What started out as a deal of marriage ended up being something that no one expected. The deal was simple. They attend public meetings together. They are seen as the happy couple together. They stand by one another side for the media. But when an enemy starts to rise, when that enemy starts to threaten, things end up taking a turn that they do not expect nor do they like.It starts out with a kiss, and that kiss flourishes more than they would have ever liked to think about happening. And when that kiss starts to take effect, when feelings start to emerge, when a spark grows between them, an ex triggers rumors that push Jasmine away from him, the fated husband that was supposed to be her betrothed.Only this time, Blake wants her.Now, he’ll fight not for legacy, but for love. Enemies once. Strangers under the same roof. But in the end, they might just become something unstoppable.
View MoreJasmine's POV
“What did you just say to me, Dad?” My breath hitched as my eyes widened with shock.
“You heard me, Jasmine. It has been finalized, and there's nothing we can do about it. For the sake of both companies, you will have to go along with this plan.” My Dad said, and my butt hit the office couch as I stared into the air, trying to process what I just heard.
I sat there in a daze for minutes, replaying what my dad said in my mind. I stood up and paced around the office for a while, tapping my fingers on my thighs.
“Come on, darling, it's not as bad as it sounds. You both are compatible and have the same social status.” My dad said, trying to convince me, but I wasn't having it.
“You don't know what you are talking about, dad. I can't believe you actually set me up with Blake Remigton. Despite knowing how much I dislike him, yet you want me to marry him?” I asked, and dad stood up from his seat and walked up to me.
“I'm telling you he has changed. You both are no longer children. I can't believe you carried the hate you have for him into adulthood.” My dad held my shoulder and shook me.
“Incase you have not noticed, the feeling is mutual. He hates me as much as I hate him. He's arrogant and thinks the world revolves around him just because he's the heir to his father's empire.” I dished out my words in a single breath.
“Well… I don't know what to tell you, but this marriage is going to happen. It has been arranged between both families, and you will just have to accept it.” My dad insisted, and I groaned in frustration.
“I don't know what is happening and why you decided this out of the blue. But I'm not going to be a part of this. I will never get married to Blake Remigton.” I retorted and stormed out of my father's office.
My PA was outside the door waiting for me. She followed after me like some breeze. I pushed my office door open and stamped my feet on the floor.
“Urrg!!” This is really driving me insane. How in the world is this happening to me? I have hated that boy since we were children.” I groaned, breathing heavily as my chest moved in rhythm.
“It's not enough that we attended the same elementary, high school, and even college. Now they are trying to get us both in an arranged marriage? This must be the joke of the century.” I snorted and found my way to my seat.
“I don't care what Dad says. I'm not marrying that immature and arrogant goose.” I vowed and turned on my laptop. But no matter what I do, I can't seem to concentrate.
My mind drifted into my imagination, and a flash image of Blake and I walked down the aisle flashed through my mind.
“No way!” I shrugged and quickly stood up.
“No! No!!” I screamed my lungs out. My cheeks burned as my blood boiled in anger. I clenched my fist together and slammed them on my office table.
I drew in sharp breaths, hoping that helps me keep calm.
“I have to straighten this out with Dad. He needs to understand that I would rather die than be hitched to that man.” I said and stormed out of my office.
“Ma'am, you've not had your coffee. Also, you have a meeting with the chairman and some of the board of directors in about ten minutes.” Julia, my assistant, explained.
“I am the CEO of this company. And right now, I'm about to get super busy. So make them wait or postpone the meeting. Because guess what? The chairman, who happens to be my dad, won't be available for the meeting as well.” I said and snatched my coffee away from her.
I didn't even get the chance to resume work when I was informed at the reception that my father had asked me to come to his office.
My yellow pants dragged through the white office floor as my heels scaled the floor. Some of the employees greeted me as I walked by, but I wasn't interested in them.
“Dad….” I was about to yell when I heard his voice over the phone. The door to his office was not shut, so I could hear his voice faintly. I'm not the type to eavesdrop, but I felt the need to do it today.
“I promise you, Mr Remigton, my daughter is ecstatic to marry your son. Ever since I told her about it, she has been asking to see him.” Dad's words peirce through my ear, and I frowned.
‘ What the hell is he saying to Blake’s Dad? ‘
‘ And why are they even talking to each other? ‘ I quirried in mind, but couldn't find the perfect answer.
“Please let's keep what happened two nights ago between us. It would ruin my company and family reputation if words were to get out. I already gave you my daughter, and now it's time for you to keep your part of the bargain.” Dad said, and I furrowed my brows in anger.
I felt confused and lost. I stepped into Dad's office but quickly retracted my steps. Something is up, and I'm going to find out.
“Let's head over to the conference hall. And you would be working late tonight. I will need you to keep an eye out for me.” I said to Julia, who looked confused.
“You don't have to understand. Just do as I say.” I stated and walked along.
Later that day, I waited till the company closed. Dad offered me a ride home, but refused and told him I would take my car. He thought I was still upset about the marriage talk and didn't push it.
It was just Julia and I left in the company. We pretended to work so as not to raise suspicion. I have a spare key to every office in this building, so I made way to Dad's office.
“You go to the financial department and pull out the records we have for the past one week. Here is the key, make sure not to leave a trace behind.” I ordered and sent her off while I opened the door to my dad's office.
Blake’s POVI drove faster than I ever had in my life. My hands gripped the wheel so hard my knuckles burned. All I could think about was Jasmine, my child, and the way my gut told me something was very wrong.When I reached the house, the first thing I saw were workers running around outside. Some shouted, some carried buckets of water, some just stood frozen. I jumped out of my car.“What happened?” I shouted at the first man I saw.He shook his head, his eyes wide. “Sir, fire! The house—there’s fire inside!”My heart slammed against my ribs. “Where is she? Where is Jasmine? My child?!”No one gave me a clear answer. They looked away, mumbling, pointing at smoke rising from the back. Then I heard Maria, the maid stumble toward me, coughing, her face streaked with tears.“Sir—” she gasped. “She’s inside! Jasmine is trapped inside! I tried—I couldn’t—” She broke down, covering her face.My world spun. For a second I couldn’t move, couldn’t even hear anything but the rush in my ears. T
Blake’s POV My phone rang in the evening while I was staring at the ceiling of my hotel room. I had been waiting all day for a sign, for something to tell me that Jasmine was safe. When I saw the number on the screen, my heart almost stopped. It was the number of the phone I gave to the maid. I jumped to my feet so fast that the chair behind me fell. My chest was tight as I answered. “Hello?” I said, my voice sharp. “Sir,” the woman’s voice whispered. She sounded scared. “I have the phone. I will meet you now.” “Where?” I asked quickly. “The same place you told me about before,” she said. “I’m on my way,” I replied, grabbing my keys and running out of the room. I drove like a mad man through the evening traffic. My hands gripped the wheel so hard they hurt. All I could think about was Jasmine. Did she manage to do it? Did she take the risk for me? For herself? For her child? My chest burned with hope and fear at the same time. When I reached the spot, I parked and jum
Jasmine pov I sat on the edge of the bed, my heart pounding. My hands refused to stay still; they shook so much I had to hide them in my lap. The room was quiet, too quiet. I could hear the sound of my breath, and even that felt loud. The door creaked open. My maid stepped inside with her head bent low. She looked nervous, her eyes darting to the corners of the room before they landed on me. She closed the door quickly and walked toward me. “Madam,” she whispered, glancing over her shoulder. “He is in the study. I don’t have much time.” Her hand slid from under her apron, and I froze when I saw what she held. A phone. I looked at her, then at the phone, and back at her again. My lips parted, but no words came out. “Take it,” she whispered again. Her fingers trembled as if the phone burned her skin. “No,” I shook my head. “I… I can’t.” My voice cracked. “If he finds out—” “He won’t,” she cut me off quickly. “You have to trust me. This is from someone who cares about you
Blake’s POV I stood at the usual spot, the one where Jasmine and I always met. It was late at night. The sky was dark, but the moon gave enough light to see the empty street. I had been waiting for almost an hour. Every time I heard footsteps or a shadow moved, I thought it was her. But no one came. I checked the time again and again but it kept on ticking without her appearance. Maybe she was not coming. Maybe something had happened. I pushed my hands inside my pockets and looked down the street again. Still nothing. “She’s not coming,” I whispered to myself. My voice sounded broken in the quiet night. I stayed a few more minutes. Hope kept me rooted there. But as time went on, the hope faded. My legs felt heavy and tired from standing in hours waiting for her. My heart hurt. I finally sighed and turned to leave. I had only taken a few steps when a sharp whistle cut through the silence. I froze. Slowly, I turned around. A woman stood a few feet away, her hands on her h
Jasmine’s POV I walked back slowly, my steps light as if the ground could betray me. My heart was still racing. Blake’s face lingered in my mind, his eyes, his smile. For a moment, I wanted to turn back, run into his arms, and press my lips to his. But I stopped myself. No. Not now. Not here. I had to control it. If I went back, I might never return. His eyes had lit up when he saw the baby, when he held and cradled him in his arms, when his lips met with his cheeks. He didn't want to let go of the baby and I thought I'd have to plead with him to let go. I reached the back door and slipped inside like a thief. The house was quiet, too quiet, the kind that makes your skin prickle. I held my breath, listening. No sound. Good. I hurried to the bedroom to the crib and placed the baby in it. He was curled and sleeping peacefully, her tiny fist curled to her face. I didn't know what Blake did to him to make him keep quiet. He looked peaceful, and for a second, I smiled. I bent down
Blake’s POV I looked at her. My heart wanted to pull her close and never let her go, but her eyes told me something else. She looked scared. Tired. I swallowed hard and said softly, “So… you need more time?” She nodded. “Yes, Blake. Please… just give me time.” Time.Time. The word hit me like a punch. That word hurt like any other thing. I wanted her now. I wanted to hold her, to come with me, leave the blasted man behind, and never look back and take her far from him, make her mine again. But I also knew I couldn’t force her. I saw the fear in her voice and I knew forcing her would only push her away. And it was the last thing I wanted. I swallowed hard. “More time?” I asked slowly, just to make sure I heard right. “Yes,” she whispered again. Her fingers twisted together like she was nervous. I let out a slow breath. “Alright,” I said, even though it felt like cutting my own skin. “If that’s what you want… I’ll give you time.” She looked at me then, and for a moment, I s
Welcome to GoodNovel world of fiction. If you like this novel, or you are an idealist hoping to explore a perfect world, and also want to become an original novel author online to increase income, you can join our family to read or create various types of books, such as romance novel, epic reading, werewolf novel, fantasy novel, history novel and so on. If you are a reader, high quality novels can be selected here. If you are an author, you can obtain more inspiration from others to create more brilliant works, what's more, your works on our platform will catch more attention and win more admiration from readers.
Comments