Ryan's POV
Five minutes have gone by already.
Tardiness is one of the things I detest so much. It irks the shit out of me.
If I am here for another five minutes and she isn't here, I am leaving. The time I am spending here is going to be enough to do a lot of work in the office.
Taking a final glance at the door to the restaurant where I have been waiting for almost ten minutes, I sigh heavily, thinking about the huge amount of changes that would happen to me in the next couple of months.
I initially took it the wrong way.
Getting to know about the betrothal and the fact that I have to be married soon to inherit my grandfather's construction company.
That old man knew I was never going to get married and he did this on purpose. My father didn't inform me all this while and this is why I am infuriated.
No one forced me to come here. I just thought it would be a nice idea to come to see who I am going to get married to in the next couple of months.
Even though I don't like the idea of being betrothed when I am man enough to find a woman of my choice, I need her.
She is my grandfather's choice. Mother likes her obviously from the way she was gushing about how good of a girl she is.
Getting married to her shouldn't be a big of a deal then. We would be married. We don't need to be in love with each other. My parents didn't think of this before betrothing us to each other so getting married out of love shouldn't be a problem.
The more I find myself seated alone in this empty place, the more upset I become and the more I am becoming less interested in pulling through with this shit.
If this is just a trick to get me married, then so be it. Can't I find someone by myself? I do not want a spoiled brat who won't be time conscious anytime we need to get out or attend an event.
Obviously, this girl I am betrothed to is spoiled and not time conscious.
I hate that attitude already.
What exactly is the essence of this betrothal when I can be told when to be married for me to inherit the company?
I just need to find one girl out of the numerous girls on my table to be married to.
Honestly, this is bullshit!
With a stab of anger, I rise abruptly and pick up my phone, turning to leave when the transparent door is thrown open by the guard at the door and a lady steps in.
Ridiculous is not the word for how she looked.
This is definitely not who I am expecting. My mother described her as a sophisticated beautiful lady which is why I jumped to the conclusion that she is a spoiled brat.
Is this a f***ing tracksuit? I crease my brow in confusion as I continue to stare as she approaches me.
Who wears a matching tracksuit to a date with a man you will soon be married to?
Everything about her is absurd.
She isn't beautiful, probably because she has the wrong accessories on and bad make-up.
Am I getting married to a clown? What the hell is this?
If I wasn't ill-tempered, this is enough to make me ill-tempered.
"Hey", she waves shyly at me when she is close by, jerking me out of my reverie and increasing my anger.
Probably because of my anger, I can't seem to form a word. The look on my face showed it all.
She ignores it and it dawns on me that this is planned. The expression on my face isn't something someone like her should overlook. She ought to come here to impress me, not otherwise and that isn't what she is doing.
Apparently, I am not the only one upset about this betrothal. She is too and the only way she can spite her parents and me is to become a clown by dressing this way on our first date.
When I finally find my voice after blinking severally and looking up at her to be sure she is the one I came here for, I growl loudly. "What the hell is this?"
The shy smile on her face vanishes and turns into a scowl. She doesn't look timid anymore but confident in what she is doing and what she is wearing.
"What are you talking about?" She asks back innocently but her looks say otherwise.
She isn't innocent. She knows what I am talking about.
Instead of barking at her, and letting out my pent-up anger, I plopped to the seat, making an effort to control my nerves and keep my cool.
I need her.
Mother likes her. Father would never go against Grandfather's wish even though the old man is long dead and gone. They all want me to get married. There is absolutely nothing I can say to them to change this.
This betrothal is really important to them.
To Grandfather. If it wasn't, Father would never bring it up now. He would have suggested I find a girl myself.
What good will come out of getting mad at this silly girl and running to my father?
Nothing.
This just won't do, I shake my head again. I can't control my anger. I feel like shouting at the top of my voice. First, for coming late and not making it worthwhile but coming in a dumb dress like this.
Does she have no shame?
Before I can find an answer to the question, she drops to the seat opposite me with another smile on her face.
It is faked.
"Hi, I am Valerie Adams", she stretches her right hand for a handshake after dropping her tiny purse on the table separating us.
My gaze does not waver from her face. She looks funny and I'm sure I would have laughed out loud if this was done by my sister or not the girl I just found out I would be getting married to.
She is doing this on purpose and this knowledge is upsetting.
Without taking her hand, I lean backward with folded arms and she drops her hand with a disappointed look on her face.
It is faked too.
Valerie's POVThe plan worked.I almost burst out laughing when I first saw the look on his face. It was a combination of confusion and anger.He is obviously an impatient man. I came late on purpose and I am dressed this way on purpose too.I want to spite him. I am only here for a reason, not because I actually want to go ahead with the so-called silly betrothal and marriage preparations.No matter how much I think of this, it irks me and I want to do something to defy my parents for taking a major decision like this on my behalf.I have every right to go against them. I have every right to make decisions for myself. I am not a child.Finding Brenda in Fred's apartment last night is the result of my decision to come here. I never intended to. I was betrayed by my two best friends and I want to take my revenge on them.Mother was right. Fred isn't good for me.At first, I was giving him reasons to justify his actions but now it is clear to the eyes that he wants my friend too. He do
Ryan's POVIt sounds ridiculous.A contract marriage? What for?I laugh for a very long time, wishing it will piss her off but the lady in front of me isn't ready to be mad at anything I do at the moment.She is smiling with a determined look on her face. That sort of I- know-what-I-am-doing look makes me sober up immediately."Are you done laughing?" She leans forward, her stupid makeup in clear view.I do not reply to her. I just wish I didn't propose this meeting. I hope this will just end soon.Is it this psycho I am getting married to? Why will she even propose a contract marriage?As if hearing my thoughts, she comments. "The last time I checked, I had a boyfriend and I was asked to break up with him simply because I have been betrothed to some man. The last time I checked, we don't like each other a bit, so tell me what the hell you are thinking about? What the hell is stopping you from agreeing to this? You want us to be married forever?"I am tempted to let out a loud NO. I a
A MONTH LATERValerie's POVLife is about turning on different roads and choosing to either face the rock of reality or not.This is reality.That was the word I wrote down in the dressing room before coming out here to face my reality.This isn't what I have always dreamt of. This is the opposite of what I want for myself and my future.I am a strong believer in love, probably because I have experienced love in beautiful souls. I never believed in getting married out of love but here I am doing that one thing I never believed in or never knew existed.Dazed, I let the sound of applause get drowned in my head as I approach the arbor where the groom of the day is awaiting me.His name is Ryan and I am going to be his bride today. Not because we love each other but for different reasons and goals.I want my father to be back on his feet. I want him to return to that confident, strong man he used to be and I also want my revenge on Fred and Brenda.I am not doing this because I want our
Ryan's POVThe door is locked.My hand is on the doorknob still. Then I turn it again but it won't budge.It has been locked from the inside. Without thinking of a single reason why the woman I just got married to a few hours ago is locking me outside my own bedroom, I raise my hand to knock.The knock is loud enough to wake the dead. She can't possibly tell me that she locked the door and slept off. I only spent thirty minutes outside trying to let everything sink into my head and also to think of what to do after this damn thing is over.I have been trying to get over how she ridiculed me at the church wedding. She didn't let me kiss her on the lips. Isn't that part of the pretense? We are to make believe that we are real and beginning to like each other, isn't this what she said?I felt humiliated. What if someone had seen that?Fortunately, no one was quick to observe anything between us. Not even the tension and despise we feel for each other.There is no answer."Valerie, open t
Valerie's POVDetermined to get on his nerves tonight, I lay sprawled on the bed fully clothed. The moment the shower goes off, I close my eyes to pretend that I am asleep.I can't let him sleep with me on the same bed. We can't share the same bed.I love my privacy and space. I never had any reason to share a bed with anyone, except Fred and I am not ready to get to that stage with Ryan.I know we are supposed to sign the contract tonight but I am seriously not going to give him the chance to sweet-talk me into letting him sleep here tonight.The bathroom door opens and I imagine him coming out of the bathroom with a bare chest trailing with water from his wet hair and a towel wrapped around his waist.I imagine the glare he will throw my way when he notices I'm already asleep on the bed, sprawled with my legs apart to prevent him from getting into bed with me.Today is our first night as a couple and I want us to stick to the rules of the contract to ease the whole period we will be
Ryan's POVShe practically jumps on me, scaring the shit out of me. I sit up immediately, letting her slide down with a big grin on her face."What was that for?"She shrugs nonchalantly like she hasn't done anything wrong."I need to sleep", I almost add, please. I am already tired of arguing back and forth with her. It is obvious she isn't going to let me be."Please?" She demands, raising her brow. This is when I notice her hand on mine. I yank my hand off immediately.Turning back to the bed, I comment. "Please."Then, I lay down, hoping she will let me be now."I didn't ask you to sleep yet", she jumps down from the bed and drags me up. Now I am more than convinced that she jumps for a living. Why the hell is she jumping like a monkey all over the place? What does she even do for a living?I know I married a stranger but I should have asked her if she had a job so she won't be a complete liability. Having to help her parents is enough."We need to sign the contract first of all…
Valerie's POV My nose twitches and my eyes flick open, the rays of the sun setting on my skin. I sit up and glance around as the memories of yesterday's event come rushing as well as last night. I turn to the curtains to see them open. Did Ryan open them? I look towards the door and it is still locked. Maybe the curtains were drawled to their sides last night. I get out of bed and move towards the door, rubbing my two hands on my eyes to rub off the sleep. I am damn hungry and I could eat a horse right now. I unlock the door and get out. Finding my way to the kitchen, I get to the living room and my eyes fall on Ryan sleeping on the floor with his blanket hanging on his leg, half of it on the couch. Did he fall from the couch or he purposely slept on the floor? I almost chuckle at the sight of him sleeping with his legs apart. I know he might want to go to work since there is no talk of a honeymoon and I really don't want him around for the whole day. Maybe I should wake him
Ryan's POVLike an erupting volcano, I burst into my parent's mansion with anger coursing through me and stormy red eyes.I stalk towards the second living room when no one is in sight the moment I enter, except for the maids whom I do not feel like talking to.The person I want to see is my mother. And dad.They both caused this. If only they didn't try to force me or blackmail me into marrying that crazy woman in the penthouse, maybe I won't be this frustrated, angry, and sad, and I would probably be on my way to work, excited for a new day's challenge.They caused this so they should answer for this.During the wedding yesterday, I realized mother was the one behind it all. She was the one who reminded my dad about it and pushed him to force me into this.This is just unfair. This is unfair.This is sheer wickedness.Just before I get to the living room, Nita appears. When she spots me, she smiles and waves her hand but I shove her away and enter to see mom sitting on her usual cha