Arya’s pov
Unfathomable emotions washed over my features as I stared at the groom’s name column on the certificate.“Mr. Nicklaus Harrington”.How did I get involved with the most dreaded and dangerous man in M country and undoubtedly the world?Oh my gosh! I instantly regretted my previous actions.A man that is known for his brutal nature and ruthless actions in the business world, rumors have it that he’s a mafia and a tyrant of the underworld, the most merciless one at that.Is the supposed man I’m getting married to? What do I do?.“What’re you doing? Sign the papers”. His deep voice interrupted my dilemma while I batted my eye lids continuously to get back my composure, but all to no avail as my face grew pale white seeming like all blood has drained from it.I stood there frozenly rotted to the ground not being able to utter a response or take action.Am I making the right decision? So many questions but no forthcoming answer.I bit on my lower lip subconsciously, my habitual trait for anxiety and nervousness.“Getting cold feet?”. He asked with a crumpled face obviously not enjoying the show before him as the irritation in his tone could not be disguised.Taking a hard gulp and mustering all my courage I thought to clarify things with Mr. Danger, there was no way I was going to marry him. If I had known he was Nicklaus Harrington I never would have agreed. On this basis I’m sure the contract could be annulled.Meeting his impenetrable icy gaze almost made me rethink my stance but I braced myself while ignoring the snigger from the attendant.“I can’t”- voicing out my opposition but I was caught abrupt by my ringtone. The look of frustration washed over me, summoning up this courage was no easy feat, just how on earth do I get back this lost bravery I thought already irritated and coupled with the fact the call was from an unidentifiable source.“Hello” I said with an indifferent tone and not daring to spare Nicklaus a glance cause I’m pretty sure the attendant wasn’t the only one shooting eye lasers at me.“Hello, is this miss Arya?” the voice over the phone asked in a professional tone which piqued my interest as I let out my response. “Yes”.“Okay. I’m calling to inform you as the legal guardian of Mrs Melissa Walter that her surgery is due today by 7pm as all preparations has been made for a VIP member”.The voice over the phone ended her announcement with a thank you while I retreated my phone with shaky hands as I meet Nicklaus deep eyes which were currently boring holes into my head.An acute sense of guilt made me look away as I was about to break our agreement when he already kept his side of the bargain.Choosing to ignore my previous actions I went straight away to sign the papers.Although he had a dangerous reputation he seems to be a man of his words, I’ll hold him to that, regardless I felt a tightening in my chest like I just made a deal with the devil and I’ve got this guts feeling that my life’s about to take a different turn.****The drive home is what you call an Antisocial emergency never have I ever been in such a quiet ride, it was nerve-racking so I thought to break the ice.“Why do you need to get married so desperately?”.But to my greatest surprise he didn’t utter a word in response, he kept looking at his phone like a robot. Ouch! I had to say my pride was hurt but I was determined to get some answers so I went on “or could it be you’ve secretly admired me for a long time like in the movies” I accompanied this statement with a chuckle to further agitate him and it worked because he shot me a deadly glare but it had no effect on me as I’d prepared to meet those devilish gaze.At last he spoke but the words were as good as a slap on my cheeks. “I believe the contract clearly stated no asking of questions. Plus you’re not my type, don’t have any silly ideas”.“Not your type indeed, then why’d you kiss me” I blurted out. My mouth opened and closed with no words to explain as I met his questioning gaze. I shouldn’t have said that, it makes it seem like I’m holding on to the kiss. I vented inwardly.The rest of the ride was awkward as you’ve guessed but I couldn’t help but wonder, could it be that his dying of a terminal disease?Soon we arrived at the mansion and I was finally able to get a full view of this majestic structure, it was just as I’d imagined the exteriors to be.I had to commend him mentally, he sure had great taste, just that the monotonous feel made it look Indifferent, a suitable pair for his personality if you asked me.Shortly about to part from his heavy presence and dash to my room but halted as he called out to me “dinner with my family is at 7pm. Don’t keep me waiting”. Saying this he took hurried steps towards the plight of stairs leaving me no room to protest.Time flew in a blink of an eye as the maids came flocking in again for another makeover section, this time around it was a provocative theme and I was loving it.The maids were very diligent with their work and knew exactly what color pallet suite me best. They worked sequentially and the result was indeed marvelous. Of course nothing less was expected as the criteria to be selected as a maid for the first ranking and world richest conglomerate.Duly noting the previous mistake, I made sure to notify them about dying my hair. Now I’m all black and good to go.The sound from my ink black stilettos touching each stairs echoed gracefully complimenting my smooth porcelain slender legs as the silk red dress I was embedded in was a crossed back strap handed kneel length gown revealing just about the right proportion of skin for a classy sexy style.I eventually reached the end of the stairs only to meet Nicklaus icy eyes boring into mine, one would think he was smitten by my dazzling beauty but he immediately shifted his gaze and turned leaving without uttering a word destroying my expectations of him being a gentleman for once.With dashed hopes I followed behind but he halted which caused me to stop in my tracks.“While you’re with me leave your ginger colored hair. The look of defiance looks good on you”. He drawled and sprinted for the door.Did he just compliment me? I smiled bashfully he was probably the first to tell me not to dye my hair, I guess he’s got a gentlemanly side to him after all.The ride was long and uncomfortable I still can’t wrap my head around why wealthy people prefer a desolated location for a residence, it’s almost as though they’ve got something to hide.The car came to a halt and I signed finally we’ve arrived but that was my mere wishful thought as we only arrived the main entrance, the journey to the main house was another ballgame as the landscape area was enough to fit in my entire community.Taking delicate steps towards the door beside Nicklaus whilst we were greeted by the butler as we found our way to the living room I suddenly felt a firm hand clasp my waist from behind catching me completely off guard, before getting a chance to retaliate he leaned over and whispered into my ear “trust no one seated in there”.His deep voice tingling my sensation while I struggled to get a hold of myself slapping every perv thought off my mind, luckily this helped me reminiscence on the basis of the contract.Time to put my acting skills to good use as the contract stated we were to play a lovey dovey role in front of his family. Here goes nothing I thought as I wrapped my hands over Nick’s and boomed a blissful smile while staring into his cold hazel eyes.We arrived the dinning area and their look of surprise told me I was probably an uninvited guest, my heart sank. I was like a sheep walking into a den of wolves. Just what on earth is Nicklaus scheming!Nicklaus’s POVDressed in my usual exotic tuxedo while standing in front of my broad-way stairs reading through Arya’s past, but I couldn’t understand why I felt a tightening in my chest the moment she came to view. She’s a girl whose been through a lot of betrayals and scorn from the people she calls family. Maybe the feeling in my chest is a result of the guilt I feel dragging her into my mess, I thought to convince myself.The emotions in her eyes stared at me with expectations, a luxury I just cannot afford to offer. I looked away knowing she had no idea the new world that awaits her, she probably wouldn’t be giving me that look if she knew the monster I was.She doesn’t deserve any of this. Not what she went through in the hands of her family, definitely not what she’s gonna go through with me and she certainly doesn’t need to dye her hair while she’s with me, I voiced out and I could see her eyes lit up at once.The engine roared to life and began the ride, although it was
Arya’s povThe first person that came to view immediately we stepped into the dinning section was a young lady seemingly around my age, I caught her reaction when she noticed our ambiguous posture and how she fought hard to keep her composure while twitching her lips upwards into a forced smile that gradually turned to a wide grin revealing all her dentures.She approached us with a burst of enthusiasm or rather she approached Nicklaus as she completing ignored my existence and tried bridging her way to give Nicklaus a peck that didn’t get a chance to reach his cheeks as he tossed her aside with a swing of his unoccupied arm and headed straight for our seats leaving her forced to flash another half-hearted smile.I couldn’t help but feel sorry for her, she’s just a poor sister craving her brother’s love, did he really have to push her like that? So heartless. Although I felt their relationship was kinda strange but this was a family dinner after all, if she wasn’t his sister then who
Lucious POV“Why’re there still so many papers to sign?”. I asked to no one seeing I was alone in my now dark office as time was far spent. Soon the door opened and my assistant Dylan approached me. “Sir, you still have one more agenda scheduled for this evening”.Hearing this I furrowed my brows, as if today’s arrangements for the new movie shooting wasn’t enough, there was more to add?. “Which is?”. I asked irritably.“Your mother’s invitation to a family dinner which I believe to be a disguise for an engagement between your brother Nicklaus and his fiancée”. He responded earning a raised brow from me, “you mean the bride in the photo with the ginger colored hair you sent to me just yesterday?”. This is just hilarious, why was he in such a hurry? He couldn’t be thinking I’ll fight to be Adam’s successor, could he?. Anyways that’s none of my concern.“No, it seems your mother has arranged someone else for Nicklaus. I believe her name was Veronica Lucas”. Dylan revealed and I co
Nicklaus POVWith Arya out of sight my dark and terrifying demeanor returned but this time it intensified at the very thought of what awaits my prey. Not letting even a second slide, immediately my call ended I dashed for the car but for some odd reason I looked over my shoulder only to reveal a now empty space, although I found her restless and childish behavior quite annoying, I couldn’t deny that it was lively and added a little color to my usually mundane and humdrum drives. “Snap out of it Nick” I murmured at the realization of my sudden drifting.“Yes boss?” My Chauffeur inquired. “It’s nothing” I dryly replied as I met his surprised gaze through the rear mirror “Uhm hmm” I cleared my throat in an attempt to alleviate the awkward atmosphere knowing he was perplexed at my change in attitude, it was of course very unlikely to find me talking to myself even I can’t fathom my words or actions lately especially my little display back at the dinning. Why on earth did I kiss her know
Arya’s POVRushing to the reception counter to inquire my mom’s current location and I felt my heart sink as a shiver pass through my veins the moment the receptionist gave her feedback “Mrs Melissa is currently in the theater on the 21st floor ma’am”. She announced in a professional tone while I felt my legs giving in to the intrusive thoughts that filled my head but I somehow found my way to the elevator and leaned over by the railings least I faint from my continuous shivering.Standing in front of the shut emergency doors and breathing shakily while actively trying to calm my rising pulse which didn’t go halfway subsiding the situation,I find a seat and relax my legs but the pressure in my chest was getting worse as I clenched it tightly fighting hard to breathe but the more I tried the harder it became. It was evident I was having a panic attack and there’s no surprise there, I’ve had several cases of panic attacks in the past when my mom collapsed or fainted and this case was
Arya glances at her watch “I’ve got less than two hours”. She voiced reminiscing on the words of the doctor as she gets off the taxi and approaches the main entrance of Nicklaus grand mansion but she notices none of this as her mind is tied pondering on what Nicklaus was going on about, was there an emergency of some sorts?Soon she reached the gigantic doors that seems as though it holds deep memories not known to the naked eyes and whilst admiring this work of art she is pointed in the direction of his study by the butler which she concisely followed but soon realized that one was bound to get lost in this humongous mansion.Reaching out to her phone to get a hold of Nicklaus but hesitates as her attention gets stolen by a wall frame portraying the figure of a jaw dropping gorgeous woman who undeniably must be Nicklaus’s mother as both their eyes betrays them.Still lost in a daze as the voice of a maid draws her back to reality “miss, you shouldn’t be here” the maid whispers with f
Arya’s ringtone resounded in a taxi reflecting Bella’s name which she delightfully accepted. “Hello” she voiced and soon Bella’s appealing voice responded “Hey Arya, how’re you?” She inquired unmistakably worried and a warm feeling envelopes Arya’s heart causing her eyes to glister with tears threatening to spill whilst she actively wipes it off, sniffed her nostrils and got back her composure, or so she thought but the moment she sort to speak it was as though the dam has broken “I’m fine...” Arya replied but her muffled words made it almost impossible to continue. “What’s wrong? Hope the surgery went well” Bella inquired in a heartbeat. “Yes it went well”. Arya stated nodding vigorously as though Bella could see her expression. “Then why’re you sobbing?” Bella curiously asked. “It’s just that I’m so happy” she responded chuckling and wiping off the tear drops while Bella let out a corresponding titter at Arya’s display. “Well, I’m glad you’re okay. Take care of yourself always”
Arya’s POVThere’s a reason why I’ve been living an antisocial and distant life in school so much that I never dated anyone and few hours ago I was reminded why. Getting my school things sorted out and overwhelmed by the hectic processes but what I didn’t expect was a complete turn of events as a guy that used to pester me went down on one knee in a charismatic display of his love affection and he confessed his never ending feelings in front of the entire school and if I’m being honest I’m pretty sure they all knew as I’ve been feeling awkwardly suspicious about their stares and giggle. And not to mention how they all helped with the decorations, cheers and musical performance and if you’re wondering what my reply was maybe this will help, I’m currently locked in the restroom and it’s not as a result of my escape plan going wrong but as a defense mechanism because his fans were out to get me for rejecting their Mr handsome and nobody knows to care that there’s an even scarier pers