, ¡± I asked still smiling.


    ¡± You will never forgive me, would you? Anyways. I wish you happiness today, as your best friend¡± she chuckled. Her dress was shabby.


    ¡°Are going to appear at my engagement with this shabby dress? I asked with concern.


    ¡± No¡± she asserted abruptly. ¡°I will wear one of my best friend¡¯s dresses.


    ¡± You better be dreaming, except for the red dress I will be putting on this evening, my other clothes are out to be dry cleaned¡± she scampered to my wardrobe. She picked a ck short gown, silver long heels, and a silver purse.


    ¡°Well, since this doesn¡¯t belong to you, I might never return them¡±. She ced them on my bed. The clothes and essories are automatically hers. That¡¯s how she steals every of my cloth that she loved.


    ¡± less I forget. Lucy is waiting for you in the dressing room¡± she chuckled. I left her and went to meet Lucy. I have already taken my bath 30 minutes ago and took a nap afterward before Brenda came to wake me.


    She dressed me exactly the way she did yesterday, in the red long gown. The only thing I didn¡¯t like about the long cocktail red dress was the cut on the leg that was so open that it left no for fantasy. Brenda appeared in my ck short gown. It suits her well like it was originally hers.


    ¡°Are we good to go? ¡± she asked. She seems to be a lot more happier than me. We both entered the back seat of my dad¡¯stest ck Ferrari.


    ¡°So finally you got a boyfriend, I used to think you will give up your inheritance and join the nuns ¡± I burst out inughter, how could she be thinking that I will ever be a nun? I remember the previous years when we were still in high school.


    ¡± Why aren¡¯t you getting a boyfriend already? It¡¯s time Eva¡­¡± I could only stare at Chloe and smile at her remark to only get arched brows from my three high school friends.


    ¡± I don¡¯t know yet¡­ I guess because I haven¡¯t found someone yet¡± I had said and focused on my backpack to get money for our favorite snacks.


    ¡± You do realize you have never had a boyfriend or you are still hoping that Olive will¡­¡± Brenda chirped in. I was fast to cut her off.


    ¡°He is off the te. I¡¯m sure that I am not thinking about him. You guys know what my father does to anyone that is interested in me or I am interested in¡­ so it¡¯s difficult to find someone that is sincere¡± I was really still thinking about olive. He was my first boyfriend. When my dad found out we were dating after two weeks of our rtionship, he sent him to Italy on schrship. I was hoping he would neglect the money and choose me but Nah, I was wrong. He left on the next day¡¯s first flight.


    ¡± We are here already,¡± Brenda said excitedly snapping me out of my thought as we got to Sandros¡¯ most exquisite hotel. The driver opened the door for us and we marched to the hotel premises.


    I got in to notice a big dining area. Some were sitting while others were standing. Seeing that they were not too many audiences was a relief but everyone present seem important and close to either chairman Huxley or Mr. Alexandros. I saw people from the office. My personal secretary was looking around my father¡¯s side. I guess she is looking for me. I couldn¡¯t see Damien anywhere around his family or mine.


    I intended to walk with Brenda but I didn¡¯t know why I was still staring at the audience. The best thing I know, I was staring at Damien, it looked like he is walking towards me. His eyes, his Aura, and his shaved face suited him well. Realizing I was staring a lot at him, I shifted my gaze to the other people in the room. I felt his presence beside me and that got a chill ran down my spine before I heard ¡± Follow me¡±.


    I was shaken badly the moment I felt one of his hands on mine and the other holding my waist. I followed him and was very much relieved when he gave a handshake to one of the guests letting go of my waist¡­.Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    ¡± Wee,¡± The same golden brown-eyed punk said and sat on a white Sofa and made me sit beside him. He was acting all cool and lovely. Hmm lovely my foot. I was still mumbling when I felt a hand pressing mine.


    ¡± You look so beautiful,¡± A pretty young girl said. She bent and hugged me.


    ¡°You look lovely too¡± I hugged her back and massages her head.


    ¡± She is my trouble-packed little sister, Cami¡± Damien exined. He seems to be very fond of her.


    ¡°You look so innocent and pretty¡± Imented on her looks. She smiled happily and snares at her brother before walking away.


    My father already arrived before me. He was exchanging pleasantries with his guests.


    Brenda surfaced before us with a nice-looking man. I feel I have seen him somewhere. She smiled when he saw Damien


    ¡± Nice to meet you, Damien, I am Brenda, Eva¡¯s best friend. You can regard me as your only sister-inw. Damien shook her hand in return.


    ¡± Won¡¯t you introduce your man to me? ¡± I entreated with a serious gaze¡­ She clenched her hands tightly on his hands.


    ¡°Promise me you won¡¯t be shocked ¡±


    ¡± I won¡¯t¡±


    ¡± This is Micheal your¡­ My¡­ I mean our blind date. ¡± she said anxiously. I knew his face was familiar.


    ¡± So you both came here. Do you know you are the reason I am in this situation, Michael? Did you bring him to apologize or¡­ Wait you guys are a couple now¡±


    ¡± Yh¡± Brenda closed her eyes and nodded.

 Ten

    ~Damien¡¯s POV~


    I spared a nce across the room. It was arge Hall filled with people. The hall was beautifully decorated for the event of tonight. I knew what it was going to be and hence did them. Beside me was Eva who wasn¡¯t smiling at all. She only smiled if someone smiled at her or Brendaes at her side


    The press kept gracing us with some shots. I hope they didn¡¯t snap her mean face if not another whistle will be blown.


    Instead, of the facade lightening normally used at parties, the room was lit up with white bright bulbs.


    It was time to exchange rings. That was the highlight of the night and the only reason we are throwing the party


    ¡± May I have your attention please¡± my father stepped forward beckoning on the audience. When everywhere became quiet and all eyes were on him. He started. ¡± Thank you all for honoring me with your presence. Today, as most of you know is my son¡¯s engagement day. He¡­. is always busy with work and I am really proud to have him as a son. But it¡¯s high time he get someone that will stay by his side and not onlypliment and encourage him but will stay by his side when I am gone. ¡±


    And that someone is Eva? Ha! . if only everyone knows that today marks our first day together, we only have 364 more days to go. The Eva I know will rather nag and nag than drop apliment for me. I looked to give her a smile but she was gone. It was only the sofa pillow that I felt close to me. Di¡­ di.. did she run away?. She was here a moment ago. She wants to embarrass me? . I would have known that it was her n all along. I searched for her friend with my eyes to know if I could spot Brenda. But there she was, drinking and making merry with a man, maybe her boyfriend I don¡¯t care. Eva wasn¡¯t with her or around her.


    I stood up from the chair to check the balcony and every other ce she could be.Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    ¡°Are you looking for me or your ex¡± I heard a feminine voice beside me. I turned to take a look. It was Eva. She was back in her position and sitting with her legs crossed.


    ¡°I just went to the bathroom for a while and you are already startled by my absence. Are we lovers¡±


    ¡°No, I was worried that you might have run away. It¡¯s almost time to exchange rings !¡± The cameras were clicking at us. All eyes were on me and the little witch beside me. I changed the atmosphere between us. I smiled and caressed her hair in pretense. The camera must not catch us arguing¡­


    ¡°It¡¯s time already. You appeared just at the right time¡± Everyone in the hall was pping except for the one sitting right next to me. I held her by the waist and matched to the stage. Her looks were saying everything ¡®get your filthy hands off me¡¯ but her mouth was sealed. She threw a sarcastic smile at me. Her eyes burned in anger.


    ¡°Thank you, everyone. Thank you. Special thanks to my father, Mr. Alexandros, and my soon-to-be father-inw chairman Huxley. Thanks to them, this day came sooner than I ever expected. Not only am I getting apanion tonight but also a best friend. The few times we spent together were the best moments of my life. ¡± Eva broke into some uncontroble cough. I knew it was myst sentence that was choking. Her. I dropped the microphone and quickly grabbed a bottle of water for her. Her show was perfect but I will take the credit. I will use it to my advantage to impress the press. The crowd cheered and murmured.


    I took the microphone and cleared my throat and continue. ¡± So I am d to have you all here. ¡± I turned to Eva. We are now facing each other before I started the engagement.


    ¡°With this ring, I bestow to you all the treasures of my hands, minds, and heart. I give you this ring as a symbol of my love. As it circles your finger, may it remind you that you are surrounded by my enduring love.¡± I said and ced the diamond ring on her finger. She cleared her throat and repeated the same thing I said.


    ¡°With this ring, I bestow to you all the treasures of my hands, minds, and heart. I give you this ring as a symbol of my love. As it circles your finger, may it remind you that you are surrounded by my enduring love.¡± The audience apuded in cheers.


    **


    ¡± You are so lucky Damien. Eva is a very shy and considerate girl¡­ I hope you like my gift. A woman said and handed a wrapped gift box to me.


    ¡± You are very lucky to have Eva, I hope you take good care of her, when is the wedding,¡± another middle aged woman asked. I guess they are Eva¡¯s rtives. She should be the one lucky to have me not the other way round.


    ¡± The date is not certain yet ma¡¯am ¡± I gleamed at her.


    ¡± ¡­ Yes¡­ He is amazing. I just know that everyone will realize that just by looking at him for a few seconds. Don¡¯t get it wrong, but the guys who seem quiet, shy, and geek will really be good in bed ¡± I heard someone say to Eva. The firstment I have received for myself. But unfortunately, she would never have a taste of me. We are having a chaste wedding and a chaste rtionship


    ¡± When is the wedding?¡± Mr. Olive asked. He is my Father¡¯s closest buddy. The question wasing too much, I knew I have to find something to say that will sound genuine.


    ¡± You know how work is¡­ I will fix the time soon and let you all know¡± I said with a beaming smile

 Eleven

    ~EVA¡¯S POV ~


    ¡± What did you tell the negotiator? This is a big deal we would have made with him but what did you say to him? His offer was low. Like what does it matter? Whether his offer is low or ¡­ all we need is to cut a deal with him. He is a first-timer here so¡­¡± Chairman Huxley said as he tossed the file in his hands back into the table.


    ¡°Sir no matter what happens, ourpany can¡¯t stoop as low as begging for customers. We are currently getting more deals at the moment ¡± I said, My hands holding the armchair tightly. I thought I might reap the leather offpletely


    ¡± Isn¡¯t that why we should get hold of them all first? ¡± his eyebrows drew closer to each other as he frowned. He must be angry He really should be. I just lost a deal of a billion dors.


    ¡± You can¡¯t just lose a deal every time something starts to go south, Eva. Thepany is taking a hit for your explosive personality.


    ¡°Do you think you are not expandable dad? I grumbled.


    He raised his eyebrows slightly and I softened my brow.


    ¡± I am so sorry sir. The whole thing is stressing the hell out of me.¡± I ran my hand through my already messy hair. But looking at the positive side, doesn¡¯t he want to use this as an opportunity to expand more?


    ¡± I told you to take care of yourself. Take a leave until after your wedding and honeymoon are over¡­ you are just too stubborn like your mother¡±. He sighed.


    ¡°Get the board ready, we will have a shareholder¡¯s meeting.¡± He concluded and removed his sses, with his white face towel, he cleaned his face. That has always been his habit.


    ¡°Alright sir¡± I stood up and bowed to leave but was almost stumbled on by Jane.


    ¡°Sir!¡± Jane chairman huxley¡¯s secretary barged into the office. It took both chairman Hurley and me by surprise.


    ¡°Can¡¯t it wait, Jane.? Have you lost your manners as well? ¡± I shouted but the words she said next shut me up.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry ma, I have Mr. Alexandros on the line for you¡± she blurted out, giving the phone to chairman hockey, she dashed out of the room as quick as she could.


    Smiling heartily, he fixed the telephone on his ears. I bowed again and walked away


    The feeling of anger slowly started bubbling inside me. I could feel the burning sensation.


    ¡°Don¡¯t let anyone in, I won¡¯t answer any more calls today okay?¡± I said to my Secretary once I got to my office and mmed the door in her face.


    ****


    I checked my wall clock


    Then I checked it again


    then again.


    It was currently 5:44 pm. In sixteen minutes I will be off. My head was really whacking hard. I have been going through thepany¡¯s file for over seven hours now.


    Due to the engagement party that the press released two days ago, ¡®Ab food ¡® and ¡®Sandro group¡¯ have been the trending search keys on the inte.


    A lot of deals were made and a lot must be canceled within this period


    I was almost dozing on my armchair but a continuous noise outside my door helped me to be fully awake.


    ¡°Let the person in!¡± I screamed at the door. I am losing my mind right now but seeing Brenda standing at the door forced a grin on my cheek.


    ¡°Wo¡­ Br. e.. ndaaa¡± I rushed over to her and gave her a warm hug. She shoved me out of her body. Her face wasn¡¯t smiling at all.


    ¡°You now also restrict me from entering your damn office, Eva! When did we be like this?¡±


    ¡°No¡­ No¡­ No. I¡¯d never do that. You didn¡¯t call beforeing?¡± I tried to exin but she ignored me and went over to the cushion.


    We sat on the office cushion. My mind is going at ease right now, maybe because of the presence of Brenda and the cool breeze from the air conditioner that was mounted just at the back of the cushion.


    ¡°I will go straight to why I¡¯m here babe¡±


    ¡°Why? Are you avoiding me?¡± I queried amidst yearning


    ¡°If I was, I ¡®do never be here. Well, I heard that your wedding date is fixed. You couldn¡¯t even let me know. Do you know how I felt when I heard that from trumpet¡¯s mouth?¡± She nced over at me with her eyeballs furrowed.


    My mouth threw wide open in surprise. If someone like Jessica her office¡¯s trumpet has heard it, then the press must have too. My wedding is been nned behind my back while I¡¯m here working my ass off.


    ¡°Wedding d¡­ ate? I swear to you Brenda, you are the first person to let me know about it¡­ Let¡¯s say, you get informed before the bride¡±


    That was when I realized the purpose of Mr. Alexandros earlier on. I trust my dad¡­ He might even host a wedding for us tonight just to please his inw


    Brenda widened her eyes and leaned forward she tilted her head sideways to face me. Her knees dropped as she sped her hands together.N?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    ¡°You are weird Eva, tell me, what kind of rtionship do you have with Damien? You don¡¯t love him right?.¡±


    Even if I decide not to tell her, Sooner orter she would find out that my rtionship with Damien is just a business proposal.


    ¡± You might not understand Brenda, just know that this will end one year from today. We will go our separate ways after Then¡± I confessed.


    ¡°Just like in the movies? Did you sign a contract with him? What if you¡­. you..¡± Her mood was coy.


    I Can¡¯t guess what she wanted to say but her gesture made me burst into a fit ofughter.


    ¡± ¡­ You¡­ You. What? Please let¡¯s go, it¡¯sst 6 pm already¡±


    ¡± I have a small hang-out with my colleagues, are youing with me?¡± She asked and picked up her handbag, ready to leave


    ¡°No. Thanks¡­ I can¡¯t afford to reek of alcohol. I¡¯, m a billionaire¡¯s daughter¡± I boasted and flipped my hair back.


    ¡°Who cares¡± she snickered.

 Twelve

    ~Damien¡¯s POV~


    ¡°Get the documents ready, I got to visit a client,¡± I said to my secretary and walked out of my office


    I entered my ck Ferrari ride. My assistant was already sited right in front of me, in the driver¡¯s seat.


    He fixed his sses well and turned on the ignition.


    ¡°Ain¡¯t you going to take a break for some while, Sir?¡±James asked. He was the only one that asks about my feelings apart from work.


    Everyone else in my life would rather ask me to stay well for the sake of thepany than tell me to stay healthy for the sake of my life.


    ¡± Why? I must not take a break, we have important work to do¡± I said. I saw as he red at me from the front mirror. My answer was not detailed but he won¡¯t ask again. He doesn¡¯t have that liberty.


    I have known James for quite a long time, ever since our college days, we had been close. When I returned to the USA, I found out that he was still unemployed and offered to work with me. He epted dly.


    ¡°Have you talked with your girlfriend recently?


    ¡± Phew.. what girlfriend?¡±


    ¡°Did you forget you are engaged now?¡± he stopped abruptly.


    ¡± Go on, Drive faster and mind your business¡± my horde voice shut him up.


    I turned to the window and tried not to notice the looks on his face.


    He turned to the right with the car suddenly forcing my head to hit on the rare mirror.


    ¡°So sorry for that ¡± he apologized with sarcasm in his voice He was starting


    ***


    ¡°We n your bachelor¡¯s party man, ¡± Oliver said as he finished signing the document I brought to him¡­ ¡°Or rather I¡¯d, all you gotta do is to find me a night, and leave everything to me¡­


    ¡± No party¡­ They will be no party, Oliver¡± I answered stubbornly. We were sitting around his office table covered with documents, aputer, and his office phone. My coffee was also releasing steam on the table.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Why not?¡± Olive asked. He was looking rather annoyed than confused.


    ¡°I have been a bachelor forever,¡± I said, annoyed that I had to exin.


    ¡± You gotta be kidding me!¡± He dered with a disgusted look. ¡± Bachelor¡¯s party is something you should miss Man. Let¡¯s just say, it¡¯s yourst party to celebrate and bid farewell to your single days¡±


    ¡°You are sick¡± I muttered. I sipped a little from my coffee cup


    ¡°No, I¡¯m not ¡± Oliver retorted, ¡°You¡¯re the fucked up member of the family. The only workaholic mf¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a tragedy we weren¡¯t separated at birth, if not I wonder what would have given you the brass¡­¡± I muttered wishing it were so.


    ¡± That would have suited me just fine and I¡¯m sure mom wouldn¡¯t have minded.


    Oliver my cousin had lived with us for a long while since his father passed away. His mother insisted that we¡¯d help guide him on how to manage thepany his father left behind. It was a relief to me that my dad doesn¡¯t attempt to expropriate thepany


    We are totally unlike physically. Oliver is quirky and nice looking but no hunk with his spiky brown hair andnky frame. Despite his bad-boy attitude which included, gambling, drinking too much, and sleeping with a variety of women ¨C he was still sessful and doing well in hispany.


    Some thought I was the one with the most talent because I appeared to be more serious, but in fact Oliver was the one with the best ideas.


    ¡± How is dear gorgeous Eva? Oliver asked sarcastically.


    ¡°We alternate¡± I answered wondering why he¡¯d bother about that.


    ¡± Don¡¯t tell me you want to be chaste forever, bro¡± he said disbelievingly.


    ¡°And don¡¯t tell me you ain¡¯t settling down with one of those bitches¡± I red at him.


    ¡°I date¡­ erm, don¡¯t marry¡­¡± He stuttered. ¡± marriage is for old people who can¡¯t get it up¡±.


    ¡± Old people? You mean I am old¡­ people? Huh?¡± I responded, frowning.


    Fortunately, his secretary barged into the room. Speaking into a cell phone. Tall and in herte twenties. She was an entric-looking woman with her hair like straw, decorated with several clips plus a red streak. They should be a color riot for her alone.


    ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± Oliver said the casual way he spoke was discarding.


    Nevertheless, I was happy, happy because it was not about to get into a discussion about how I was marrying Eva with him. It was none of his business.


    ¡°Mr. Alexandros is on the line,¡± she said handing the phone to Oliver. He cleared his throat and fixed the phone to his ear.


    ¡± Ok, sir¡­ I will be there¡­ Take care. Bye¡± That was all I could hear. I couldn¡¯t hear the voice from the other end¡­


    ¡± What did dad say?¡± I asked with full interest


    ¡°Congrattions man, your wedding date is fixed,¡± he said with a stretched cheek. He put forward his hands for a handshake but I ignored him.


    Mr. Alexandros is literally forcing me to get married to Eva for the benefit of thepany. He had rushed the engagement party once he heard the news of our rtionship from the press.


    All he wants is to im the Ab foodpany and develop it as one of Sandro¡¯spanies. However Eva would feel afterward, however, I feel about it, it¡¯s still none of his business. His only concern is his reputation, thepany, and thepany!


    ¡± I will see youter Oliver okay, take care,¡± I said and stood up to leave.


    ¡± Why so suddenly? Did I drive you away?¡± He said, sounding surprised but on seeing that I wasn¡¯t going to listen to him as I was already at the door he continued ¡± Alright, I will see you off¡±


    ¡°No need to, I gotta go quick, James is downstairs,¡± I said apologetically.


    ¡± I will see you at the wedding then ¡± he mumbled with smiles all over his face.


    ¡°Bye,¡± I mmed the door at my back.

 Thirteen

    ~Eva¡¯s POV~


    I groaned before getting my phone and started reading the articles I have saved about my fianc¨¦. And all I was seeing are his tradingpany and his achievements.


    Damien went to great lengths to keep his private life private. Which was not easy considering he lived under the media¡¯s constant scrutiny. James his assistant must have yed a great role in it.


    I wondered if there is any bride in the whole world who doesn¡¯t know what kind of ce and person she is moving in with after her wedding. No, I wonder if I am the only bride this is happening to.


    I got some information from the article. It says that he is the top third richest in the USA. I zoomed one of his pictures, his statue was patting. Even his abs were easily seen from his tight turtle neck white shirt. His face was perfect!


    Then why is he marrying me? Why did he?¡­. Did he fall in love with me? ¡­ It doesn¡¯t seem that way, he hardly ever calls me. I wonder if he is thinking about me right now. And we haven¡¯t saved each other¡¯s numbers. I don¡¯t know for him but he definitely hasn¡¯t. I only get contacted through his assistant.


    It was a work-free day for me. The day would really be busy for me.


    My personal driver was a great help to me today. I wanted to enjoy my one day off work, visit ces and get a cool breeze. Earlier the day, I instructed him to hire a car, leave it at the mall and get me a ticket to one of the best cinemas and amusement packs. He¡¯d done so, no questions.


    After lunch, he¡¯d drop me off at the amusement park with the rented car. I instructed him toe back in three hours for the cinema. There is no way I nned to let anyone know of my movement today. This is my business and not anyone¡¯s.


    Although I was quite capable of driving myself around. I didn¡¯t need any security, just a pair of dark sses and a baseball cap to hide my face. Besides, it was an adventure to be doing something on my own for a change.N?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    I came back earlier than I expected. Everything was boring to me the movie was just a telling a story about me, A billionaire romance movie. It was more annoying when thedy breached the contract because of love¡­


    Resting my back on the bed, I let all my frustration out. I don¡¯t like being weak, it was the worst thing ever. I don¡¯t remember thest time I cried. Even when mom left us I didn¡¯t shed a drop of tears. But the day I was ridiculed because of it, the day I bawled out in front of my school like a little girl. The memory was still fresh on my mind. It was the day I met and became friends with Brenda. Iughed a little recalling that day. ¡°How foolish I was then¡±


    A soft knock on my door brought me back to reality. I sluggishly walked to the door and opened it.


    ¡± Where have you been all day? ¡± Brenda and Sarah chorused.


    ¡± We have been waiting for you, Cami came over to help her sister ¨C inw with her wedding shopping, but unfortunately she left after fruitless hours of waiting,¡± Sarah said as she ced her hands on my shoulders.


    They both walked in and sat on my bed. Sarah was on my left while Brenda was on my right. Brenda leaned her head on my shoulder while she raised her eyes brows to stare at my mouth for an exnation.


    ¡± I had some work to attend t¡­¡±


    ¡°Work?¡± They interrupted. ¡± who works on the day to her wedding? you should be shopping and organizing a small party to say goodbye to spinsterhood


    ¡°It¡¯s not like I haverge circles. All the people I should celebrate with are already here except dad. We should rather toast a wine¡± I said.


    ¡°Better off¡± Sarah agreed, nodding continually.


    ¡± Now you are embarrassing me¡± I heard my dad¡¯s voice from the door. I lifted my head to see him leaning over the wall with a ck polo shirt and a short.


    ¡°Dad!¡± I hurried to hug him.


    ¡± Are you going to party without daddy? ¡°He asked. His finger tip was pointing at my nose as I looked up at him with a smile on my face.


    ¡± No, dad! I thought you¡¯d be busy with work ¡± I said.


    ¡± I am off from work since 2 pm. I didn¡¯t see you around, you went shopping with Damien?¡± He asked excitedly.


    I slowly separated myself from the hug. I felt a sharp pain of anger in my heart. He definitely is obsessed with Damien and The Alexandros.


    ¡°Nope. Your little girl had to rest all day since today is her free day and tomorrow, a busy one¡± I chuckled sarcastically.


    We all went to the sitting room we cocked a bottle of cab franc reserve red wine.


    ¡± Toast To a longsting rtionship¡± dad said as he clicks his ss with mine and did the same for Brenda and Sarah.


    ¡± I have to go,¡± Brenda said after about an hour, it was already getting toote. ¡°It¡¯s been memorable as usual.


    ¡°Honey, when I¡¯m around, it¡¯s always memorable,¡± I said. Brenda smiled producing a solid goldpact and applying an overabundance lips gloss. ¡± Don¡¯t ever miss the wedding, you must never¡±


    ¡°Sure, I wouldn¡¯t miss it,¡± she said and went to my room to pick up her handbag.


    ¡± I will see her off,¡± I said to the others and followed her outside the house¡­


    We chatted andughed on the way but I couldn¡¯t send her back by myself. I was too tired to do so. I ordered my driver to send her home


    I sneaked back to my room and locked the door behind me. I was never in the mood for partying.

 Fourteen

    _Three dayster_


    ~EVA¡¯S POV~


    I only wish you good luck on your new journey. Let me see your gown, please¡­ Does it look like the one we ordered for?¡± Brenda said making me smile. A lot of tears clogged my throat and I could only nod.


    ¡°You will be the most beautiful bride, you know that,¡± she said again my cheek blushing.


    Brenda has been at my ce since yesterday, helping me get ready for the wedding. All thanks to God that I wouldn¡¯t have to go out for any preparation rather everything I needed came to me. The wedding dress was brought to my father¡¯s house for me to choose from. The shoes and the hairstylist did justice to my hair at home too.


    ¡± I will miss dad, I will miss you and Aunty Sarah, ¡± I said with a trembling voice. I forced the tears in my eyes back. I felt Brenda:s hands over my shoulders. She hugged me and patted my back slowly.


    ¡± Don¡¯t worry, we are not disappearing. There will be nothing different between now and then. It¡¯s just that you will leave in a different house and answer with a different surname. I heard his penthouse is so exquisite. Isn¡¯t that true¡± she said happily.N?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    ¡± I don¡¯t know, I have never been there. And besides, are you more concerned about his residence than how I will survive there? Remember Damien is still like a stranger to me¡­ I don¡¯t even know anything about him, whether he has an ex or he is a womanizer or a bully or woman-beater¡± I muttered.


    My head was loaded with a lot of imagination that sometimes I would forget that it was actually a contract marriage. No matter what happens, I will be free in a year.


    I havetely read a lot of short stories and novels, and also watched a bundle of movies about blind dates. Each of them had its own twist about the girl breaching the contract and having to be punished or something¡­


    Now I desperately wished I had read every single detail of the contract information. I barely made it to the third page before I flipped like ten other pages to sign at the end. The contents of the ten other pages might be an important part of the contract.


    I would have added that the wedding consummation shall not take ce. I wanted a chaste rtionship with him but I didn¡¯t make sure it was in the contract. One thing I have learned about a contract all this while at the office is that it shall never be breached. The two parties that signed it must do whatever is written on it.


    I don¡¯t even have a copy of it. I will request for it as soon as the wedding is over.


    A knock made me look at the door. ¡± May Ie in?¡± A familiar voice beckoned but I couldn¡¯t figure out who it was not until she shows her face.


    ¡°Yes, my darling,¡± I said as Cami poked her face inside the door.


    She quickly rushed to give me a hug. ¡± Now, I will finally have a sister. Please don¡¯t take all my brother¡¯s love away. Keep a little for me¡± She giggled. Her hair was midnight ck and it flowed over her shoulder. She had gleaming, bleach-white teeth and a cherubic smile. Looking steadily at me were her dreamy bliss-blue eyes. They were globe-round.


    ¡± Cami, how are you baby girl, you skipped school today?¡± I asked.


    ¡± Yes, of course, I would love to witness as my sister-inwes to live with us. ¡± Her sweet voice was so loud and clear.


    Her height and figure would make you think she is already a full-grown woman but No, she is just a little girl of 16 years old.


    ¡± Okay then, will my little princess help me get dressed?¡± I said excitedly. Even though she was still a teenager, her presence would help me a lot when I finally move in with Damien.


    ¡°At your service, mydy¡± She chuckled and followed us out of the room


    ****


    ~Damien¡¯s POV~


    In an hour, I end up sending messages to my friends and business partners because why not?¡­ The chaste CEO is finally getting married. Of course, they were all surprised but I sent them the venue which was Sandro¡¯s hotel, the hotel I justpleted a few months ago.


    The big day has finally arrived. The day that no one would ever urge me to go on a blind.


    I drove to Mr. Huxley¡¯s mansion with my Bugatti Centodieci ride that I recently purchased. The bride was ready. Her long white dress swept the floor as she walked toward the car. Her makeup was perfect. Not too heavy, and not too light. Just the way I loved it.


    I wanted to step down and open the door for my bride but my ego stuck me in the car. James quickly went to open the back door when he noticed that I won¡¯t move an inch¡­


    ¡°Hi,¡± she said as she got into the car. She focused her gaze out on the tinted window.


    ¡°Hi¡± I replied and did the same.


    I remembered the day we first met. The day for our blind date. Dad had called from the office to tell me he had set me up with a girl. I hated the fact that I had to go on a blind date. I wasn¡¯t ready to settle down not to talk of wasting my precious time, taking girls out on a date.


    That day, I concluded I would just go with whomever he had set me up with. I decided that I would marry her to avoid the future urrence of any blind dates.


    But to my dismay, she rejected me. She rejects the CEO of Sandro¡¯s group! It was my first time of ever being rejected. My previous blind dates all said the same thing ¡± They would be so fortunate to have a hot billionaire CEO as their husband¡±


    But beside me now is that same girl who had rejected me. I would also make her feel rejected throughout our one year of being together¡­

 Fifteen

    ~Eva¡¯s POV~


    I jumped a little, feeling his mouth over mine. He pulled away instantly leaving the seal of the bond wavering on my mouth, I never knew my first kiss would happen at my wedding. I wonder too how I have lived a very chaste life. Maybe because I¡¯m always busy at the office¡­


    The spectacle seems to cover a lot of his emotions but I stared at his brown eyes to only find his gaze on my body making me freeze.


    But then all the stared and pping from the audience brought me back. I faked a smile as I pulled away from him.


    I gulped down under his heated gaze while his words at the wedding vows still rang in my ear. Was he forced to do this? I wonder¡­ Not until today, I thought he agreed to marry me because he at least took me as his friend but No, it was his father¡¯s persistence.


    I looked at his face and then at his father¡¯s and knew that instant that he didn¡¯t want this. His absence for almost two hours at his own wedding was seconding this fact. And the heaviness in my chest tells me I was expecting something from this wedding. Something I didn¡¯t know, something that might not be pleasant to me. I looked at my friend who smiled and gave me a thumbs up on finding my attention on her.


    I passed a smile at Sarah before looking at my father and then Cami who was standing next to him. Her pretty smile almost made me chuckle. She was dressed elegantly in a white short sleeveless gown. She held her long hair in ce with a ck hair clip. Her lips shone from the overabundant lip gross she used.


    I looked at the groom who seem to be least interested in me. While I heard him say¡± I am sorry but we have to leave now, we have a flight to catch up with¡±


    ¡°We?¡­ Flight. to where?¡± I couldn¡¯t help asking.


    ¡± To Italy, for our honeymoon,¡± he said making my eyes open wide.


    ¡± Who is going on a honeymoon? Was it on the contract? Did you n that with your father?¡±  I asked staring directly into his eyes with confusion written all over my face.


    ¡± Where should I start to answer? Take it easy, please¡­ You are going on a honeymoon¡­ And no it wasn¡¯t stated in the contract.! your father nned it. He even will foot the bills.


    ¡°So you are extorting money from my father right now?¡±


    ¡°Who said I¡¯m extorting him? It is not like I wanted to go at first but he insisted I give you a surprise with this.   A normal person would appreciate and be happy but take a look at your reaction¡­ We got to leave now ¡± he said furiously.


    His iron hand dragged me as we hurried out of the wedding hall.


    ¡°I need to talk to my father,¡± I said but knew he got me when his sharp voice followed.


    ¡°What do you want to talk about? You can always talk to him through the phone.¡±


    How much I badly wanted him to spare me a moment but it was futile.


    We walked to the car and the back door was opened by a short man in a in ck suit. His hands were covered with white gloves. He ushered me in with a smile but I pretend not to notice his stretched hand waiting for a tip.


    The car was spacious and even had a bar that caught my attention. _definitely the next car that I am getting for my dad on his 60th birthday! __


    The ignition was turned on and the car started moving while I asked ¡± how long is the airport from here?¡±


    He gave me a cold gaze and threw his phone at myp,¡± check the Google map¡±.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t want to marry you know that, ¡±


    ¡°You could have said no if you wanted to¡± he forcefully collected the phone from me and focused his gaze on the road.


    The tension in my body was relieved when I caught a smile at the corners of his mouth. , ¡°We are going to Los Angeles airport. 50 minutes drive from here. If I made it a little bit difficult, I apologize.¡± He said and patted my shoulders.


    ¡± I know you are already thinking that you are now married to a devil or a devil¡¯s son but be least assured that I am a very nice person, if not, I would have thrown you out of this car¡± He continued.


    ¡± I can leave you if you want¡­ I need to talk to my father!¡±


    ¡± No one leaves me ok¡­ I promise not to make life difficult for you¡± he whispered in my ear. I held his hands and forcefully removed them from my shoulder.


    The car pulled not long before a jet. I didn¡¯t even realize we had been arguing for almost an hour- the most imperfect couple match!


    A woman with a dark blue suit was waiting at the end of the ramp stairs. I got out of the car without anyone helping me.


    The woman in a suit followed my husband to the ne leaving me and his assistant still standing beside the car.


    ¡°He is not usually like that..¡± Damien¡¯s assistant said trying to make me see Damien his boss from a different angle.Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    ¡°Who cares¡± I interrupted bluntly


    I take the stairs and turned back to look at nothing in particr. That was when I realized that no matter how much sleepless nights and effort I had put in, I am finally getting into a contract marriage. It was better that I signed the contract myself and not by my father.


    I took a deep breath before getting in and found some flowers being given to me by the air hostess.


    ¡°Congrattions, ¡°the tall prettydy said to me, I was too tired to reciprocate so I just gave her a faint smirk.


    I looked and found out that the whole Vip seat has been upied leaving me no option but to seat beside Damien. He sat with his head tilted towards the window.


    ¡± Fasten your seat belt, we are about to take off,¡± the air hostess said. Iplied before taking a deep breath.


    I held my breath and took a little deep breath. Without thinking about what others would say. Damien was all busy with a magazine. Flipping from one page to the other.

 Sixteen

    Eva¡¯s POV


    I opened my eyes to find Damien staring out of the window. He probably never tilted his head in my direction until the ne got to the airport. His eyes were focused on the magazine once his gaze left the window. All my gestures to get his attention towards me proved abortive.


    We entered a ck jeep that drove us to a hotel which was encrypted with the name¡±Tenuta Miranda¡±.


    The view was so nice, one of the most lovely I have seen¡­


    The outside was built like a ss house, you can easily see your reflection as you move in. I looked around me to notice that Damien was gone. He was at my side a minute ago and now I couldn¡¯t see his back.


    Irritated, I strode to the reception room. Few people were waiting on a cue so I joined them. It was so embarrassing to me the moment I remembered I was still in my long wedding gown, with a bunch of flowers in my hand and a veil on my head¡­ Still looking like a bride even when the wedding had ended hours ago.


    ¡± Mrs. Alexandros, are you looking for Mr. Alexandros?¡±. A slimdy said. She was a nice-looking young girl. Her ebony ck hair tumbled over her shoulders. With her oval face and honey sweet pink lips, she smiled showing her middle gap teeth as she waited for my response.


    It sounded so weird when she addressed me as ¡®Mrs. Alexandros¡¯


    ¡°Uhm¡­ not really I¡­¡± I tried to make an answer but she interrupted.


    ¡± I understand ma¡¯am¡­ I can show you a different room if you want to rx. I knew it was a long and stressful day for you¡± She said as if she was present at the wedding.


    ¡± Why get her another room? This is our wedding night..¡± Damien interrupted. I didn¡¯t even realize when he came around. Or maybe he has been there all along. He walked over to my side and held me on my wrist.


    ¡± Oh, I see¡­ The other rooms are booked then¡± The girl blushed as she stared at Damien.


    ¡°I want to say something please¡± I was pleading with Damien as he took my wrist and headed to the hallway, head swiveled to look at us. I could hear their foreignnguage murmur .


    ¡± ¨¨ cos¨¬ attraente ¡± they murmured loudly. I wished I could understand thenguage. It was impossible that they were coursing at us because the expression on their were pleasant


    We stopped at a front desk, different from the one I met before. The fairdy asked for our reservation information before giving us a key card to ess room 318.


    Slowly, we entered the hotel¡¯s elevator. Damien swiped the card at the elevator¡¯s system and input the floor where our room is located.


    On getting to the room encrypted ¡®318¡¯, he inserted the key card to the hotel¡¯s energy-saving switch to power the room.


    The air condition, the light and other electrical appliances started working immediately after the room was powered.


    He heaved a sigh of relief and unbuttoned his shirt, ready for a bath. The Abs I saw in the article wasn¡¯t fake as I imagined. It was in fact looking better.


    ¡°Where is my luggage? I need to change or do you expect that I wear this all day?¡± I asserted trying so much to get my mind off him. ¡± And besides my phone should be in there please¡±.


    ¡°Oh¡­ I¡¯m sorry. We were in a hurry. I should have looked for your luggage but I¡¯m sure they will send it without any dy¡± he apologized sincerely.


    ¡°Wanna Join me for a bath?¡± He chuckled sarcastically


    ¡°Thank you. Offer wholeheartedly rejected ¡± I replied.


    He opened the door and entered the bathroom while my head processed whether my luggage carried the whole necessary items I need. If it were Sarah that packed my luggage, then I will be okay with what she got for me, but if it were someone else¡­


    I got to the bed and stretched my leg. I dragged the sheet over to my chest as I wondered how this would y out, recalling his burning gaze. _does he think I would let him touch me? ¡­. but he is my husband! _¡­


    I stared out of the window and bit my inner cheek recalling how I had left the wedding venue without bidding my friend goodbye. It has not been up to a day but I am already missing my father. I missed Sarah so much and Brenda as well.


    I have been out of the country and have visited five different countries but not without my father. It¡¯s the first time I have been to Italy.


    Sooner than I expected, the door of the bathroom cracked open and Damien dashed out with only a towel on his waist.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Get a grip man, You ain¡¯t the only one sharing this room,¡± I said trying to hide the tremor in my voice.


    ¡°We got a Visitor?¡± He responded, ying ignorant of my presence.


    I clenched the sheet with my hands as anger burnt through my vain.


    ¡°Where are you referring to yourself? We are married, Eva. We are now Man and woman, husband. And. Wife¡± he leaned close to my ear and whispered.


    Just then a loud knocknded on the door. I went ahead to ask who it was. Luckily it was he who brought my luggage. The short brown-haired man withrge eyeballs handed arge traveling bag to me his face beaming with a smile.


    ¡± Thank you,¡± I said. I was expecting him to leave immediately but the ck-skinned man was still standing at my door with his face beaming with a fake smile. ¡°_he needs a tip_,¡± my mind said to me.


    I opened my red handbag and brought out some dor notes. With so much enthusiasm, he snatched the notes from my hand, and his smile was nowhere to be found.


    ¡°Congrattions to you Mrs. Alexandros¡± his sarcastic voice came while I mmed the door in his face.


    ¡± Ready for wedding consummation?¡± Damien¡¯s voice came ranging to my ear.

 Wedding night

    Damien¡¯s POV


    After a romantic dinner which I arranged by myself, Eva followed closely behind me as I led her back to our room. It was no longer a presidential suite like it was before we went down to eat something, but now a wedding suite.


    The expression on her face, once we entered the room, made me chuckle. The steady grin on her smooth cheek and widening of her green eyeballs.


    Behind it all, I could also sense the nervousness from her. I removed my jacket as a ck suit jacket as I turned to her and said.¡± If you are still unsure about this, the wedding consummation can hold till indefinitely¡±


    She smiled and nodded at myments. She watched me head to the bathroom. I had barely started my bath when she threw the bathroom door open and headed into the bathroom.


    I looked at her in surprise almost embarrassed but she reached out and embraced me in a tight hug. ¡± I am ready. It¡¯s our wedding night after all. I won¡¯t want to continue acting as if I was forced to marry you or to sign the contract¡±


    ¡°Are you sure about this? I mean it¡¯s okay if you are not ready yet. Even if it doesn¡¯t happen until our one year is over, I won¡¯t mind. I will always respect your decision when ites to that¡± I restrained myself. My deep voice was capable of striking a cord into her heart.


    ¡°I am ready¡± she took a deep breath and said confidently.N?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    Hearing her response, I let go of myself. With my left hand, I held her by the waist and my right hand was at the wall. I pressed my lips against hers and brought down my right hand to remove her dress which was already soaked in water from the shower.


    I kept on pressing my lips against hers and feeling the vor of her mouth. Her hair was already drenched by the water as she was standing directly under the shower.


    I did not rush her, even when it was time to take things further, instead I wrapped her with my long white towel and carried her by my arm into the rose petal-decorated bed. Afterward, I came down on her.


    However, she cried out in pain as I was about to enter her. I pulled back quickly and wrapped her on the white duvet. I never believed it would be her first time. But she was a billionaire¡¯s daughter. She needed no money or essories. Her father had enough for her. She won¡¯t need to get one with a nightstand.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± She noticed I had stopped and couldn¡¯t help but lift her head to ask. Her face was blushing attractively.


    ¡°Let¡¯s do it next time,¡± I said unsure if the next time woulde. I would feel guilty if I break her virginity and still abandon her in a year,


    I put on my dark blue pajamas and went back to bed trying to hold back my desires. ¡± Why didn¡¯t you tell me it was your first experience?¡±


    ¡°How would I bring that up? It is not like this a romantic marriage from a love rtionship and I knew you would find out yourself. This contract seems to be beneficial to only me, I just thought about how you will feel as well.¡± She said as she made her way to the bathroom, still covered with the duvet. She came back minutester with a white and ck oversized pajama.


    ¡°So we didn¡¯t do anything?


    ¡± regardless of whether we did it or not, you are now Mrs. Alexandros, you can¡¯t escape,¡± I said sarcastically making herugh and sigh at the same time.


    ¡°How long are we staying?¡± She asked with concern.


    ¡°Your father arranged for a month but I don¡¯t think I would be able. Let¡¯s say a week is the longest I can spend out of thepany. As you well know, I am officially now the new CEO of Sandro group. Although I have to pass a few tests first¡± I said as I poured more wine into my ss and hers. She grabbed it from my hand and gulped it down recklessly.


    It just urred to me that I had been giving her an acholic wine. She was probably drunk. That exins everything to me now. I now understand why she was a little weird and obedient and considerate. If she were to naturally be like this? I don¡¯t think I would be able to sign a divorce letter.


    Suddenly, she hulled up against my shoulder. I wished I had a shirt on already. Her hand went down to my Abs as she smiled feebly.¡± I thought you were actually a rude and reckless billionaire. Like the viins in the movies¡±


    ¡°Actually everyone thinks I¡¯m like that. But since you are my wife, I would not hesitate to show you my true self. Just be like this, not nagging or being stubborn and all that. That¡¯s when I will start your line, my little lovely wife. At least till our contract do us apart¡± I replied sincerely, stretching her right cheek¡­


    ¡°No, till death do us part please¡± She babbled.


    I wished I could make a video of her and show her when she must have woken up. The next thing she fell out of my arms,nded on the bed and while stretching her legs, kicked me out. I fell unexpectedly, on the cold tiled floor.


    ¡°Was that my phone?¡± She said at the sound. Making no effort to help me up. She nudged her face at the end of the bed and smiled at my pitiful state.


    I wonder if the effect of the drink was no longer strong enough. Her nest reaction took me unawares. She jumped from the bed onto me and wrapped her hands around my back as she rested her head on my bare chest.


    ¡± Get hold of yourself Eva¡± I murmured but toote she was already fast asleep and drooling.


    I had to carry her back to the bed. Like I expected she spread out her legs and arms as shey on her belly on the bed. Leaving me with no option but to manage the white couch.

 Eighteen

    ~Eva¡¯s POV~


    They are men who had everything except a rest¡­ One of them happens to be Damien.


    I woke up with a start, my breathing constantly heavy and my eyes puffy. I tried not to sleep at all, to be conscious and alert but I didn¡¯t know when I dozed off.


    The atmosphere was already clear, I checked my phone for the time and to my surprise, it was 9 am. Opposite the bed was the white couch and Damien sitting on it with an appleptop on a table just in front of him.


    Even when I had slept long before him, he was already up with his eyes ring sleepily at hisptop.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you ever rest? You are really a workaholic as your father said. I even thought he was just bluffing¡± I murmured to myself. Unknown to me that he heard what I said. I stretched my body on the bed and yawned hungrily at the same time.


    ¡°Wait¡­ did we sleep together on the same bed yesterday? Howe I can¡¯t remember anything that happened between us¡± I yelled this time getting his attention.


    My eyes were wide open as I scuffed my already messy hair, trying to figure out what I don¡¯t know.


    ¡°Shut up¡­ Shut the hell up. Can¡¯t you see I¡¯m working?¡± He growled in anger. His gaze shifted from theptop to me. I felt a little bit intimated and kept quiet.


    He nced furiously at his wristwatch. That was when I noticed that he was already dressed in a work outfit. I felt a little awkward. As if I was never serious with my work as a CEO.


    I continued babbling to myself but his next reaction got me shocked.


    ¡± What the hell do you want? I slept on the couch yesterday. You were just drooling as you sleep. And Yes I¡¯m already working, I have an important meeting today. Does that answer your silly questions?¡±


    He trailed off. His bushy eyebrows drew closer to each other.


    I wanted to make anotherment but the rumbling of my stomach echoed instead.


    ¡°If you are hungry I will call the staff to serve you a meal. A hangover meal would do right?¡± he suggested with a calm voice. His mood swing was so appealing to me. Next, he picked up the telephone and dialed a particr digit.


    ¡°Hangover?¡­ Wait did you get me drunk yesterday and¡­ and ¡± I asked surprised and embarrassed. I tried to remember what happened the previous night but it wasn¡¯t clear. I could remember when I went to the bathroom and hugged him while he was bathing. The thought alone sent cold shivers down my spine. How can I face him anymore, I was so ashamed of myself for begging for sex¡­


    ¡± What are you thinking? Am I getting you a hangover meal first or you are okay now¡± his voice came again. This time louder than before. I bit my lips from the inside as I clenched my hand to my pajamas.


    ¡°Well, anything. Breakfast and hangover will do¡±. I said calmly trying to avoid his using re.


    He dialed the hotel¡¯s number and soon enough, a soft tap came on the door.


    ¡± Your Order is here, ¡± Ady said once I opened the door. she drove the tray which had varieties of dishes in it to one corner of the room.


    ¡± So what¡¯s your n for today?¡± I asked. It was bing so ufortable eating silently with him.


    ¡°Do you have ns for me? ¡± He responded reluctantly. I nodded. I wanted to go around the city instead.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t we stroll around ?¡± I suggested with thest courage I could gather


    ¡°I¡¯m busy, and it¡¯s not a good idea that you go alone. You might miss your way¡±


    I was so annoyed at his excuse. I lost my appetite at the thought that I would have to stay indoors for weeks.


    I gave him a long, stoned look..¡±Why am I not so surprised?¡±


    He stared right back at me. ¡°Now can you turn that crap music off? It¡¯s giving me a headache.


    ¡°This is crazy¡± He sighed settling down on the couch and yawning helplessly. Even with the quantity of food he¡¯d munched, he was still yawning hungrily.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Crazy, how?¡± I reluctantly replied.


    ¡°Me in a hotel room, doing nothing profitable, e,¡± he said restlessly. ¡± Do you realize how much work I¡¯ve got to do? A lot of It. I don¡¯t have time to sit around in a hotel room, doing nothing all for the fucked up honeymoon¡¯s sake.


    ¡°Look, I also have lots of work to do. The weight of my Father¡¯spany is lying helplessly on my shoulders. I just wish¡­.¡±


    ¡°You wish you hadn¡¯t gotten married to m? It¡¯s the same with me¡± he sighed. Hey on the couch and fixed his gaze on the ceiling.


    That wasn¡¯t what I wanted to say, I only wished that I could go back to the US quickly as possible.


    ¡°Who is talking about that now? We owe each other a thank you. let¡¯s just say, this is a saprophytic rtionship where you gained from me and I did also. ¡°What¡¯s your n after we get divorced? ¡±


    ¡°Do I love you? After our divorce, I might not be able to recognize or acknowledge your presence anymore¡± he said andughed at the same time. I didn¡¯t understand what was so funny to him about that. Whatever it is, I am happy that our marriage is fake.


    I also think that after our divorce, I will adopt a baby and live alone for the rest of my life¡­


    ¡°What about our wedding consummation? Are you ready? ¡± His throaty voice rang in my ear. I sincerely thought he had given up the idea already.


    I felt more embarrassed remembering how I acted the previous night.

 Nineteen

    ~Damien¡¯s POV~


    ¡°¡­. Are you ready for that?¡± These few words got Eva. I saw as she was quickly drawn to the ocean of her thoughts.


    I smirked, on getting to the wardrobe where my clothes were already arranged, I picked up in ck pajamas and changed into them. Next was to start my work where I had stopped earlier. I was so exhausted yesterday night after the whole stress and travel stuff. I sighed when I recalled how I almost missed my own wedding.


    Dropping Eva off at the wedding venue, I got a call and drove back to thepany by myself. It was an urgent situation and from one of our biggest clients.


    Twenty times, that was the number of times James and Oliver called me and the number of times I hit the red bottom and canceled the call.


    A kind of numbness crept over me as I finally arrived at the church. Everywhere was grave quiet. The voice of the priest shocked me a little bit.


    ¡°The groom is finally here,¡± the priest said and started the wedding mass. I saw the disappointment on the bride¡¯s face, Olivier¡¯s face, James¡¯s face, and Brenda¡¯s face. The look I saw on Cami my little girl¡¯s face was that of ¡°, You are unbelievable bro¡±.


    ¡± Together, forever until death does us part¡± That was the most important part of the wedding that¡¯d got me smiling. It was always so easy to say. If they would allow me to, I would have said something else instead. ¡°Together, for a while until the contract does us part¡±.


    As the wedding reception was getting to its peak, Mr. Huxley handed me a ticket for our honeymoon. Seeing the little encryption of Italy in it, I politely rejected the offer with the excuse that I will host our honeymoon.


    But he alongside my father persisted leaving me with no option but to reluctantly ept the offer.


    And here we are, stuck in the same room. I wondered if her father must have arranged for me to get her daughter pregnant. The way he agreed and pushed up with the wedding n got me thinking he has a behind plot. Nheless, I am not even a bit ready to be a father now.


    ¡°What? ¡­ I want to make a call now, please. If you don¡¯t mind ¡± Eva said trying to change the topic. She picked up her cell phone from her traveling bag which was the first thing she saw once she opened the bag.


    ¡± Hello, dad¡­ Why did you stress yourself about our honeymoon? My husband could have handled it but¡­¡± Her trembling voice echoed. She was almost crying as she was talking.


    I got myself busy with myptop as I sat on the soft cozy bed. The hotel was so nice, to my taste. I almost felt like I was at home.


    ¡°Hello¡­ hello¡­ Damn it ¡°Her voice caught my attention again. She bitterly threw her phone on the bed which in turn bounced to myptop.


    ¡± Excuse me?¡± I said, my face reddening. I hated being interrupted from work, not by anyone whosoever.


    ¡°Uh¡­ I¡­ I suppose¡­¡± She stammered, not quite sure of what to say.


    ¡± I wasn¡¯t even given a chance to say goodbye to anyone ¡± Sheined and, asserted the moment she found a reasonable excuse to give.


    ¡± Isn¡¯t that unreasonable and more difficult than saying ¡®I¡¯m sorry? Can¡¯t you see I am busy with work?


    ¡°And I won¡¯t think of making it ufortable for you only if we forget about wedding consummations and all that and as a tip, I will be nicer to you,¡± She said apologetically.


    That was her way of saying sorry, just a simple word seems so difficult to her.


    ¡± I see what you are doing, are you trying to bribe your way through?¡±


    ¡°No, I was just nicely asking you to choose wisely¡±


    ¡°Whatever, I am not interested in you, and would never be, so can you walk your ass off my face?¡± I replied with every rudeness I could gather. I barely talk in a day but an hour with her has turned me into a loquacious being.N?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    She jumped up and down like a little girl that has been given a pack of lollipops. I couldn¡¯t help but imagine that the famous ¡®Ab and copany¡¯ will soon be handed over to such a childish fellow.


    I ignored her and continued with my work. It was a very important deal I have to make, I needed to convince the board of directors that I was capable of handling ¡®The Sandro grouppany. ¡® even though my father had appointed me as the heir a long time ago, I took over thepany just a few weeks ago, after my engagement just as he had bromide.


    Nevertheless, I had to prove to the board of directors that my father¡¯s decision on handing thepany over to me as the new CEO of a veryrge firm at such a young age was not a mistake.


    At the board meeting, on the day it was announced, half of the directors were in support of my father while half were against him more like my Aunt¡¯s allies were against him.


    Oliver¡¯s mother Mrs. Ste Alexandros was not only trying to acquire a position for his son who is already a CEO of a fashionpany. Her reasons were selfish but quite understandable.


    Sandro group was founded by my father and his younger but only brother. Then it was just apany that only had a hospital branch and a hotel branch.


    Following the death of my uncle, Oliver¡¯s father thepany branch was divided among the two families, we took the hotel branch while Oliver inherited the fashion branch which then was much more industrious.


    Years of consistent hard work by my father expanded the Sandro group into five more branches but Mrs. Ste wouldn¡¯t stop to feel cheated. She insisted on working for thepany as one of the board directors. Of course, the reason was clear- to steal a branch for his son.


    I have worked past midnight but still had the energy to work more but the continuous kicking I got from thedy sleeping beside me was bing more irritating. I couldn¡¯t bear it anymore so I just closed myptop and kept it on the bedside table.


    Eva had also dragged the whole duvet over her body and upied more than half of the bed space.


    Left with no option, I curled myself on the white couch.

 Twenty

    Eva¡¯s POV


    ¡°Get up¡± I heard someone say. Opening my eyes, I saw Damien standing in front of me. I looked around but it doesn¡¯t look like the hotel suite where I slept the previous night.


    ¡°Where ¡­? ¡± I tried to ask. Embarrassed that I was such a sleepyhead.


    ¡°US. We are back in the states. Now get up, the car is already waiting¡± Damien¡¯s cold voice said. I covered my face trying to hide them from him. I don¡¯t remember how I got to the airport or even when I got there. We had only spent one week at the hotel, so why is he suddenly going? He said we would stay for two weeks instead of one month which my father proposed.


    ¡± Come on! I have things to do¡± he dragged me by my wrist and forced me down the ramp stairs.


    We entered a ck Bugatti but something was different this time. Several cars escorted us from behind and in our front.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± I asked


    ¡°Oat of office,¡± Damien said. His eyes were all on hisptop, continually he shifts his gaze away from it and checks the time.


    Soon our car stopped in from of the ¡®Sandro group¡¯ Damien¡¯spany.


    I stayed focused, trying to figure out what to do next. The entrance was crowded with photographers, the media, and journalists from different channels. Damien got out of the car and looked at me.


    I don¡¯t want to do this but I have to, I thought he¡¯d stop me at home and then head back to the office.


    I walked out of the car and was shocked to see Damien¡¯s hand ready to grab mine. I know what he is doing. Trying to y all romantic in the public. I smiled and held his hands. ying along.


    The clicking sound of the camera filled the air as we stormed inside the building.


    ¡°Mr. Alexandros Damien, his do you feel today, is it true that your father forcefully took thepany from his brother? , Are you confident that you will make a good CEO? ¡± All these questions kepting in from the journalist. It was so annoying and tiring. We just managed to get ourselves at the entrance of thepany¡­


    ¡°Thank you so much, well to say I am confident enough to be the CEO of the Sandro group is an understatement to how I feel right now. And don¡¯t you forget that I have a wife now, who is also very much experienced in the field of business management. ¡± Damien said thest words smiling and with his hands on my waist, he drew me impermissibly close to himself. ¡± I am not just confident ¡°he continued, ¡± I am certain that Sandro group would be famous not only in the US but globally. Thank you¡±


    That was the only question we answered. The security men blocked the journalist from making their way inside.


    ¡°Can you now leave my waist? The cameras are gone no need for a pretense.¡± I muttered to Damien, afraid that someone could eavesdrop. I was almost whispering.


    ¡± Oh¡­.¡± He stuttered and abruptly let go of my waist.


    The ce was also a bit crowded with people. The women dressed beautifully in their work cooperate wears while I was still putting on my red skin tight sleeveless gown.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    ¡°I shouldn¡¯t be here,¡± I said nervously


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you see, It¡¯s as if I came all the way from home to a party instead of an office. . I am the only one dressed so casually. It¡¯s so embarrassing. I¡­¡±


    ¡°You worry a lot. You are the CEO¡¯s woman ¡± Damien sighed as he increased his pace, Making me walk faster than I should. What the hell is wrong with him?


    ¡°There you are,¡± Mr. Alexandros said walking towards us. He hugged Damien tightly for some seconds, Then he touched my head and said.


    ¡°You came with her? You must be tired, Eva. Why did you insist oning?¡± He asked looking at Damien and then at me.


    ¡°I¡­ I ¡­¡± I stuttered not sure of what to say. I gave Damien this look¡¯ What do hell are you doing? Say something please¡¯ but instead, he smirked and also waited for my response.


    ¡°I¡­ Was¡­ It was Damien that insisted I¡¯de¡± I answered nervously.


    ¡°Okay,¡± Mr. Alexandros said and started talking to Damien about business, for some reason I felt he was intentionally excluding me from the discussion so I walked away.


    I looked around at the guests expecting to see my father but to my dismay, he was out of site. I checked everywhere I could but it seems that he wasn¡¯t invited.


    ¡°We are going in for the swearing-in, would youe along? ¡°Damien asked bringing me back to reality. I was already admiring the beautiful structure of thepany. The elegant receptionist and the golden decorations stood at a different corners. I could see my reflection from the tiles, the ceiling, and the wall too.


    We walked into a hall, not sorge and not so small. It was filled with important employees, the stock and shareholders, and a few journalists.


    I sat in a corner as I watched Mr. Damien Alexandros Was called up to the stage. He walked majestically to the stage, and on clearing his throat he started.


    ¡°I¡¯d solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of president of the Sandro group. And will to the best of my ability, take thispany globally. I will do my best, not to allow thispany to have any backslide no matter what. And I will do my best, protect and defend both thepany and its employees.¡±


    He said and the hall was filled with pping and the clicking of the camera. I so much admired his charisma and intonation as he spoke. He imed the stage and came to sit beside me.


    ¡°Congrattions,¡± I jumped up and hugged him. I was too excited for no reason the photographers focused their cameras on us.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Damien asked in a rather cold tone.


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